Meet Anna- Badger Camp's new intern!

Introduction to Anna Strasser

Wisconsin Badger Camp is happy to welcome Anna Strasser as their new intern for the spring semester.  Strasser, originally from Lodi, WI is currently a senior at the University of Wisconsin Platteville where she is a Media Studies major.  Her emphasis in Public Relations and minor in Social Media will allow her to help Badger Camp in growing their social media accounts and visibility.

Located 10 miles south of Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin Badger Camp is a non-profit organization that serves individuals with developmental disabilities by providing quality outdoor recreational experiences. Wisconsin Badger Camp accepts campers regardless of age, severity of a disability, or financial situation.  This summer over 800 individuals with developmental disabilities had the opportunity to experience swimming, hiking, camping, and making friends that last a lifetime at Wisconsin Badger Camp.

“Knowing what Wisconsin Badger Camp does and the people they serve makes this internship very rewarding,” Strasser said.  Strasser has plans to implement a new social media manager site to allow camp’s pages’ to be more efficient and stay organized. “I wanted to help out any way I can, add any of my knowledge that I have learned in class and use it to help benefit a non-profit like Badger Camp,” Strasser said.  If you are interested in interning for Wisconsin Badger Camp please contact our offices at 608.348.9689 or ksmith@badgercamp.org

                                   Pictured above: Anna Strasser

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26th Annual Valentine's Party!!

                          26th Annual Valentine’s Party in benefit of Wisconsin Badger Camp

 

The 26th Annual Valentine’s Party in benefit of Wisconsin Badger Camp will take place on Sunday, February 10^th at Pioneer Lanes at 12 p.m. The Valentines Party features hourly raffles, meat paddles, silent auction, bake sale, music, food, drinks, and plenty of fun.

The event will be filled with exciting hourly raffles with numerous prizes given away that were donated by local business owners. The bake sale will be full of delicious treats made by volunteers. There will also be a silent auction full of great items. If you bought a 20/20 ticket the winner of the $500 prize will also be drawn the day of the event. Come to Pioneer Lanes and checkout the items that you could win and enjoy some food, drinks and entertainment provided by N Sounds DJ Service.

If you or someone you know would like to make a donation for the event, please contact the Wisconsin Badger Camp office at (608) 348-9689. We look forward to seeing everyone on Sunday, February 10^th at Pioneer Lanes for a great day full of fun!

Located 10 miles south of Prairie Du Chien, Wisconsin Badger Camp is a non-profit organization that serves individuals with developmental disabilities by providing quality outdoor recreational experiences. Wisconsin Badger Camp accepts campers regardless of age, severity of a disability, or financial situation.  This year, approximately 900 individuals with developmental disabilities will have the opportunity to experience swimming, hiking, camping, and making friends that last a lifetime at Wisconsin Badger Camp.

2012 Christmas Telethon Raises $62,615

The 2012 University of Wisconsin-Platteville Christmas Telethon in support of Wisconsin Badger Camp encouraged viewers to help make the campers fairy tale come true as the student hosts revealed that over $62,000 was raised during the 10-hour live telethon.  All the proceeds of the Telethon will go directly to helping send individuals with developmental disabilities to Wisconsin Badger Camp next summer.

“On behalf of the Wisconsin Badger Camp board of directors, staff, and most importantly the campers, we would like to thank everyone for helping make the Christmas Telethon a success. We would like to thank the University of Wisconsin-Platteville and Chancellor Shields for their years of dedication to the Christmas Telethon. Thank you to all the students, alumni and Media Technology Services staff who helped make the production possible,” said Brent Bowers, Wisconsin Badger Camp Executive Director.  “Thank you to all of our corporate and community sponsors that gave their support. The live auction would not have been possible without the generous donations from all the local businesses, sports teams, and celebrities. We appreciate all the viewers who tuned in as well as everyone who joined us in person making a pledge or bidding on an auction item. It is incredible to see so many people come together to help our campers,” Bowers said.

The theme for this year’s telethon was “Once Upon a Time” and included interviews with University of Wisconsin-Platteville officials, Wisconsin Badger Camp staff, corporate and community sponsors, and of course campers helped convey the importance of community support to Wisconsin Badger Camp. Wisconsin Badger Camp does not receive state or federal funding, which makes every donation that much more important. The day was filled with great talent acts such as carolers, dancers, and live music which entertained viewers at home as well as a live audience.  All of the talent volunteered their time to be part of this community event.

