Founding Hospitals

Cedars-SinaiChildren's Hospital and Health Center, San DiegoChildren's Hospital and Research Center at OaklandChildren's Hospital Central California Children's Hospital of Orange County Childrens Hospital Los AngelesHarbor-UCLA Medical CenterLoma Linda University Children's HospitalLos Angeles County Hospital + USC Medical CenterLucile Packard Children's Hospital at StanfordMattel Children's Hospital at UCLAMiller Children's HospitalUC Davis Children's HospitalUCSD Medical CenterUCSF Children's Hospital University Children’s Hospital, UCI Medical Center

A Publication of The Painted Turtle; A Member of the Association of Hole in the Wall Camps © 2006

Robert Adler, M.D. William Byrne, M.D. Harvey Cohen, M.D., Ph.D.Wendy Cook, M.D. Lorry Frankel, M.D. Frederick W. James, M.D. Adam Jonas, M.D. Neal Kaufman, M.D. John Mace, M.D. Mohammad Malekzadeh, M.D.Melvin Marks, M.D.

Sam Ho, M.D.Edward R.B. McCabe, M.D., Ph.D. Maria Minon, M.D. Larry Opas, M.D. Anthony Philipps, M.D. Chuck Simmons, M.D. Larry Shapiro, M.D. David Sine, M.D. Steve Stephensen, M.D. Emily von Scheven, M.D. Feizal Waffarn, M.D.

Medical Advisory Board

Please visit us at our website online at www.thepaintedturtle.orgFor more information, please call 310-451-1353 or email: info@thepaintedturtle.org

SUMMER 2006 A Publication of The Painted Turtle; A Member of the Association of Hole in the Wall Camps © 2006

The Painted Turtle1300 4th StreetSuite 300Santa Monica, CA90401

An innovative camp and family care centerfor children with life-threatening illnesses.

NON-PROFITORGANIZATION

U.S. POSTAGE PAID

THE PAINTED TURTLE

The FoundersThe FoundersPage and Lou AdlerLani and Herb AlpertShelly and Larry BrownGil FriesenJami Gertz and Tony ResslerJoan and John HotchkisMartha and Bruce KarshNancy and Howard MarksSue Ann and Richard MassonAnn and Jerry MossPaul NewmanJanet Crown Peterson and Gunnar PetersonCarolyn and Bill Powers

The Board of DirectorsThe Board of DirectorsPage AdlerLou AdlerTom AmsterMary BrownLarry BrownShelly BrownMelanie CookDr. Lorry FrankelGil FriesenSteve GaggeroRiva GebelJami GertzJames F. GriffithsLaurentius HarrerDavid M. HernandJohn HotchkisMatthew JonesBruce KarshNancy MarksSue Ann MassonJohn MillerColleen O’BrienJanet Crown PetersonCarolyn PowersBill PowersTony ResslerGene RosenfeldJames P. SteyerDr. Cynthia TellesRoger Wittlin

"Hello World!" That's how one staff member used to greet me every morning last summer. I would be makingmy early morning rounds, dew still on the grass, and he would be heading out to the ropes course where heled the kids on early adventures. And hearing this salutation each day always made me smile. His greetingseemed to embody everything I love about The Painted Turtle: its energy, its hopefulness, its playfulness, itswelcoming nature. Even if I was feeling a little crabby from too little sleep, hearing Andrew greet me and theworld each day improved my mood. It lifted me up and reminded me that it was a brand new day with thepotential to be anything we made of it.

This summer at camp (our 3rd, can you believe it?), our theme is "Walking on Sunshine." And I can't think of amore apt description than that for the way it feels to be at The Painted Turtle. Each day at camp we watchamazing kids become even more amazing as they reach up and grab a handful of hope and pull it inside them,a radiant ball of fun and possibility that changes who they are. These children try new things they neverthought they'd ever do. They make friendships that give back to them every day of the year. They become partof a joyful, accepting, encouraging community that shows them that so much of life is what you make of it. Iwatch many, many children come into camp worn and tired from long months of medical struggles only to seethem leave with eyes bright and sure, their spirits renewed. I see staff members and volunteers laughing anddancing with these children throughout the weeks, who exclaim over and over that the magic of The PaintedTurtle has changed their lives. Why you ask is our theme "Walking on Sunshine"? Because, my friends, beingat The Painted Turtle, well, that's what it feels like. Say it with me: HELLO WORLD!

