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History
1960s-1970s
Camping programs for children with special health needs emerge in the Dallas community. The early forerunners are Muscular Dystrophy Camp—1967, Cystic Fibrosis Camp—1979. A major concern: no permanent site. Dr. Edward Krusen was the first doctor involved with Muscular Dystrophy Camp in Texas. The founders of Cystic Fibrosis Camp were Dr. Claude Prestidge and Susan Williams. Also involved with in the first CF camp were future founding CJM Board Members Anne Oliver, Suzzi Perry and Sally Francis (later to be a founder of Camp Esperanza). The Junior League of Dallas was very involved in supporting CF Camp from its start.
1983
A concerned member of the Dallas community begins to question the need for a permanent camp for kids with chronic illnesses. His grant administrator meets with the Director of Child Life at Children’s Medical Center, Sally Francis, to discuss the need for a camp for children with special medical needs.
1984
In February, based on the interest that was created by Sally Francis at the 1983 meeting, a meeting was arranged by a Dallas Foundation at Children’s Medical Center to answer some initial questions. A sampling of these questions: How does the camping experience relate to the medical treatment/management of the disease? What are the expected benefits of the camper who attend? Should we consider camping experiences for acutely ill children? In attendance at this meeting were the following from Children’s Medical Center: Sally Francis, Director of Child Life and Camp Esperanza (childhood cancer); James Farnsworth, President; George Farr, Executive Vice President; Susie Gregory, R.N., Renal dialysis clinic, Kidney day camp; Ron Hogg, M.D., Director Renal Services; Martha McKee, Social Worker Cystic Fibrosis clinic and Cystic Fibrosis Camp; Claude Prestidge, M.D., Associate Medical Director Cystic Fibrosis Clinic and Doctor for Cystic Fibrosis Camp; Nancy Richards, R.N., Asthma Clinic and Asthma Camp; Peggy Sartain, M.D., Physician Hematology, Camp Doctor for Camp Esperanza. This meeting strengthened the trustees’ desire to encourage more camping opportunities, and it got them thinking about how to create a catalyst for that outcome. It was decided that the Junior League of Dallas was a logical arm to research the need for a camp for children with special needs based on their history with Camp Esperanza and the Cystic Fibrosis camp.
May 1985
A “member initiated request” was submitted to the Junior League Research and Development committee to see if a project could be created to research the need for a camp serving children with special needs.
September 1985
Junior League Task Force created to research camping for chronically ill children. The Chairman of this committee was Harriett Cousins.
November 1985
Children’s Medical Center hosts a community meeting to discuss the camping needs and opportunities. The participants express a strong desire for a camp serving children with special needs. The enthusiasm of these participants catches the attention of the Junior League.
June 1987
John Marc Myers dies of osteogenic sarcoma at the age of nine.
October 1987
Junior League Task Force report presented. The report concluded there was a need for a facility in the Dallas area for kids with chronic illnesses and major physical disabilities.
Community Task Force on Camping for Children with Special Health Needs formed. The Chairpersons were Bettye Slaven and Mike Wallens; Vice Chair was Susan Williams; Treasurer was Lynn Lemon; Secretary was Suzzi Perry.
October 1987
"Special Camps for Special Kids" incorporated and application procedures begin for tax exempt status under the 501(c)(3) tax code. Darrell Rice is the person in charge of these critical areas and is the incorporator of the original By Laws of Special Camps For Special Kids.
December 1987
Application for non-profit status filed with IRS.
January 1988
"Special Camps for Special Kids" Board formed. First Chairman--Susan Williams. Founding organizations: Children's Medical Center of Dallas, The Junior League of Dallas, National Hemophilia Foundation, Texas Central Chapter (Dallas Hemophilia Summer Camp), Muscular Dystrophy Association (Northeast Texas MDA Camp), The Bridewell Foundation (Camp Esperanza—Cancer), American Lung Association (Camp Sunshine—Asthma), Spina Bifida Association of Dallas (Spina Bifida Camp), North Texas Services for Cystic Fibrosis—Camp Koinonia), Kidney Fun Camp. Susan informs the Board that Jan & Marc Myers are interested in donating land in Bosque County for the proposed camp. Jan & Marc initially indicated their desire to donate land to Dr. Peggy Sartain, oncologist at Children’s and founding Board Member of Special Camps For Special Kids.
Spring 1988
Nell Perry is hired on an as needed basis to help with administrative tasks.
October 1988
A team of Special Camps For Special Kids Board Members (Don Madsen, Lynn Sears, Vance Gilmore, Ann Oliver, John Bookout, Dr. Peggy Sartain, and Randy Perry) walk the proposed donated site in Bosque County. The visit concludes on the back porch of Jan & Marc’s double wide trailer at their Ranch- Old Sundown. Marc commits to donate what it takes to build the camp. Don Madsen agrees to propose a camp layout design.
Requests made to Foundations under the guidance of Anne Oliver, Volunteer Development Chairman. The name for the camp is selected by the Board: Camp John Marc Myers. The name is chosen in honor of Jan and Marc Myer's son.
December 1988
Our first capital gift is received. It is an anonymous gift of $1,000,000. It is given in Thanks for the blessings of life and children. This gift is quickly followed by: Pauline Allen Gill Foundation—$150,000; Hoblitzelle Foundation—$120,000 and Junior League of Dallas $110,000. Susan Williams resigns as Board Chair to move to Tennessee. Randy Perry elected Board Chairman for 1989.
Spring 1989
Search for an Executive Director begins. The development phase continues to gain momentum.
May 1989
Executive Director selected: Vance Gilmore. The deed for the land is executed under the direction of Board Member Don Snell.
October 1989
The Mabee Foundation of Oklahoma commits $300,000. Building & Grounds Chairman Don Madsen and his committee (Randy Perry, Ray Bean, Lynn Sears, Jan Myers, John Bookout, staff Vance Gilmore, architects David Farrell & Tammy Chambless) are busy with the camp design plans.
May 1989
The construction of "Crow Lake" begins.
December 1989
The Meadows Foundation commits to $500,000, The Constantin Foundation (through the efforts of Ray Bean) commits to a gift of $200,000. The first Work Day is held; 14 people attended. This will become a monthly event (3rd Saturday each month) during the construction of Camp.
February 1990
Camp John Marc Myers is selected to be one of two chosen charities of Crystal Charity Ball for 1990. This gift totals $660,000. Sally O’Neil is the Chair of the Crystal Charity Ball and Dana Moore is the Underwriting Chair.
August 1990
More than 500 people attend the ground breaking ceremony. It is hot, dusty and no running water, yet a strong spirit of optimism prevails. Tracey Rowlett emcees the program and Jim Smith, member of Highland Park Presbyterian Church, gives the invocation. Don Madsen is presented his cornerstone; he acknowledges his love of John Marc Myers as his motivation to design Camp John Marc Myers and thanks his wife Nancy, an interior designer and artist, for helping him soften his design.. The day is chaired by Sally Francis, assisted by Denise Jenks, Jan Myers, Jill Bee, Karen Gilmore, and Suzzi Perry.
Fall 1990
The intensive design and construction process is underway. Don Madsen keeps his committee busy and also the firm of Good, Fulton and Farrell.
Winter 1991
Construction is full speed ahead. Construction companies on site: Dal-Mac, JD Izzarelli, McFadden & Miller, Joey Cannon Construction Company and stone masons, the Herrera family from San Antonio. The members of the Herrera family are very talented masons and their artistry can be seen all over camp. Don and Vance worked closely with the Herreras to place stone work in the gables of the cabins that identify the cabins by their names. Thus the infamous Madsen Cowboy hat/helmet story was created. Don’s Spanish must not have been that good, because he thought he had made it very clear he wanted a weathered caballero hat at the Lone Star, Ranger cabins. What he got was a Dallas Cowboy Helmet which remains today!
