 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
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.
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
Junior League Task Force created to research camping for chronically ill children. The Chairman of this committee was Harriett Cousins.
September 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.
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 gave the Junior League the confidence to vote the task force on camping in as a League project.
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 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 is selected to be one of two chosen charities of Crystal Charity Ball for 1990. This gift totals $660,000.
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. 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 our chronically ill children become a reality.
Doug Hertz (founder), Larry Lord (architect), Larry Melnick, and Sally Hale 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 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 a "campership" program underway. The Live Oak path tradition begins; a pavestone pathway made up of bricks bearing the names of each first-time camper.
Spring 1992
"Off season" use going well; mainly medical-related groups. First Campership Drive 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.
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 call 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. Theme for 1993: "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.
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. 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.
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 cabins.
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 cabin 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. It is a time of wonderful experiences and accomplishments, but tragedy also touches Camp John Marc. During the second week of MDA camp Clint Ritter, a first time camper, goes into respiratory failure and is taken by helicopter to Cook-Fort Worth Children’s Medical Center. Three days later he dies.
During Camp Sanguinity, though 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 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 having been 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. The weather is beautiful and over 200 individuals gather to hear Fred Smith and Tom Raley led the prayer and reflection on the completion of this beautiful structure is celebrated. On this day the John McStay family are quietly acknowledged for their generosity in the construction of the Chapel. Their dear friend Jim Smith is remembered for his love of Camp John Marc. Rose Mary Kennedy is also acknowledged for getting the seed money for the Chapel and stressing the need for this structure. Her boys Shawn, Jason, & Jeffrey are remembered fondly.
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.
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 $42,000.
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, Promise House, and some weekends camps who have been coming for six 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 Cabin.
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 Cabin.
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.
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.
Live Oak Campaign nets $32,000.
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!
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 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.
December 1998
The Live Oak campaign (with full color photo of campers on the path) brings in $40,000.
January 1999
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 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 Camp 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.
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
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
Families fill each available Family Get-Away Weekend in the Staff/Family Lodges.
Our ninth annual Campership Drive kicks off under the direction of Karen Johnson & Jan Myers.
April 2000
The sixth annual Camper Scamper takes place under the leadership of Lee Rury.
May 2000
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.
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 Chairman of the Board 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.
Spring 2001
Under the leadership of Paul Wallace and Randy Perry the Campership Drive nets $473,179.
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 over 100 current and former staff, Board and user group members.
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
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.
June 2002
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 staff member from Notre Dame, wins the Ray Bean Scholarship. Four year staff member Katie Nelson becomes the 25 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.
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, 30 on buses provided by Premier Transportation.
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.
May 2003
Campership Drive, under the leadership of Karl Rathjen and Veree Brown raises $449,221.
Summer 2003
Wonderful summer! 1,216 campers served; outstanding staff. Summer theme was based on the movie Holes. New pathway to the ropes course and ropes course pavilion are big hits. 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
Strategic Plan, under the leadership of Bob Spurgin, is nearly complete.
December 2003
$45,000 from the Live Oak Campaign is moved to Endowment. This brings the total from Live Oak to Endowment to $415,000.
January 2004
Endowment total reaches $3,500,000.
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.
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 C B 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.
May 2004
The 14th summer of Camp operation begins.
Campership Drive ends, raising $470,000.
June 2004
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. 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.
February 2005
Karl Rathjen and Carol Touchstone agree to serve as co-chairs of the $3 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) and the Campership Drive is kicked off, led by Scott Miller and Leland White.
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
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.
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 Ton 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 stays on site—the dirt is flying.
December 2006
The Capital Campaign reaches $3,610,233 through the “oilmen” connection. Oilmen Charles Nearburg and his wife Donna 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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
Carol Touchstone’s two years as Board Chair are celebrated at a festive Board Meeting.
Mike George begins his term as Board Chair.