Newsletter - Spring 2017

2017 NewsletterJohn Austin Cheley FoundationIT’S THE BIG THINGS IN LIFE “Camp for me is a place where I can escape from a lot of real world problems, be myself and not be judged for it,The John Austin Cheley Foundation (JACF) see amazing views that take me away from reality, meetworks with some truly amazing young new people and have close relationships.” – Izzypeople, and Isabella, known to her friendsas Izzy, is definitely one of them. Thisremarkable 15 year-old young womanfrom WaKeeney, Kansas, is already on theway to proving that there are no limitsto what she can achieve. We hope youenjoy her inspirational story.A town of only 2,000 people, WaKeeney had only so much to offera bright young student looking to accomplish “big things in life.”As luck would have it, Izzy and her mom happened to hear aboutCheley Colorado Camps and the John Austin Cheley Foundationfrom a friend and decided to apply. JACF awarded the then13-year-old Izzy a campership for the summer of 2015. When Izzyleft the small town that was all she had known and arrived atCheley Colorado Camps, she embarked upon an adventure thatchanged the path of her life forever. BROOKE CHELEY KLEBE AND IZZY

Izzy and her friends during her first year at camp in 2015The four weeks away from home boarding schools in the nation. She 1,095began a transformational process as took all of the tests and applied forIzzy learned and experienced many financial assistance and, because of CAMPERSHIPS AWARDED TO DATEnew and amazing things. While her tenacity, is currently attendingliving and working with others, ninth grade on scholarship at Salem 25,896* Mentor Hoursshe tried new activities, scaled peaks, Academy in Winston Salem, NC.and became more independent, Established in 1772, Salem Academy SUPPORTING OUR YOUTH TO DATEself-sufficient and adventurous. is one of the most highly regardedAs a result, she began to grow and and oldest boarding schools for girls 77 Active Volunteersmake new friends and formed many in the nation.lasting relationships. ASSISTING JACF THIS YEAR Izzy will be returning to attend herOne of these friendships allowed third summer at Cheley in 2017 as 1,500*Izzy to learn about the different a Capstone Program participant.educational opportunities in the She will be completing a Capstone PEOPLE IMPACTED BY ALL JACFworld – specifically the advantages Project this year that will serve the CAPSTONE PROJECTS TO DATEof boarding schools. To accomplish school and community in whichthe “big things in life” that she she lives. She volunteers at a local *Estimated Valueshad in mind, Izzy decided that she Kindergarten and also at the localwanted to attend one of the top Children’s Museum.

It’s The Big Things In Life“Going to camp and being around yourself off and get back on. She is now able to gonew and different people, from all away to school and get the opportunities in life thatbackgrounds and different types of she couldn’t have gotten here at home.”schooling, opened Isabella’s eyes tothe new experiences out in the world Needless to say, Izzy IS going to accomplish big thingsthat await her.” in life, and we can’t wait to see what is in store for her. Izzy’s message to the donors who helped make– Dawn Kaveckas, Isabella’s Mother her campership possible is: “Thank you for giving me this amazing experience and giving me the opportunity to go to camp. It will forever be in my heart.”As a dedicated volunteer, she has encouraged 26 Izzy and her mentor Lauren Rogersof the 200 students at her school to join her involunteering there as well. She has plans to makethese activities a permanent club at her school nextyear. Izzy also has plans to expand her project overthe next three years by introducing an ‘Adopt-a-Grandparent’ program where she will pair girls ather school with elderly people in the community toparticipate in local events together, celebrate theholidays together as well as share in ‘old fashionedletter writing’.Her mentor and dean of students at Salem Academy,Lauren Rogers, says that Izzy is committed to being anactive and engaged member of her new community,and that type of dedication will be extremelyimportant to her success at school and in life.It has been tough for Izzy’s mother to let her go,but when asked what attending camp has done forher daughter she said, “The confidence from goingto camp let her do what she is doing today. Campchanged her. She learned how to peak a mountain,and that when you get thrown off a horse you dust

JACF Welcomes to helping alter the trajectory of compassion, and appreciate diversity,Three New Camps the lives of the youth we serve. all while having a wonderful, fun and Because of these Associate Camps, unique experience!As the John Austin Cheley our campers get to spend time inFoundation has evolved over the nature learning from caring, adult With an ambition to increase thepast 27 years, we have sought mentors in safe environments, number of young people we serve,new partnerships with high- learning and growing as individuals we also aim to increase the numberquality summer camps capable and as members of a community. of our Associate Camps to ensureof helping us to deliver on our And thanks to camp, we watch that we have sufficient capacity formission. These Associate Camps these young people learn new growth in camperships, as well as aform the backbone of our program skills, make new friends, overcome variety of offerings for our campers.and are critical to our success adversity, gain courage, become This broad-ranging portfolio ofas an organization committed confident and resilient, develop camps allows us to offer diverse programming, diverse locations, and wide-ranging program structure to our campers. The common features we believe must always remain are strong mission alignment, high- quality wilderness programming and a shared responsibility to achieving our goals. The camps have a culture of embracing children from economically Our process of identifying prospective disadvantaged backgrounds and welcoming them into the Kooch-I- new Associate Camps is considered Ching and Ogichi Daa Kwe way of camping. and thorough. With specific criteria to guide us, the conversation begins“We are confident that our 18 months before our first camperspartnership will be strong. will ever set foot on a camp property.We share many of the same This background work to ensurebeliefs when it comes to mission alignment and understandsupporting more campers from the motivation to align helpsless fortunate backgrounds.” us anticipate the experience that our campers are likely to have.– Camps Kooch-I-Ching Our process helps identify the & Ogichi Daa Kwe most appropriate and mutually beneficial approach to alignment to ensure that JACF can secure a

