february 2026 newsletter
a letter from our director
Dear Camp Tatiyee Supporters, Families, and Community,
Happy February! As we move further into the new year, our team at Lions Camp Tatiyee is already deep in preparation for another incredible summer on the mountain. One important reminder as you plan ahead: registration for our 2026 summer camp season is currently open. Camp sessions fill quickly, so we encourage families to submit applications as early as possible.
We are also beginning our 2026 summer staff recruitment. Our counselors and seasonal staff are the heart of the camp experience, creating the safe, joyful, and inclusive environment our campers depend on. If you know someone who would be a great fit, we are always happy to receive referrals and applications.
In this month’s newsletter, you’ll meet Maggie, a camper whose energy and joy lit up our Intellectually Challenged School Age session. Her story is a wonderful example of how camp provides the right environment for connection, creativity, and confidence to grow. You’ll also learn more about one of our most empowering programs, Archery. From first-time shots to proud bullseyes, this program gives campers the opportunity to try something new, challenge themselves, and celebrate their accomplishments alongside friends.
We are deeply grateful for the continued partnership of the Burton Family Foundation, whose generosity has helped dozens of campers from across Arizona attend Camp Tatiyee entirely free of charge. Their long-standing support plays a critical role in making our mission possible.
Thank you for being part of the Lions Camp Tatiyee community. Your support, encouragement, and belief in our mission allow us to continue creating experiences where campers can grow, connect, and truly be themselves. We look forward to all that this summer will bring.
Yours in camping,
Pamela Swanson
Executive Director (Adult in Charge)
meet maggie, she's amazing
If there’s music playing anywhere at camp, chances are Maggie is already there dancing, singing, and inviting everyone around her to join in. As a camper in our Intellectually Challenged School Age session, Maggie brought an infectious energy to camp that was impossible to ignore. She has a natural enthusiasm for life, and she shares it freely with everyone she meets.
Maggie is truly the life of the party, finding joy in every moment of the day. Her smile was constant, and her laughter seemed to ripple outward, drawing other campers in. Making friends came easily to Maggie, she has a way of connecting with people that feels effortless and genuine. Before long, she was on a first-name basis with just about everyone at camp.
Creativity is another place where Maggie shines. She loved programs that allowed her to express herself, especially those that blended imagination with connection. In creative activities, she dove in wholeheartedly, experimenting, sharing ideas, and celebrating the work of others just as much as her own. For Maggie, creativity wasn’t just about the finished product, it was about the experience of creating together.
What camp offered Maggie was the perfect environment to thrive socially. Surrounded by peers who welcomed her enthusiasm and counselors who encouraged her self-expression, Maggie was able to be fully herself. Camp gave her the space to connect, to lead with joy, and to build friendships in a setting designed around inclusion and belonging.
Maggie is a social butterfly who simply needs the right environment to soar, and at Camp Tatiyee, she did just that. Her energy, warmth, and openness made camp brighter for everyone around her. We’re so grateful for the joy she brings and can’t wait to see her return, ready to dance, sing, and make even more memories with her camp friends.
archery empowers campers
Archery is one of the most exciting and confidence boosting programs offered at Lions Camp Tatiyee, made possible by our fully equipped archery range. Designed to accommodate campers of all abilities, the range allows everyone to participate in a way that feels safe, accessible, and fun. For many campers, it is their very first time holding a bow and taking aim, which makes the experience even more special.
There’s something incredibly powerful about drawing back the bow, aiming, and watching an arrow fly toward the target, especially when it lands in the bullseye. For campers who do not often get the chance to experience traditional sports or skill based activities, that moment is unforgettable. Smiles spread quickly, cheers erupt, and confidence grows with every shot.
Our trained staff and counselors make archery both encouraging and enjoyable. Campers are supported step by step as they learn proper form, practice their aim, and celebrate their progress along the way. With no pressure and plenty of encouragement, campers are free to try, miss, try again, and improve at their own pace.
Archery is also a highly social program. Campers cheer for one another, laugh together between turns, and proudly compare targets with friends. Every bullseye, near miss, and personal best is met with excitement and high fives from everyone! At Lions Camp Tatiyee, archery is about more than hitting a target. It is about having fun, trying something new, and walking away feeling proud, empowered, and ready for the next challenge.
partner highlight: burton family foundation
Lions Camp Tatiyee is honored to have partnered with the Burton Family Foundation several times over the last few years. This remarkable foundation shares our belief in opportunity, inclusion, and empowerment for all youth. Founded with a mission to advance individual achievement and support communities across the state, the Foundation has invested in programs that help young people learn, explore, and thrive.
For several years now, the Burton Family Foundation’s generosity has allowed dozens of campers from across Arizona to attend camp entirely free of charge. Their support helps remove financial barriers so that children with disabilities can enjoy the full Lions Camp Tatiyee experience, from archery and arts to the friendships and confidence that only camp can create. Because of partners like the Burton Family Foundation, every camper can participate fully, no matter their circumstances.
The Burton Family Foundation’s commitment to youth and community impact aligns beautifully with our mission, and we are deeply grateful for their long-standing partnership. Their support not only helps send campers to camp, it makes possible the kind of joyful empowerment and unforgettable moments that shape lifelong memories. Thank you to the Burton Family Foundation for believing in our campers, our work, and the power of camp.
use your ira distributions to support camp tatiyee
If you are 70½ or older, you may be able to support Lions Camp Tatiyee through a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) from your IRA. This is a simple, tax-smart way to help provide life-changing camp experiences to children and adults with disabilities across Arizona.
A QCD allows you to donate directly from your IRA to Lions Camp Tatiyee. This gift can count toward your required minimum distribution while not being included in your taxable income, even if you do not itemize deductions. Many supporters find this to be an especially meaningful way to give.
Your IRA distribution helps ensure that campers can attend Camp Tatiyee entirely free of charge. It supports inclusive programs like archery, arts, and group activities, while also making it possible for campers to build confidence, independence, and lasting friendships in a supportive environment.
To make a gift, simply instruct your IRA administrator to send your distribution directly to Lions Camp Tatiyee. If you have questions or would like assistance, our team is always happy to help. Your generosity helps open the door to camp for those who need it most, and we are deeply grateful for your continued support.

