When the restriction imposed by COVID 19 caused camps such as Timberpoint Outdoor Center to cancel operations in June, the Bloomington Kiwanis Club knew their long-standing Camp Limberlost was in jeopardy. After exploring options for delaying the camp and considering the significantly reduced number of campers that could be accommodated, the Kiwanis Club Camp Committee looked for new ways to have impact on the lives of children who would not otherwise be able to have a camp experience.
“Identifying organizations in Bloomington-Normal who provide day camps for children in the summer, we could see opportunities for providing support and for children’s lives to be impacted in a positive way,” said Scott Seibring, Camp Limberlost Committee Chair. The experiences would be different, they wouldn’t be canoeing on Lake Bloomington, or zip lining through the trees, but the activities planned by the YMCA and the Boys & Girls Club would be impactful.
The Bloomington Kiwanis Club has provided sponsorships to the Bloomington-Normal YMCA and Boys and Girls Club in order to fund the Camp activities during this week, including $3,300 and approximately $6,000, respectively. Other donations provided by the Kiwanis Club in 2020 include $5,000 to Easter Seals, and $2,500 to United Way.
In addition to sponsoring campers, the Kiwanis Club provided input and support for the week’s activities at the Boys & Girls Club designated as Camp Limberlost, which is July 27 – 31. The typically packed agenda for the day campers has taken on a “camp” theme with a focus on the outdoors, animal exploration, fire safety and many activities that typically happen at Camp Limberlost. Jennifer Hall, Director of Operations, Boys & Girls Club BN, has been creative at designing unique activities such as kayaking in the gym, a campfire experience and fun water games, all while keeping the children safe.
Camp Limberlost is funded by a variety of projects including Bloomington Kiwanis Pancake Days and Book Fair, Mother’s Day Flower Sale, individual and corporate donations, and others. The Bloomington Kiwanis Club also supports other organizations and programs benefitting local kids such as Harmony Park, The Baby Fold, Salvation Army, Children’s Miracle Network, and others. Each summer, since 1930, Bloomington Kiwanis has sent approximately 100 8-10-year-olds who have been identified as children who would benefit from a camping experience, to Camp Limberlost.
The Bloomington Kiwanis Club was formed in 1920, with its charter in 1921, and has had many local community and business leaders as members and officers through the years. It is part of Kiwanis International, a service organization whose mission is to change the world, one community and one child at a time.
For more information about Camp Limberlost, please contact Scott Seibring (309.530.9352).
The club meets every Monday at 12pm for one hour at Biaggi’s in Bloomington. Lunch and a program are included at each meeting. More information can be found at www.bloomingtonkiwanis.org.
