C H A N G I N G L I V E S , O N E C A M P E R AT A T I M E !
Dec 2014
This letter has been put off long enough! It is one of the hardest notes I’ve had to
write. The long and short of it is this: after much prayer and talking with my family,
I have decided it’s time to let someone else take over as Director of Camp Attitude.
Effective September 1st I have been done. This ends some of the best times of my
life!
I have had the opportunity to see Camp Attitude “grow up.” Back in 2004 when
my family and I came to camp for a couple days to pull a few families around on the
tube, I NEVER thought or dreamed God would bless Camp Attitude the way he
has! Ten years later, it’s time for new energy to lead the camp. Lori and I have been
at peace with the decision since I announced it to the Board of Directors in April.
We have had the honor of meeting some of the strongest people
in the world - the parents and grandparents that are raising their
special needs kids. You truly are an inspiration to me! The brave kids you brought to camp
taught me every day that “anything is possible!” The courage and trust it took from y’all to let
me and a few young men carry your kids down to the river was amazing! The courage that some
moms had in the boat while your kiddos were on the tube was an example of trust that I will
never forget.
We have had the honor of working next to some of the best volunteers in the world! It takes a
small army to staff ONE week of camp…let alone EIGHT! It was truly was fun to watch the
Buddies whose lives were changed forever while serving. “Tent City” and what happened in it,
will forever be one of my fondest memories!
I just want to thank you all for the trust you have shown to me and the Board of Directors.
Trust with your kids. Trust with your grandkids. For the parents of Buddies, trust with your
high school student. And for our the donors, the trust with your money. THANK YOU.
It hasn’t always been easy to lead, but it certainly was worth it! We are looking forward to a new
chapter in life - one filled with grandkids and family vacations that were put on hold for several
years while we were at camp all summer.
I have no doubt that Camp Attitude will continue to be a blessing to families that have
special needs kids. We will be praying for God’s guiding hand in all the decisions the Board
of Directors will make both now and in the future.
Camp Attitude, and the people associated with it will ALWAYS have a special place in my
heart.
Good bye and God Bless,
Louie
Your attitude
should be the
same as that of
Christ Jesus.
-- Phil 2:5
Fundraising Thank You’s!
At Camp Attitude, we pride ourselves on being able to offer a week of free summer
camp to special needs children and their families. This is made possible by our
volunteers who pay to serve at camp and many generous donors who sponsor our
camp families. This past year, we had two fundraisers that brought in a total of over
$30,000!
Last spring, the Jaquez family – Gonzo, Lisa, and daughter Ysabel - contacted Camp
Attitude with an interest in setting up a “challenge fundraiser.” They attended camp
in 2013 and were so moved by the experience that they wanted to give back. Their
goal was to raise $7,500 after which they would personally increase the total by
$1,000. Through a social media and email campaign, the Jaquez family shattered
their goal and helped raise over $10,000 for Camp Attitude! This helped send more
than 20 families to camp this past summer. Thank you Jaquez family!!!
Another big “Thank You” goes out to the Oregon Fraternal Order of Eagles. For the past year,
they have been highlighting Camp Attitude within their organization and sponsoring a t-shirt
fundraiser. In June, we were invited to their state convention in Albany where Camp Attitude
was presented with a check for over $21,000! Thank you Oregon Eagles!
To everyone who has supported Camp Attitude in any way, thank you! We could not do what
we do without your prayers, generous donations, and thousands of volunteer hours. If you have
an idea for a fundraiser or want to get more involved, please let us know. For fundraising ideas,
contact Craig Waters – [email protected].
CAMP ATTITUDE REWARDS
Have Fun - Save Money - Give Back
CAMPATTITUDEREWARDS.COM
We have recently teamed up with Adrenaline Fundraising to launch CampAttitudeRewards.com.
Through this FREE online portal, you can shop at thousands of national retailers while earning cash
back for both yourself AND Camp Attitude! A few of the many participating retailers are Target,
Kohls, Walmart, Amazon, and Starbucks! Simply create a free account at campattituderewards.com and start shopping to earn money for Camp Attitude.
