Press Releases – Camp Fish Tales

Posted on July 15, 2020July 15, 2020Posted in Press Releases

CFT Fish Races Chairs 2020 — Chris and Molly Girard, Honorary Chairs

Camp Fish Tales moves forward with Aug. 21 fundraiser

by CFT Super-Admin | Jun 16, 2020 @ 15:17 | Camp Blog, Press Release

MIDLAND DAILY NEWS
Ashley Schafer, Ashley.Schafer@hearstnp.com
Published 12:06 pm EDT, Thursday, June 11, 2020

PRESS RELEASE – After facing safety concerns surrounding the coronavirus pandemic, leaders at Camp Fish Tales have decided to move forward with the Annual Fish Races fundraiser on Aug. 21.

The event is the largest fundraiser of the year for the barrier-free, accessible camp located in Pinconning. Executive Director Shannon Forshee said the money raised allows campers with disabilities who cannot afford camp tuition to participate. All the proceeds will benefit Camp Fish Tales’ programs, scholarships, and camp maintenance.

“(Campers are) able to do things that every other person can do because of our adaptations to our activities and watching someone who has limited use of their arms and legs climb a rock wall — it is absolutely heartwarming when they make it to the top and are able to do that,” she said

Guests can purchase tickets for $25, which includes dinner and the opportunity for pari-mutuel betting on wooden fish. Six fish, which are decorated by different local groups, will race in each heat on a custom track. Tickets for the Fish Race event are available at www.campfishtales.org or by calling 989-879-5199.

New this year, are honorary chairs of the event — Chris and Molly Girard. Chris is the CEO of Do-All, Inc., which serves individuals with a disability and Molly serves as the administrator for the Episcopal Diocese.

“They have given back so much to your community,” Forshee said about the Girards.

In their free time, the Girards operate GIRARD Investments, which is a residential real estate business that manages more than 60 rental units. Chris was also recently elected as a city commissioner for Bay City. Together, they have four children, five great-grandchildren, and have been foster parents to several children.

The event will be bring-your-own-beverage-style, so guests are welcome to bring their own drinks, including alcoholic drinks in a cooler.

Guests must be 18 or older to attend. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and dinner is served at 6 p.m. at the main lodge at Camp Fish

Posted on March 9, 2020May 14, 2020Posted in Press ReleasesTagged Camp Fish Tales, Leadership Award, Pinconning & Linwood Area Chamber of Commerce

Shannon Forshee Leadership Awar — Shannon Forshee, CFT Leadership Award

(Pinconning) The Pinconning & Linwood Area Chamber of Commerce held its Annual Meeting & Banquet on January 29th at the Pinconning Community Center.

Camp Fish Tales was the recipient of the Leadership award. The Leadership award recognizes a person/organization who models leadership through involvement in the community, and who shows positive vision and direction. Camp Fish Tales Executive Director Shannon Forshee proudly accepted the Leadership Award at the Chamber’s annual meeting, stating, “Every day at camp is a great day!”☀️

Camp Fish Tales will be hosting its Spring Open House on May 17, 2020, from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. at its Pinconning location. A luncheon will be available, including a hot dog bar, snacks, and drinks. Guests will enjoy a number of outdoor activities, including golf cart tours of the property, pontoon rides, a rock wall, and crafts. Anyone interested in learning more about camp is encouraged to attend!

Camp Fish Tales is a barrier-free, accessible camp located on 67 acres in northern Bay County. CFT serves campers from all over the Great Lakes Bay Region. Camp Fish Tales serves individuals of all ages with varying types of disability in order to ensure an enjoyable and enriching experience for all campers.

For more information regarding Camp Fish Tales, or to register a camper, please visit www.campfishtales.org or call (989) 879-5199.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: February 28, 2020
Contact Person: Karl Ieuter
Info: (989) 879-5199

Posted on February 19, 2020May 14, 2020Posted in Press ReleasesTagged CFT Fish Races, pari-mutuel betting

(Pinconning) – Join us for dinner and this crowd-pleasing, one of a kind event which includes pari-mutuel betting on wooden fish. Six fish will race in each heat on a custom track. Admission is $25 per person and includes dinner and an evening of gambling fun. The event is BYOB. Must be 18 to attend and place bets. Tickets are available at our website www.campfishtales.org or by calling 989-879-5199. ALL proceeds to benefit Camp Fish Tales programming, scholarships and camp maintenance.

Our Honorary Chairs this year are Chris and Molly Girard. They have been married for 22 years and have four children: Laura, Brooklyn, Kayla, & Rachel and five grandchildren. In addition, they have been foster parents to numerous children throughout the years. Chris is the President and CEO of Do-All, Inc. serving individuals with a disability and Molly serves as the administrator for the Episcopal Diocese. In their free time, they operate GIRARD Investments, a residential real estate business managing over 60 rental units. Chris was recently elected to serve as a City Commissioner for Bay City.

Camp Fish Tales is a barrier-free, accessible camp located on 67 acres on the corner of Erickson and Old State Road between Pinconning and Linwood. Camp Fish Tales serves individuals of all ages with varying types of disability in order to ensure an enjoyable and enriching experience for all campers.

