Lions Camp: A special place for 52 years

By KATE ZDROIK The Rosholt Record Blind kids cant go to summer camp and stuff like that. Years ago a child made this statement to Lion Ray Hempel, of Poysippi, Wisconsin. The statement struck a chord with Hempel who took the idea of a camp for blind children to the state Lions organization. The idea lit a fire with Lions from across the state of Wisconsin and in 1956 the Wisconsin Lions Camp began with 26 visually impaired campers. The Wisconsin Lions Camp is situated on a 45 acre lake on County Road A, northeast of the Village of Rosholt. At the time that the lake and surrounding land were purchased by the Lions, it was known as Lake Kiolbassa. For years Lake Kiolbassa was a favorite relaxation spot for local farmers, merchants and residents who spent weekends and sometimes whole summers camped along its shore. It was owned by Peter Kiolbassa, a Polish leader from Chicago. Prior to Kiolbassas ownership of the lake it was known by several names; Big Fish Lake, named by the Pottawatomie who lived on the shores, Kvella Laken, or Lake of the Evening, named by a local homesteader, and Lia Lake, name by Gunder Lia, a Norwegian emigrant who settled on two forties on its south shore. Little is left of the approximately 75 teepees of the Potawatomie or the homes of the early settlers, but what has taken its place is a beautiful camp which serves children of varying disabilities from across the state. Originally 240 acres of land was purchased in 1956 for $18,000. (The Rosholt Lions Club members were instrumental in locating the land for the camp.) Beginning in 1957 camp buildings and facilities were added in order to improve the experience of the campers. The dining hall and eight cabins were constructed in 1957. Over the next five years two more cabins, a property managers home and garage, and the Memorial Building were added. By 1974, there were 15 cabins, a boys and girls bathhouse, a handicrafts/health lodge and a directors cabin on the property. Adult visually impaired campers were added to the schedule of weeks, as were deaf and hard of hearing children. Also, 160 more acres were purchased for the camp. In 1977, a Conference and Retreat Center became a permanent part of the camp. As of 1986 the Wisconsin Lions Camp featured a tripping program, where campers left the property for extended trips, a nature lore program and Nature Center, paddleboats, a leadership program and one year-round cabin. Beginning in 1987, renovations began that would expand the capacity of the camp. In 1989 the lake was dredged to remove sediment from the lake bottom and reopen some natural springs which feed the lake. An additional 40 acres was purchased on the south side of the camp property in 1994. 1997 brought the beginning of the construction of nine year-round duplex cabins. Old cabins were sold and new ones took their places. Today one of the original cabins remains in the boys area as a reminder of the early years. The last of the new cabins was completed in 1999. The most recent camp renovations that were completed included the expansion of the trading post and dining hall and construction of a modern health facility. Over the years, the camp property has also become the home of the Wisconsin Lions Foundation, which manages the camp, as well as five other statewide Lions projects. The Regional Eyeglass Recycling Center shares a building with the foundation. The camp has expanded its mission to serve the visually impaired by including hearing impaired, diabetic and developmentally disabled children. The children attend camp free of charge through sponsorships of Lions clubs around the state. Over 700 clubs of Lions, Lionesses, and Leos, with over 20,000 members have a hand in supporting the operations of the camp. Approximately 1,500 children enjoy attending the camp throughout the summer. The camp sessions are tailored to the abilities of the different groups and are usually like no other experience that the children have throughout the rest of the year.

Lions Camp is special to the children because they attend with other children who are just like themselves. They can share similar life experiences without worry that other campers will think they are different. Throughout their weeks at camp campers can swim, boat, hike, camp out, fish and participate in arts and crafts, nature and music programs earning special badges. In the off-season, from September to May, the camp becomes a retreat and conference center and plays host to various groups that come to use the facilities for such things as retreats, reunions and staff meetings. The camp staff becomes conference staff, providing as much or as little as is requested by each group. Camp staff can lead programs, particularly ropes course sessions, or they can simply be around to be sure the group has what they need for their stay. School groups, social groups and families come for varying lengths of stay, ranging from an afternoon or evening to several days or a week. Since the cabins are now fully heated and insulated groups are comfortable year- round. In winter the camp activities convert to winter activities like tubing down the big hill, cross country skiing and snow shoeing. From the humble beginnings of 26 campers, the Wisconsin Lions Camp has grown to be a well-respected and highly-rated summer camp right in our own backyard.