Camp Hendon News

What made you decide to volunteer at Camp Hendon and how long have you been volunteering?
I think I've been coming to Camp Hendon about 6 years now. The reason I originally came was actually because my nursing school offered us to go to Camp Hendon over the summer instead of taking a class. I fell in love with all the volunteers there and really enjoyed my experience so I've been coming back every year since and it just keeps getting better!

What is your role at camp?
I am a nurse, however I think most of the volunteers agree we all wear many hats and share a lot of roles and responsibilities.

Why do you come back year after year? What do you get from camp or how has it impacted your life?
I come back because it's truly a fantastic experience. It helps me grow as an individual and enhances my life. From the staff to the campers it's an absolute pleasure to be there. Camp helps me develop my time management, patience, leadership skills, communication, patience, and oh, did I mention patience? 

What is your favorite activity at camp and why?
Personally, dangle duos. I don't care how many times I've come to camp that thing is by far the hardest exercise. You'd think after half a decade I would remember how to do it or have some method down. Nope. Nothing has made me feel more helpless. Dangle duos keeps me humble.
As an overall experience I love the trust fall. There’s always one or two campers who are scared and nervous and watching them push past their comfort zone is a very inspiring experience to bear witness to.

What are some things you have learned or taken away from camp?
Every year I learn more about diabetes, even with being a medical expert. From pumps to CGMs my knowledge changes and grows every year.

What do you do in your real life when you’re not giving your time to Camp Hendon?
I’m a traveling ICU nurse so I tell everyone I'm a professional hobo, but most people would probably use the term gypsie. I'm extremely active. I pretty much do all the outdoor activities/things. I also play video games with my besties across the U.S.A. If you've seen my Instagram you probably know my dog Stella! She is a long-haired dachshund so basically a fluffy wiener dog. She's everything to me and goes everywhere with me.

Do you have any skills or talents that many may not know about you?
I’m pretty good at soccer!

Original Source: ​https://spalding.edu/blog/kosair-charities-spalding-announce-2021-cohort-of-kosair-charities-leadership-development-institute-for-nonprofit-leaders/
​By: Steve Jones
​December 15, 2020

Kosair Charities and Spalding University announced Tuesday the 20 individuals who will make up the 2021 cohort of the Kosair Charities Leadership Development Institute, a yearlong interactive program at Spalding for leaders of area nonprofit organizations. The institute, which is in its second year, aims to improve and enhance already high-performing nonprofits that are dedicated to supporting children and families.
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The second class of the Kosair Charities Leadership Development Institute (LDI) includes executive directors and senior leaders from a range of nonprofit organizations, with some of them among the more than 80 organizations that have received philanthropic support from Kosair Charities. Spalding’s Kosair Charities Leadership Development Institute is believed to be a one-of-a-kind partnership in the region between a university and a philanthropic organization to provide broad professional development to leaders in the social impact sector.

Beginning in January, the new Kosair Charities LDI cohort will collaborate with others during a year of professional development and executive coaching from an array of Spalding faculty, staff and community partners in all facets of organizational development and leadership.

“We are excited to continue our unique partnership with Spalding University for a second year in order to equip even more of our area’s most outstanding nonprofit leaders with evidence-based tools and valuable skills that will help sustain and advance their organizations, whose services and advocacy are vital to our community’s well-being,” Kosair Charities President Keith Inman said.

“By the end of 2021, more than three dozen organizations will have leaders who have completed this high-level professional development and coaching from Spalding’s expert faculty and staff. This LDI class is a diverse, dynamic group of leaders who are providing a range of educational, health care, cultural and support services that will help children and families reach their full potential. The institute will help them learn how to perform their important work at a higher level.”

The group will primarily meet virtually for the duration of the pandemic, participating in workshops, projects and executive coaching by nationally certified coaches, covering concepts similar to those of a graduate-level academic program. Topics will include emotional intelligence leadership, financial and strategic management, fundraising, marketing and public relations, organizational culture and team-building, and ethical leadership. Throughout the course, the curriculum will weave in social justice concepts.