For more information regarding Camp Fish Tales, or to register a camper, please visit www.campfishtales.org or call (989) 879-5199.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: February 19, 2020
Contact Person: Shannon Forshee
Info: (989) 879-5199

Doors open: 5:30pm
Dinner served: 6:00pm
Post time: 6:30pm

Posted on April 11, 2018May 14, 2020Posted in Press ReleasesTagged Camp Fish Tales Executive Director, community volunteer, special education teacher

(Pinconning) The Board of Directors for Camp Fish Tales, located in Pinconning, Michigan, is pleased to announce the appointment of former board member, Shannon Forshee, as Executive Director. Shannon is a former special education teacher with Bullock Creek Public Schools, and an engaged community volunteer for a number of local organizations. In her two years of board involvement with Camp Fish Tales, and as chair of the fundraising committee, Shannon has raised over $50K in additional scholarship and programmatic funding for camp.

“Shannon has shown a great deal of leadership on our board from day one,” said Karl Ieuter, current Camp Fish Tales board chair “although she will be missed in this capacity, we have full faith in her ability to bring camp to the next level during this transitional phase”.

Camp Fish Tales is partnering with IKUS Life Enrichment Services, formally Indian Trails Camp, out of Grand Rapids to deliver its 11 week camping season in 2018.

“This partnership is a great opportunity to bring the expertise and innovation of IKUS to our local community as we work on continually improving our program and providing the best possible experience for our campers” Ieuter added, “With their programmatic leadership and Shannon’s connections and knowledge of this community, we know this will be our best camp season yet”.

Camp Fish Tales is a barrier-free, accessible camp located on 67 acres located on the corner of Erickson and Old State Road between Pinconning and Linwood. Camp Fish Tales serves individuals of all ages with varying types of disability in order to ensure an enjoyable and enriching experience for our campers.

For more information regarding Camp Fish Tales, or to register a camper, please visit www.campfishtales.org or call (989) 879-5199.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: April 11, 2018
Contact Person: Shannon Forshee
Info: (989) 879-5199

Posted on April 3, 2018May 14, 2020Posted in Press ReleasesTagged apply for a CFT Summer Camp scholarship, CFT Scholarship Monies, Midland Area Community Foundation, Midland County Youth Action Council, W.K. Kellogg Foundation grant

Camp Fish Tales, a camp for children and adults with special needs, located in Pinconning, Michigan received a grant of $10,000 to provide scholarships to Midland County residents with special needs to attend summer camp.

“Providing an opportunity to attend summer camp is a once is a life time experience for many of the campers,” said Karl Ieuter, Chair of Camp Fish Tales Board of Directors. “We hope these scholarships will provide opportunities for campers from Midland that may not have had the opportunity to enjoy an outdoor camp setting.”

Midland County Youth Action Council (MCYAC) is a project of the Midland Area Community Foundation and is made possible through the Council of Michigan Foundations and supported by a grant from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation. The Midland Area Community Foundation provides philanthropic leadership to strengthen our community by fostering collaboration and giving today and in the future.

Camp Fish Tales opened its doors in 1996. Since that time, summer camperships have grown from 25 campers to 160 campers. Camp Fish Tales weekend respites have added substantially to camper numbers in the past two years.

“We never want to turn a camper away because they can’t afford camp. These scholarships will give Midland County campers the opportunity to attend the premier summer camp for campers of all ages with special needs,” said Jan Lampman, member of the board.

Board Member, Shannon Forshee added, “This generous grant from the Midland County Youth Action Council will allow more campers to have their summer dreams come true.”

To apply for a scholarship, go to www.campfishtales.org and fill out the scholarship application or call 989-879-5199. Registration is open for camp online.

Contact:
Karl Ieuter, Chair
director@fishtales.org
2177 E Erickson Road
Pinconning, MI 48650
989-879-5199

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Pinconning, MI – April 3, 2018

Posted on March 15, 2018May 14, 2020Posted in Press ReleasesTagged CFT donors, CFT Grant, funding for construction of residential housing facilities, The Herbert H. and Grace A. Dow Foundation

Camp Fish Tales, a camp for children and adults with special needs, located in Pinconning, Michigan received a grant of $120,000 to fund the construction of two new residential housing facilities for campers and staff.

“Some of life’s greatest lessons can be learned in nature,” said Macauley Whiting Jr., President of The Herbert H. and Grace A. Dow Foundation. “We hope these new housing units enhance the experience of the campers and staff.”

In the past two years, camper registration has increased by 60 percent. In order to handle the expected increase in 2018 and beyond, the Board of Directors of Camp Fish Tales has embarked on an expansion and renovation project to house and care for children and adults with cognitive and/or physical impairments.

Camp Fish Tales opened its doors in 1996. Since that time, summer camperships have grown from 25 campers to 160 campers. The need for additional housing and bath facilities has grown exponentially. Camp Fish Tales weekend respites have added substantially to camper numbers in the past two years.

The universally designed cabins will house up to an additional 40 campers per session. Estimated growth to over 500 campers per summer is anticipated by 2020.

“We never want to turn a camper away because we don’t have room. The board and staff are working toward making Camp Fish Tales the premier summer camp for people with special needs,” said Karl Ieuter, chairman of the board.

Board member, Jan Lampman says, “This generous grant from The Herbert H. and Grace A. Dow Foundation will pave the way for Camp Fish Tales to move forward and make summer dreams come true for more and more campers.”