July 29 2011 I went up the mountain from Phoenix to Lakeside where Leila’s Lions Camp Tatiyee is located. She’s been going there for about a week every summer for more years than I can remember – before divorce, before going to Camp Civitan. Probably a few years after she started her 10-year run at Arizona Cactus-Pine Girl Scout Camp Maripai – equestrian sessions.

But this one is free because the Lions Club does fundraising all year. I donate, but it makes it possible for people with limited means to go to camp – kids and adults. For some this is the only vacation they get all year. The camp is staff-heavy for the populations that come. Leila goes  to the adult mentally challenged week. They also have weeks for hearing impaired, visually impaired, multiply-challenged persons, etc.

Leila just loves to go and I enjoy retrieving her because it is a lovely trip up to the cooler mountains and get a break from the July city heat. And it’s a beautiful drive.  There are areas where we have to keep watch for elk.  Now, we’ve never seen one, but if I hit one with the car, we’re all probably totaled.

On the way home Leila told me all about the activities she did. Her friend Todd was there this year – he was absent last year because he didn’t submit his application in time and all the spots were filled. Her favorite activity is the go-karting. Leila would love to drive but will never be allowed to, so go-karting is the next best thing. She also loves to eat the kind of food she is not supposed to eat at her home for health reasons.

So we had a little rain, some sunset, and made it in time to Temple for Shabbat services. I had promised her dinner out, so we stopped at Pei Wei restaurant on the way to her house. Chinese is one of her favorites, as is Mexican food, Italian, Thai – you get the picture.

In January we will submit the camp application and medical forms for 2012 – I’m on top of it because I’d never hear the end if I didn’t submit them in time.

Wishing us years of a great coming home from camp experience,

Wendy Weber, the Singing Network Marketer

Yesterday I left my job early to attend the quarterly ISP (Individual Service Plan) meeting on behalf of Leila. The only ones in attendance were myself, Leila’s house manager, and the support coordinator.

We are currently blessed with an outstanding support coordinator, and, believe me, I know the difference!

In fact, her daughter is volunteering at the camp Leila is at this week, Civitan in Williams, AZ, and because Judith spoke with her daughter on the phone, Leila was also put on the line, so we know for a fact that she is having fun – Leila said so.

I’m never worried about that. No news is always good news from camp. I just keep the postcards going to camp and send the address out to other friends and team members, so Leila gets mail nearly every day of camp. I’ll get a report from Leila when she comes home.

Fortunately for me, this camp provides transportation. Also, Leila has friends there she was also with earlier this month from Lions Camp Tatiyee in Lakeside, AZ. We keep running into the same people, because the disability world is smaller than the general population and the same people show up for the activities geared for them.

Leila loves knowing who someone is and having a history with that person. Don’t ever tell Leila a secret – she’ll remember it forever.

Her camp experience is similar to our team cruise every year. We will both be glad to travel with our friends that we now see from year to year. And my mother will be going with for the first time. There is a shared experience that we can carry with us and recall together. That recall is half the fun.

Wishing I were at camp, too,

Wendy Weber, The Singing Networkk Marketer

Friday I did about 8 hours of driving – Leila was in Lions Camp Tatiyee in Lakeside, AZ.

She’s been going for the last umpteem years – I don’t remember the year she started – and just loves going.

What a contrast up there in the mountains from the current 114 degrees F here in Phoenix, the Valley of the Sun.

All the way up and most of the way home I listened to Tom “Big Al” Schreiter’s Live From London training.  It doesn’t matter how many times I listen, I laugh and learn.  Not only does he teach you the skills, but the psychology behind why they work.

He was here in Phoenix training a few months ago.  When he comes to your area do you attend?  I recommend you don’t miss him.  You can check his schedule at www.fortunenow.com.

Anyway, Tom kept the driving time short and kept me awake.  As I climbed into the mountains I was able to eventually turn off the air conditioning.  It’s beautiful and clean up there.  I can still see so much of the damage caused by the Rodeo-Chediski Fire that burned in the area in June/July 2002.

Leila didn’t get to go to camp that summer – the fire got close to the camp and, in fact, they pulled out the multiply handicapped campers there that week.  Then they closed the camp for safety.  I remember listening to the messasge later on the camp answering machine that parents could go up to camp in late July to collect the campers belongings.  Wow!

We’re so grateful the camp was spared.

Now camp has had some major renovations by the Lions Club so it can be rented out the rest of the year with the idea of creating some income to help support the free sessions for the campers.  It shouldn’t surprise anyone that donations are down.  But the need to attend is not down similarly.

Anyway, we made it home safely just in time to attend our Friday night services before returning to our respective homes.  It was a long day.  I’ll be doing it again next year, and, as always, will enjoy the beautiful scenery and temporary respite in the cool mountain air.

Wendy Weber, The Singing Network Marketer