Spring 1991
Dirt is flying and the camp site is full of workmen and activity. The general contractor overseeing the activity is William Scott (Scotty) from JD Izzarelli. A goose appears at camp, no one is quite sure how he got there. He is named Cecil after the very loud paint crew foreman (Cecil the goose is also very loud). For two years Cecil roams the camp grounds, he sleeps every night on the back porch of Green Acers. He greets campers as they get off the buses, and when they leave he is there sending them off. Every staff member from the first two summers has Cecil stories and many campers from those first two summers also have stories. Cecil is killed by a raccoon at the end of the summer of 1992.
Challenges ahead: Will there be the necessary funds? Will the construction be completed? Our chairman, Randy Perry, and other dedicated folks work nearly every day toward the goal of getting Camp open. The final pre-camp opening workday is held; 200 people attend and work on laying pavestones, putting cabin beds together, and in all areas of final preparation. Jase Waller is hired as Program Director.
June 1, 1991
Grand Opening! The American flag is raised for the first time by 1991 campers to be--Preston McCarty, Corey Steyer, Jacob Petigrew, Brent Johnson, and Robert Hurtekant. Nearly 1,000 people attend. Tremendous Day. Event is chaired by Dian Moore and Becky Meyer, assisted by a committee of 75.
Summer 1991
Nearly 500 chronically ill campers attend eight weeks of organized camping during our inaugural summer. The therapeutic benefits once dreamed of for chronically ill children become a reality.
Doug Hertz (founder), Larry Lord (architect), Larry Melnick (Executive Director), and Sally Hale (Camp Sunshine) from Atlanta, Georgia (Camp Twin Lakes) visit camp and ask for our help in modeling their program after ours.
Dave Lane secures TV time on Channel 8 and ads in the Dallas Morning News to promote the pre-season Cowboy game, of which Camp John Marc Myers is the beneficiary. The funds do not materialize due to the lack of ticket sales to the August game.
Fall 1991
Budgets are reviewed, plans are made for "off season" use. Financial picture a little bleak. $200,000 loan is taken out to cover construction debt. Dal Mac writes off their final draw of $20,000.
November 1991
Gifford Touchstone accepts challenge to raise funds: to retire debt, establish endowment, get an annual campaign underway. The Live Oak path tradition begins; a pavestone pathway made up of bricks bearing the names of each first-time camper.
Winter 1992
The first Live Oak campaign raises $15,000
Spring 1992
"Off season" use going well; mainly medical-related groups. First Campership Drive (an idea of Marc Myers) raises $170,000. Co-chairpersons: Bob Spurgin and Jan Myers. Gifford's campaign going well; nearing $1,000,000 mark. Randy Perry in his fourth year as Chairman. At the request of Jan & Marc Myers the name of camp is changed to Camp John Marc to capture the memory and spirit of all current and future campers.
Summer 1992
Twelve weeks of camping for nearly 1,000 kids. Tremendous experiences for children with chronic illnesses and major physical disabilities.
Fall 1992
"Off season" use nearly every weekend. Pictures of Camp appear in TEXAS ARCHITECT.
Dr. Paul Gersen and Dr. Bob Zeller from Houston visit Camp John Marc and ask for our help in modeling a camping program after ours.
December 1992
Gifford's campaign allows for all debt to be retired. $330,000 in the endowment fund and operating funds are in good shape. Pictures of camp appear in PROGRESSIVE ARCHITECTURE.
February 1993
Don Snell accepts the position of Board Chairman. Randy and Suzzi Perry chosen as Life Directors of Special Camps for Special Kids for their dedication to the mission of Camp John Marc.
The National Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, along with the Center for Disease Control, rules that children with cystic fibrosis cannot attend camp anywhere in the country due to a bacterial organism called P. cepacia. This leaves two weeks to fill in the summer program.
Camp TLC (spina bifida) and I-Thonka-Chi (burn survivors) agree to fill the two vacant weeks. Camp Fun (asthma) campers from Houston will join with campers from Camp Jeffrey Green (asthma) from Dallas to form one large week.
March 1993
Preliminary plans underway for finishing out Phase 1 construction: permanent pool fence, stone work on remaining 4 cabins, lights around certain areas of camp, finish out administration building, flooring and window coverings.
April 1993
Completion of Phase 1 construction begins. Karen Campbell joins our staff as Office Manager.
May 1993
Third camping season at Camp John Marc begins. For the first time a theme is chosen for the summer: "The Winning Tradition Continues." Harry Granader founder of Mak-A-Dream in Montana sends a team to Camp seeking advice. Harry is also an original franchise owner of McDonalds and lost a grandson to cancer. He built a facility for campers with cancer but there is no pediatric hospital in Montana. His facility is grossly under used.
Second annual Campership Drive held, raising $135,000. Drive is co-chaired by Craig Innes and Jan Myers. Winning team bringing in the most dollars is the Roadrunner team, headed by the spirited co-captains Carol Touchstone and Marilyn Smith.
Summer 1993
962 campers are served during our third summer season! A great summer staff and fun activities made many good times for our campers.
Fall 1993
"Off season" use is extensive. Camp Fortnight, a two week camping program for kids from England with Cystic Fibrosis, is held at Camp John Marc. It is a wonderful experience for the “international” camp held in Bosque County.
Peter Boudreaux and Steve Curry, architects for the camp being built in Houston, visit Camp John Marc.
Camp John Marc's program and site are fully accredited by the American Camping Association (ACA).
Two loyal Camp John Marc founding board members leave Dallas. Don Madsen to begin a new job in Colorado and Sally Francis Kehayes moves to Montana to be with her husband.
December 1993
Camp John Marc is awarded the Eleanor P. Eells Award by the American Camping Association (ACA). The award is the highest programming award given by ACA. The award recognizes Camp's work with Camp Tecumseh for kids who are H.I.V. positive and their families. We became the first camp in the country to be recognized for working with the H.I.V. issue.
January 1994
Don Snell begins his second term as Chairman of Special Camps for Special Kids--Camp John Marc. Sally Francis Kehayes and Don Madsen are chosen as Life Directors of Special Camps for Special Kids-Camp John Marc. The Chapel Committee is busy at work creating a design for the Chapel at Camp.
Camp John Marc, through the efforts of Diana Joseph Bearden, is chosen beneficiary of a luncheon hosted by Attorneys Serving the Community, a group of female attorneys in Dallas.
Vance Gilmore travels to Montana and helps “Happy Harry” outline a plan to maximize the use of his facility – the plan is to have young adults who are past traditional camp age from across the country invited to attend Mak-A-Dream and experience Montana.
The Live Oak campaign raises $18,303.
April 1994
Kirk Evans replaces Jase Waller as Program Director. Joe Glorfield and June Matthews from the Boggy Creek Gang in Florida visits Camp; asks if they can model their program after Camp John Marc.
May 1994
Attorneys Serving the Community luncheon takes place. The event is co-chaired by Karen Gren Johnson and Beth Plumlee. Through the efforts of Board Member Laura Bush, her mother-in-law, Barbara Bush, is the speaker. The luncheon is a huge success, raising over $100,000 and greatly increasing public awareness of Camp John Marc.
Camp opens for the fourth summer. The theme is based on The Little Rascals. 931 campers are served in what many folks deemed the best summer yet.