“I am honored to be selected as a Kosair Charities LDI participant,” said Marland Cole, one of the new cohort members who serves as Executive Director of Evolve502. “I am looking forward to gaining new tools and perspectives that will enable me to grow in my leadership role. I also appreciate the opportunity to build a network of relationships with other nonprofit thought leaders who share similar experiences and challenges.”
Nearly 20 Spalding faculty, staff and community partners, including Spalding President Tori Murden McClure and Kosair Charities’ Inman, will serve as workshop presenters and coaches for the LDI.

Dr. Joanne Berryman, who retired in 2019 as Spalding’s Provost and is a former Senior Vice President for Jewish Hospital and a former CEO of Frazier Rehab Institute, serves as the university’s Kosair Charities LDI Program Director. Berryman is also a certified Gallup Strengths-Based Leadership Coach and is certified by Multi-Health Systems and Genos Inc. as an Emotional Intelligence Coach.

“Spalding University is proud to partner with Kosair Charities to continue providing this high-level training to nonprofit leaders who are doing some of the most meaningful work in our community, and our involvement aligns perfectly with the Spalding mission,” McClure said. “As a small, compassionate university dedicated to peace, justice and service – and as a nonprofit organization, itself, made up of experienced nonprofit leaders – Spalding is well-suited to deliver this type of comprehensive training and coaching. We can’t wait to get started with the second cohort!”

SPALDING’S KOSAIR CHARITIES LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTE 2021 COHORT ROSTER

• Stacy Bailey-Ndiaye, Executive Director, Bridge Kids International
• Karina Barillas, Executive Director, La Casita Center
• Kaitlin Blessitt, Executive Director, Marty’s Orchid House
• Marland Cole, Executive Director, Evolve502
• Megan Cooper, Executive Director, Camp Hendon
• Arthur Cox, Executive Director, St. George’s Scholar Institute
• Jennie Jean Davidson, Executive Director, Neighborhood House
• Emilie Dyer, Program Director, Americana World Community Center
• Edwin Fox, Tutoring Program Coordinator, First Gethsemane Center for Family Development
• Tanisha “Tish” Frederick, Founder, BAYA
• Sonja Grey, Executive Director, ECHO
• Sarah Halfacre, Executive Director, Green Hill Therapy
• Joe McCombs, Director of Operations, enTECH at Spalding Univ.
• Kathy Mullen, Director of Education, VIPS Louisville
• Christina Poole, Founder/President, City Schoolhouse
• Kish Cumi Price, Director of Education Policy and Programming, Louisville Urban League
• Katherine Six, Executive Director, Educational Justice
• David Weathersby, Chief Operating Officer, Seven Counties Services
• Patricia Williams, President and CEO, Wesley House Community Services
• Lori Wilson, Executive Director, Carriage House Educational Services

How did you first get involved with Camp Hendon?
My Camp Hendon involvement goes all the way back to 1986 which was my first year as a camper.  If I remember correctly, I was a camper for 7 years and then was on staff in various positions for 10 years, maybe a few more than that.  I was first told about camp by my endocrinologist at the time, Dr. Michael Foster, who is on staff as a member of the board as well as the medical director.  It was a fantastic idea and I am very grateful he recommended camp to me and encouraged that in my life at that time.  I now live in North Carolina and have not been able to make it back with my work schedule and other obligations.  Hopefully that will change soon!

What motivates you to stay involved with Camp Hendon?
My motivation to stay involved comes from my desire to assist with the mission statement.  Having had diabetes for more than 35 years, you meet a lot of people and hear a lot of things - some of which are true and some of which are not.  Camp Hendon is one of the most effective ways for individual impact so I do what little I can to help children understand they should never give in to having a "bad day " just because they have diabetes.

