Camp Summit’s Board of Directors has announced its 2017 Remarkable Volunteer Award Winners. The annual award is presented each year at the Boots and Bandanas Dinner fundraiser, which is scheduled for November 2, 2017 at Eddie Deen’s Ranch.   

The 2017 winners are Baxter Hines, Current Board Chair; Josh Coleman, Immediate Past Board Chair; and Woody Grossman, Opening Gates Capital Campaign Chair, and Camper Parent. These men were selected in recognition of their joint leadership over the past five years in securing and raising the funds for a new, “forever home” camp location in Paradise, Texas.

 

Left to right:  Baxter Hines, Josh Coleman, Woody Grossman, and Carla Weiland, Camp Summit CEO

After a successful move to the new, 460 acre campus at the end of 2015, the organization completed its first year of service at the new camp in December of 2016, resulting in significant advancements to the accessibility of the facilities, the social and emotional impact of programming, and logistical details. In addition, the new facility has served as a catalyst for:

• New program development;

• An increased number of campers served;

• Improved counselor experiences and training opportunities; and,

• An expanded opportunity for our campers to explore and enjoy nature in an environment where barriers have been eliminated.

As a result, Camp Summit offers an experience that is extremely difficult to duplicate, regardless of resources. The “sleep-away” camping experience is one that cannot be created on family trips or day activities. It is one that is completely unique and one that is available to all through Camp Summit. 

The new camp has created a better environment for the campers and the full-time and seasonal staff.  In effect, it is a new, modern, spacious, remote, tranquil, stimulating, and safer camp experience. Touring the camp, we see the changes in the physical plant. But what is felt, is that the camp is more peaceful, because there are so many trees and so much space between activity sites. And the design and amount of space (including more climate controlled space) provides for unlimited possibilities.

The new camp also has inspired the staff to improve and add new and interesting activities, including the nature walk and the Allegro Garden featuring outdoor music and art. 

The reputation of the camp among potential counselors and staff continues to draw the highest quality team members from across the country and the world. The 2,420 campers served in 2016 represented a wide spectrum of age and disability, and approximately 90% of these campers benefited from financial assistance to attend camp. Camp Summit is honored to serve campers from North Texas, throughout the state and from several neighboring states.

The three honorees include:

Baxter Hines, our Board Chairman and an investment manager for NFJ Investment Group, a division of Allianz Global Investors. “Some of the best memories of my life are from the time I spent at summer camp growing up; it is my goal to provide that same experience to people who otherwise couldn’t have that opportunity.” states Mr. Hines.  “Through this project and my leadership role I can say that together we have made a huge difference in the lives of many, many campers.” Camp Summit is proud to honor Baxter as a 2017 Remarkable Volunteer.

Josh Coleman, Immediate Past Board Chairman, has spent 30 plus years in the energy business and is currently the Chief Operations Officer at 5. “I love my community and with my interest in camping and the outdoors Camp Summit was a natural fit and provided me with so many opportunities to give back. I am extremely grateful that I could share my talents and skills to help Camp Summit achieve the dream of owning a beautiful camp that will serve individuals with disabilities for many generations to come!” states Josh.  Because of Josh’s dedication and tireless efforts Camp Summit has a new “forever camp” to call their own.

Woody Grossman, retired partner and Global Healthcare Chairman of PricewaterhouseCoopers, is serving as the Chair of the Capital Campaign Committee.  He is also a parent of an adult camper and understands and appreciates the benefits provided by Camp Summit. For the last five years he has dedicated his time and skills to lead the “Dream Team” to develop and find the right solution for a permanent home for the camp.  Woody is often heard commenting, “This project and what it means to families is unbelievable!  The fact that we now have such a wonderful facility where all campers can come and participate with no barriers is amazing.  When I watch the campers and their families come for the first time I am bursting with joy because it truly is so much better than we dreamed it could ever be!” Thanks to Woody and his driving spirit Camp Summit achieved their dream!

Baxter, Josh, and Woody join a notable group of Camp Summit leaders and volunteers that have given so generously of their time and talents!

For information regarding sponsorship and ticket packages for the 2017 Boots & Bandanas event, visit CampSummitTX.org/boots or contact Georgia White, Associate Development Director at 972-528-7835 or g.white@campsummittx.org.

About Camp Summit

The mission of Camp Summit is to provide barrier-free outdoor experiences that promote personal growth and foster independence for children and adults with disabilities. Traditional camp activities are adapted to each individual and are provided in barrier-free facilities and implemented by trained, caring staff. No camper is ever turned away due to the severity of a disability, or an inability to pay. Camp Summit is accredited by the American Camp Association and licensed as a Youth Camp in the State of Texas.

For more information, visit CampSummitTX.org.

Join us for a day of Camp Fun with the whole family!