The Campership Drive ends, raising a record amount of $193,685 by year end. The co-chairs were Carol Touchstone and Craig Innes who followed a gambling theme in this event; they became known as the Queen and King of Hearts.
The Houston camp is named Camp For All; their recently hired executive director , Vicki Larue, visits Camp John Marc and asks for additional help in modeling their program after Camp John Marc.
Fall 1994
A feature article on Camp John Marc appears in the American Camping Association CAMPING MAGAZINE.
A task force chaired by Denise Jenks begins its work on the development of standards for the selection and training of staff and volunteers for Camp John Marc’s summer volunteers. Also, a media task force is chaired by Ellen McStay.
Allison Roberts becomes our second full time Program Director
Weekend programs continue to grow; 823 campers served in 1994 off season.
Winter 1994
The endowment campaign reaches $500,000.
Don Snell ends two years as our Board Chairman. Don has led the organization in a manner of immense quality.
January 1995
Bob Spurgin begins his term as Board Chairman. The construction of Morning Star Chapel is underway.
The Live Oak campaign raises $23,068.
February 1995
The final draft of the staff/volunteer standards is presented to user groups. The general consensus is that the standards will be somewhat difficult to meet, but will improve the overall quality of our camping program.
The final draft of our media guidelines is presented to our user groups.
Jan and Marc Myers are selected as Life Directors.
March 1995
Board approves plan to build the Staff/Family lodges.
April 1995
The Work Day is reintroduced and over 40 Board Members attend and take on the chores of laying brick pathways to the Chapel and treehouse #1 and building an accessible horse mounting ramp.
The fourth annual Campership Drive--Play Ball!!--is underway. Leading Camp John Marc in this annual drive are Carol Touchstone and Craig Innes.
May 1995
First draft of design for the Staff/Family lodges is complete.
The Camper Scamper 5k and 1 mile Fun Run is held for the first time, led by Melanie Lucido. It is held to raise Campership funds and the race is a home run.
Morning Star Chapel construction is underway, but has slowed a bit; appears it will not be ready for the opening of summer Camp.
Carol Touchstone & Craig Innes pull off a Grand Slam--Campership Drive raises $270,000.
Summer 1995
The fifth summer of camping begins. The theme is: The Flintstones. It is a time of wonderful experiences and accomplishments, but tragedy also touches Camp John Marc. During the second week of camp, a first time camper, goes into respiratory failure and is taken by helicopter to Cook Children’s Medical Center in Fort Worth. Three days later he dies.
During Camp Sanguinity, although not fully completed, Morning Star Chapel is used for the first time. Over 200 campers, volunteers, staff, and Board Members gathered to remember the children who were campers but would not be returning to Camp because they had passed away during the year. The service is a simple one, yet has an enormous impact on all.
Also during Camp Sanguinity, Channel 8’s Vince Patton films a news spot at Camp and compliments us on our media policy.
The summer ends with 999 campers served. It was a time of learning, sharing, and child-focused activities.
September 1995
Construction of the Chapel is moving along. John and Irmgard Kebrle are busy putting the stained glass together. Our stone mason, David Williams, is putting the final touches on the stone work.
Weekend and week day programs are at an all time high.
October 1995
Morning Star Chapel is complete and dedicated on October 28, 1995. It was built to the glory of God and in memory of Jim Smith, teacher and counselor at Highland Park Presbyterian Church. The weather is beautiful and over 200 individuals gather to hear Bob Spurgin, Fred Smith, Tom Raley, Paul Wallace and John McStay as they reflect on the origins of the Camp, need for the chapel, impact of Jim Smith’s life and campers. On this day the John McStay family is quietly acknowledged fro their generosity in the construction of the Chapel. Rose Mary Kennedy is also acknowledged for getting the seed money for the Chapel and stressing the need for this structure. Bob and Rose Mary Kennedy’s boys (Shawn, Jason and Jeffery) are fondly remembered.
Morning Star Chapel stands as a sign of commitment--commitment of Board Members to see it built right; commitment of craftsmen as a reflection of their talents; commitment of friends of a dear teacher and a mom to her children.
November 1995
The year is winding down but much activity is taking place to make some changes in the structure of the summer program.
The alumni of Chi Omega grant us $50,000 toward the construction of our Staff/Family cabin.
December 1995
Decision is made that MDA will have one week of camp, as compared to two in years past. Camp Moss, a program for children with cardiology problems and heart transplants, move from a weekend camp to the full week which opened up.
The year ends in the black by the largest margin to date. Our off season business tops the $100,000 mark for the first time. A capital improvement account is created and the endowment account hits $700,000. Over 1,500 children with chronic illnesses are served during 1995!
January 1996
Bob Spurgin, who has devoted countless hours of the highest caliber of volunteer service for Camp John Marc during the year ends his term.
The Live Oak campaign raises $35,061
February 1996
Jane Pierce (Mrs. Charles C. Pierce, Jr.) begins her term as CJM Chair.
March 1996
Long Range Planning process put into place by Jane Pierce.
April 1996
The fifth annual Campership Drive (A Winning Season) is underway. Leading the drive for the third year is Carol Touchstone; she is assisted by her pal Marilyn Smith.
The Camper Scamper is held for the second time at the Ballpark in Arlington. Melanie Lucido continues to chair this event. Major sponsor is The Westcott Foundation and the event nets $42,225.
Jane Pierce secures a $250,000 promise from the John Sharpe family. The first two installments are paid in 1996.
Summer 1996
The summer theme is “Mission Impossible—Expect the Impossible.” A talented summer staff and 1,044 children are served during our summer program. Camp is re-accredited by the American Camping Association with scores of 99 out of a possible 100. Camp Moss holds their first week long camp.
Fall 1996
Busy off season; including new weekend programs and some weekends camps who have now been coming for five years.
December 1996
Total number of campers served during the year reaches 2,044. Our financial standing is very solid as we end 1996 with $742,153 in our endowment account, $84,998 in capital reserve replacement account and $262,000 in our operating account. Paul Newman grants us $10,000 toward our Staff/Family Lodges.
January 1997
We are notified that Chi Omega Christmas Market did so well that they will pay their two year commitment in 1997--$50,000! These funds are for the Staff/Family Lodges.
The Live Oak campaign raises $36,000
February 1997
Jane Pierce begins her second term as CJM Chair.
April 1997
Camper Scamper under the leadership of its founder, Melanie Lucido, attracts 1,400 runners and nets $69,358!
Campership Drive 1997 begins with a theme of “Reach For The Stars.” The campaign is lead by Marilyn Smith and Lee Rury. They make a grand entrance at the Kick Off meeting in a vintage Thunderbird convertible dressed as those lovable stars—Lucy & Ricky Ricardo.
Mr. Ueda and Mr. Hayase visit Camp John Marc to review our program and see if the concept is feasible for their homeland of Japan.
May 1997
Kirk and Allison Evans resign as Program Directors.
Summer camp 1997 begins with a theme of “Summer of 1997 Where Everyone Is A Star.” It is a summer full of great times and is lead by a committed and caring summer staff. 1,057 campers are served during the summer program. Board Member Mary Beecherl volunteers as a counselor at Camp John Marc/Camp Moss and starts the tradition of Board Members working a week at Camp.
June 1997
Campership Drive nets $369,088. The Hawn Foundation grants $25,000 toward the Staff/Family Lodges. Jane Pierce leads the fund drive to find the dollars for paving the road from Morgan to Camp after Marc Myers makes the Board aware of this need.
July 1997
Paving of the road from Morgan to Camp begins.
August 1997
Kerry Brown and Jeremy Copeland are hired as Assistant Directors.
