Making a Difference – McDonald’s supports Camp Royall

 

The following article is by Kristy White, the Autism Society of North Carolina’s Director of Development.

The 1st Annual Camp Royall Classic was sponsored by McDonald’s at The Preserve at Jordan Lake Golf Course on May 7th. Over $33,000 was raised from golf participants and sponsors to send individuals with autism to Camp Royall this summer. One hundred and forty-four golfers participated in the inaugural event.

Everyone was a winner at the Camp Royall Classic.

The vision for this event and leadership support came from Paul Willoughby, a McDonald’s owner/operator. Paul visited Camp Royall and was so impressed with the impact it was making on individuals with autism and their families that he wanted to ensure that more people, especially those living in Chatham County, were aware of Camp Royall. Through his support a grant was obtained from Ronald McDonald House Charities to create the camp’s Snoezelen Room, a MultiSensory Environment (MSE) room and efforts began to plan the Camp Royall Classic.

Paul’s son, Rex Willoughby was instrumental in the planning for the golf tournament by recruiting teams and sponsors and overseeing the details of the tournament, which made it such a unique and fun event for all involved. Rex shared, “After hearing the stories of the families whose lives have been changed as a result of Camp Royall, it was important to me that everyone knows about the camp and have the opportunity to participate. As a father, I can understand the desire to have your child experience the joys of camp and the importance of a time of rest for parents. I am determined to continue to raise funds and increase opportunities for the individuals with autism in our state.”

The golfers enjoyed a beautiful day on the course as well as time for fellowship while awaiting the tournament results. Ronald McDonald even made an appearance posing for photos will all of the teams. All of the proceeds from the Camp Royall Classic support scholarships for individuals with autism to participate in a structured program of activities according to their abilities and interests in an environment that is safe and celebrates each camper for who they are. Francine Levesque explained what it means for her family to be awarded a scholarship, “Receiving a scholarship to Camp Royall means that my son doesn’t feel left out, while his peers are able to go to Boy Scout camp. When my son attended last summer for the first time, he actually cried on the last day, an emotion very rare for someone with autism. I am so appreciative of the donation that enables my child to make memories.”

Click here for more information on getting involved like the Willoughbys, click here to make a gift to Camp Royall to support families like the Levesques, click here to see photos from the 2012 tournament, and sign up here to receive information about the 2013 Camp Royall Classic.

 

Thanks McDonald’s Owner Operators!

A Valentine’s Note – I LOVE Camp Royall

Hi everyone,

I am Sara Gage, Camp Royall Director and on this Valentine’s Day I wanted to share some thoughts about something that I truly love – Camp Royall.

Our office is a buzz right now with preparations for another summer camp season. It’s hard to believe this will be the 40th camping season for the Autism Society of North Carolina’s Summer Camp Program. I often wonder if the amazing families that started this all back in 1972 ever imagined just where we would be today, serving 320+ summer campers and running year-round programs at our own camp facility. I am so proud to be a part of this program and am looking forward to my 15th summer at Camp Royall and all the adventures it will bring!

Let me tell you a little bit about Camp Royall from my perspective……anytime someone asks me about camp I have a lot to say, so make sure you have a couple of minutes to read this. The first thing I typically say is that Camp Royall is the best place on earth, it is my second home and it is truly magical. When I started as a counselor back in 1997, our first summer here at this wonderful facility called Camp Royall, I was a rising college senior who had no idea what she was going to do once she graduated with a degree in Psychology. I needed to get away from home for the summer and be out on my own; I considered several different options and by chance found a flier for Camp Royall on a bulletin board in the psych dept at school and decided to apply. I was hired and when I arrived I fell in love with camp instantly. The amazing campers, the diverse staff, the open-minded and accepting atmosphere, the service, the pure joy and enthusiasm, all of these things had me hooked after the first week. I spent the next ten weeks having the most challenging and most rewarding experience of my life. When that first summer was over I couldn’t imagine that I had to leave, that I wouldn’t be around these wonderful people anymore. I experienced the worst homesickness I ever had in my life (and I attended college 5 states away from where I grew up).

I found my life’s passion at camp that summer and I knew they would not be able to keep me away. And now here I am 14 years later with 14 summers worth of memories and experiences under my belt. I still feel the same way about Camp Royall as I did then. It’s the greatest place on earth! For proof, just take a look at our camp chronicle and you can catch a glimpse of what this amazing place is like.

