P.O. Box 233 Bloomington, IL 61702--233
(309) 431-1333
Spring is here and hundreds of campers with special needs and their families are eagerly anticipating the upcoming summer camp season at Timber Pointe Outdoor Center. This year many things at Timber Pointe willnot change...campfires, boat rides, pool parties and all of theirfavorite activities are certain to be a part of each camper’sexperience. At the same time, 2018 brings the promise of a new era for Timber Pointe.
During the past several months, Camp Director Allen McBride, Facility Manager Ryan Shields, Program Manager, Jess Plumart, loyal volunteers and the new leadership team at Timber Pointe have been hard at work to further enhance the level of care and experiences afforded each Timber Pointe camper and their family. The institution of on-line registration processes, acquisition of additional program resources and improvements to buildings and grounds have already been significant and there is much more to come!
Timber Pointe Outdoor Center Summer 2018 Schedule June 3-June 8:
Autism McLean's Day Camps Takoda & Pathfinder for campers 6-16 on the autism spectrum & their siblings.
Wilderness Endeavor Camp for adults affected by Traumatic Brain injuries.
June 10-15:
MDA Camp for campers 6-16 with Muscular Dystrophy.
June 16-22:
Camp HOPE- St. Jude's-Peoria camp for campers 6-16 affected by cancer & blood diseases.
June 24-29:
Camp COCO-SIU School of Medicine's camp for campers 6-16 affected by cancer & blood diseases.
Timber Pointe's No Limits for campers 5-22 with developmental disabilities
July 1-6:
Timber Pointe's Night Owls Camp for adults with developmental disabilities.
Illini Lodge 17 Camp for children and adults with developmental delays
July 8-13:
MDA Central Illinois Camp for campers ages 6-16 with Muscular Dystrophy.
Timber Pointe's Camp Extreme for campers 5-22 with high functional developmental disabilities.
July 15-21:
Camp Horizon for adult campers with physical disabilities.
July 22-28:
Timber Pointe's Camp Discovery for campers 5-22 with physical and developmental disabilities.
Penguin Project Theatre Camp for campers 5-22 with physical and developmental disabilities.
July 29-August 3:
Camp Can Do for campers 5-22 with developmental disabilities.
Malay Pointe Fire Cicle Dedication
In last winter’s Timber Pointe Foundation newsletter we were happy to share that with funding in place work had begun to complete Malay Pointe Fire Circle initiated to honor past Foundation President, Jim Malay. Early this spring final construction of the accessible campfire and assembly area was completed with landscaping and final touches in process.
A winding concrete pathway now leads to a 30 foot diameter gatheringcircle and a 7 foot diameter raised campfire pit with rugged stone andearth tone pavers blending nicely into the natural surroundings. Pleaseaccept this invitation to join Jim’s family, neighbors, friends and TimberPointe campers for a dedication of the Malay Pointe Fire Circle. As we aresure Jim would insist, comments will be heartfelt but brief with Camp Coco campers appropriately sharing a bit of the spotlight, some s’mores and, perhaps, a song around the campfire.
Current Timber Pointe Foundation Funding Initiatives
After decades of use many of Timber Pointe’s facilities are badly in need of renovation and upgrades. To address some ofthe most pressing needs, the Timber Pointe Charitable Foundation has committed to partner with donors and volunteersto fund $75,000 of improvements prior to the beginning of the summer camp season. Projects to be addressed during thisinitial “jump start” phase include...
Matching funds to replace and upgrade non-functioning audio and video systems.
Secure entrance gate and intercom system.
Resurfacing of roads and pathways.
Structural repairs to Sterns Lodge roof, deck, siding, and windows.
These initiatives are viewed as critical to the safety, security, accessibility and program quality provided Timber Pointe campers. The pace of additional, and much neededrepairs and improvements will depend on the availability of Foundation funding. Please consider partnering with us in the year ahead by making a gift to the Foundation in the form of an unrestricted gift or in support of one of the Foundation’s named endowment funds.
The primary focus of Timber Pointe Foundation’s efforts is funding capital improvements as well as the management and growth of endowment funds intended to secure the future of Timber Pointe operations for generations to come.
Welcome Foundation Board Member Robbie Osenga
For more than two decades Timber PointeOutdoor Center hasbeen a part of Robbie Osenga’s life. Robbie first visited TimberPointe with a friend and her parents when he was 14 years old. The next two summers he worked at Timber Pointe as part of the maintenance crew. Robbie readily shares his early experiences saying,"I enjoyed mowing & trash runs, but what caught me by surprise where the opportunities to provide love & support for the campers. "Robbie goes on to explain... "Years later, it was this experience that led me into the field of special education and to eventually starting a school for students who needed school to look different because of their particular challenges."
Today, Robbie, his wife Candace and their three children areactive in the Bloomington-Normal community. As Robbie’scareer has progressed he has been sought out as a speaker, coach and consultant serving schools, not for profit organizationsand businesses with a focus on his mission of “empowering others to live a life worthy of their calling”.
Osenga serves at the Vice President & Chief Potential Officer of Cybernatuic, a Bloomington based web design and digital strategy firm. Those served through the Foundation's efforts are sure to benefit from the long-standing commitment, talents and passion that Robbie bring to his role as the Timber Pointe Foundation's newest board member.
Board Members Members-at-Large
Jim Waldorf, President David Bateman Tom Mercier
Don D Rood, Jr, Vice President Willie Brown Robbie Osenga
Jennifer Gentes, Treasurer Cathy Gronemeier Josh Yoder
Joe Stewart, Secretary Dennis Killian
The Timber Pointe Charitable Foundation was established as an independent 501 (c) (3) organization in 1996 for the sole purpose of securing funding and resources in support of development and operation of facilities and programming at Timber Pointe Outdoor Center. The Foundation has no paid staff and is governed by a local board of directors comprised of various community and businessleaders. Accordingly,100% of foundation funding is dedicated to the improvement and support of Timber Pointe's facilities, programs and services. Please visit the Timber Pointe Foundation website at www.TimberPointeFoundation.org to learn more about the Foundation and the amazing way Timber Pointe Outdoor Center is enhancing the lives of children and adults with disabilities.