September 1997
Proposal are submitted to Hoblitzelle, Constantin, Dallas Foundation, MS Doss, and Hillcrest foundations for funding for the Staff/Family Lodges. The design committee, led by Allan Bilbo, actively begins work on the Lodges. Especially involved is Board Member and architect Hudson Lockett who volunteers to develop the design.
October 1997
A reception is held in the home of Sam & Dottie Berry, Fort Worth residents, with the help of Paul Wallace. The purpose is to educate the citizens of Fort Worth about Camp John Marc.
Fall Fashion Forecast, chaired by Jimmy Westcott and Eleanor Putman has the theme “It’s A Jungle Out There,” and raises $18,230.
November 1997
Camp Tecumseh, celebrates its sixth year of existence with 22 families present.
December 1997
Carol & Gifford Touchstone are selected as Life Directors.
Staff/Family Lodges receive positive responses from: Hoblitzelle for $50,000, Doss for $50,000, Constantin for $50,000, Hillcrest for $50,000, and Camp Ailihpomeh for $2,500.
David Bell, Camp Sanguinity volunteer, and his family pledge $40,000 toward Staff/Family Lodges.
Camp John Marc is notified they have been awarded the Eleanor P. Eells award for outstanding camp programming for our PKU family camp.
January 1998
Special Camps for Special Kids Endowment Total Reaches $1.2 Million!
Live Oak Campaign raises $38,000.
Jane Pierce completes her second year as Chair. Jane accomplishes many goals and added much organization to Board policies and operation needs.
February 1998
Craig Innes begins his term as Board Chairman. By coincidence, his first event is at Del Frisco’s Steak House which attracts over 700 people and nets $11,000 for Camp John Marc! The food is fabulous.
The National Conference of the American Camping Association (ACA) is held in Dallas. The theme is "Deep In The Heart Of Camping.” Vance Gilmore chairs the event with much help from the CJM staff. The event attracts over 2,000 camp directors from across the country.
April 1998
The 4th Annual Camper Scamper is held in Dallas and is once again chaired by its founder, Melanie Lucido. Over 1,500 participate. The event nets $81,029
The annual Campership Drive is kicked off under the leadership of Lee Rury and Ellen McStay.
May 1998
The eighth summer begins! Theme is “We Go Together” A wonderful staff of college-aged people work through a hot summer.
Campership Drive, with the theme, “Git Yer Boots Scootin’” brings in $345,000 and the Victory Party is held at the party barn of Board Member Jean Boswell.
Construction begins on the Staff/Family Lodges.
July 1998
General Jim Ellis from Boggy Creek Gang (Florida) visits Camp John Marc seeking help with programming needs and debt retirement suggestions.
August 1998
Summer season ends with 1,131 campers served. Katy Braden is chosen as the first recipient of the Don Madsen Scholarship. Don is notified that Katy has received this scholarship and it will be given annually.
September 1998
Fall Fashion Forecast, “As Good As It Gets,” is chaired by Debbie Oates and Susan Wolcott and is a hit at Stanley Korshak.
January 1999
The Live Oak campaign (with full color photo of campers on the path) brings in $40,000.
Camp John Marc appears on the cover of ACA National Magazine.
$250,000 is moved into Endowment (Endowment total $1,500,000) and $80,000 is moved to Capital reserve.
Life Director, architect, Building & Grounds chair, and true imagineer during our design and construction phase, and loyal friend of Camp John Marc, Don Madsen dies of pancreatic cancer.
February 1999
Craig Innes begins his 2nd year as Board Chairman.
Staff/Family Lodges are dedicated (completed at a cost of $507,000). Allan Bilbo, Lynn Sears & Hudson Lockett are the champions of this project. Joan Scott does beautiful original watercolor artwork for each lodge. Each depicts the American Indian name of each lodge.
March 1999
Our eighth annual Campership Drive with the theme “Peace, Love, Camperships” kicks off under the direction of Ellen McStay & Karen Johnson.
The Amon G. Carter Foundation of Fort Worth makes an unrestricted gift of $75,000.
April 1999
The fifth annual Camper Scamper takes place under the leadership of Julie Macatee & Jane Bolin, and the race nets $99,500.
May 1999
Ninth summer of camping for children with special medical needs begins. Theme is “Star Wars.”
Security issues at Camp reviewed closely.
June 1999
The Campership Drive nets $379,463.
Board Members Tom Hurtekant, Suzzi Perry, Joan Scott (plus her husband John) serve as camp counselors or activity directors during Camp TLC.
July 1999
Camp undergoes accreditation by the American Camping Association for the third time and passes with high marks.
August 1999
1,165 campers served during the summer of 1999. Mike Merriman is chosen to receive the Don Madsen Scholarship.
September 1999
Dallas Stars host Camp John Marc as honored charity at their pre-season game, the first game held after winning the Stanley Cup.
November 1999
The Family Getaway Program is created by Vance Gilmore and Kerry Brown. This program allows families who have a child with a medical diagnosis and served by Camp John Marc (including cystic fibrosis) the opportunity to spend a weekend together as a family at Camp, away from the normal demands and stressful life. The goal of this program is to provide an accessible and relaxing environment where families can spend quality time together. During the weekend families can hike, fish, play games, cook, watch deer and enjoy campfires. The plan outlined for this program is to allow families to attend free of charge and up to five families can be served on available weekends. Each family stays in the new duplex-style lodges, each with a small kitchen, living area, large accessible bathroom and two bedrooms. This is not a weekend family camp but a self-guided program. It allows families to have a unique opportunity to connect as a family, often having discussions that are difficult to have during normal family life, all while relaxing in a beautiful outdoor setting.
December 1999
The Morning Star Family Foundation (John McStay family) creates the Acorn Fund in honor of Vance Gilmore with $100,000 per year for ten years. Purpose of the fund is to allow our program to grow in a manner benefiting our campers.
January 2000
Live Oak campaign raises $50,000. Paul Wallace is recognized as a Life Director for his role in seeing that the children of Cook Children’s Medical Center of Fort Worth are served at Camp John Marc and for his love and dedication of all that is Camp John Marc.
Craig Innes ends his term as CJM Board Chair in style with $380,000 moved into Endowment resulting in over $2 million in Endowment.
Gary Huselton begins his term as Board Chair and we begin our tenth year of therapeutic camping for the children of Texas Scottish Rite Hospital, Children’s Medical Center, and Cook Children’s Medical Center.
February 2000
Plans are created to revamp the horse area, making it accessible for all. Plans are outlined for the tenth anniversary of our summer camp program.
March 2000
Seven families fill each available Family Getaway Weekend program in the Staff/Family Lodges.
Our ninth annual Campership Drive kicks off under the direction of Karen Johnson & Jan Myers. The theme is: Better Than Being A Millionaire, based on the game show Who Wants To Be A Millionaire.
April 2000
The sixth annual Camper Scamper takes place under the leadership of Lee Rury and raises $98,017.
May 2000
Summer camp kicks off with a birthday theme based on our tenth summer! New innovative horse program is in place and receives great reviews from our campers. A night of celebration is planned for each week of our summer program. Campers will receive a commemorative t-shirt which was designed by Board Member Joan Scott.
July 2000
Long time Camp John Marc Advisory Board Member Ray Bean dies on July 4th. Ray, a long time YMCA camp director, had devoted many hours during his retirement years to the facility and program development of Camp John Marc.
August 2000
2,539 campers are served during the summer of 2000. Brian Housley from Bellevue, Washington visits camp and seeks Camp John Marc’s help in creating a program in the state of Washington. Brian, a successful stockbroker, has lost a family member to cancer and this is his motivation to do something for others. The camp will be called Stand By Me.
