Former Facilities Director, Juan Morales has been promoted to the Director of Operations. Morales is ideally suited for this position with many years of experience as an operations manager. He served in the US Army for 25 years, retiring in 1997 as the Command Sergeant Major of the First Brigade, First Infantry Division and was the Director of Facilities at Camp Boggy Creek, a member of the Association of Hole in the Wall Camps. Morales will be responsible for managing the daily operations and camper programs.
In 2010, Camp Soaring Eagle will provide camping experiences to over 350 children and families struggling with critical illnesses via three different program offerings:
Camper Weekends
Family Retreats
Flying with Camp Soaring Eagle Travel Program
Six illness-specific Camper Weekends are scheduled here in the Verde Valley beginning this spring. Thanks to the generosity of Garry Shuster, children with serious illnesses will have the time of their lives at the Jack Pot Ranch in Camp Verde which was built specifically to serve children. Each weekend 20 campers will spend two days and two nights making new friends and building their self esteem. Activities will include fishing, boating, field games, arts and crafts, wildlife programs and more.
A five day Family Retreat is being made possible thanks to the extraordinary generosity of The Olson Family of Sedona. The Olson’s are graciously closing the doors to their business, the Briar Patch Inn, on Oak Creek during the busy summer season specifically to host a Camp Soaring Eagle Family Retreat. Families who are struggling with childhood illness will have the opportunity to step away from their daily struggles for five days and four nights and enjoy quality family time in a magnificent setting. The Family Retreats also provide an important forum where families can share their challenges and successes with others in similar situations. Each day the families will enjoy camp programming in the morning and will have the afternoons to explore all that Sedona has to offer through planned activities and free time.
In addition to the local programs, Camp Soaring Eagle will once again conduct its camp travel program: “Flying with Camp Soaring Eagle.” This program gives our campers the opportunity to truly spread their wings and meet kids like themselves from around the world who face the same challenges they do. This year two trips are planned, 25 children with either: cancer, hemophilia, sickle cell, aplastic anemia, HIV or metabolic syndrome will travel to the Hole in the Wall Gang Camp in Ashford, Connecticut from June 9th - 15th. On July 7th - 11th another group of children with Asthma will travel to one of the finest medically based camps in the country, The Center for Courageous Kids in Scottsville, Kentucky.
The Camp Soaring Eagle Foundation is prepared for a great year and completely dedicated to delivering the healing power of laughter to as many children as possible. If you are interested in getting involved, the Camp is looking for volunteers for the camper weekends, medical volunteers, chefs, artists, archery instructors, life guards and other program specialists. Like last year, individuals and organizations can get involved by sponsoring a camper or a program. For more information on the 2010 Camp Soaring Eagle Programs contact Juan Morales at 702-218-7034 or jmorales@campsoaringeagle.org.