As an added bonus, you can become a Gold Member for just $30 a year and earn double cash back
both for you and Camp Attitude! In addition, for every $30 Gold Membership purchased, Camp
Attitude receives $10 and you get to choose a free gift. It couldn’t be easier and anyone can join so
be sure to share this with all of your friends and family! Sponsor Thank You’s!
Dear Sponsor,
There is no price that can be put on a renewed marriage, renewed hope for
siblings, renewed joy in a special needs child. Being a parent is a hard job. Being a parent
to a child with special needs is even harder. We came to camp needing to find joy in
the trials, hope in the fears and faith that no matter what, we CAN keep going. Camp
brought smiles in our children and smiles to our faces. We would never be able to attend
a camp like this without the support of others. Thank you for your part in bringing us
to camp as a family!
May God Bless You!
Ron, Alyssa, Kaelyn, Madelyn, Brookelyn, & Camper T.J.
Dear Sponsor,
Thank you for sponsoring our full week at Camp Attitude. I have really
enjoyed my stay here. All the love these children receive is so amazing. Some children
with special needs never get to experience things like horse riding or kayaking. It’s so
heartwarming to see the smiles of buddies and campers enjoying time together. The
relationships last beyond camp. Thank you again for sponsoring our family to come to
Camp Attitude and we wish to sponsor a family when we receive more money.
Thanks so much!
The McFarland Family (written by Grant McFarland)
CHANGING LIVES…ONE CAMPER AT A TIME
On our way home, Josh, our semi-verbal 11 year old, unprompted and spontaneously said, “That was a fun camp!” He so rarely expresses his feelings or speaks a complete sentence like that; we both jumped from surprise. You all have made an incredible
impact on our kids and us. We will continue to diligently lift you up in prayer.
Much thanks to God and you,
Melodie, Terry, Josh and Sam
What can you do to get your friends, family, or company involved
in being a part of Camp Attitude?
If you have an idea for a fundraiser or a creative way to give to Camp Attitude, we’d love
to hear about it! Please contact Craig Waters - [email protected] and let us know
how we can support you in your efforts. Also check out the camp website for more info
on work parties and volunteering opportunities. Thank you!
w w w . c a m p a t t i t u d e . c o m
Letter from Dan
There is nothing quite like experiencing summer camp at Camp Attitude. Ask anyone who
has been involved and you are sure to hear words like: unbelievable, heartwarming, joyful,
loving, fun, giving, and more. I honestly do not think there are enough words to describe
The Happiest Place On Earth (formerly known as Disneyland)! If you’ve experienced
Camp Attitude for yourself, you know exactly what I’m talking about and I am not
exaggerating.
Once again, we had 8 amazing weeks of summer camp in 2014. This year was a little
different, however, because we dedicated our first 2 weeks to serving campers who were high
school age and above. Because the campers were older, we decided to change a few of the
activities. The major difference was replacing the traditional Wednesday night carnival with a Prom. Yes, a real live Prom.
The girls got all dolled up and the guys cleaned up pretty well. I wish you could have seen the beautiful
smiles on the girls’ faces as many of them experienced Prom for the very first time. I don’t think I will ever
understand the total adoration and warmth in my heart that I felt watching one of the girls in a wheelchair
whirl around and dance like no one else was watching. It was heaven!
While we pause to reminisce about 2014, we are already planning for 2015. Please keep
us in your thoughts and prayers as we push forward. We have some specific projects we
must complete (improving the river access is a top priority) and we need sponsorship
donations as we hope to serve a record setting number of campers next year. May God Bless You!
Without your generous financial contributions, Camp Attitude could not
operate. Please consider mailing in a donation or go online to
sponsor a camper and or our donation page.

“If you would like to be transferred from our US mailing list to our
E-email list or if you wish to be removed from
our mailing list, email or send a notice to
[email protected] or
Camp Attitude - PO Box 207 - Foster OR 97345.”
w w w . c a m p a t t i t u d e . c o m
C A M P ATT I T U D E O R E G O N
4 5 8 2 9 S A N T I A M H W Y | P. O . B O X 2 0 7 , F O S T E R , O R E G O N 9 7 3 4 5
PHONE 541-367-3420 | EMAIL [email protected]