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2315 Harmon Lake Road
Mayville, MI 48744
Tel (989) 673-2050
Fax (989) 673-6355
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 Get Involved With The Fowler Center
Getting involved with The Fowler Center creates a positive, lasting and vital growing experience for our campers and all those who work with us. There are many ways to get involved. Scroll down or click on any of the sections listed below to find out more information.
 Board of Directors
Employment
Volunteers
Donors
Fundraising Opportunities
Alternative Weekend and Alternative Spring Break Groups
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 Board of Directors |
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The Board of Directors is made up of 17 volunteer members who donate their time to the development and support of The Fowler Center and its programs
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Chairman and Founder
John S. Fowler
Emeritus Board
James C. Bacheldor
Patricia M. Beall
Charles A. Blackman, PhD. C.
Richard Johns
Kenneth McNally
John E. Mellen
Ronald L. Phillips, J.D.
Louise Tewalt
Executive Director
Thomas P. Hussmann
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Board of Directors
Devin Adams
Loretta R. Biskup, R.N.
Colleen G. Brayton
Jeff Brayton
Mabel C. Higgs
Paul Hoke
Jerry Leismer
Martie Lynch
David Nauman
Sue Padalino
Thomas Pascoe
C. Kenneith Perry, Jr., J.D.
Sally Peters R.N.
Pat Shafer
Thomas D. Styf
Mark Weber
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| Employment |
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The Fowler Center staff are friends and family to our campers as well as professional caregivers and group leaders.
From the applications recieved each year, staff are carefully selected on the basis of desire, abilities, experience and intelligence/common sense. |
Recruiting: The Fowler Center recruits summer or year-round staff from colleges and universities around the country where many staff are studying special education or education, therapeutic recreation, or related fields. The Center also utilizes international exchange programs to bring summer staff from other countries, adding a dynamic world flavor to camp. The Fowler Center is a year-round facility with full-time summer employment and volunteer opportunities, as well as part time spring, fall and winter employment and volunteer opportunities. Many staff members have gone on from The Fowler Center to pursue professions in some of the following fields: education, social work, occupational, physical and recreational therapy, special education, nursing and medicine, psychology, and other related human service professions.
Training: Throughout the history of The Fowler Center, pre-camp and in-service staff trainings have been given high priority. Campers receive appropriate programming and care from our trained staff with the goal of maintaining a healthy record and enjoying a satisfying camping experience. Staff are trained in performing direct care for campers, are taught the policies and procedures of The Fowler Center, and receive CPR and First Aid training. Many staff also bring other trainings and experiences to The Fowler Center that they share with both campers and fellow staff members.
Internships: It is possible to gain college credit or fieldwork hours from work experience at camp. Internships at The Fowler Center can also be set up in several different fields including therapeutic recreation, outdoor education, and parks and recreation management. Contact the camp office or your academic advisor for details.
Night Staff: In addition to day time supervision, campers and guardians have always enjoyed the security and comfort in knowing that four counselors sleep in the same cabin as campers. Counselors are available around the clock to monitor and comfort special needs. During summer sessions there is also a regular rotation of two awake night staff who do hourly rounds and bed checks to further the safety and security of each camper.
Photos: Click to see past summer staff photos.
Year Round Employment Opportunitites
The Fowler Center hires part-time staff year-round to work weekend respites. Respite weekends provide adult and youth campers with disabilities a chance to be at camp for a weekend, and provide their caregivers with a weekend of respite. Training is provided to staff during the first weekend respite worked, as well as during future respites. Pay for respites begins at $50 for the training weekend, then starts a graduated pay rate based on weekends worked (beginning at $120 and reaching a plateau at $180). Weekend respites begin at 5PM for staff on Friday evenings and end around 2PM on Sundays. Meals are provided during the respite and staff sleep in the camper cabins. Respites provide a great opportunity for staff to act as both counselor and programmer by facilitating activities and sharing their talents with campers. We have respite staff who regularly come from around the state of Michigan and beyond to spend time with our campers providing them with a quality weekend of camp activities. Scroll down for information on how to apply.
| Year Round Positions |
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Weekend Respite Counselor |
> details |
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Weekend Respite Health Officer |
> details |
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Summer Employment Opportunitites
The Fowler Center hires full-time summer staff to work at our residential summer camp for adults and youth with disabilities. The summer season unofficially kicks off in May with two spring camps and Camp Barefoot, then staff orientation officially starts off the summer season in June. We offer nine weeks of separate summer sessions to campers ages 6 through adulthood. While the days are hard and the hours long, working at The Fowler Center is a chance to provide campers with an experience unlike most of the rest of their year. Their smiles and enjoyment of camp at the end of the day say it all. Campers start looking forward to their next time at camp as soon as they leave us, and talk about their time here throughout the year. Many staff expand upon their experiences here to go on to pursue related career in the human services field.
