RichTheNoun
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Jul 12, 2008, 9:46 PM
Post #1 of 1
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Wanting to start a camp for foster kids
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Hello, my name is Richard Keller, my wife is Bonnie Keller. We are both very interested in owning and running a summer camp. Please let me tell you a little about us.
I am 39 years old and have been a High School Teacher in the Richmond, VA area for the past 3 years. My previous work background is in the IT industry, both self-employed and working for small businesses. In my childhood during 1978, ‘79 and ‘80 I attended a summer camp in the Pocono Mountains, called Log-N-Twig. In short, the summers I spent there were some of the best in my childhood, and the appreciation and understanding I gained for nature, people and outdoor activity in general was huge. I returned to the same camp during the summers of ’85 and ’86 to work in their kitchen, and found great enjoyment doing that too. Since then my work has been mostly in the area of IT and teaching, but I have always remembered the great times I had in camp.
My wife is 37 (exactly 2 years younger than myself- yes, same birthday!) and has been a High School Teacher for her entire working life, teaching Earth Science. She has a great love for animals, the outdoors and for working with kids as I do. She is also the Founder of Virginia Reptile Rescue; a non-profit organization whose goal is to take in unwanted reptiles and find them new homes. VARR works with the public and with animal control agencies and also performs educational shows with the reptiles. After 9 years of successful operation, we have recently decided to turn over the rescue to another local couple who is managing it quite well.
We have a three year old boy of our own and are also foster parents working towards adopting two girls, siblings, that have been staying with us for almost two years now.
Our plan for the past several years has been to visit existing camps or possible camp locations that are for sale and evaluate them for purchase. We have visited three sites, spoken to existing camp owners for advice and purchased a course offered by the ACA for those wanting to operate a summer camp. So far we haven’t found quite the right location.
We are aware that starting a camp from scratch is considered to be prohibitively expensive, but an option that we are considering is developing a piece of land that we own free and clear; 75 acres on top of a mountain in Danville, VA, semi-wooded and beautiful.
Up until recently, I had envisioned our camp catering to the average middle-class child, as I was. But then the realization came that our camp might serve kids even better if it was for those in the foster system or closely affected by the same. Foster kids are sometimes denied the most basic of human rights, and I believe that the camp experience can help repair some of the damage that has been done to them, and give them a safe place where they can talk about it and relate to one another.
My wife and I both believe that every child, especially those in the foster system need exposure to the positive elements that can be found in camp. Specifically, we believe that such a camp should be:
• Located in a remote, wooded area away from the distractions of urban life.
• A nurturing environment, with emphasis on teamwork, cooperation and creativity instead of competition.
• Focused on learning about nature, the environment, people and life skills.
• Just plain fun and enjoyable.
My wife and I intend to live on the camp site year-round and take the positions of Director and Assistant Director, my wife being the latter. We intend to spend the rest of our working lives in this endeavor.
What we need at this point:
• Donations of any sort for the cause.
• Assistance in the form of volunteering for web site development, marketing, etc.
• Advice, information, or notes of support. All input is welcome and appreciated.
Thank you for your time!
Richard and Bonnie Keller
rich@gate.net
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