Archive Online Newsletter - June 2007

Summer Heats Up - Meet Mike Zeman
Summer reservations are filling up rapidly. Groups interested in visiting Confidence Learning Center should call now. There is a waiting list established in case of cancellations. Zebco, Stearns Manufacturing and Fishing Has No Boundaries have made a fabulous donation to Camp that has enabled program staff to completely replace the fishing equipment and the life jackets. Fishing is going to be much easier and much more fun this year.

Bob Slaybaugh, Camp Director, remarked, "I am so looking forward to this summer because we have a powerhouse staff. We have four new and four returning summer staff that provide a range of personalities and experiences that will make your camping experience unparalleled." One of these exciting individuals is Mike Zeman, a native of Albert Lea. He is currently is a senior at Minnesota State in Mankato. Mike's majors are English, speech and secondary education. He is very excited about getting to the educational field. Mike returned to Camp because as he says, "I built some very strong relationships with the campers and those relationships enabled me to do a job but also have a great deal of fun." The fact that the Campers are overwhelmed with excitement just by achieving what normal people would consider small goals, make each and every day unique and rewarding. Mike is looking forward to seeing all of his buddies from last year as well as making new friends.

Where else could one spend a summer in the great outdoors, meet some special people, and actually develop as a professional preparing for a career in education? Mike was impressed with the staff also. The group dynamics make even the difficult days worthwhile and rewarding. Mike remarked, "I learn something new each day from one of my fellow staff members." Each person has their own outstanding characteristics but everyone is willing to work together.

Be sure and include Confidence Learning Center in your summer plans.

Camp Journey Completes Third Successful Year

Camp Journey, May 18th-20th, had 16 participants ranging in age from 8 to 16 years of age. in this its third year. Jenni Bailey, Camp Director, wished to thank the Rotary Club for again handling all the cooking chores. Joe Brenny from the Brenny Funeral Chapter who was a major impetus to the creation of this Camp, made a presentation. Dr. Peggy Rutman's group session, which was age appropriate and very compassionate, centered around helping the grieving children understand what happened to their loved ones. She made it very easy for them to ask the difficult questions. So many children blame themselves for the death and must come to understand that they were not responsible. The Crow Wing County Family Collaborative workers also participated. They designed many of the activities that kept the kids enthusiastic and involved throughout the experience. One girl especially enjoyed the Music General activity. One of the instructors was an older woman and she could not believe that someone that age could have so much fun teaching hip hop to youngsters. The final activity was the traditional balloon release.

The Classic Continues

So much history has taken place at the annual fundraising event known as the Classic. The Golf continues its historical winning ways with many local businesses putting together a team along with individuals who love the game and the joy of playing a round at the beautiful Cragun's Legacy Golf Course. It is not too late to make a last minute registration, especially for those individuals who would like to make new friends. The 34th Annual Golf Classic begins at 9:00 with a shotgun start but golfers can register by 7 so that they can Putt Against a Camper.

Friends of Camp and participants in the Classic will have the opportunity to gather at Camp Friday evening for the Sertoma Mariucci Fiesta. This is an opportunity to enjoy a great meal cooked and served by the Sertomans with Julia Sullivan at the helm. Bring your appetite and be prepared to bid on some terrific items available in the Silent and Live Auctions.

The 24th Annual Confidence Learning Center Fishing Classic is scheduled for Saturday, June 16, 2007. This is a Pro-Am fishing tournament with one professional and two anglers fishing for four categories - Bass, Northern Pike, Walleye or mixed bag... Entry includes dinner at the Friday evening Sertoma's Mariucci Fiesta, guided day of fishing on Gull Lake, Classic shirt & bag, lunch provided by Subway of Nisswa and shore dinner. Plus there's over $10,000 in door prizes! The Fishing Classic takes place on Gull Lake with all proceed benefiting the programs at Confidence Learning Center, whose mission is to provide outdoor education and recreation to persons with developmental disabilities. Registrations can be made as a team of three -- with one professional and 2 amateurs. OR, register as an amateur and we'll assign you to a local Register today! Space is limited to the first 100 boats! For more information or to register call 218-828-2344 or visit www.campconfidence.com.

Classic Fishing Tournament has New Wrinkle for Kids

The Bass Snatchers have been the weigh-in officials for the Classic fishing for many years and their contributions are greatly appreciated. This year they have decided to participate in a national fishing contest for kids called the Bassmaster CastingKids Contest. This has been around since 1968 and is a continuing effort to get the kids interested in the sport of fishing. Similar to the NFL Punt Pass and Kick Contest, the challenge is to flip, pitch and cast a hookless lure to a bullseye target. Mastering these three techniques will give any angler the skills they need to present any lure and catch monster bass. Scoring is based on a points system so the young angler with the most points wins!