JACF Welcomes Three New Campstrue partner in our work to advance progressive learning, challenging Clearwater Campyoung people through a wilderness the imagination, and developing asummer camp experience. feeling of belonging to something has been helping girls build much larger and more important confidence, adventurousWe are proud to introduce than the individual. They celebrate spirits, and the couragethree new Associate Camps, the nobility of a strong work ethic, to become independent,all of which provide open and encourage resourcefulness, and thoughtful young womenwelcoming communities and a value wisdom and good judgment. since 1933. Nestled on thecommitment to the growth and shores of Tomahawk Lake, inwell-being of their campers. They Through the stability and traditions the magnificent Wisconsinare motivated to partner with of the in-camp environment, campers Northwoods, the camp is anJACF to support the funding of learn about new cultures and ideal venue for over 25unique programming (includingNative American dancing and The Clearwater Camp community is nurturing, inclusive and open, an idealcrafts), offering new destinations environment in which to empower girls to become their best selves.(including extensive trips intoCanada), and adding to ourcomplement of coed and stand-alone boys’ camps by introducingenvironments designedexclusively for girls.Camps Kooch-I-Ching and supportive community living, they scheduled and free-choiceOgichi Daa Kwe develop young build skills and learn to manage activities. Backpacking, canoe,men and women in body and spirit appropriate risks. kayak and sailing expeditionsthrough wilderness experiences On-site community service are highly regarded andthat celebrate a love of the outdoors. is an integral component of made part of the programThe camps are focused upon life at camp, encouraging each for every camper. Workingpromoting self-discovery, teamwork camper to embrace the notions toward a common goal, girlsand service to others in the pristine of teamwork and service. Central build resourcefulness and asurroundings of Voyageurs National to the camp experience is an connection with the naturalPark, Minnesota. extensive wilderness trips program, world as part of a caring, promoting fun, adventure and inclusive and empoweringThe philosophy of these challenge that teaches campers to community.brother-sister camps is based onrecognizing the worth of eachindividual, embracing fun and

“We believe that this experience is too special and too life altering not to share it with as many girls from as many backgrounds as possible. Working with JACF will move us by leaps and bounds into our future.”– Clearwater Camp deal with the unknown and come to terms with change. Wilderness trips mandate teamwork and teach through real consequences, all of which have a positive, long lasting impact on the campers at Kooch-I- Ching and Ogichi Daa Kwe. We are so excited to welcome each of these unique and excellent camps to the JACF family. They offer us exciting new programming, wonderful new environments, and shared commitments to partnerships that will help us deliver our mission to more children. It is with great anticipation that we look forward to sharing the first of our campers with them in the summer of 2017. We invite you to learn more about these great new additions to JACF’s Associate Camps by visiting their websites: www.koochiching.org/index2.html www.ogichi.org/index_site.html www.clearwatercamp.org

Your Investment MattersYour Investment MattersThe board and staff at the John Austin Cheley Foundation truly appreciate your investment in the future of ouryouth. Here are a few ways you can make a significant impact on our campers by supporting JACF:$150,000 Endowed Campership $2,500 Half CampershipDeliver the summer camp experience Your funding will pay half the expenses for one summer camperfor one camper per year in perpetuity $1,000 Cultivator$50,000 Power of Ten Provide an introductory camp experience for a young camperThis generous sponsorship level makes itpossible for ten campers to attend camp $500 Transporterfor one summer Provide travel expenses for one camper$25,000 Adopt a Camper $250 OutfitterA one-on-one relationship between the sponsor and a camperfor his/her entire camp career (usually five years) Provide equipment for one camper$10,000 Double Campership $100 Piggy BankerYour generosity will fund two campers for a summer Fund a camper’s bank account during his/her stay$5,000 Full CampershipThe summer of a lifetime for one lucky camperMake a Monthly Leave an ImpactfulPledge Today Gift in Your WillPlease join our special community of If you are looking to make amonthly givers who play a key role significant gift to JACF, considerin the future of the youth we serve. naming the John Austin CheleyMake your monthly pledge today at Foundation (FEIN #48-1077337) aswww.cheleyfoundation.org, a beneficiary on your life insuranceand know your charitable giving is policy, retirement fund or in your will.in place for now and into the future - If you would like more informationno further action required. or have any questions, please contact Alyssa Street at 720.981.2532 or at [email protected].

NON-PROFIT ORG U.S. POSTAGE PA I D DENVER, CO PERMIT NO. 2882 1420 Ogden St. Suite 102 Denver, CO 80218John Austin Cheley Foundation Annual NewsletterVolume 2017, Issue 1 of 1Published Annually by John Austin Cheley FoundationWhy I Support JACF“I actively support JACF because it seeks out pinnacle summer camp experiences in which youth learnimportant life lessons that naturally transfer into living a life of purpose, compassion, and promise.”- Priscilla Walker Engeln, supporting JACF since 1996 Would you like more information? Visit our website at www.cheleyfoundation.org.