SUMMER
2014
RED BARN REPORT
Good news from Flying Horse Farms
This spring, the magic of family
camps kept our campfire burning
bright. And now, it’s time to turn
up the fun on summer.
REMAINING 2014 CAMP SCHEDULE
Hematology & Oncology Camp: July 8-12
Pulmonary & Nephrology Camp: July 15–20
Ranger Program (teens only): July 15–20
Rheumatology & GI Camp: July 27–August 1
General Family Camp: September 12–14
Craniofacial Camp Weekend: September 26–28
General Family Camp: October 10-12
General Family Camp: October 24–26
www.flyinghorsefarms.org
THREE CHEERS
for
VOLUNTEERS
Kathleen Starkoff
Every day, we
celebrate our amazing
volunteers who
bring the magic of camp
to life for our campers and their families. We
treasure their tireless efforts and their talent for
costume wearing, craft making and dish washing.
We applaud their willingness to make beds, pull
weeds, kiss fish and lip-sync. Most of all, we cheer
for their dedication to making our campers smile.
John Lewis
We love our volunteers. Every. Single. One.
Bill McDonough
At our Volunteer Appreciation 2013 celebration,
we recognized everyone who makes camp
possible. And, we also celebrated a few volunteers
who brought some extra spirit to camp last year.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Carole Watkins
Chair
Vice-Chair
Past Chair
Secretary
Charles E. Zebula
Treasurer
Jenni Belford
Founder
David Belford
Board Emeritus and Founder
Gerard Boyle, MD
Chuck Fowler
Rhonda Fraas
Robin Grant, Esq.
Veronica Hawkins
Ed Kline
Nick Lashutka
Paul McCaffrey
Julie Namy
Joseph E. Ross, MD
Molly Ruben
Joshua Secrest
Follow us.
To our hundreds of generous volunteers,
we would simply like to say—thank you.
VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION 2013
AWARD WINNERS
Golden Plunger Award: Craig Campbell, Jr.
COOL Award: The Magic Makers
Helping Hand Award: Consolidated Electric
Cheyanne’s Rising Star Award: Girl Scout Troop 1952
Craig Campbell Senior Award: Kristen Redmond
Campers First Award: Haley Reed
Healer Extraordinaire Award: Sharon Ross
All Work No Pay Award: Sara Knight
CAMP TO
THE CORPS
This spring, eight members of the AmeriCorps National Civilian
Community Corps (NCCC) lived and worked their magic at camp.
“AmeriCorps NCCC is a great program because of the
benefit for its members and the community,” said
AmeriCorps member Jesse Crouch. “It gets the members
in the habit of service. It puts them in a position where
they can thrive and grow, and at the same time provides
an amazing amount of service.”
“Being a part of AmeriCorps NCCC and working at Flying
Horse Farms has made me appreciate what I have in my
life, and to never take for granted my health or my family’s
health,” said AmeriCorps member Zach Young. “Through
this experience, I learned to be grateful and give more—
because I have the ability to.”
The dedicated members of the Flying Horse Farms
AmeriCorps team worked closely with our Facilities
Manager, David Hennessey, on many grounds-related
projects this year, such as getting the Outpost ready for
camp, building accessible paths and moving—and then
rebuilding—the Disco, our discovery center, in a new
location across camp (thanks to generous funding from
Consolidated Electric and Worthington Industries). The
projects they completed will have a tremendous impact
on campers for years to come.
Our camp staff welcomed the AmeriCorps NCCC
members with open arms, and stood by with hugs and
tears as they departed camp on their last day. Their
kindness, know-how and can-do attitudes represent the
determined spirit of camp, down to the core.
While they were here, these young role models taught
campers and staff as much about the power of giving
as working at Flying Horse Farms taught them.
When asked what he would like others to know about
camp, Jesse said, “I would like people to know about
Flying Horse Farms’ commitment to their campers and
the quality of camp. They are able to touch the lives of
campers in a very empowering and transformative way.”
Our spring family camps welcomed
home dozens of happy campers
and their families.
Brooke Clayton and Emily Miller unknowingly
passed each other in the bright white halls of
Akron Children’s Hospital on their way to countless
checkups, procedures and treatments.
But, it wasn’t until they met at their first Rheumatology
Camp in 2012 that they became fast friends.
Just like their personalities, both girls’ diagnoses are
unique—but also strikingly similar.
Emily was diagnosed with juvenile idiopathic arthritis
at the age of 3, after she experienced a rash and fever
accompanied by a loss of feeling in her legs that left her
unable to move.
Brooke, a gymnast and athlete, was diagnosed in 2009
with juvenile dermatomyositis, an inflammatory disease of
the muscle, skin and blood vessels that affects only three
in 1 million children each year.
For both girls, their diagnosis meant they were often in
pain and had to severely restrict or cease their physical
activities. The limitations took a toll on their spirits. But
camp—and the power of their friendship—has changed
the way the girls see themselves and their world.
“They are great girls and they complement
one another—their weaknesses and
strengths. They help each other come out
of their shells and feel beautiful.”
“Just being around other kids with her same illness has
encouraged Emily to take the extra step and has made
her realize how lucky she really is,” Emily’s mother, Karen,
said. “Camp has taught her to be humble, grateful and
adventurous—and to be more helpful and caring.
“The girls talk every day on the phone. And since they
only live 20 minutes apart—they see each other all the
time. But it’s more than just their friendship. They are
great girls and they complement one another—their
weaknesses and strengths. They help each other come
out of their shells and feel beautiful.”