Shawnee Barton receives the inaugural Ray Bean Scholarship. Brittany Lopez receives the Don Madsen scholarship.
Fall 2000
Kerry Brown and Jeremy Copeland begin their fourth year as Assistant Directors.
Paige Adler, Dr. Wendy Whitehead and architect Michael Palladence visit from California. They seek our help in creating a Paul Newman program in Malibu; the program will be called Painted Turtle.
November 2000
Preliminary plans begin for the second Acorn Fund gift.
January 2001
Carol Touchstone and Marilyn Smith chair a Tenth Anniversary celebration for camp’s special friends. Many of our major donors and individuals who started the concept of Camp John Marc attended.
The Live Oak campaign raises $65,800.
Under the leadership of Gary Huselton, we placed $393,088 in our Endowment account, giving us a total of $2,501,133.
February 2001
Gary Huselton begins his second year as Board Chairman of Camp John Marc.
March 2001
Dr. Greg Grant visits camp and ask for help in creating a similar program in Arizona.
Spring 2001
Because of the Acorn Fund we are able to add a permanent tack room and shaded saddling area for the horses (with the help of David Bell), plus add a beautiful star gazing platform designed by Hudson Lockett.
Under the leadership of Paul Wallace and Randy Perry the Campership Drive nets $473,179. The theme is based on the TV show Survivor.
The Camper Scamper is led by Cindy Cochran and raises $130,781.
May 2001
Kerry Brown ends her long career with us and becomes a Child Life Specialist at Children’s Medical Center.
June 2001
Ten year Facility Manager Charlie Stires suffers a fatal heart attack (between camp sessions). His funeral is attended by many, including more than 100 current and former staff, Board and user group members.
The theme for summer camp is based on the TV show Survivor.
August 2001
Summer camp staff is honored with a star on the Wall of Honor for their exemplary service in 2001. Becky Wimsatt receives the Ray Bean Scholarship and Katie Nelson receives the Don Madsen Scholarship.
Fall 2001
The tragedy of September 11th have us questioning whether fall camps should go on and if so, what will the implications be. It is decided all camps should continue. The feedback from the weekend groups following 9/11 is that camp was a good place to visit and the weekend was very healing.
November 2001
Camp Tecumseh celebrates their 10th Anniversary, Camp John Marc’s longest standing family camp.
January 2002
$255,259 is moved into the Endowment fund, giving us a total of $2,880,556
The Live Oak campaign raises $57,294.
February 2002
Ellen McStay begins her term as Board Chair.
April 2002
The eleventh annual Campership Drives kicks off under the leadership of Randy Perry and Veree Brown. A patriotic theme, “Let’s Roll” is this year’s fare.
Our eighth annual Camper Scamper is held, under the leadership of Cindy Cochran and Mike Tanner. For the eighth year in a row we have beautiful weather. The event nets $138,000.
May 2002
Our wheelchair accessible horse buggy is delivered.
Campership Drive once again ends successfully, netting $450,000.
June 2002
The theme for the summer is: Camp, American Style. The wheelchair accessible horse buggy works because of two heroes—David Bell and PatchE the pony. Campers with muscular dystrophy that could not have mounted a horse are able to “take the reins” of the buggy.
July 2002
Believe it or not, the summer is a wet one. Although it rains every day of Camp Sanguinity, we somehow manage to celebrate the 4th of July with fireworks and a Water War.
August 2002
Third year staff member, Annie Shepard, wins the Don Madsen Scholarship and Andy Zengel, a first year staff member from Notre Dame, wins the Ray Bean Scholarship. Four year staff member Katie Nelson becomes the 25th Camp John Marc staff member to be accepted to medical school—she chooses Harvard Medical School.
September 2002
Jenny Abramson is hired as full time Assistant Camp Director.
October 2002
The Campership Drive Victory Party is held in the backyard of Jan & Marc Myers. We celebrate our victory of $453,223 raised. Roy Edwards and a team of 25 camp directors, potential donors and prospective board members from Oklahoma visit Camp John Marc and spend the day.
December 2002
Kappa Kappa Gamma Tablescapes benefits in part Camp John Marc.
January 2003
Jim Newton and Paul Hill premier our camp song—The Camp John Marc Way
$237,000 of year end funds is moved into our Endowment Account. The Live Oak campaign raises $40,000.
February 2003
Ellen McStay begins her second year as Camp John Marc Board Chair.
Board Retreat is held at Camp with the focus on Strategic Plan. Although it is a very cold day, 48 members braved the weather.
April 2003
Ninth annual Camper Scamper with 1,900 in attendance. Chairman Mike Tanner appears on Good Morning Texas with Jeremy, a camper from I-Thonka-Chi. The event raises $138,233.
May 2003
Campership Drive, under the leadership of Karl Rathjen and Veree Brown raises $449,221. The theme is a NASCAR theme: Racing For The Checkered Flag.
Summer 2003
Wonderful summer! 1,216 campers served; outstanding staff. Summer theme was based on the book and movie “Holes”. The new pathway to the ropes course and ropes course pavilion is big hits, and so is the remodeled and improved Medical Bay. One Camp Reynal nurse says it is the nicest dialysis unit in the state! Long time Camp Sanguinity volunteers Paula Webb and Robert Harding (both instrumental in bringing Camp Sanguinity to Camp John Marc) “retire” as volunteers. David Aycock (grandson of Ray Bean) receives the Ray Bean Scholarship and Jay Battles receives the Don Madsen Scholarship.
October 2003
The Strategic Plan, under the leadership of Bob Spurgin, is nearly complete.
January 2004
Endowment total reaches $3,500,000. The Live Oak Campaign raises $41,610; $45,000 from is moved to Endowment. This brings the total from Live Oak to Endowment to $415,000.
Long time Camp John Marc camper and 3 year staff member Ryan Douglas is awarded the Jack Weiner Award by ACA.
Karen Gilmore, Camp John Marc photographer, receives the Golden Lens Award from ACA.
Ellen McStay ends her two year term which was marked by much success and outstanding leadership.
February 2004
Brooks Cullum begins his term as Board Chairman. Ellen McStay is honored as a Life Director of Camp John Marc.
ACA changes its name to American Camp Association.
March 2004
Ruth Carter Stevenson and Sheila Broderick Johnson (daughter and granddaughter of Amon G. Carter) host a wonderful dinner for the CJM Board at the Amon Carter Museum in Fort Worth. Attendance is strong and an evening focused on our Fort Worth friends is a night to remember.
Dr. Joann Sanders, pediatric oncologist, CJM Advisory Board Member, and Camp Doctor for Camp Sanguinity, is chosen to receive President George W. Bush’s USA Freedom Corp Award. The Award is given for outstanding volunteer service. Joann is given the honor of meeting President Bush at Air Force One at Love Field. Our Camp Photographer, Karen Gilmore, receives special clearance and gets to photograph the President and Joann.
Chef’s Showcase Gala (previously Magical Mystery Tour) takes on a new look, new venue, and new leadership. The event is held at the Adolphus Hotel and nets $85,000. Rich Pogue of CB Richard Ellis is the one who made it all happen, along with the CBRE employees.
April 2004
The annual Campership Drive, under the leadership of Karl Rathjen and Scott Miller, kicks off. Theme: Camp John Marc Olympics.
The Camper Scamper, under the leadership of Mike Tanner, raises $138,610.
June 2004
Campership Drive ends, raising $470,000.
Camp John Marc receives $200,000 from the estate of Agnes Cluthe Oliver.