In only 15 years of existence, with over 17,600 national and international events conducted to date, participation by more than 1.9 million children and more than $3.1 million awarded in cash, prizes and scholarships, the Bassmaster CastingKids program is the most successful youth fishing program in the world. Participants compete in local events conducted by an affiliated BASS Federation Nation club. Each local event has two winners, one in each age group. The winners then proceed to their respective state finals, where each state then determines two winners to represent their state at the National Semifinals. From the National Semifinals only 12 contenders will advance to the National Championship, which is conducted in conjunction with the Bassmaster Classic each year to compete for over $20,000 in college scholarships. Pack up your kids and grand kids and bring them to the beach at Craguns Saturday afternoon at 2 p.m. for this fun activity.

Diamond in the Rough Day Perks Up Camp!

Both Kevin Lockwood and Mary Harder were very pleased with the turnout for The Diamond in Rough Annual Clean-up Day which had around 120 volunteers. The picture at the left shows some of the "crew" working on the SS Michael. Pictures are courtesy of Kevin Lockwood. There is not enough room to thank each individual personally but Kevin Lockwood would like to recognize the contributions of the Rotary and Kiwanis Clubs. He is also especially grateful to Chad and the Pierz Marine crew for promptly getting Camp's boats ready for the summer season. Without them, his job would be much more difficult. One of the big projects for the summer is to move the log cabins behind the Lodge out into the woods. This will allow them to be much more useful as part of the day camp program, The Memorial Gardens have been planted. Trees are available for adoption. This is a very meaningful way to recognize and remember your loved ones.

The Bike is Rolling
The Confidence Learning Center Custom Motorcycle continues to draw a crowd every place it is displayed in the Brainerd Lakes area. If you missed its recent appearances at Ernie's on Gull, Fleet Farm and the Lakes Car Show in Pine River, look for it back at American Hardcore Customs the second week of June, and at the Woodtick Races in Cuyuna on June 9th. This event is a must see for many area motorcycle enthusiasts each spring. Other locations already included in the line-up are Steve's Club in Pillager, Cashwise Liquor in Baxter, Show and Shine at the Body Works and the Pine River Fireman's Street Dance. Be sure to stop and visit with Camp staff and volunteers about the bike and admire the chrome paint and wheels of this outstanding custom motorcycle. If you would like to volunteer to be part of this fundraiser and travel with the bike, contact Shara at 218-828-2344.

Date Announced for Annual Outdoor Auction

Get out that magic marker and draw a huge circle around September 22nd, the date of the not-to-be-missed huge annual outdoor auction at Confidence Learning Center. Preparations continue throughout the summer and Camp is actively seeking gently used sporting equipment, household items, outdoor equipment, everyday furniture along with antiques, tools, automobiles, and those unique items that have been gathering dust in the garage. If you have any questions about the suitability of the item, please call 218.828.2344 and ask for Shari to get more specific information. Arrangements can be made to pick up large items or they can be dropped off at Confidence Learning Center located on Cty Rd. 18 between Hwy 210 and CR 77 (the Pine Beach Road) during business hours.

Executive Director's Report Features Melissa Schaitberger and Dick Endres

Melissa Schaitberger is celebrating her first anniversary as a Confidence Learning Center employee. She started last year just before the Classic and this year is in charge of the activity in her role as Special Events and Marketing Coordinator. Melissa has had a very real impact on the success of Camp Confidence this past year. She has brought her considerable knowledge base, computer savvy, business expertise and people skills into her job and the results reflect on her abilities. Melissa has expanded the grant writing applications to the point where Confidence is seeing results such as the combination of moneys that replaced the fishing equipment and life jackets. One thing that has impressed Executive Director Jeff Olson is her ability to coordinate communication. Everything from the newsletter to the party invitations for the Mariucci Fiesta is coordinated and in synch with the guidelines she has established. All in all, Melissa has had a very successful first year and hopefully she will continue to find her job at Confidence Learning Center fulfilling and rewarding.

Dick Endres continues to enjoy life in retirement and still indulges in his two passions, fishing and golfing, as much as he possibly can. When interviewed for the newsletter, he had just played golf and when asked about his game he glibly replied "I got done". His biggest news is celebrating 50 years of wedded bliss with his wife Jean. His daughter and husband work in the Embassy in Zambia, Africa. Dick and Jean packed up and headed there to celebrate with them. He described the country as very nice but very poor. The women in Zambia all have very strong necks since they transport most things in baskets that they balance on their heads. They both enjoyed the safari and the many mini celebrations arranged by their son-in-law including a cake decorated with 50 sparklers at one restaurant they visited. Jean will certainly remember accidentally setting off the alarms at the Embassy where they stayed. Dick is still a whiz at cribbage--so wander down to the American Legion in Brainerd some afternoon and challenge him to a few hands.