Their friendship is just one of the many they’ve forged at
camp—and just one of the gifts they’ve gained from their
experience.
Both girls also have found ways to empower themselves
physically, in part because of the resiliency and strength
they’ve learned at camp. Emily now enjoys soccer and
track, and both girls share a love of archery. Brooke even
has her own archery set and practices with her father at a
local range near their home every weekend.
“Camp has given Brooke a sense of normalcy and
something to look forward to,” said her mother, Tami.
”She knows camp is special. She’s actually skipped school
dances in favor of going to Flying Horse Farms. She says,
‘There will be other dances, but there will only be this
one camp’.”
This summer, both girls will attend Ranger Camp,
a servant-leadership program created for teen campers
who want to help fulfill the mission of Flying Horse Farms.
They are excited to give back to camp by impacting
the lives of younger campers—and helping them forge
friendships as strong as their own.
KRISTEN CAPADONA – Child Life Specialist
(Apparel designers, CAD designers,
concept, graphic designers,
illustrators, merchants, planners)
KATE SWINFORD – Data Management Coordinator
We’ve added three
members to our team.
MICHAEL WILKINSON – Assistant Facility Manager
FAMILY
REUNION
Every year, the extended Crane Family comes together
from across the country to give their time to one special
organization. This year, we were thrilled when they
selected Flying Horse Farms. The Crane family helped
us ready our Outpost and assemble our teepees,
so campers can sleep snug under the stars.
OUR FRIENDS ROCK.
Have some fun,
and support
Flying Horse Farms
at these upcoming
third-party events.
Contact Marla Leonhard at
[email protected]
for more information.
Big Dog Classic Charity Golf Outing
June 7, 2014
C. Wonder Easton First Anniversary Party
July 24, 2014
Flying Horse Farms Exhibition at
Hammond Harkins Galleries
Opening reception
September 12, 2014
(Exhibition closes: Sunday, October 12)
California Closets Fundraiser for Flying Horse Farms
October 9, 2014
SEASONAL
STAFF
Summer brings 28 seasonal staff members to our camp
team—all with new energy and bright ideas. Among
them are 24 college students who make up our fourth
class of Alcoa Good & Green Fellows. These young role
models have come to us from around the world to lead
camp environmental and sustainability efforts, while
working with campers as counselors and camp leaders.
They’re all calling camp home for the summer—and
we couldn’t be happier.
William Barnhart – Dietetics Leader
Emma Barrett – Teen Unit Leader
Natalie Bowers – Middle Program Specialist
Renai Bowers – Cabin Life Specialist
Kalista Braughton – Cabin Counselor
Stephanie Castrejon – Cabin Counselor
Carly Chernomorets – Spotlight Specialist
Alexa Donner – Youth Program Specialist
Emily Farmer – Middle Unit Leader
Maddie Farmer – Cabin Counselor
Megan Francis – Cabin Counselor
Nick Galantowicz – Arts & Crafts Specialist
Brian Hanks – Cabin Counselor
Collin Hanson – Cabin Counselor
Corinne Hone – Discovery Specialist
Sarah Kersey – Staff Leader
Ashley Kloeb – Youth Unit Leader
Thomas Kuehn – Lead Cook
Anne Lapeikis – Seasonal Nurse
Stevie Lehner - High Ropes Specialist
Andrew Lewis – Cabin Counselor
Nuala McSweeney – Teen Program Specialist
Jamie Miller – High Ropes Expert
Lori Moore - Aquatics Specialist
Austin Oberlin – Archery Specialist
Derick Schwedt – Cabin Counselor
Jessica Walters – Kitchen Assistant
Meredith Walton – Waterfront Specialist
So much can happen in two days. In October 2013, 50
associates from Abercrombie & Fitch attended a two-day
leadership retreat at Flying Horse Farms. What they began
while they were here changed camp forever and touched
the hearts of nearly 200 A&F associates.
“The WellNest mural project was created as a grouplearning experience,” said Katie Murray, Manager of Home
Office Development at A&F. “Human resources originally
envisioned the associates would complete the murals
during the leadership retreat; however, they decided to
go above and beyond.”
After an initial brainstorm and sketching session during
the retreat, the associates took their project ideas back
to the A&F home office, so more team members could
get involved and inspired.
“The teams were excited to transform the spaces
into something really special and came up with such
unbelievable ideas,” Katie said. “It just grew from there.”
The work that took place over the next month was the
collective creative effort of 198 associates, who provided
1,100 hours of service during a total of seven days.
The result was delightful floor-to-ceiling murals in five
rooms of the WellNest, which will bring joy and comfort
to our campers and medical staff for years to come.
“Everyone who came to the leadership retreat was so
overwhelmed and touched by what Flying Horse Farms
does,” Katie said. “They wanted to make something
beautiful and impactful for the people who come to
camp. As a result, they positively impacted their teams
with a project that touched their hearts and brought
them all closer together.”
CLEVELAND
FLYATHLON
September 27
Lakewood Park
Lakewood, Ohio
Save the date for these special Flying Horse
Farms events taking place in the fall. For more
information, please contact Marla Leonhard at
[email protected] or 419-751-7077.
Where camp is good medicine.
Flying Horse Farms
5260 State Route 95
Mt. Gilead, OH 43338
SUPERHERO CAMP
CHALLENGE
October 19
Flying Horse Farms
Mount Gilead, Ohio
CAMPFIRE **NEW DATE**
October 29
COSI
Columbus, Ohio