Summer 2004
It is a summer of wonderful times and a few challenges. The theme is based on the movie Shrek. 1,216 campers were served. A new ropes course is used for the first time and our outcomes are strong. We deal with a few staff injuries, including a brown recluse spider bite and illnesses. Also a few campers are transported back to their hospital due to difficulties with their diagnosis. Roy Edwards the founder of Camp Eagle Wings in Oklahoma spends a week at Camp John Marc gathering information. The summer ends well, and the magic in Bosque continues. Josh Stewart and Brent Furl receive the Don Madsen Scholarship and Justin Lopez receives the Ray Bean Scholarship.
September 2004
The Executive Board endorses the concept of designing, funding, and constructing a new activity building.
December 2004
The final draft of the Strategic Plan is completed.
January 2005
Brooks Cullum begins his 2nd year as Board Chairman. Carol Touchstone is selected as Board Chair-Elect.
The Live Oak campaign raises $50,000.
February 2005
Karl Rathjen and Carol Touchstone agree to serve as co-chairs of the $4 million capital campaign.
March 2005
Camp John Marc Board Members pledge $374,000 toward the construction of the new activity building.
April 2005
Eleventh annual Camper Scamper is held (Ellen Dearman, chair); the event raised $136,538. The Campership Drive is kicked off, led by Scott Miller and Leland White. The theme is Jeopardy.
May 2005
Life Board Member Paul Wallace dies unexpectedly of a heart attack three days before camp starts. His service is held in Fort Worth and is attended by many fellow Board Members and Camp John Marc staff members who are deeply saddened by this sudden loss. Paul had given untold hours to Camp John Marc doing whatever task was asked of him. Paul was the force that led the Camp John Marc program to serve children from Cook Children’s Medical Center of Fort Worth.
Summer 2005
A Surprise Awaits You—a Willy Wonka theme prevails, including beautiful stage props created by Deanie Kepler. 1,284 children are served. Jenny Abramson leaves her job as Assistant Director at the end of the summer to return home to Virginia.
Tom Forney, founder of Camp Aranzuzu in Rockport, Texas makes a series of visits to Camp John Marc. His dream is to create a camp for children with chronic illnesses in south Texas. Vance Gilmore is asked to interview their camp director candidates.
August 2005
Annie Shepard, six year summer staff member, joins the full time staff as Assistant Director. Kelly Fegan receives the Don Madsen Scholarship and Kevin Randles receives the Ray Bean Scholarship.
October 2005
Even Camp John Marc is affected by Hurricane Rita as Camp Feliz cancels their family weekend with concern about their families from Houston.
A unique Campership Victory Party is held at the home of Jan and Marc Myers. The theme is based on the 100th anniversary of the UT-OU game. Former Longhorn standout Scott Henderson is part of the program, as is former Sooner standout Rich Pogue. Many special OU, UT items are given as prizes, including two 50 yard line seats to the 100th game donated by Steve Owens, 1969 Heisman Trophy Winner. Steve also donated a 1969 replica game jersey. Other prizes included autographed copies of Coach Royal Talks courtesy of Coach Darrell Royal and a UT football autographed by Coach Mack Brown. The Campership Drive nets $496,633.
November 2005
The capital campaign is in full swing. We are notified of the largest gift to date--$300,000 from the Amon G. Carter Foundation, made in honor of Paul Wallace.
December 2005
The capital campaign has raised $1,720,000!
January 2006
The Live Oak campaign raises $56,000.
After many fine accomplishments, Brooks Cullum ends his 2 year term as Board Chairman. In typical Brooks fashion, he has two “Brooksism” comments as he leaves office. 1st-“Camp John Marc succeeds in part because we take our mission seriously, but not ourselves.” 2nd-“I have decided that if you have a blue blazer and a lot of free time to go to meetings in the middle of the day, you will go far in the nonprofit world.”
Carol Touchstone begins her term as Board Chair.
Ryan Douglas, long time Camp John Marc camper (I-Thonka-Chi) and CJM summer staff member, joins the full time staff as Assistant Director. He replaces long time, faithful Assistant Director Jeremy Copeland (8 year full time employee).
Stormi Norman, Vice President of Operations for Camp Courageous, to be located in Scottsville, Kentucky, asks for Camp John Marc’s help. The camp’s founder is Betty Campbell who is the daughter of the late Carl Turner, Sr. who founded the Dollar General Corporation. Betty lost a beloved son to cancer (another parallel to our story).
February 2006
The Capital Campaign is in full swing. Carol and Karl hold monthly meetings to keep the committee motivated and gifts coming in. Total raised to date: $1,986,333.
April 2006
The 12th annual Camper Scamper takes place. On the eve of the race, while a great deal of preparation is taking place and many young men from Boy Scout Troop 82 are busy pitching tents and preparing the grounds for the race, the wind picks up. In a matter of seconds a very large pecan tree falls over from the roots. By the grace of God nobody receives a scratch, although more than 40 people are within a few feet of the impact. However, Karen Campbell’s (CJM Office Manager and Race Liaison) van is demolished by the tree’s impact. Although the tree landed on the finish line, it is cleared by city crews and the Camper Scamper takes place as planned on Saturday morning under the leadership of Ellen Dearman and Stewart Keller. The race nets $103,025. The CJM Executive Board generously helps Karen replace her van.
Summer 2006
The theme for the summer is a play on Pirates Of The Caribbean; it is very well received. The staff of 2006 are a very dedicated team, full of empathy. The Texas drought affected our summer program and the heat was tough at times. The lake was affected to the point that it could not be used, but spirits stayed high. Bethany Richards is awarded the Don Madsen Scholarship and Tony GiaQuinta is awarded the Ray Bean Scholarship.
July 2006
Word is received that the Mabee Foundation has issued a $250,000 challenge grant toward the Capital Campaign.
August 2006
After numerous interviews with construction companies, the Executive Board chooses the Julian P. Barry Construction Company to build the Silo.
October 2006
The Victory Party is held at the home of Jan & Marc Myers. The Campership Drive goal of $475,000 is reached and exceeded by $3,677. The Campership Drive, under the guise of Deal or No Deal, was led by Leland White and Craig Innes.
Construction on the Silo begins. Buddy Brumley is the site construction manager and lives on site—once again, the dirt is flying.
December 2006
The Capital Campaign reaches $3,610,233 through the “oilmen” connection. Oilmen Charles Nearburg and his wife Dana and Trevor Rees-Jones and his wife Jan each donate $150,000 in honor of Rett Nearburg. Rett was a former Camp John Marc camper who died at the age of 21 to cancer.
January 2007
Carol Touchstone begins the second year of her term.
The endowment account reaches $5,000,000! The Live Oak campaign raises $60,000.
A three year financial plan is put together showing that in 2009 our operating dollars could reach a deficit.
February 2007
A successful Board Retreat is held at Camp. The outcome is that four Task Forces are formed to study the operating budget, personnel needs, endowment and branding/marketing needs of Camp John Marc.
Silo construction is well under way.
Karen Gilmore wins the Golden Lens Award for her camp photography at the ACA National Conference in Austin.
Planet Cancer holds a successful retreat at Camp John Marc. (Planet Cancer is a community of young adults with cancer.)
April 2007
$3.9 million has been raised for the Silo.
VRE (Vancomycin Resistant Enterococcus) campers are told they cannot attend camp.
Plans are developed to handle summer camp and construction running simultaneously.
Campership Drive kicks off with the theme Retro TV. The Drive is led by Lee Rury and Leslie Ficke.
The 13th Annual Camper Scamper is chaired by Stewart Keller and raises $92,851.
May 2007
Summer camp begins with the summer theme: Night At The Museum. The rain begins.