Summer staff are either hired as staff counselors or programmers depending on their experience, interests, and abilities. After orientation staff begin each session at 11AM on Sundays and end by 4PM on Fridays. Exceptions are the two two-week session in July when staff work Sunday through the following Friday, with time off in between. Staff apply to join the Fowler Center family from around the United States as well as world-wide. Past staff have traveled from Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Germany, England, Poland, Zambia, China, Ireland, Scotland, Denmark, California, Massachusetts, Maryland, Iowa, Indiana, New York, New Hampshire, Texas, Arizona, Connecticut, and of course many places in Michigan!
| Summer Camp Sessions 2007 |
| June 6 -8 |
Leadership Staff Training |
| June 9-15 |
Staff Orientation |
| June 17 |
Campers Arrive |
| August 15 |
End Of Summer Session |
| August 16 |
Group Events Season |
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Compensation
Staff and volunteers receive room, board, and accident insurance. Paid Staff receive a salary based on work experience, position and education. Staff also receive scheduled time off, both between sessions and during each session |
| 2007 Salary Schedule / Summer |
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Base Salary For First Year Staff |
$ 2,000 |
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Bonus For Each Summer Of Experience |
$300 |
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Lead Counselor Additional |
$200 |
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4-Year College Degree Additional |
$200 |
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Professional Certificates |
$50/Certificate*
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| *includes: Lifeguarding, WSI, EMT, WFR, Equestrian |
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If you are interested in pursuing employment with the Fowler Center, please contact us through one of the following channels.
Be sure to include the position you are interested in and your contact information.
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Call us at: (989) 673-2050 to request an application.
Email your resume and cover letter to: camp@thefowlercenter.org
Print our Employment Application and Background Authorization Form or for Health Officers, our Health Officer Employment Application and Background Authorization Form and fax to: (989) 673-6355.
You may also mail the completed application to:
The Fowler Center
2315 Harmon Lake Road
Mayville, MI 48744
(989) 673-2050
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Volunteer Opportunities
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Many individuals aged 16 or higher have taken the opportunity to volunteer at The Fowler Center. Some have helped with fundraising events or have come with an Alternative Weekend or Alternative Spring Break group, but many come on their own to spend time with our campers. If you have limited time but are looking for a way to get involved with The Fowler Center, volunteering may work better with your schedule. Volunteers provide a source of energy that infuses camp with new ideas, and provide extra attention campers really appreciate. We prefer for volunteers to be around for the length of the respite or session, but we may be able to work with your schedule. If you are only available for a few days or a weekend then we suggest volunteering for a respite. If your time is available during the summer or weekdays we usually ask volunteers to be around for the length of the week or two week summer session. This provides the best experience for campers as they adjust to camp and all of its excitement, new friends, and activities. Volunteers are expected to be with campers from breakfast through evening program, as your schedule or ability allows, with breaks in between. If you have a particular talent or program area you are skilled in we may be able to use your help in that area depending on the session and circumstances. Volunteers are expected to help out with campers or a program area throughout the day, and are not allowed to help out with any direct care such as helping a camper get dressed, take a shower, go to the bathroom, etc. Some of our staff have started out as volunteers and enjoyed their experiences with campers so much they have gone on to become regular staff members. Volunteering at The Fowler Center provides a great opportunity to see what we are all about, and to meet some of our wonderful campers |
Currently, The Fowler Center needs:
Energetic volunteers to spend a few hours, a few weeks and even a whole summer with campers to provide them with the best camp experience possible.
Compensation: Volunteers receive room, board, and accident insurance for the duration of the session. Volunteers also receive scheduled time off, both between sessions and during each session. All this and plenty of smiles add up to an invaluable work experience.
How To Apply: If you are interested in volunteering at The Fowler Center, please contact us through one of the following channels.
Description: For a Volunteer Job Description please print our description or contact us.
Email us at: programs@thefowlercenter.org
Call us at: (989) 673-2050
Print our Volunteer Application and Background Authorizations form and fax to:
(989) 673-6355.