~ Blake Maher, Camp Director

Address Service Requested

In keeping with our goal to continue to offercampers quality programs that focus on buildingself-esteem and confidence while providing ameaningful connection to the world around them,The Painted Turtle has some exciting additions toour program to announce.

This summer ThePainted Turtle willenhance its alreadyexisting equestrian program by partneringwith Saddle Up, a therapeutic riding program for individualswith impaired mobility located in Lancaster,CA. Founded by Lisa

DeJaynes in 1999 to serve the unmet needs ofphysically and mentally challenged individuals,Saddle Up is one of only a handful of programs inthe US to be certified by NARHA (North AmericanRiding for the Handicapped Association). Togetherwe will offer campers the opportunity to participatein an innovative equestrian program at camp that istherapeutic, educational, challenging, and fun.

There are many obstacles our campers might facein being able to go to camp for a summer session,but affordability will not be one of them. The PaintedTurtle camp is always free to our campers and theirfamilies. When you make a Campership Gift, yougive them a life-changing week of adventure,discovery, and fast friendships.

This is the second year of the WeingartFoundation's three year challenge grant. If you aregiving a gift for the first time or gave for the first timelast year, all of your contributions in 2006 qualify formatching funds from the Foundation. This is awonderful way to enhance your impact and helpus meet the Weingart Challenge. A gift of $1,500sponsors a camper for a week.

Please give today with the enclosed envelope or bylogging onto our website and help send hundreds ofchronically ill children to camp this summer.

Another exciting addition to The Painted Turtle this summer will be the Archery program. Carefullydesigned to accommodate all campers, archery canbe learned and practiced by anyone, regardless ofhis or her illness or disability. It is not limited in anyway by age, gender or most physical limitations.And because archery is an individual sport, it represents a unique opportunity not available inmost conventional sports programs. Campers willlearn and enjoy at their own pace. Archery bothteaches and requires campers to have patience,concentration and attention to detail. Our adaptiveand flexible archery range will continue to challenge each camper as they keep their #1 targetin mind: having fun!

~Jessica Santos, Asst. Camp Director

Bulls Eye!Bulls Eye!

Top row, left to right: Kyle Hidalgo, Jackie Ramirez , Claire White, Lynn Hawkins, and Arturo Aguayo.

Bottom Row, left to right: Katie Sullivan, Julie Knickerbocker, Sean Torres and Cassidy Skelton.

The Painted Turtle’s year-round staff at the campfacility in Lake Hughes, California has grown andchanged in the past many months. The staff nowconsists of ten individuals who commit each day tomaintaining and preparing our cabins, activityareas, landscape and Well Shell for campers andfamilies to safely and fully enjoy.

Our Year-Round Camp Staff

Hats off to Arturo and his staff

for making and keeping the camp looking beautiful.

As The Painted Turtle's activities continue toexpand and more campers participate in our summer and year-round programs, our Wish Listjust keeps growing. If you would like to donate orhelp us secure donations of archery bows, targetfaces, and many other items, please visit our website at www.thepaintedturtle.org for more information under How You Can Help.

Wish List

Foreigner performed “Live” at TheRoxy in early June

While part of the focus at The Painted Turtle ispure fun and real magic through the camp experience, we on the medical team are chargedwith a very important job: creating a safe, nurturing environment for our campers, familiesand staff. We are responsible for providing thehighest quality of medical care with the greatestefficiency. These objectives are only achievedthrough the generosity of our medical donorsand medical volunteers.

We understand how difficult it might be for a parent to first decide to "let go" of their child for awhole week of camp. Many of these childrenhave never been away from home or their parents' impeccable care due to the complexityof their medical needs. Our team recognizes thistremendous opportunity to establish a real senseof trust and confidence in these families. OurWell Shell, therefore, must be equipped to handle all medical care issues and offer a staff oftalented experienced practitioners both day andnight. So, how does this happen?

In the days between program sessions, significant time is spent visiting FoundingHospitals, community healthcare facilities,Schools of Nursing, and professional medicalassociations. Through such networking we present the wonder of The Painted Turtle,encouraging a commitment from clinicians toshare their medical expertise and give thereheart to our campers. Outreach efforts extendfurther to medical and camp website forums,local nurse magazines and a camp nurse education day. As the world faces a nursingshortage, we are privileged to have secured somany outstanding, experienced volunteers whohelp us meet our standard of care on-site.

We are also proud to have established relationships with a set of donors and partnerswho offer us medical supplies and medicationsyear-round. The Well Shell is equipped to handleeverything from splinters to minor emergenciesthanks to the generosity of these in-kind contributions. One of the highlights for us thisyear was the donation of a fully functional ambulance transport by the Kiwanis Clubs.

