Rotary Visits Camp Hapitok

Posted by Judy A. Salamacha

on Jul 12, 2013

Yes, the vote is in! Morro Bay Rotary’s annual visit to Camp Hapitok is the best meeting of the year. And this year was special because it was personal. Kudos to all who attended. We had a great showing and with lunch and donation we donated $2,300 in support of Camp Hapitok. It was also a nice tribute to our new president, David and his family. They have been involved in Camp Hapitok forever. Why? Because Camp Hapitok gives children with hearing or speech challenges the chance to be among their peers and with teen peers who are dedicated to making their summer the best ever – 4-5 weeks to learn or improve skills, build their self-esteem and independence away from their protectors at home. Congrats to Gary, Marlene, Dawn, Super Nova, President David’s sister and President David, aka Suds. They picked a good one to serve because Camp Hapitok is all about service above self.

At Camp you must have a camper name like Sled Dog, Big Bear, Falling Rock, Trojan Horse, Race Car Girl and Suds. A camper and his/her TIGR (Therapy Individual Goal Reinforcer) greeted us and led us to the flag pole for pre-lunch announcements, which mainly consisted of our camper practicing verbal communication in public. Soda Pop was my camper and Waterfall was his TIGR. It was his first year, her second

Mission is the Camp Hapitok’s director. She started at Camp Hapitok 26 years ago as a TIGR. Her day-job is working at IBM. Mission wanted the campers and TIGRs to experience a Rotary Meeting. Don Hudson did the flag salute; Sid offered the invocation, and John provided the comic relief by sharing how three MBPD officers saw lights on late at Morro Bay Pharmacy and grilled him on who he was and why there post store hours. What else can you do when you own a pharmacy and your 4^th of July guests get sick? Good thing he sells surgical tape and salve to help heal the handcuff diggings!

Mission led the program introducing three of her TIGRs, who shared why they gave up their summers to volunteer at Camp Hapitok. With a tear Mission explained how proud she was of her 11 years watching “13 year olds grow from goofy teens to responsible community citizens with a purpose in life.” Becoming a TIGR is a competitive process. They had 100 applicants for 28 positions in 2013.

Stone applied 4 years ago when his brother was hesitant to leave the family and come to 4-5 weeks of camp. They go home weekends. The experience brought more joy to him that he anticipated. He loves seeing the campers “grow and open up and bond” to the TIGRs and their fellow campers.

Eagle is a 3^rd year TIGR had two uncles who were campers. He is proud one no longer needs his hearing aids. He marveled at the difference the intense support given to the campers changes their lives and attitudes.

SuperNova, (aka President David’s daughter), was a shy kid until she became a TIGR. She now knows how to “put herself out there” and can talk to crowds…like our Rotary Group. The program helped her as much as it helped her campers over years.

Mission explained other groups will come out to camp and donate to Camp Hapitok, but Morro Bay Rotary has been the largest and longest contributor. It takes $100,000 to run camp each year, but the difference it makes in the lives of the campers and their TIGRs is priceless.