Paivika Buddies: Camp Director

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To:

All Paivika Buddies

From:

Kelly J. Kunsek, Paivika Camp Director

Date:

January, 2011

Greetings Paivikans and Happy New Year!

Although it is bitter cold here at Camp Paivika these days, once the New Year arrives I can’t help but start thinking summer!

I am happy to report that we already have a great start on our summer enrollment and with the few adjustments that we have made to our schedule I feel confident that we can fill all sessions in 2011. We continue to be challenged by the loss of state funding which was implemented last year. Indicators are that this funding will not be returning anytime soon so we are moving forward with the strong spirit of Paivika and working hard to increase our fundraising efforts to weather these tough times.

Our Paivika Champions Campership Campaign is well under way and we are pleased to welcome three new members to our group: Steve Sykora, Clare Alexander and Dan Harris. Our goal this year is to raise $50,000 to assist campers who need a little help getting to camp. I welcome all Paivikans to be a part of this worthy cause. There are many ways that you can make a difference – but I think the best way is to tell your Paivika story to others... you never know who may be listening!

Another of our goals is to strengthen our alumni connections and if you are reading this, you know that Paivika never really leaves you once you have been here. We are hoping to draw staff alumni back to camp this summer and are looking to recruit alumni volunteers to work as staff for one or more sessions. Please take a look at the summer schedule and consider spending a week with us... what could be more fun? If you don’t have a week to spare, we will even take you for a day! We will also be hosting an alumni day during the summer – more to come on the details.

Please be sure to check out our website for details on current programs and schedules as well as our blog where we regularly post information about the happenings at Camp Paivika and lots of great photos of our staff and participants.

www.abilityfirst.org/camppaivika

www.camppaivika.blogspot.com/

Thank you for visiting the Paivika Buddies website and I do hope to see you at Camp Paivika in 2011. I leave you with a writing from one of Paivika’s greatest spokespeople, 11 year old camper Reo Kobayashi.

Wishing you all things good in 2011,

Kelly Kunsek
Camp Director
AbilityFirst Camp Paivika

My New Year’s Resolution

By Reo Kobayashi January 6, 2011

My new year’s resolution is to write a book. My book will be called, “About Camp Paivika”. It is a camp for special needs kids and adults. It is very difficult to find a camp like this one, so that is why I want to write a book about it.

Camp Paivika is the only camp that I could stay at all by myself, and Camp Paivika gives the parents respite which means to have the parents rest and relax. When you have a child with a disability, it really doesn’t give the parents the respite that they need. It is the best camp for the kids and parents. The kids learn something new that they didn’t know they could do. I have often heard stories from the camp video that the director, Kelly Kunsek talks about how the campers when they return to their parents or their guardians. Camp Paivika brings so much joy to the parents and the family because parents ready to start the new life when their camper returns to them.

I also think that Camp Paivika brings the brightness in the camper’s eyes. That brightens my heart to see the kids are doing good, happy and safe. Camp Paivika brings laughter to the families and the camper as well. Camp Paivika is really beneficial to the parents.

My friend, Brianna and I are dedicated for all of our life to support disabled people. Brianna and I are hoping that we could pass this on to the next generation and generation after and keep going on in our name.

(you can see Reo and his friend Brianna in the Camp Paivika video at www.abilityfirst.org/camppaivika

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