June 2007
The Campership Drive ends reaching an amazing total of $604,058. This large amount is due, in part, to a $50,000 gift from the Elizabeth Toons Foundation.
The rain continues at Camp with record rainfall totals.
Silo construction continues.
July 2007
More rain at Camp—it dampens our campers’ shoes, but not their spirits. That is due, in part, to outstanding program leadership by Assistant Camp Director Annie Shepard. The Sanguinity fireworks take place amongst “soggy grounds”.
Ann & Bob Bass make a gift of $60,000 to Silo construction in honor of loyal camp volunteer Sheila Johnson’s birthday. The capital campaign is done, reaching a goal of $4 million. Of the $4 million, $62,253 is raised by campers, volunteers, staff and friends saving their change and filling special green piggy banks. The “change campaign” funded the actual Silo structure and the indoor climbing wall.
August 2007
Summers ends and 1,258 campers were served. The summer staff held up well to the rain and challenges of 2007. A successful summer is celebrated; we had only one complaint about camp and construction running at the same time.
Casey Gray receives the Ray Bean Scholarship and Megan White receives the Don Madsen Scholarship.
Administrative Assistant Terry Lendecker resigns after working for us for seven years.
Assistant Camp Director Ryan Douglas resigns after working full time for two years.
October 2007
The Silo construction ‘close out’ meeting is held. Buddy Brumley (Site Superintendent), Chuck Kugler, Roger Dahlin, and Lynn Sears (Interior Designer) are thanked for their outstanding service.
December 2007
Personnel Task Force, led by Denis Simon, and Operating Task Force, led by Ellen McStay, are hard at work.
January 2008
The Live Oak campaign raises $55,095.
Carol Touchstone’s fun yet very effective two years as Board Chair are celebrated at a festive Board Meeting. Mike George begins his term as Board Chair.
February 2008
The brick brigade (staff members, board members, friends of Camp of all ages) take up more than 20,200 bricks from their pathways (10,800 of them are engraved) so the Silo can be built on the site of the amphitheater. The brick brigade keeps the engraved bricks in order by individual camp, by year, and alphabetical order. The brick brigade then relays the bricks in the correct year and camp order when the Silo is complete. This is a true labor of love which involves more than 2,500 hours of work spanning several months.
March 2008
The Silo is dedicated on March 2. More than 400 campers and their families, Camp John Marc staff and volunteers, and friends of Camp John Marc gather to attend a special celebration in the amphitheater. The day even includes a choir made up of campers and 200 pounds of green and white confetti! Lynn Sears and David Bell are announced as Life Directors. Buddy Brumley is honored for his role as construction manager. What a fun day. Lee Rury and Leslie Ficke were in charge of the day and did an awesome job. As the last guest got in their car to leave, a huge rainstorm hit Camp. Very similar to grand opening day (1991), the weather was great for the day and when everyone was gone, a rainstorm hit.
April 2008
The Campership Drive, under the leadership of Mike Tanner and Julie Macatee; the theme is Camp John Marc—American Idol Style.
The 14th Annual Camper Scamper is chaired by Stewart Keller and raises $104,382.
May 2008
Summer camp begins with a theme based on the adventures of Indiana Jones. The new amphitheater plays a significant role in the “adventure”.
June 2008
Camp John Marc goes through its accreditation visit by the American Camp Association (ACA). The visit goes well and our scores reflect the quality of our program and facility.
August 2008
The summer ends with 1,322 campers served and 864 volunteers as a part of the program. The University of Notre Dame is well represented in our summer staff. At the end of the summer staff members Steve Spurgin from Stanford and Eric Mattingly from the University of Georgia prepare to study at Oxford. They did not know the other was applying to Oxford until both were selected. For service above and beyond the call of duty, Amy Church is selected to receive the Don Madsen Scholarship, Travis Cosban is selected to receive the Ray Bean Scholarship, Megan White receives the inaugural Paul Wallace Service Award.
September 2008
Assistant Director David Aycock is making final plans for the new accessible fishing pier, along with the help of Camp John Marc Board Members David Bell and Hudson Lockett.
October 2008
The Campership Drive raises a grand total of $600,000. Also, Camp John Marc is notified of a $300,000 grant from the Moss Heart Trust for to fund Camp Moss in full for three years. Shortly after these two positive events, the economy takes a major downturn and the forecast is a bit bleak.
November 2008
The economy brings financial uncertainty. Discussions begin as to whether the fishing pier project should continue and if we should proceed with plans for the new position outlined by the personnel task force. The Endowment total has dropped on paper to $4,136,152.
December 2008
After the Executive Board does a good deal of “homework”, it is determined that the Camper Scamper will end. The fishing pier construction will proceed and the new staff position will be added. It is also decided that the user fee increase, which was outlined by the finance task force, will not happen in 2009. The plan to not charge Camp TLC and Camp Jubilee a summer fee ever again will proceed as outlined.
Under the leadership of Annie Shepard 34 families/163 participants are served on our Family Getaway program in 2008.
January 2009
Mike George begins his second term as Board Chair. Kevin Randles, former Camp Esperanza camper and five-year summer staff member, is hired as Assistant Camp Director. Materials are ordered to build the new fishing pier.
The Live Oak campaign raises $54,850.
March 2009
Under the guidance of David Bell and David Aycock the new accessible fishing pier is well underway. Plans are being finalized by Annie Shepard on the pottery studio.
April 2009
Under the leadership of Jan & Marc Myers, the Campership Drive kicks off. Dr. Peggy Sartain, founding doctor of Camp Esperanza, highlights the meeting with reflections on the how we got started. Another highlight of the kick off was stand in Bone Head Club members who proclaimed the end of the Drive (the Drive began on April 1).
May 2009
The H1N1 virus causes locals schools to close. Camp PKU cancels. More extensive screening procedures are put into place for summer campers and volunteers, hoping to keep the H1N1 virus away from Camp.
The new fishing pier is dedicated. The unique design is camper friendly and very accessible. The new pottery studio is completed, including a beautiful mural of Camp. The mural includes 202 pottery tools “hidden” as walkway columns, trees, clouds, in the stonework of the buildings and many other places. These additions are made possible by the Acorn Fund and the Sportsman’s Club of Fort Worth.
June, July August 2009
Camp begins and the theme is “Night At The Museum 2”. Staff parents, former camp staff parents, and friends of Camp John Marc create a range of costumes, from General Custer to Napoleon to Oscar the Grouch and many more to be used at Theme Night.
The Camp John Marc summer is affected by the H1N1 virus. Camp MDA cancels because of H1N1; all MDA camps nationwide are cancelled. During Camp Ailihpomeh the virus hits. Twelve campers go home with H1N1 symptoms. The summer staff all take Tamiflu and keep the virus at bay, allowing the next camp, Camp Esperanza, to take place.
Long time faithful Camp John Marc volunteer, teacher and friend Burnie Battles is killed in a car accident. Burnie taught for 40+ years at Baylor University and had done an amazing job of bringing Baylor students to the Camp John Marc program for seventeen years.
1,101 campers and 739 volunteers were a part of the summer. At the end of the summer we celebrated a tremendous summer of service to our campers. Bre Loveless (former Camp Joint Adventure camper) received the Ray Bean Award, Will Skiles received the Don Madsen Award and Lauren Shinn was awarded the Paul Wallace Service Award.
September 2009
The inaugural Camp NOW is held, a camp for families who have a child with neuro-oncology. The camp is organized by Cook Children's and is a tremendous success.
October 2009
The Victory Party is indeed a celebration. In one of the toughest economies in the history of the United States the Board rallies to raise $610,000, thus ensuring fanatical stability of Camp John Marc’s operation in 2009.
