Friendship Ventures was providing camp, respite and travel services to nearly 3,000 individuals and their families each year. The organization acquired Camp Courage and Camp Courage North and used the interim name, Camps of Courage & Friendship, for nearly a year. In October 2013, the organization launched its new name, True Friends.
Campers and attendees learn independence, social skills, make friendships and enjoy a host of activities including: fishing, pontoon rides, zip-line adventures, swimming and other camp activities.
Additionally, the camps provide respite 365 days a year allowing parents an opportunity to reenergize one weekend a month.
True Friends also utilizes their facilities for weddings, business retreats and conferences. Here is a list of locations.
Camp Courage has 305 acres along scenic lakeshore, woods and fields near Maple Lake, Minn. on beautiful Cedar Lake. It offers multiple meeting facilities and has two campuses: Lakeside and Woodland, both with year-round lodging.
Camp Friendship is located on 115 acres of scenic woodlands and is on Clearwater Lake just 60 miles northwest of the Twin Cities near Annandale, Minn. The fully accessible camp offers modern cabins and facilities, dining hall, arts and crafts building, recreational hall, nature building, gymnasium, indoor pool, climbing wall, ropes course and more.
Camp Eden Wood is a fully accessible camp tucked in the woods on Birch Island Lake just west of where I-494 meets Highway 62 in Eden Prairie, Minn. Campers enjoy the modern cabins, waterfront, hiking trails, basketball court, ropes course, dining hall and numerous other activities.
Camp Courage North is located in the beautiful Paul Bunyan State Forest area near Itasca State Park. Situated on Lake George, this fully accessible camp adds that “up north” feeling to everything you do there – and if you like the outdoors, there’s a lot you can do!
Camp New Hope is located on the edge of the Savannah State Forest and Park near McGregor, Minn. The accessible location offers campers modern lodging and the chance to enjoy water activities on Glacier Lake
ANNOUNCEMENTS
- Art our exchange student has to wear a suit this week and “job interview” in a class. Next week he starts new classes including speech and cooking!
- Bill Yeager announced that Jim Loutzenhiser had surgery to remove a brain tumor. The surgery went well and the tumor was non-malignant. He is going to therapy regularly and dealing with some mobility and memory issues.
- Eden Prairie AM Rotary received a thank you note from Prop for the $1000 donated for backpacks.
- Pei Ling is on the cover of Southwest Metro Magazine.
- Eden Prairie Noon Rotary Beer Pong Tournament January 30th.
- March 31st grant seminar – there are six dates that can be chosen.
- Meals on Wheels – Feb 1-5th
- Feb 18th Sewathon Service Project
- May 12-13th District Conference at Mystic Lake
- The Nordic Ski Teams gave an update on their season. The guys are tied with Wayzata and will ski against them next week and have Sections in two weeks. The gals have Sections next week.
SPOTLIGHT ON JOHN ESTALL
Grew up in Richfield. Played some sports but a knee injury his senior year had him going out for the speech team. Graduated from Bemidji. Was an international tax attorney with Cargill where he met his wife also an attorney. John and Shirley have been married 30 years and have two children a daughter 25 and son 22. John teaches accounting at Mankato State.
HAPPY FINES
We’re happy. And we’re willing to pay fines for being so.
- Jon Melander returned from a week in the Bahamas with a flag from the Rotary Club in New Providence.
- Dan O’Brien is happy about all the Rotarians who have spent time with Art. Jeanne took Art to play pool and Jenga. Bob took Art to the cabin. Craig agreed to host Art while Dan is on vacation and found a phone for Art to use. Art would still like to ski if anyone is interested in taking him skiing please contact Dan.
- Pei Ling Jameson is going to Florida to Disneyland. Her girls got their princess dresses and are ready for the adventure.
- Glenn Olsone gets to see his granddaughter playing Lucy in CS Lewis’ tale The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe on Thursday.
- John Crudele is 57 today. He had an opportunity to speak to students in Goodhue, MN this last week. He spoke their 28 years ago.
- Craig Blixrud – Craig took the two dogs to the cabin. They went outside but one of the dogs did not come back. He told the kids and his daughter went out to www.lostdogs.com and found him a mile away.
VISITORS
Visiting Rotarians included Andy from St. Paul and Natalie
Five students from the Eden Prairie Nordic Ski Club were in attendance
We welcome speaker Doug Loon, President of the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce. Doug will speak about the business communities' priorities for the 2016 legislative session. Bring a guest!
