august 2026 newsletter
a letter from our director
Dear Camp Tatiyee Supporters, Families, and Community,
What an incredible summer it has been. In 2026, we welcomed 422 campers to Camp Tatiyee for weeks filled with friendship, adventure, laughter, creativity, and growth. Every camper brought something unique to our community, and together they made this summer one we will remember for a long time.
In this month’s newsletter, you’ll meet Manny, whose love of conversation and sense of humor made him a natural connector at camp. His story is a wonderful example of what can happen when campers are surrounded by people who welcome them exactly as they are and give them the space to build genuine friendships.
You’ll also get a closer look at one of my favorite camp traditions, our Talent Show. There is nothing quite like watching campers step onto the stage and be met with a room full of cheers. Whether they are singing, dancing, telling jokes, sharing artwork, or simply enjoying their moment in the spotlight, Talent Show night captures so much of what camp is about: confidence, self-expression, encouragement, and belonging.
We are also proud to recognize the John F. Long Foundation, whose partnership has supported Camp Tatiyee for more than a decade. Their generosity has helped make STEM and art programming possible and, most recently, helped youth attend camp completely free of charge in 2026. We are deeply grateful for their continued belief in our campers and our mission.
As we close out another summer, I am filled with gratitude for everyone who made these 422 camp experiences possible. Our families trust us with something incredibly important. Our staff and volunteers bring energy and care to every day. And our supporters ensure that no family ever receives a bill for camp.
Thank you for helping make 2026 such a joyful and meaningful year at Camp Tatiyee. We cannot wait to see what the next summer brings.
Yours in camping,
Pamela Swanson
Executive Director (Adult in Charge)
manny loves attending camp
If there was a laugh coming from across camp during our Intellectually Challenged School Age session, there was a good chance Manny was nearby. Manny loves a good joke and even more than that, he loves a good conversation. Camp gave him something truly special, the chance to talk, connect, and be heard by peers.
Manny is naturally social and curious. He enjoys asking questions, sharing stories, and keeping conversations going, especially when he feels comfortable.
At camp, surrounded by peers and counselors who welcomed his humor and enthusiasm, Manny found his rhythm. He didn’t have to hold back or wait for the right moment, there was always someone ready to listen, laugh, and respond.
For Manny, the opportunity to socialize was the highlight of his week. Whether he was chatting between programs, joking around in the dorm, or sitting with friends during meals, those moments of connection meant everything. Camp created a space where conversations flowed naturally, helping Manny build confidence and feel included.
Camp Tatiyee offers campers like Manny something rare: a place where social connection comes easily and authentically. His laughter, curiosity, and love for conversation brought warmth to everyone around him, and we’re so grateful for the energy he shared during his time at camp.
We can’t wait to welcome Manny back for more jokes, more conversations, and more moments of genuine connection.
see how talent show builds confidence
There is something special about Talent Show night at Lions Camp Tatiyee. By the time campers gather together, the room is buzzing with excitement, nerves, laughter, and plenty of encouragement. For many campers, it is one of the moments they look forward to most all week.
The Talent Show gives every camper a chance to share something that feels uniquely theirs. Some sing or dance. Others tell jokes, perform skits, show off artwork, demonstrate a special skill, or simply step onto the stage to soak in the applause. There is no one way to participate, and that is exactly what makes it so much fun.
For campers who may not always have many opportunities to be in the spotlight, that moment can be incredibly meaningful. Standing in front of a cheering crowd takes courage, and the support from fellow campers and staff helps turn nerves into confidence. Every performance is celebrated, whether it is polished, silly, spontaneous, or completely one-of-a-kind.
The audience is just as much a part of the experience. Campers cheer loudly for their friends, clap along, laugh together, and celebrate each person who takes the stage. It becomes a night where everyone is rooting for one another, and that sense of encouragement carries far beyond the performance itself.
More than anything, Talent Show night is about self-expression and belonging. It gives campers the freedom to be bold, creative, funny, dramatic, musical, artistic, or anything else they want to be. At Camp Tatiyee, the stage belongs to everyone.
partner highlight: john f long foundation
For more than a decade, the John F. Long Foundation has been a steadfast partner in creating meaningful opportunities for campers at Lions Camp Tatiyee.
Over the years, their generosity has touched so many parts of the camp experience. Their support has helped campers explore, experiment, and discover through our STEM programming, express themselves creatively through art, and experience the confidence and joy that come from trying something new.
In 2026, the John F. Long Foundation continued that incredible partnership by providing funding to help youth attend Camp Tatiyee completely free of charge. Their support opened the door for campers to spend a week building friendships, gaining independence, and enjoying a summer camp experience designed entirely around their abilities.
Partnerships that span more than a decade are incredibly special to us. The John F. Long Foundation has continued to believe in our campers, our families, and the importance of making these experiences accessible to every child who can benefit from them.
We are deeply thankful for their ongoing generosity and for the many years they have stood alongside the Camp Tatiyee community. Their support continues to help campers learn, create, grow, and make memories that last far beyond their week at camp.
make a donation to celebrate 2026!
As another incredible summer comes to a close, we are taking a moment to celebrate everything our campers experienced in 2026. There were new friendships, new adventures, growing confidence, big laughs, and memories that will last long after campers return home.
Every week at Camp Tatiyee is made possible by people who believe that youth with disabilities deserve the chance to experience summer camp in a place built around their abilities, their independence, and their joy. Because of that support, every camper attends completely free of charge.
If you are looking for a meaningful way to celebrate another successful summer, we hope you will consider making a gift to Camp Tatiyee. Your donation helps prepare for the next season of camp and ensures that future campers can continue to experience the same sense of belonging, adventure, and possibility.
Summer may be wrapping up, but the impact of camp continues all year long. Thank you for helping make 2026 such a special season, and for helping us look ahead to even more unforgettable summers to come.