It is such a privilege to provide an environmentwhere campers and families feel medicallysecure and safe, for that represents the freedomto have the time of there life - and that's camp!

~ Beth Vandenbogaart, Nurse Manager

A LETTER FROM OURA LETTER FROM OUR

MEDICAL TEAMMEDICAL TEAM

For three years now, the Lakers and theLakers Youth Foundation have donated toThe Painted Turtle Camp. We are honoredto work with them and be able to help sucha great organization. Their “Club Bingo”was introduced to be a part of our Casinonight with the idea that our fans and supporters would enjoy playing it. ThePainted Turtle staff & volunteers are sopassionate about the camp their enthusiasm radiates through the bingo parlor. Their contribution to the success ofthe event is evident in the number of people who play game after game. Wehope that our Lakers Casino night helpsPainted Turtle to raise awareness of theirmission as well as to help raise funds.We’re looking forward to next year!

Janie DrexelDirector, Charitable Services Los Angeles Lakers

Students and families from Southern California schoolsdevoted time and great energy to helping to support our campers with a work day at The Painted Turtle.Brentwood Middle School reported that "the service experience opened the 7th graders' eyes, as they recognized the challenges that many children their age face." These students stripped beds, planted sunflower seeds, and wrote notes to future campers.

A student, Elise Miller, wrote in a letter to The Painted Turtle that "the fieldtrip that my class took to yourcamp was my favorite that I have taken in my 6 years at Brentwood. It was truly an amazing experience.Words cannot explain the pleasure I got from helping to make sick kids' lives a little more worthwhile. It isa fabulous campsite. I admire your giving heart and the great establishment you have created. Thanks for letting me indulge and experience it.”

Marking the end of an Abilities Awareness Week for Redwood Middle School, students who had beenstuffing and sewing turtle pillows throughout the school year also visited the camp. A successful toy, gameand craft drive for camper cabins collected more than 600 items. The gift drive was enthusiastically led bya student named Elyse Nuttall. Redwood Middle School's vice principal, Lisa Magorien, shared thoughtson the service project when she wrote:

"The actual trip to the camp made the experience more real and meaningful for our students. They cameaway from the experience with a better understanding of children who are not as fortunate with goodhealth as they are. They were touched as well as moved and felt as though they contributed to making adifference in the life of a child. It is easy to give your money and things…it becomes personal when yougive of yourself and your time!!"

Employees from local companies spent a day at camphelping to prepare The Painted Turtle's facility for its summer season on Saturday, May 20th. Over 75employees from Sony, PWR, Deluxe, Yahoo!, Visalus Science, Universal, and Warner Bros. were onhand to make beds, prepare camper cabins, garden, stock program areas, and much more. After completing the work, volunteers also had the opportunity to tour the facility.

In addition to our gratitude for the support of these wonderful employees, The Painted Turtle appreciatesour newest Corporate Partners including Herman Miller, L.A. Care Health Plan, and Disney. There aremany other ways for companies to be involved with the camp including: Gifts In-kind, Financial and EventSupport. For more information visit our website: www.thepaintedturtle.org or contact Deb Glazer at310.451.1353 x 103 or debg@thepaintedturtle.org

September 16Dinner and auction at Agua Dulce Vineyards,

hosted by the North LA County RAB.September 17

Guest chefs will prepare each course at a dinner at LA's Kitchen Academy,

hosted by the LA RAB.November 11

6th Annual Benefit at Bimbo's 365 Club in San Francisco, hosted by Foundation for Giving Hope.

In April, our LA Regional Advisory Boardheld an evening of art and wine atGallery C in Hermosa Beach to introduceThe Painted Turtle to new friends in thecommunity. Funds raised from ticket andraffle sales and the evening's auctionwill be matched by the WeingartFoundation and will support camp operations.

Three cheers to the members of theregional advisory board: Jimmy Beck,Jerry Chang, Barbara and WarrenCowan, Scott and Michelle Gertz, SusieEstabrook, Courtney Hansen, JoshuaHart, Peter Long, George Manor, andMona Rezapour.

Regional Boards Share Camp Mission

After securing a big win at the Toyota Grand Prix atLong Beach, the Newman/Haas Racing team didan extra victory lap around The Painted TurtleCamp in Lake Hughes. Members of the team graciously extended their stay in SouthernCalifornia to lend a hand, helping with a series ofvolunteer projects. As the camp staff had just completed a family weekend program, the team'sefforts were perfectly timed—helping to tidy up aswell as prepare for the next spring session on thecamp calendar. Congratulations to Newman/HaasRacing and many thanks for a special day at ThePainted Turtle!

A LETTER FROM OUR CEOA LETTER FROM OUR CEO

MICHAEL HOUSEMICHAEL HOUSE

I often have to pinch myselfwhile working at The PaintedTurtle, to be reminded that thisis my full-time gig—I get towork with amazing people,meet inspiring children and their families, all thewhile writing skits, singing songs, and dj-ing danceparties! Now in my six month on the job as CampProgram Associate, the reality is setting in, and Icouldn't be happier. I am a graduate of GrinnellCollege in Iowa, my home state, with a degree inArt History, although I spent most of my time doingtheatre. I got started at TPT in its inaugural summerof 2004 as the Performing Arts Assistant havinglong hoped to use my experience in theatre withchildren. I returned the following year as theEntertainment Coordinator with more responsibilityand a lot of creative opportunity. My current full-time role allows me to focus on recruiting oursummer staff, creating programming for FamilyWeekends, and helping to ensure that our programoffers the best experience to campers and theirfamilies. I want to take this chance to thank everyone involved with The Painted Turtle, beingpart of this extended family is a real joy.

...INTRODUCING... ItIt ’’’’s a Win s a Win –––– Win forWin for

Newman/Haas andNewman/Haas and

The Painted TurtleThe Painted TurtleLast summer our final session served kids withmuscular dystrophy for the first time at ThePainted Turtle. Our staff received additionaltraining to help this group of kids get the mostout of their time with us. It was an incrediblyrewarding session-not only for our campers butalso for our staff and volunteers.

During the last day of that last session of thesummer, I went to the ropes course to see howour campers were enjoying that part of camp. Ittakes a lot of courage to do the ropes course. Iarrived just in time to join about 20 otherswatching a camper in a wheelchair being harnessed and then attached to a pulley that lifted him to a platform about 30 feet up in theair. I continued watching as he was clipped ontoa zip line. Then I watched in absolute amazement as this child zoomed down the zipline, from way up in the air towards the ground.All of us were wildly enthusiastic as we cheeredthis courageous camper.

Although muscular dystrophy had robbed thischild of the ability to walk and confined him to awheelchair, The Painted Turtle gave him theopportunity to fly. That's what we do at camp.And you make it possible with your financialsupport and volunteer hours.

Building upon the success of our first two years,we are significantly expanding camp this year.We plan to have 725 campers this summer(40% more than last). In addition, we havescheduled 10 family weekends (compared to 5last year). We will serve 1,000 campers, siblingsand parents during these 10 family weekends.In addition to muscular dystrophy and all of theother medical conditions served last year, weare also serving four new medical groups in2006: spina bifida, arthritis, asthma and primaryimmunodeficiency disease.

Please join us in creating another successfulyear by supporting The Painted Turtle with yourcontributions and volunteer hours. Remember,you can help kids fly!

It's a dream come true to workas the Volunteer Coordinator.Since joining the program teamback in January, I've been able

to combine my love for camp and my passion forworking with children with my communication skillsin recruiting volunteers. The volunteers drawn tothis organization are the kindest, most graciouspeople I've ever met. They're a dedicated, phenomenal group with whom I've already becomegreat friends. I was introduced to The PaintedTurtle while working as the Program Director for agrassroots non-profit organization called the YoungStorytellers Program (YSP). During The PaintedTurtle's first two summers, I had the pleasure ofbringing 10 YSP volunteers to camp to run a mentoring program with some really creativecampers! It was a thrilling experience and the perfect introduction to what is sure to be an excitingnew chapter for me here. I attended school at UCDavis and graduated with a degree in communications and a minor in English. I grew upin Los Angeles and currently live in Brentwood. Ienjoy playing guitar, hiking, yoga, cooking anddancin' the cha-cha slide!

Camp is in my blood. I love everything about it. Myexperience with the family of Hole in the WallCamps began as a counselor at the camp inAshford, CT several summers ago. Now manyyears later, I am fortunate to be participating in thefirst year of the Newman's Own FellowshipProgram. It is sponsored and run by theAssociation of Hole in the Wall Camps with the purpose of providing opportunities to experienceand explore all aspects of the non-profit world. Thisfellowship has allowed me to shadow the CEO atBarretstown in Ireland, visit a fledging camp inHungary, work in Botswana on setting up a newprogram, and support the Association with development projects, camp services, and muchmore. Now, with my final placement of the fellowship at The Painted Turtle, I have the privilegeof working closely with Blake and Jessica, learningfirsthand about all the behind-the-scenes effort thatgoes into hiring the summer staff and building anexciting program for our campers.

I am grateful for this chance to gain insight into thesector, to further my involvement with the Hole inthe Wall Camps that I love, and to develop strong,well-rounded skills. I will leave it at the end ofAugust, well prepared for whatever comes next,carrying with me memories for a lifetime.

~ Nicole Lamontagne

NewmanNewman ’’’’s Own Fellows Own Fellow

2006 Summer Sc2006 Summer ScheduheduleleJune 17-22 —June 17-22 — Hemophilia Hemophilia

June 25-July 1 —June 25-July 1 — Kidney Kidney

July 5-1July 5-11 —1 — Crohn's & Colitis, Session 1Crohn's & Colitis, Session 1

July 14-20 —July 14-20 — Crohn's & Colitis, Session 2Crohn's & Colitis, Session 2

July 24-29 —July 24-29 — Liver TLiver Transplant ransplant

August 1-5 —August 1-5 — Muscular DystrophyMuscular Dystrophy

August 8-13 —August 8-13 — Little People of Little People of AmericaAmerica

August 16-20 —August 16-20 — DiabetesDiabetes

Lisa Goodfried,

Volunteer

Coordinator

Alicia Reid,

Camp Program

Associate

The Painted Turtle finds much inspiration in the efforts of organizations and community members throughoutCalifornia who take on our mission as if it were their own. We applaud and acknowledge the tireless commitment and generous spirit we found among some visitors to the camp this spring.

Employees from Home Depot join camp for the day during the CCFA spring familyweekend. Home Depot donated wood kits for special woodshop projects.

A convoy of corvettes from the Pomona Valley Corvette Association leaves camp aftervisiting the boating and fishing area, which their club has generously sponsored two yearsin a row!

Members of Division 38 Clubs of the Kiwanis California-Nevada-Hawaii Districtunveil an emergency medical transport vehicle, which their clubs donated to promotethe safety and well-being of campers.

The 3rd Annual Bingo atThe Roxy onTuesday,March16th,broughttogetherfriends ofThe PaintedTurtle onSunsetBoulevard foranother evening offun and celebration.The event’s hostess(Photos Left to Right)Ricki Lake was joined

by Mischa Barton, Jami

Gertz, Daryl Hannah andmany others committed toraising awareness andfunding for the camp’s upcoming programs.

The sold-out event was a wonderful success and provided plenty of memorable winning momentsas guests claimed prizes generously donated by local businesses. Martin Katzensured a spectacular grand prize as he againcontributed a pair of diamond earrings—we aregrateful for his third year of remarkable support.The Painted Turtle extends its special thanks toBingo’s host committee of Lisette Ackerberg, EveGerber, Simone Harrer, Sue Mazzoni, andCarolyn Powers.

For information on regional advisory board activities, please call Amanda Johnson

at 310-451-1353 ext.101

ThThee BBuull lleett iinn BBooaarrdd

The Laker Girls were bingo callers

As The Painted Turtle hurries toward its thirdanniversary of summer sessions, the staff continues to look beyond the summer months to all

the days of the year forprogram opportunities.The camp’s calendar for2006 will allow ThePainted Turtle to doublethe number of children

and family members who will be served throughweekend sessions. Hundreds of volunteers make up our “camp staff” for these programs—an opportunity to rely on the talents and generosity ofour community.

"It's hard to describe in words the magic spell ofcamp. It's a combination of the campers' boundlessenergy and joy, the parents' gratitude, and thestaff's tireless enthusiasm. We were exhausted butreally happy when we left. There is no substitutefor volunteering and being part of a session," saidPainted Turtle board member, Melanie Cook, afterrecently volunteering at a family weekend.

This spring our family programs served childrenwith arthritis, Crohn’s andcolitis, diabetes, livertransplants, and spina bifida. There will be more learning, laughing andrenewal for families next fall.

2006 F2006 Famiamilly Fy Faalll Scl ScheduheduleleSeptember 22-24 — Little PeopleSeptember 22-24 — Little People

October 6-8 — October 6-8 — AsthmaAsthma

October 20-22 — Crohn's & ColitisOctober 20-22 — Crohn's & Colitis

November 3-5 — KidneyNovember 3-5 — Kidney

November 10-12 — Immunodeficiency DiseaseNovember 10-12 — Immunodeficiency Disease