october 2026 newsletter
a letter from our director
Dear Camp Tatiyee Supporters, Families, and Community,
One of my favorite things about Camp Tatiyee is seeing how differently each camper enjoys their time with us. Some can’t wait to jump into every activity, while others are happiest chatting on the sidelines and making friends. Both are equally important, and we work hard to make sure every camper has the chance to enjoy camp in their own way.
This month, we’re sharing the story of Natalia, a camper with a wonderful imagination and a love for art. She spent much of her week drawing and exploring her creativity, and it was a joy to see her so engaged in the activities she loved.
We’re also highlighting one of our favorite camp traditions, tie-dye, and recognizing the Delta Dental of Arizona Foundation for helping our campers learn about dental health during their stay.
As we move further into fall, we’re already thinking about next summer and the hundreds of campers we’ll welcome back to Camp Tatiyee. There’s plenty of work ahead, but we’re fortunate to have a community of supporters who believe in what we do.
Thank you for being part of that community and for helping make camp possible year after year. We couldn’t do it without you!
Yours in camping,
Pamela Swanson
Executive Director (Adult in Charge)
natalia finds self-expression at camp tatiyee
If you were looking for Natalia during our Multi-Challenged School Age session, chances are you’d find her tucked into a quiet corner, completely absorbed in a drawing. Natalia has a deep creative spirit, and camp gave her the time and space to let it flourish.
Creative Arts was one of Natalia’s favorite programs. She loved sketching, coloring, and bringing her ideas to life on paper, returning to her artwork throughout the day. Creativity wasn’t something she turned on and off, it was a central part of her personality and how she expressed herself.
Science was another highlight of her week. Natalia enjoyed the hands-on nature of the program, where curiosity and creativity came together. The chance to explore, experiment, and learn in a supportive environment allowed her to engage at her own pace, building confidence through discovery. Astronomy was a highlight, as she loved drawing the planets and then searching for them with a telescope.
Group activities also played an important role in Natalia’s camp experience. She gravitated toward programs where she could participate alongside others without feeling overwhelmed. Camp offered her low-pressure opportunities to be part of the group, like camp fire and charades. She was able to join in, contribute, and connect in ways that felt comfortable and affirming.
Camp Tatiyee provided Natalia with a space where she could be creative, thoughtful, and expressive. Her imagination knew no limits, and camp honored that by giving her room to explore, create, and participate on her own terms.
We’re so grateful for the creativity Natalia brought to camp. Her artwork, curiosity, and gentle presence added something special to her session, and we can’t wait to see how her creativity continues to grow in the summers ahead.
tie dye is a classic camp experience
There’s something about tie-dye that never seems to get old at Camp Tatiyee. Every summer, campers look forward to choosing their favorite colors and turning an ordinary white shirt into something completely their own.
The process is part of the fun. Campers twist and fold their shirts, pick out their colors, and start adding dye. Some have a specific design in mind, while others just want to see what happens when they mix everything together. Either way, they’re pretty excited to see how it turns out!
Tie-dye is also a great activity because everyone can take part. Our counselors are there to lend a hand when needed, but campers get to make the creative decisions themselves. They choose the colors and patterns, and the finished shirt is something they can proudly say they made.
Of course, the best part is seeing the final results. It’s always fun to watch campers unfold their shirts and discover what they’ve created. Some turn out bright and bold, others have interesting patterns, and no two ever look quite the same.
Best of all, each camper gets to take their shirt home. It’s a fun keepsake from their week at Camp Tatiyee and something they can wear long after summer is over. We love activities like tie-dye because they’re simple, fun, and give campers a chance to express themselves. And if everyone ends up a little messy along the way, that’s just part of the fun!
partner highlight: delta dental
Spending six days away from home at Camp Tatiyee gives campers plenty of opportunities to practice independence, including taking care of their personal health. That’s why we’re grateful to have the Delta Dental of Arizona Foundation as a partner in helping our campers build healthy dental habits.
Each summer, the foundation provides free toothbrushes and toothpaste for our campers, along with dental health education that helps reinforce the importance of caring for their teeth. These resources are a natural fit for our overnight camp, where brushing teeth and getting ready for bed are part of every day’s routine.
For some campers, being away from home is a chance to practice these routines with greater independence. Our counselors are always there to help when needed, and the supplies and education provided by Delta Dental help make dental care a familiar part of the camp experience.
It’s a relatively small part of what happens during a week at Camp Tatiyee, but it’s an important one. Healthy habits are useful long after camp ends, and we appreciate having partners who help us reinforce them.
Thank you to the Delta Dental of Arizona Foundation for your continued generosity and for helping our campers care for their smiles each summer!
make a tax credit donation
Did you know you can support Camp Tatiyee and potentially receive the full amount of your donation back through your Arizona state income taxes? Arizona’s Charitable Tax Credit makes it possible for eligible taxpayers to support organizations like Lions Camp Tatiyee at no additional cost to them.
For the 2026 tax year, you can receive a dollar-for-dollar tax credit of up to $506 if you file individually or $1,009 if you’re married and filing jointly. Unlike a tax deduction, which reduces your taxable income, a tax credit directly reduces the amount of Arizona state income tax you owe.
If you’ve already paid those taxes through withholding from your paycheck, your donation could increase your state tax refund. If you still owe taxes, the credit can reduce what you owe. In either case, you’re choosing to direct money that would otherwise go toward your state taxes to a cause you care about.
And at Camp Tatiyee, your donation makes a real difference.
Every summer, we provide a completely free camp experience to hundreds of children and adults with special needs. There are no registration fees, and families never receive a bill for their camper’s stay. Donations help us cover the cost of meals, activities, trained staff, and everything else needed to make camp possible.
By making a tax credit gift, you’re helping ensure campers like Natalia can continue enjoying a summer filled with friendship, new experiences, and time to just be themselves. Please consider making your 2026 Arizona Charitable Tax Credit donation to Lions Camp Tatiyee.