2016 Camp American Legion Season

First special week starts June 6-12, 2016

Operation Home Front-Working Together to Eliminate Veteran Homelessness Week (for homeless/displaced/transitional housing vets and families)  --- June 6-12, 2016

Women Veterans Week --- June 13-17, 2016

Korean & Vietnam Veterans Week (for vets who served “in-county”) --- June 20-24, 2016

Post 9/11 Veterans Week --- July 25-31, 2016

Caregiver Respite Retreat (for 9/11 veteran caregivers) --- August 15-19, 2016

Vision & Hearing Loss Veterans Week --- August 22-28, 2016

Veterans Recovery Week --- August 29 – September 4, 2016

Diabetes Camp --- September 9-11, 2016

IMPORTANT NOTE: For individuals who qualify and come to the Operation Home Front and the Caregivers Respite Retreat the week listed is the only week they can come. ***I say that because what I now say is “important”. If a veteran qualifies for one of the special weeks but for some reason cannot come; they can come another week.  I want to make clear that these weeks are not the only time these veterans can come. Now, I must say these special, exclusive weeks are – special. The whole camp full of like veterans who have experienced a like life experience. Veterans who are dealing with similar life challenges. A group of veterans sharing common experiences, common pains, common joys, common times in their lives. These weeks all have a unique healing, fun quality about them but, once again they are not the only week these veterans can come. I finally say all qualified veterans who come to Camp; anytime, any week; get one week per year. 

RE: DIABETES CAMP:

Research states that 25% of VA patients; veterans have diabetes; That is nearly one in four veterans receiving care from the VA. I would think many of you work with veterans who are diabetic. This special weekend may be for them. This is the fourth year for this very helpful three day educational Camp program.  The IMPORTAN NOTE about this program is it is an educational, learning weekend. The participant have some fun but this weekend is focused learning. The diabetic veteran is coming to a FUN, engaging “SCHOOL”. The main goal and objectives of this program is teaching veterans how to manage their diabetes and live a healthier life with it.

There are group meetings (around the camp fire and in the dining hall) on how to live with diabetes. The meals selections are laid out with nutritional information cards for each selection. Veterans carry notebooks throughout the event documenting what they eat and how much. They also take note at their meetings. They discuss and do mild exercise activities (walks and movements) Camp becomes very much a learning environment. The weekend is run by a Registered Nurse & Certified Diabetes Educator from the Fox Valley VA Clinic and a variety of other specialty support staff.

** Veterans who come to this weekend must be committed to the program and “must participate”. They must become part of the group. They must care enough about their diabetes to participate and why wouldn’t they want to. It will make them live a healthier life. This weekend is just for the diabetic veteran and the/a veteran can only come to this weekend.

This short weekend is one of the most important programs Camp American Legion does. It positively impacts veterans lives in a unique way. If you have time read the short letter from a veterans who came last year:
“Dear Camp American Legion,
Just thought I’d write to say how thankful I am for “Diabetes camp” at the Lake Tomahawk American Legion camp. Three years ago my best friend died from diabetes. Six months later I was very sick and my nurse at the VA in Appleton informed me I had diabetes. I was very shaken up and dreading what was to come. My nurse then invited me to “Diabetes Camp”. A weekend at the American Legion Camp. I felt better as soon I got to camp, the beautiful woods, great atmosphere, amazing staff. Plus the education I received taught me diabetes can be controlled. All this help change my outlook on life if not even saved my life. I cannot say thank-you enough, I am so proud to be an American Veteran. Steven”.

CAMP AMERICAN LEGION
8529 County Road D
Lake Tomahawk, WI 54539
(P) 715.277.2510  (F) 715.277.3425

See attached flyer/application