Camp Courage Celebrates 35 Years of Service!
Paul Gresham helps Collin Randolf float during an open swim in the lake at Camp Courage.
July 28, 2010
It’s more than just a camp; it’s family. For 35 years now, Camp Courage has opened its doors to 6- to 18-year-olds with physical disabilities to enjoy summer in a way they may otherwise not be able to at Western Illinois Youth Camp.
Camp started Monday and will end with a big potluck Friday evening where everybody says good-bye, shedding lots of tears, said Ella White, one of the co-founders. A maximum of about 35 kids participate to maintain a familial atmosphere, White said.
White’s son Donnie was diagnosed with a brain tumor which, after surgery, left him unable to talk or walk. In the waiting room at his therapy sessions, White talked with other mothers who wished they had a type of place these kids could go so they decided to form their own camp. And it really does feel like a family. Usually, all the campers find somebody to latch on to and everybody calls White “Momma Ella,” according to co-director Shelly Langeland.
“Ella saw my child grow into a man,” said Langeland, as her son, Kyle, came to camp when he was 8 years old and still does at 23 years old. “You have to trust the person pulling you out of your wheelchair or wiping your dirty face. You sweat together like you’ve never sweat before. You get close.”
White echoed her sentiment. “It gets in your heart and you can’t leave,” White said. “As long as I can keep coming out, I’ll keep going along with it.” Langeland believes it was God’s hand at work that led her to camp about 15 years ago when she received a letter inviting Kyle to participate in camp. Nobody can quite tell to this day who sent the letter.
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Adventure Camper
Awarded Arrow of Light
Adventure Camper, Dwight Nichols, on right, is pictured with fellow Cub Scout after being awarded the Arrow of Light.
June 17, 2010
Cub Scout Pack 158, sponsored by the Franklin Lions, proudly announces that two of our Weblos Scouts earned the top award in Cub Scouting, the Arrow of Light. Adam Morris and Dwight Nichols were awarded the Arrow of Light by their parents during a candlelight ceremony on May 18, 2010.
To earn the Arrow of Light the Weblos Scout must learn the Pledge of Allegiance, the Scout Oath, the Scout Law and the Scout Motto and be able to explain what each means. Each scout must also earn at least eight other activity badges including Fitness, Citizen, Ready and Outdoorsman. The Arrow of Light Badge is the only Cub Scout award allowed, by the Boy Scouts of America, to be worn on the Boy Scout uniform.
Both of these young men have made commitments to advance to Boy Scouts. Mr. Morris and Mr. Nichols will enter into Troop 103. Boy Scout Troop 103 is sponsored by Centenary United Methodist Church and meets at Jacksonville Airport. Franklin, IL, does not have an active Boy Scout troop.
These young men feel the activites were their favorite part of Cub Scouting along with making new friends and learning. They all worked hard to achieve this award. If you see them around town, congratulate them on a job well done!
Camp Director Receives
Community Service Award
Camp Director, Casey McDaniel, receives the A. Wadsworth Applebee Award from Andrew Applebee.
June 03, 2010
A young man was honored Thursday by the Jacksonville Kiwanis in recognition of his service and committment to children in the area. Jacksonville resident Casey McDaniel, 24, was named the sixth recipient of the A. Wadsworth Applebee Community Service Award.
McDaniel is a second-grade teacher at Brown County Elementary School in Mount Sterling. His dedication to youth extends in his work as an activity director at Western Illinois Youth Camp and a crisis intervention counselor at Midwest Youth Services. He is also involved in the Big Brothers/Big Sisters program and Habitat for Humanity. He is a former worship leader at First Baptist Church and former garden project coordinator.
McDaniel said part of what drives him to do the work he does is simply the company he keeps. "Ever since high school I've always tried to surround myself with people who like to do things bigger than themselves," McDaniel said. "It's more fulfilling helping others than just helping yourself."
Youth Camp Board President Bob Large was one of five members of the committee that selected McDaniel and said he was glad with the decision. "Casey's really been a blessing for us," Large said. "He's worked really hard and we're glad he's being honored tonight."
The award was presented by one of the club's senior members Andrew Applebee on behalf of his family. He said he did not know McDaniel was the award recipient until he arrived at the luncheon, but said he'd known him for about a year when McDaniel first called him to rent an apartment. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE!