True Friends
Family of Services
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There is space available for your group at camp! Call today to reserve.
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Team Quest75% OFF the Winter Extreme Challenge! Visit  for all of the details.
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Our Therapy Horse program is offering lessons! Follow their for updates!
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Our respite services provide families with a much-needed break and are licensed by the MN Department of Human Services. The 2015 dates are available now!
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NEWS & NOTES Your January connection to True Friends
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 Campers love selfies! This picture shows Phynex, Holden and Ben on a dog sled at Winter Camp. As you know, we are all about new experiences and adventures. Our Camp ADDventure participants were thrilled to have Silent Run Adventures Dog-Sledding give a presentation about the dogs and what it takes to become a musher. Then each camper had a chance to go on a ride with the team around the lake! It was truly an experience to remember. The campers also enjoyed laser tag, swimming, sledding, creating candles, making puppy chow and meeting new friends.
Camp ADDventure is designed for youth with Attention Deficit Disorder, Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Disorder or Oppositional Defiant Disorder. Siblings with or without challenges are welcomed and encouraged to attend. It is definitely a camp where play is the name of the game. Everything from laser tag to cleaning cabins has an element of fun... and many campers keep coming back year after year. Camp ADDventure is a safe place where kids can be themselves, make friendship, learn new skills and most importantly, HAVE FUN!
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 Camp is a place where campers get to choose activities that are meaningful to them. Through participation in these activities, campers are more apt to practice social skills, gross and fine motor skills, active lifestyles and appropriate behavior. True Friends is excited to expand the choices offered to campers. We are working this winter and spring to implement evidence-based programming that supports growth and success experiences for our participants.
True Friends has been able to secure grant funding that will support program development in 2015. Among the initiatives are robotics programming, archery and shooting sports, fishing upgrades and more. Stay tuned to learn more about how camp programs grow active minds, bodies and spirits. Each of these projects support our mission of providing experiences and adventures that enhance independence and self-esteem for individuals with disabilities. Along with our new projects, we also have many new sessions and partner camps. We are excited to host the Special Olympics Sports Camp this year! See our 2015 schedule, along with our new Online registration system. Reserve a space in a favorite session today!
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Ventures Travel
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 Three travelers had an amazing time on their recent trip to Jamaica with Ventures Travel. They spent time in the turquoise blue waters, on the white sandy beaches and watching the amazing sunsets from their all-inclusive resort. The group spent five days exploring the area, tasting the local cuisine, relaxing and watching amazing shows. When asked what his favorite part of the trip was, one traveler replied, "Pretty much every part of it!" Check out more amazing vacations offered by Ventures Travel or let them assist you in planning a custom trip!
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True Friends is a certifying organization for the President's Volunteer Service Award. The President's Council on Service and Civic Participation established the award program as a way to thank and honor volunteers who, by their demonstrated commitment and example, inspire others to engage in volunteer service.
In 2014, it is our honor to certify 15 individuals and three community partners with the PVSA Gold Award. Each award winning individual has contributed at least 250 hours and each group 1000+ or more within a calendar year.
Combined, our award-winning volunteers and groups have contributed 12,686 hours to True Friends since January 1, 2014.
Individuals:
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Mariah Aiyawar
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Amber Keating
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Jennica Anglin
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Scotti Koskinen
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Stephen Aultman
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Rayna Lunn
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Jordyn Brown
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Lisa Nguyen
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Rachel Brown
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Madison Pavel
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Huiran Chen
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Mitch Sorensen
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Sierra Hietala
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Renner Thomas
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Groups:
NCL West Lakes Chapter
Camp Lincoln Lake Hubert
Tree Trust
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Save the Date!
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Feb. 7 - Maple Lake Arctic Plunge - Join us at 10:30am on Maple Lake to watch the Arctic Plunge in support of camp. There is still time to donate and get more of our respite staff in the water! For more information visit our fundraising page! Feb. 14 - Visit True Friends at the MOA, see more details here! March 8 - Dance with Courage - The Dance Arts Centre will be hosting the 9th annual Dance with Courage Dance-a-thon! Hundreds of local dancers will participate to help raise money for True Friends . There will be an opportunity for the public to join in on some fun social dances and see performances by the Vikings Cheerleaders and Dance Arts Centre's competition dancers. The event is held at the Mall of America Rotunda from 1-3pm. Find more information or sponsor a dancer here.
Lions' Statewide Raffle - Benefiting True Friends, this raffle is statewide and goes through April 18. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased through our development team or sold on our behalf. Prizes include a vacation to Florida and a fishing trip to Ontario!
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Giving is Good
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THANK YOU to the Camp Friendship Ladies Auxiliary for all of their hard work in making this year's Holiday Party a huge success. Through ticket sales, raffles, a silent auction and basket sales they raised over $15,000 for True Friends and financial assistance for campers! If you would like to join this amazing group in their work for camp, contact Shirley Olson or Karen Larson.
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True Friends Can ...
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Visit us at the 2015 Hands on Twin Cities Volunteer Expo! 
True Friends Volunteer Services will be at the Mall of America from 10-3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 14, along with 80 other organizations. We'll have information on a wide variety of volunteer options and ways you can stay be involved. Stop by our booth to say 'hi' and learn how you can be the difference in the lives of individuals with disabilities.
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