What does the Camp Hendon mission mean to you?
I believe that the mission is very important in trying to elevate children with diabetes in the greater Kentucky area.  It is important to remember that children with diabetes are children first and diabetics second and not the other way around.  In actuality, the correct way to state that would be they are children first and they happen to have diabetes just as they may happen to have brown hair or blue eyes.  Camp Hendon supports this by allowing children to be kids first and not allow diabetes to hold anyone back in any way from doing anything they want to.  It could be very easy for someone diagnosed with diabetes to feel like they are not able to do things because of that diagnosis.  This is false.  Diabetes is common enough to know people that have it but usually not common enough to have multiple children in the same class in school to have it.  This can unfortunately create problems with feeling isolated and feeling different.  Camp Hendon strives to make all children and all participants in the camp aware that diabetes is not something to hold anyone back nor should anyone feel "different "because of it.  If children feel the opposite of this, they will not grow and progress and reach their potential which would be tragic.

What is one of your favorite camp memories?
Favorite camp memories?  Here are a few.... Tajar Tales, "Is it your birthday today?"  Camp dances (leave room for the Holy Spirit), camp songs (why don't you come along and sing... about land of the silver birch, some castles in Tovishka... dont forget the visuals!)  Campfires, obstacle courses, scavenger hunts, battling the ant infestations, golf cart rides through the woods (don't forget to remove the Gerald so we can go faster...) Being on staff with my big brother.  Hug that tree! Probably one of the greatest things is the smile you create on campers' faces when you have a fun time at camp, as well as the many meaningful friendships some of which I have had for more than 30 years through camp.  And my memories would not be complete nor would I do it justice without mentioning this last...... Linger.

Why did you decide to start donating to Camp Hendon?
Being that I have not been to camp in over 10 years, there is this large void from not having any involvement with the campers or the staff.  I value and support what camp is trying to accomplish so I tried to figure out what I could do to still be involved and help.  Helping however I can with donating to the camp seems like the best way to be involved.  I would rather be at camp but if I cannot be there, at least I can support in other ways.

What would you tell someone who is considering donating to Camp Hendon?
One of the many great things about supporting Camp Hendon is that you are not just a number donating to a large cause.  There are many other wonderful things to donate to that need our help, however your donation to camp has an immediate impact on what is trying to be accomplished and the staff know that and communicate that with the people that donate.  It is nice to know that you aren't just a number on the donation sheet but someone who really plays a role in what is going on.  I would encourage anyone looking for a way to make a difference to consider donating to Camp Hendon.  It benefits the campers as well as the staff in numerous ways and creates a lifetime of positive memories and encouragement that everyone benefits from.  Donating your time, talent, and treasure not only creates opportunities and rewards for the entity you are donating to, it also benefits the person that is doing the donating.  So help with the camp, campers, staff, and yourself by helping a worthy cause. It will make your heart happy!

What do you do when you aren’t supporting Camp Hendon?
Work takes up a lot of my time, but when not working I enjoy spending time with my wife and our children.  We enjoy traveling as well as spending time on the lake in the summer.  I used to play ice hockey at a local adult league but then I got old.  Thinking about dusting off the equipment for another try at that.

The question EVERYONE wants to know…when are you coming back?!
When am I coming back?....  Tough to say.  My girls are going to be 9 and 10 by the time camp rolls around next summer.  If they are now old enough and the schedule works, I would love to bring them.  If not this year, hopefully next.  I will have to see if I can find several pairs of colored tube socks for the week.  Are you all sure you want me back on staff?  Likely will have an unprecedented amount of tree hugging.  Hope the forest is big enough!

Anything else you would like to add?
For several years my brother was on staff and came to camp with me.  His pancreas works, 100% of it, but he came to support me and the other campers and staff.  Anyone that was there when he came will tell you that we had an absolutely fantastic time and he was one heck of a fun counselor!  If I was to ask for anything from camp, it would be for those to reach out and to encourage him to come back on staff.  You won't be sorry and he won't be sorry, trust me!
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"Check your blood sugar...check it often.
There’s no reason not to."
-Wilford “The Walrus” Brimley