Camp Cambria Foundation Invested $2.2 Million in Camp Courage Remodel
In 2018, Cambria’s non-profit organization, the Camp Cambria Foundation, teamed up with non-profit True Friends on an incredible $2.2 million renovation to several buildings at Camp Courage in Maple Lake, Minnesota. True Friends manages many camp locations in Minnesota including Camp Courage – home to Camp Cambria each summer. The Camp Cambria Foundation saw the importance and impact to renovate Camp Courage so kids would be able to access Camp Courage year round.
Previously, the dining hall at Camp Courage was closed from October through April due to the cold weather months. In the last year since completion and with the new year-round use of the dining hall and other facilities, True Friends Camp Courage saw a 46% increase in Conference and Retreat business with an increase of 15 groups, 507 people and $80,300 in revenue.
“The entrepreneurial partnership between the Camp Cambria Foundation and True Friends has launched us into a variety of new opportunities,” said President and CEO, John LeBlanc. “The renovation has enhanced our ability to provide person-centered care to more individuals, all in a beautifully renovated space designed specifically for the disability community.”
Camp Cambria’s donation allowed for an extensive renovation, including a complete gut of the dining hall, kitchen and health center, and major improvements to the arts & crafts building The dining hall was completely transformed into a safe and accessible gathering space with updated bathrooms and a new kitchen with an improved layout to accommodate serving meals to kids with special dietary restrictions. The installation of a new HVAC system now allows the facility to be utilized year-round, owing to the success of last year’s development efforts.
The health center – home to the hardworking nurses and medical staff, was completely overhauled, with the new space better serving the health needs of all campers. There is a fresh, dedicated exam room, new therapy tub, a large dividable medical room, a new staff dorm space and updated bathrooms. Cambria countertops are featured throughout the center, providing a nonporous, medically-safe surface for the staff to work on. Lastly, the arts & crafts building provides more accessibility with a warm, inviting, and inspirational atmosphere.
Camp Cambria, an annual camp where children living with juvenile arthritis enjoy all the fun activities summer camp has to offer, is one of many organizations that utilize the Camp Courage facility each year. In addition to Camp Cambria participants, 1,300+ children and adults thrive at the facility each summer. “The renovations to Camp Courage contributed greatly to the overall revenue increase,” said Director of Sales and Hospitality Amanda Evens. “Without the investment of the Camp Cambria Foundation, we would not have been able to serve these individuals.”
Marty Davis, President and CEO of Cambria says, “Camp Cambria was founded with a commitment to make a difference in the lives of young children living with chronic diseases, in particular, juvenile arthritis. Camp Cambria is a place where our kids feel good, realize peer enjoyment, form lifelong friendships, and build back up often diminished self-esteem. Thanks to the many amazing donors to the Camp Cambria Foundation, we are able to support our incredible kids living with juvenile arthritis. Through the rebuilding of many aspects of the facilities at Camp Courage, we have been excited to enhance the camp experience for many, many Minnesota kids who suffer from childhood diseases. Children with epilepsy, juvenile diabetes, muscular dystrophy, and many other challenging, debilitating diseases will benefit from these efforts and our commitment to Camp Cambria.”
To view the renovation video featuring Cambria brand advocate Matt Muenster, HGTV and DIY Network host, and to learn more about the project visit https://www.CambriaUSA.com/CCFReno.
About Camp Cambria
Camp Cambria began in Minnesota in 2014. It was founded by Marty Davis, CEO of Cambria, and his wife Anne, after learning of the disease through close friends who had a niece affected by the illness. Created in partnership with the Arthritis Foundation and funded through the generosity of the Camp Cambria Foundation and its generous donors, Camp Cambria is a week-long experience located in Maple Lake, MN at Camp Courage. Beyond an array of fun camp activities (horseback riding, archery and high-ropes to name a few), Camp Cambria Minnesota features facilities such as a pool heated to the ideal temperature for arthritis and supports campers in gaining new confidence in taking care of their health from trained medical staff and counselors who are there for them 24 hours a day. Camp Cambria serves children ages 8-17 who have been diagnosed with juvenile arthritis. Over $4 million dollars has been raised to-date to support Camp Cambria Minnesota through the Camp Cambria Foundation since 2015. For more information and to see our generous donors, visit www.CampCambria.org #CampCambria
About Cambria
Cambria is the leading producer of American-made natural stone. As a stain-resistant, nonabsorbent natural stone surface, Cambria is strong, safe, maintenance free and easy to care for. Headquartered in Le Sueur, Minnesota, Cambria is sold through an exclusive network of premium, independent specialty retail and trade partners that can be identified at CambriaUSA.com. #MyCambria
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Each individual who experiences True Friends has a story to share. From caregivers, to participants, to donors, and volunteers, True Friends provides a unique opportunity to experience life in a whole new way. In our bi-annual newsletter, Sharing Our Stories, we attempt to capture stories that make our participants unique, all while updating you on what is happening at True Friends.