Summit Fun Day will be held on Saturday, August 27, 2016 from 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m

Experience a day at our brand new, fully accessible campground! 

Activities include

• swimming
• splash pads
• guided horseback riding
• treasure hunting
• archery
• games
• arts & crafts and more!

All ages and abilities are welcome!  $10/person, ages 2 & under are free. Bring a picnic and stay the day. No drop off services available.

LOCATION:

Camp Summit
270 Private Road 3475
Paradise, TX 76073

Camp Summit is a local nonprofit camp for children and adults with disabilities.  Every year we host Fun Days where everyone in the community is welcome to spend a day at camp, enjoy the activities, and learn what Camp Summit is all about.

For more information about Camp Summit, visit www.campsummittx.org.

It's not too late for Summer Camp!

We have a few spots left at Camp Summit for children with special needs!

Camp Summit is a sleepaway camp for individuals with disabilities.  We are located in Paradise, Texas, just northwest of the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex on 460 acres of land. We are accredited by the American Camp Association and licensed as a Youth Camp in the State of Texas.

A Day at Camp Summit

Campers awake after a good night sleep in their air conditioned cabins to head to the lodge for a well-balanced breakfast. After flag raising, they head to activity rotations with their cabin group. Activities include horseback riding, swimming, arts & crafts, nature studies, kaleidoscope and sports & games. After eating a good lunch in the lodge, campers head to their cabins to get out the heat and take a rest, napping if needed. Campers then proceed to their third and fourth activities for the day. After eating a hearty dinner and lowering the flag, campers participate in evening activities, which range from talent shows, water night, theme night, cook out, special events and a Friday night dance. Once the evening activity is finished, campers head to their cabins to shower and get ready for bed and fall asleep dreaming ahead to the next day.

Who Are the Campers

At Camp Summit, individuals with disabilities both mild and severe, enjoy traditional camp activities in nature and the outdoors.  Camp Summit's campers may range in age from six to ninety-nine years old.

Our campers may be

• developmentally delayed (Down syndrome, Autism, intellectual disabilities, etc.);
• physically challenged (Cerebral Palsy, Spina Bifida, paralysis, etc.);
• deaf blind multi-handicapped; or have
• multiple disabilities ranging from mild to severe

At Camp Summit we never deny a campers' participation due to their inability to pay or the severity of their disability. As long as we can medically manage their needs they are welcome at camp.

The mission of Camp Summit is to provide barrier-free outdoor experiences that promote personal growth and foster independence for children and adults with disabilities.

Cost

Our fee is a sliding-scale based on income and we never turn away a camper for financial reasons.  If the amount of the sliding scale fee below is too much, you can apply for additional financial assistance or "camperships".

Do you receive respite funds?  They may cover the cost of camp!

For more information call 972-484-8900 or register online at www.campsummittx.org.

 Camp Summit Celebrates Grand Opening at New Forever Home

WATCH THE VIDEO:  https://youtu.be/mpDLFeKnLw0

PARADISE, Texas (April 2, 2016) – Camp Summit, a year-round overnight camp for children and adults with physical and developmental disabilities, hosted a grand opening celebration in Paradise, Texas.  Over 700 attendees enjoyed tours of Camp Summit’s newly renovated and fully accessible campground with upgraded facilities including a spacious dining hall, cabins, beach entry pool, archery range, horse ramps, amphitheater, recreation center, nature area, and on-site nursing center.

“Today is a huge milestone for Camp Summit and a huge day for our campers.  It’s the beginning of a lot of great things to come”, says Baxter Hines, Chair of the Board of Directors at Camp Summit, “The new camp is an opportunity for us to offer more activities for our campers and for them to make more friends as we increase our capacity and the number of campers we serve.  The sky is the limit.”

“One of the biggest improvements of our new camp is the increased capacity, which enables us to serve more campers and reduce the number of campers on our waitlist”, says Lisa Braziel, Camp Director at Camp Summit, “With the new, upgraded facilities we are now truly 100% barrier-free, not just accessible.  Since we have had a hand in the design, renovation and development of this facility, we were able to ensure that there are no barriers for our campers.”

Camper David Ross represented all Camp Summit campers during the ribbon cutting ceremony, officially opening the new campground.  “Cutting the ribbon...breaks the bondage of the campers so they can go outside these gates and do every single thing they can”, said Ross.

 “The new camp is just phenomenal, said Joel, a Camp Summit camper.  “What I like best about camp is the fact that everyone is accepted regardless of what disability or where you’re from.  Being at a camp where they understand me is fantastic.  The counselors are awesome, they’re friendly, and they crack me up.  I’d rather be here than anywhere else.”

Camp Summit was founded in 1947 by the Soroptomist International Club of Dallas and has been holding camp sessions on a 117-acre leased property in Argyle, Texas for the last 68 years.

