Camp Lion
Bloomington, Illinois
They come from a variety of backgrounds and family situations, but each boy or girl at Camp Lions has one thing in common. Each has one profound disability.
For many it is their first experience doing what most children take for granted, a chance to spend a week enjoying summer camp. Since 1947, Camp Lions has been host to more than 12,000 visually and hearing challenged youth. This year 212 boys and girls were served at locations in DuBois, Bloomington and Dixon. For the families, the camps are free. Illinois Lions have spent over $5 million in the last 54 years to give these boys and girls a feeling of normalcy. The cost of a week at camp this year was $520.00 per child. The camps are open to children age eight to 17. Camps were held for seven weeks during the summer from June through August. Lions of Illinois also offers an adult camp.
"It's pay day for all those Lions who spend time on the street corners each Candy Day," noted Lions of Illinois Foundation Executive Director Van Stone during the Camp Lions Open House at Bloomington in July. "This is what it's all about. Seeing these children and the smiles on their faces. This is why we have the vision. We want this to continue after we are all gone."
Camp Lions was the first program initiated by the Lions of Illinois Foundation. It continues to be one of the most heartwarming experiences..
