Just like the front door to a house, Easter Seals Camp Fairlee’s pavilion is the first thing campers see welcoming them to a week or weekend respite or retreat comparable to no other for individuals with disabilities. Many times campers or their families are nervous if it is their first time away from home, but thanks to Rotary District 7630, Camp Fairlee’s “front door” is now an inviting building.
“I was so impressed on my first visit to the camp. After learning about all the programs Easter Seals offered it made me want to give more back to the camp,” Dan Houghtaling, Rotary District 7630 governor and Easter Seals board member, says. “It was obvious that the camp needed some ‘TLC’ as some of the buildings were showing signs of age. The camp had outgrown the pavilion that is used extensively throughout the season.”
When Dan approached Kevin Yencer, owner of Yencer Builders, Inc., Felton and Construction Chair of the project, about the venture, Kevin knew that this was a bigger project than a few volunteers could handle. He thought it best to bring his entire company on board to build the new 72 x 32 foot pavilion during a very rainy week last October.
“The pavilion is the first building people see when they come to camp. We wanted to give them a bright place to go. It’s upbeat,” Kevin says. “It is a beautiful building that will last. It will outlast me. It is going to be impactful. It will be a place where campers will make memories that they will never forget.”
While Kevin was in charge of the construction of the project, Dan and fellow Rotarians Jen Reider, District Governor Elect, and Thomasanne “Tomi” Diver, assistant district governor, raised money to cover the costs. Together by approaching all of the clubs in the district, they raised $35,000.
Dan, Jen, Kevin and Tomi are four of the over 900 volunteers that support Easter Seals and their mission to give people with disabilities more independent lifestyles, Easter Seals noted.
To learn more about volunteering at Easter Seals, please contact: Holly Titus at (302) 324-4444 or htitus@esdel.org.
“I think campers and their families will be impressed when they arrive this year to a new pavilion. The bright red roof, the high ceiling, the well-lit space, the fireplace – all will offer additional opportunities to the campers that would not have been possible before,” Jen says. “For many children and adults with disabilities Camp Fairlee is the only opportunity they have for camping-style recreation. Campers enjoy swimming, fishing, and boating and are challenged with rock-climbing and zip lining.”
Rotary District 7630 has been volunteering their time through Rotary Work days at Camp Fairlee for many years. They take on tasks around camp each spring. Among the structures at camp that were built or donated by Rotary clubs are Camp’s Trading Post, a fishing pier, two firewood shelters and a whale watch.