“We have been planning for some time for when we would outgrow the Argyle location,” said Camp Summit CEO Carla Weiland, “This new facility brings a true sense of independence and comradery to our campers.  The space has been specifically designed so our campers can participate in activities more independently and numerous gathering areas have been built to encourage friendships, conversation, and community”, said Weiland.

The $13.6 million Opening Gates Campaign to move Camp Summit to the new location has been underway since 2013 and has currently received over $10.7 million in grants and donations.  “This has been a project in the making for many years”, says Woody Grossman, Capital Campaign Chairman at Camp Summit.  “The new camp is unbelievable for the families and the new facilities are wonderful.  Everything came together on the capital campaign.  We had several early donors that invested significant sums with us and showed their faith in our team.  We were surprised that this project and our success came together this quickly, but we had it in our hearts and we were going to make it happen for our campers.”

Camp Summit will be holding the first summer sessions at the new camp starting this May.  Registration information can be found at www.campsummittx.org.        

     ###

About Camp Summit

Camp Summit is a “sleep away” camp for children, adults and seniors with disabilities. Founded by the Soroptomist International Club of Dallas in 1947, Camp Summit serves more than 2,200 campers with disabilities each year through week-long and weekend programming. Campers are offered a wide variety of traditional camp activities in a barrier-free environment all of which are adapted for campers’ abilities and not limited to their disabilities.  Camp Summit has no upper age limit and has campers who have attended camp for over 60 years. 

Camp Summit is accredited by the American Camp Association and licensed as a Youth Camp in the State of Texas.

For more information about Camp Summit, please visit www.campsummittx.org or call Carla Weiland at (972) 484-8900.

Camp Summit announced plans to host their 13^th Annual Boots and Bandanas. The event will be held on Thursday, November 6, 2014 at Eddie Deen’s Ranch in downtown Dallas with the event beginning at 6:00 p.m.

Proceeds from the benefit dinner and auction will fund camping and our unique programs for children and adults with disabilities. In addition to being a lot of fun, the activities at camp result in greater self-confidence, improved social abilities, and increased independence among campers.

As in year’s past, this event features a gourmet BBQ dinner, live and silent auctions and live music, ready for dancing, by Shoot Low Sheriff.

Our goal is to have more than 450 participants and raise $100,000.00 for this special camp. Close to 2,000 campers with developmental delays, physical, or sensory impaired disabilities come to Camp Summit each year in search of a traditional camping experience where their disabilities are left behind so they can try new adventures and participate like their non-disabled peers.

Camp Summit would like to thank their Lone Star Sponsor, Jim and Linda Teague; Golden Buckle Sponsor: Comstock Resources; Silver Horseshoe Sponsors: Michael and Mary Terry and Auction Source; as well as Bronze Boot Sponsors: Best Buy, Meg Frainey, L. Kimberly Karl and Stan Haddock, Methanex, MHMR Tarrant County and PWC. Sponsorships are still available.

The mission of Camp Summit is to provide barrier-free outdoor experiences that promote personal growth and foster independence for children and adults with disabilities. Campers may be physically challenged (Cerebral Palsy, Spina Bifida, paralysis, etc.), developmentally delayed (Down syndrome, Autism, mental retardation, etc.) or have multiple disabilities ranging from mild to severe.  Camp Summit is a member of the American Camp Association and licensed as a Youth Camp in the State of Texas.

For additional information, please contact CampSummit at (972) 484-8900 ext. 107 or visit www.campsummittx.org.

CAMP SUMMIT HOLDS ITS 13^th ANNUAL BOOTS & BANDANAS - SUPPORTING CAMPERS WITH DISABILITIES

• What: Camp Summit’s 13^th Annual Boots & Bandanas Benefit Dinner and Auction
• When: November 6, 2014
• Where: Eddie Dean Ranch, 944 South Lamar, Dallas, TX
• What Time: Event Begins at 6:00 p.m.
• How Do I Register? http://campsummittx.org/bootsandbandanas/ or call David Banowsky 972-484-8900 ext. 107
• Cost: $125 individual, $500 Ranch Hand Sponsor (Volunteer Sponsor), $1,000 Silent Auction Sponsor, $1,400 Table Sponsor, $2,500 Bronze Boot Sponsor (includes 1 table of 10 and ¼ page in program); $5,000 Silver Horseshoe Sponsor (includes table of 10 , signage and ½ page ad in program; $7,500Gold Buckle Sponsor (includes prime table for 10, recognition on take gifts and ½ page ad in program). Additional sponsorship levels available and donation opportunities available at http://campsummittx.org/bootsandbandanas/register/
• Contact:  David Banowsky - Development Associate, Special Events
• Why: The proceeds go toward benefiting children and adults with developmental delays, physical, or sensory impaired disabilities that come to Camp Summit each year in search of a traditional camp experience.