Cook Children's Medical Center of Fort Worth gives a gift of $200,000 toward the new horse riding arena at Camp.
The Williams Trew Realty Company of Fort Worth, chooses Camp John Marc as the recipient of their holiday giving. This results in a $25,000 gift.
Under the leadership of David Bell, a great deal of research on the new horse arena is underway. Mechanical mounting lifts are being studied, as well as all aspects of the horse program are under review.
December 2009
During the Live Oak campaign many folks honor their friends with a purchase of a brick that will be engraved with a camper’s name. When all is said and done the campaign raised $52,000.
January 2010
Mike George ends his two year term as the Chairman of Camp John Marc. Mike led the Board through a tough economy with calm, steady guidance, for which many are grateful.
The Acorn Committee grants $50,000 toward the new horse arena.
Ley Waggoner begins his term as Board Chairman.
Winter 2010
New Board Chair Ley Waggoner outlines his plans for 2010. They include construction of the horse arena, the start of the next five year strategic plan, and plans for the 20th celebration of Camp John Marc.
Spring 2010
The new horse arena is under construction under the watchful eye of Building & Grounds Chairman David Bell overseeing the project.
Michal Powell, Campership Drive Chair, outlines a drive based on the 20th celebration of Camp John Marc.
In May Camp Morning Star occurs for the first time. This is a bereavement camp for families who have lost a child at Cook Children’s in the past 18 months. The outcomes are strong and plans are made to make it an annual camp.
Summer 2010
The theme for the summer is Toy Story which made for a much costumed Theme Night. Each week “Buzz Lightyear “ made a special entrance helped by many other Toy Story characters all played by Camp John Marc staff. Each week Camp’s 20th Anniversary is celebrated with an interactive party that takes place each Thursday night. Each celebration night ends with the ceremonial lighting of a Live Oak tree beside the Silo which has been strung with hundreds of Christmas lights through the efforts of Tim York and Kevin Randles.
The new horse arena is completed and used for the first time at the end of Camp Reynal. It is dedicated at the start of Camp Sanguinity and David Bell is recognized for his tireless efforts on behalf of our campers. More than 70 people dance the Cotton Eyed Joe in the arena to celebrate the new arena.
1,125 campers are served in a quality manner during our 20th summer. Eric “Georgia” Mattingly is awarded the Don Madsen Scholarship, Alex Steward is awarded the Ray Bean Scholarship, and Katelyn Bryant the Paul Wallace Award.
At the end of the summer the first staff reunion is held in recognition of Camp John Marc’s 20th summer. More than 200 current and former staff members and their families attend the three-day event. Many memories are shared and new ones made. Former staff members came from both the East coast and West coast and many places in between. Eleven states were represented by those in attendance.
Fall 2010
The tradition continues with the Campership Victory Party held at the home of Jan & Marc Myers. We celebrated the Campership Drive that, under the leadership of Michal Powell, raised a record $655,509.
Long time Camp John Marc staff member Annie Shepard marries former summer staff member Josh Stewart. They become the 10th couple to meet at Camp John Marc and marry.
Under the leadership of Dianne Hawkins and a hard working committee, a wonderful celebration is held at the Texas Discovery Gardens celebrating 20 years of summer camp. More than 500 people attend. The guests include former and current campers and their families, medical team members, past and present board members, volunteers, past and present staff, and donors. The weather in late November was beautiful and the day was a tremendous success. One of the unique and touching moments of the event were the Camp John Marc ambassadors at the event. Each camp identified a past camper who attributed a part of their success in life to having attending Camp. Each of these ambassadors (minus one) were present and shared their story in person beside a visual display that showed them as a camper and also told their story. The ambassadors were: Photojournalist Vicky Valles (Camp Reynal), Texas Tech Nursing Student Anna Thompson Staff (Camp I-Thonka-Chi), NDI Program Assistant Robert Hurtekant (Camp TLC), SMU Psychology Graduate Jennifer Wells (posthumously) (Camp MDA), Musician Cody Sargeant (Camp Moss), Artist Veronica Kubiak (Camp Sanguinity Sibling), Physician’s Assistant Corby Charles (Camp Sanguinity), Texas A&M Student Dylan Hilliard (Camp Ailihpomeh), Abilene Christian University Student Keri Gray (Camp Esperanza), Cook Children's Nurse Emily Brown (Camp Joint Adventure), Cook Children's Nurse Kara Lanning (Camp Broncho).
The new five year strategic plan is well underway and being prepared for presentation at the Board Retreat in early 2011.
Nell Perry and Louise "Sweetie Pie" Willoughby are honored for their years of service and generosity to Camp John Marc at the December Board Meeting. Camp John Marc Executive Director Vance Gilmore is surprised with a cash gift to be used for his daughter Allison's college expenses.
A tea for mothers who have lost a child who was a camper at Camp John Marc is hosted by Jan Myers and Ann Miller (Chaplain at Cook Children's). The event is indeed a special day and the mothers in attendance felt cared for and loved.
The year concludes with 3,337 campers and their families being served in our summer program, off-season program and Getaway program.
Winter 2011
Ley Waggoner begins his second year as Board Chair.
A full Board Retreat is held in Dallas at Texas Scottish Rite Hospital. The attendance is strong and the focus of the day is the recently completed Five-Year Strategic Plan. Corey Ladd facilitated the Five-Year Plan. Goals were set and the day was productive. The Board also spent time reviewing the policies that Camp John Marc has in place for preventing child abuse at Camp.
Spring 2011
The 14th annual Chefs Showcase is held on April 29 and under the leadership of the employees of CB Richard Ellis and nets $140,000 for the benefit of Camp John Marc.
Kevin Randles and David Bell provide leadership for the construction of the new archery range.
Dr. Kimberly Yamanouchi Chairs the Campership Drive with the theme: Believe.
Summer 2011
The theme for the summer is Pirates of the Caribbean, making theme night full of adventure and fun. The new archery range is ready for use the first week of camp and it a real “hit”. The summer is very hot and very dry. Reports say it is one of the worst heat waves and droughts in the history of Texas. However, fun still prevails at Camp and on occasion a cool breeze did sail over Camp, which was greatly appreciated. 1,233 campers were served during the summer of 2012. At the end of the summer the following individuals were awarded the traditional awards based on outstanding service to the campers: Marne Matysek—Paul Wallace Award; Chris Gattis—Ray Bean Award; Erin “Lofty” Loftus and Bre Loveless—Don Madsen Award.
Fall 2011
The Campership Drive brings in $617,733, busting the goal by $47,733. A customized rain stick is auctioned off at the annual Victory Party. It has not rained in very many days, but the auctioneer guarantees that it will rain by the next weekend for whoever wins the rain stick. Joe Graham wins the rain stick, and low and behold it rains at his ranch and at his Dallas home the next weekend. Joe gets several offers to buy his rain stick and the rain stick legend has begun! Louise “Sweetie Pie” Willoughby is honored at the Victory Party as a kick-off for her birthday celebration; she will turn 100 years old this week.
One of Karen Gilmore’s Camp photos graces the cover of the National ACA Magazine.
Under the leadership of Michal Powell, three luncheons are planned for the leadership of each of our partnering hospitals (Children’s Medical Center Dallas, Texas Scottish Rite Hospital and Cook Children’s Medical Center Fort Worth). Each lunch is a special time and the bonds between these outstanding hospitals and Camp John Marc are celebrated.
The year ends with 3,085 children and their families served at Camp John Marc this year.
February 2012
Marc Myers begins his tenure at Board Chair.