At this particular time of year the excitement for camp really starts to build as we prepare for another summer camp season. It is a busy time to prepare for what is to come but it’s so gratifying because I know another summer at camp will bring so many new families to us and I will get to see many old friends as well. Registration time can be a very nerve-wracking time for families as well, for those that have been here before it is the nerves of getting into the lottery and whether they will get to tell their camper that they get to come back again. For the families who are new to us the nerves are a bit different. I can hear the anxiety when we talk on the phone about the thought of leaving their child for a week with complete and total strangers who couldn’t possibly understand or take care of their child at an outdoor summer camp. I actually cherish these phone calls and the opportunity to talk with these families. I enjoy helping them learn more about what we do here and encouraging them to take the leap and to let them know how well cared for their campers will be when they are here. It is a leap of faith for so many but we feel so happy to have the chance to serve these families every year.

I feel very fortunate to experience the joy and enthusiasm of our camp program all year-long now. In the past, I only used to get the buzz for camp during the summer camp season, but since we have been able to create some awesome new year-round programs like family camping and mini-camp my excitement lasts throughout the year. These programs provide our families with more opportunities for recreation and leisure all year-long, not to mention respite.

I told you I could talk about camp…..truly I couldn’t ask for a better or more fulfilling job, I am a lucky girl who gets to do work that I love. I hope your family can come visit camp sometime soon and see all that we have to offer. Also, remember that camp registration for this summer closes at midnight on February 21. Click here to visit the registration information page.

Call me any time if you want to take a tour or learn more about camp, I am always happy to chat about it!

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Sara Gage
Camp Royall Program Director
Camp Royall
250 Bill Ash Road
Moncure, NC 27559
919-542-1033

My Summer Camp Experience

This past Friday, August 13th, I had the privilege of attending the Talent Show at Camp Royall.  I was there to welcome families and give them information about ASNC.  As it turned out, I got much more from the experience than what I gave.  

I arrived early to the Camp’s gym and sat out on the wide porch in a rocker enjoying a gentle breeze and the summer sounds of bird song and insect whir.  Slowly, families of all sizes began to arrive.  They were mostly quiet and looked expectant.  I ended my reverie and joined them in the large gym.  Then, at the appointed time,  the campers and counselors entered.  The first small boy I noticed came in and spied his mother.  His eyes brightened when he saw her and a smile greeted her.  She was clearly glad to see him and embraced him with a hug that only a mother can know when their precious child has been out of their sight and care for several days.  As she kissed his head and told him that she had missed him, he wiggled away and pointed at his counselor and other happy campers.  He was bubbling with excitement and news of his adventure.  Other campers came — some walking, some running, some skipping.  And, like the first boy, they were happy to see their families but it was evident they had enjoyed their time at camp and were not eager to let go the experience and rush home.  The exuberant counselors led the campers, their families and staff in some of the songs they had sung during the previous week — silly and sunny.  Afterward, I welcomed folks and reminded them that ASNC is more than just a week at Camp Royall.  But that news was overshadowed by the Grand Finale of the Talent Show!  Every camper and counselor had planned a performance to showcase the camper’s particular interest or skill.  There was singing and dancing, running and jumping, car racing and wagon pulling, clapping and bouncing.  The performers beamed and blushed when the audience applauded.  After each performance, a counselor presented the camper they had served during the week with an award the counselor had designed to reflect the uniqueness of the camper.  The awards were heartwarming and certainly creative.  When the show was over and the families were collecting tote bags and shirts and their campers to head home, I found myself holding back tears.  I wanted to hug them all — the brave campers who had been away from home for the first time ever, the dedicated counselors who had worked so hard for the campers to enjoy their week, and the families who love their children beyond measure.  Instead, I went to my car and drove away thinking of my own son and how far he has come since that first week so many years ago when he was a first time camper.  That experience and this one were both priceless.

The Autism Society of NC can boast proudly of their treasure — Camp Royall.  A haven for folks with autism and their families, Camp Royall sits on 133 acres in Moncure, NC.  The camp has 2 full time staff, Sara Gage and David Yell, several part time workers and many wonderful volunteers who keep it running throughout the year.  Camp Royall is a year round facility that hosts summer camp as well as fall respite weekends, Family Fun Days and Winter Day Camp during the December holiday school break.  This past year $55,000 was raised for camp scholarships.  This was a record!  Although we are proud of that accomplishment and appreciate the support of all the donors, we could not meet all the demands for scholarships.  Therefore, we are challenged to raise more funds in the coming year to support our camp families. We are honored to offer the opportunity for parents to see their child grow in confidence and take a step out into the greater world — one where they find acceptance and encouragement.  Priceless.

Linda Griffin

August 15th, 2010