Rotary District 5130
Rotary Summer Camp at Cloverleaf Ranch
In honor of Tom Farrell and John G. Strong*
(formerly Cool Kids Camp)

Cool Kids Camp, created by the Rotary Club of Sebastopol, was first held in August 2000. The camp, a 6-day resident camp for youths ages 8-12, was originally held at Westminster Woods Camp and Conference Center in Occidental, California. The camp was moved to Cloverleaf Ranch in Santa Rosa, California, in 2007, where it continues as an annual event. By the second year, the camp evolved into a District-wide project with nine clubs in District 5130 participating through generous donations to the cost of the camp, which averages $450 per camper for the week-long event.

The concept for the project was introduced by Rotarian Tom Farrell, who felt it was important to create a program to aid in the healing for children who have been abused sexually, physically, emotionally, or have been exposed to family violence. Children who have experienced sexual abuse or family violence are put at additional risk for depression, anxiety, suicidal feelings, and future substance abuse. Over 90% of incarcerated criminals were exposed to family violence as children.

In order for the children to qualify for the camp, the children and their families must currently be involved in a recovery or therapy program. The program was developed in partnership with local non-profit agencies originally in Napa and Sonoma counties who offer recovery and therapy programs for families. It was expanded to serve the entire District but the majority of the campers still come from Sonoma, Napa, Lake, and Mendocino counties. The program was intentionally not a camp offering therapy or counseling. Rather, it is intended to provide children a break from a stressful life, where they could just be kids, to play, and have fun in a healthy environment. In addition, the camp is intended to develop resources and skills to improve the chance that the campers will be well-adjusted, productive, and non-violent members of society. Through the generous donation and significant reduction of registration fees by Cloverleaf Ranch owners, the DeGrange family, the camp continues as an annual respite for the children who, through no fault of their own, have seen or experience significant adverse situations in their young lives.

Counselors and therapists, working with these campers, have reported great improvements to the campers' self-esteem, confidence, ability to interact with peers and family members; and perhaps most importantly, the campers' ability to address the past abuse in a manner that moves them toward healing and growth.

The Camp began with 48 campers and annually varies from 40 - 60 youth. The campers participate in such activities as craft projects, environmental studies, horseback riding, swimming, archery, and hiking. A limited number of District Rotarians are invited to an afternoon BBQ and a fireside story event.

THANK YOU TO THE NUMEROUS ROTARY CLUBS THROUGHOUT DISTRICT 5130, and the non-Rotarian citizens who generously support the Rotary Summer Camp at Cloverleaf Ranch, for recognizing the importance of this project and providing these children a week to experience an incredibly special time and to develop a sense of hope about their future.

For further information regarding District 5130 Rotary Summer Camp contact Pamela Tuft, Committee Member and Aide to John G. Strong, District Chairperson at ptuftacip@comcast.net or 707 763-5743.

* District Governor Ed, District Governor-Elect Kirk, and District Governor-Nominee Jim have agreed to rename the camp Rotary Summer Camp at Cloverleaf Ranch In honor of Tom Farrell and John G. Strong to recognize the two Rotarians who dreamed the dream and, with the help of many others, made the Camp a reality.