Wisconsin Badger Camp is an independent nonprofit organization located approximately 10 miles south of Prairie du Chien which served over 900 individuals with developmental disabilities in 2012.  Providing outdoor recreational experiences such as fishing, hiking, camping, horseback riding, canoeing, and arts & crafts, Wisconsin Badger Camp brings a tradition of outdoor recreational experiences to people of any ability or age regardless of their financial situation.  Badger Camp relies heavily on the community’s time, talent, and financial support to provide for its campers.  If you or someone else you know would like more information on how to get involved, please call the Platteville office at (608) 348-9689 or visit our website at: www.badgercamp.org.

Telethon Corporate and Community Sponsors Include: University of Wisconsin-Platteville, , The Grant and Iowa County Tavern League, Faherty Inc, TUBB CLUBB, Platteville Jaycees, Wisconsin Bank & Trust, Platteville Thrift Shop, Mound City Bank, Century Link, Platteville Elks Lodge #1460, Design Homes, Inc. /Deer Valley Lodge, Livingston State Bank, Pioneer Ford, Platteville Optimists, Wal-Mart, State Theatres and Delta 3 Engineering.. 

Badger Camp would also like to recognize businesses that donated services and made donations the day of the Telethon to support the Telethon staff and volunteers: Bridal Boutique, , J-Paul’s, Cost Cutters, Cuttin’ Up , Marty Busch and Busch Music, Pianos, and Organs, McDonald’s, Milio’s, Kentucky Fried Chicken, Papa Murphy’s, Quiznos, Subway of Platteville, Dairy Queen, Taco Johns, and Pizza Hut.

39th Annual Telethon a Success!

Saturday afternoon and evening was a busy day for us at Wisconsin Badger Camp, but the craziness was more than worth it.  The 39th annual Telethon was a success! Thanks to the volunteers, staff, community organizations, businesses, donors, and bidders, there was over $62,000 raised for camp! This will go towards camperships and other necessities to make camp the best place it can be for everyone who attends. 

Thanks to all of you who helped with the Telethon - we couldn't do it without you!

The total at the end of the night - amazing! 

The Chancellor came once again to show his support for the Telethon

Patrick, one of our hosts (and a WBC Counselor!) showing the items up for auction

The singing of Christmas carols was just one of the wonderful talents shared with the viewers of the Telethon

A camper played some songs for us on his accordion 

The Platteville Thrift Shop is a long time supporter of the Telethon, and we appreciate their generosity again this year

This was Talia's first year being a host, and we all think she did a great job!

Abby interviewing a camper and her mom

Ryan made sure to make each talent act feel welcome

Count Down to Christmas Telethon

   Tomorrow is the day we've all been waiting for: The 39th annual Christmas Telethon!  Final preparations are taking place to make this the best Telethon yet.  

   A big thanks to our corporate sponsors who have already helped to make Telethon a success, and thank you in advance to all of you who will bid on auction items tomorrow! Think of it as giving the best Christmas gift ever - giving a camper a chance to experience camp.  As if that wasn't enough, you'll be getting an amazing auction item for yourself! 

   Don't forget to look at the items on the Badger Camp website, and to tune in tomorrow to bid on your favorite items. In the meantime, check out some pictures from last year's Telethon: 

 

Telethon is an exciting time for us at Wisconsin Badger Camp, and we hope you will join us tomorrow and see what this year has in store for us!

Dubuque Racing Association Awards $5,000 grant to Wisconsin Badger Camp

New Forms of Communication

Dubuque Racing Association and Junior Chamber International Wisconsin (JCI) funded new two-way VHF hand-held and mobile radios to Wisconsin Badger Camp. JCI Wisconsin has adopted Wisconsin Badger Camp as their state project to help raise money for these radios. Wisconsin Badger Camp is also a proud recipient of a matching grant from the DRA to help pay for the cost of the new radios and tower that needs to be built.   In 2013, it will be required that Wisconsin Badger Camp renew their RFCC (broadcast) license and upgrade to a Narrow Band Frequency. The radios are a communication lifeline for counselors, leadership staff, and medical staff as they assist campers on horseback riding, hiking, fishing, canoeing, and camping trips. The radios also give camp the immediate contact with the local hospital and rescue squad. The addition of these new two-way VHF hand-held and mobile radios will be a major part of Wisconsin Badger Camp this summer. Because of these two organizations, the new radios will allow staff to provide a safer camping environment for the campers each summer.   

Top Ten Benefits to Volunteering

1) Learn or develop a new skill
2) Make new friends and connections
3) Gain a sense of achievement
4) Boost your career options by enhancing your resume
5) Teach your skills to others
6) Improve your health (studies have shown volunteering has great impacts on people's       health!)
7) Add fun and fulfillment to your life
8) Build self-esteem and confidence
9) Express gratitude for help you may have received from an organization, or show               support for what the organization is doing in the community
10) Make a difference in someone's life

Discover all these benefits and more - call Wisconsin Badger Camp and ask how you can volunteer today! :)