You may also mail the completed application to:
The Fowler Center
2315 Harmon Lake Road
Mayville, MI 48744
(989) 673-2050
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| Donors |
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Your contributions make it possible for a unique group of people to learn and grow in a way that would not be possible anywhere else. Thank you for your continued support.
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Why Should I Contribute to The Fowler Center? |
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A gift to The Fowler Center is an investment in the future of persons with disabilities. It is a promise that their future can be brighter, and that they may receive experiences that will enhance their lives and will allow them to grow toward greater independence and happiness. Many people have donated their time or equipment and materials, for which we are very grateful. Because The Fowler Center is an independent non-profit organization not funded by any agency it is monetary donations which help to keep The Fowler Center running and offering campers the experiences at camp they so look forward to. Sometimes one camper’s enjoyment of his/her time at camp is reason enough for someone to donate to The Fowler Center. There are many reasons to support us. Whether you are interested in an individual or corporate contribution, here are some reasons to help: |
- The Fowler Center is one of the premier centers of its kind in the mid-western United States
- It provides services to persons with disabilities that are continually and urgently needed but which cannot be found easily.
- It contributes to greater social well-being through its emphasis on personal achievement and self-esteem and through providing a caring, safe environment where learning can take place.
- By giving to The Fowler Center, you become part of the tradition of people working together to overcome obstacles and barriers; people who dream, and then do; people who have a vision and strive; people who love and care.
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Corporate or Individual Contributions
The Fowler Center is an independent non-profit organization. Programs are supported by generous donations from caring individuals, foundations, corporations and service groups. Gifts of all sizes are welcome. |
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To contribute to the Fowler Center, call us at (989) 673-2050, email us at info@thefowlercenter.org.
The Fowler Center is a 501 (c) (3) Organization. Contributions are deductible to the full extent provided by law. |
Capital Campaign
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"Together... WE CAN" is the core value that has made it possible for The Fowler Center to grow from 9 boys on a hillside in 1957 near Brighton, Michigan, to one of the premier camping facilities in the Midwest serving over 3,000 persons with disabilities each year.
With the increasing demand for space and the maintenance of quality programs, the Board of Directors of The Fowler Center has determined that we must undertake an extensive capital project of renovation and new construction. |
A plan has been created to address the needs of indoor activity space and program development, including:
- renovated dining hall and kitchen
- multi-purpose activity building with indoor swimming pool
- indoor riding arena
- new trails
- activity shelters
- new cabins
With your help on the Capital Campaign, we are about to embark on a project that will greatly enhance both our capacity to serve and the quality of the experience we provide. Together, we will achieve yet another milestone in a long and illuminating history.
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Recognizing Your Support
Donations to the Fowler Center have created experiences for children and adults with special needs. We would like to recognize more than 600 individuals, businesses, service organizations and foundations that have supported starting in 2004.
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Fundraising Opportunities
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Come Support A Michigan Camping Tradition For Children, Teens & Adults With Disabilities. |
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You can get involved in many ways with one of our annual fundraising events:
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The Fowler Center's Annual Dinner
September 21, 2007
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All proceeds benefit The Fowler Center.
Click here for more details. |
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The Fowler Center Fall Fling
October 28, 2007
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All proceeds benefit The Fowler Center.
Click here for more details. |
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Ice Fishing Contest
February 9, 2008
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All proceeds benefit The Fowler Center.
Click here for more details. |
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Alternative Weekend and Alternative Spring Break Groups
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The Fowler Center has had the pleasure of hosting different groups of volunteers from schools around Michigan and around the country. These volunteer groups either come for a weekend or for a spring break, and spend their time with campers or working on projects that will benefit campers. We have had Alternative Weekend groups visit from the University of Michigan, Central Michigan University, Wayne State University, and Grand Valley State University. Groups from as far away as George Washington University, Virginia Commonwealth University, Colorado State University, and Northwestern University in Illinois have participated in Alternative Spring Break programs at The Fowler Center. If you're interested in participating in Alternative Weekends or an Alternative Spring Break, please contact us at: programs@thefowlercenter.org or (989) 673-2050.
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Alternative Weekends
Alternative Weekends provide college and university students a chance to spend time with campers during the school year. These volunteer groups come during respite weekends to get to know our campers, help out with activities and evening programs, and provide programs with extra energy. Some Alternative Weekend groups develop great relationships with The Fowler Center, such as the University of Michigan group, which has been coming to respite weekends for seven years. Typically Alternative Weekend groups bring five to ten students to the weekend respite. The Fowler Center provides the group with meals and lodging during the respite. Contact us for more information if you are interested in starting up an Alternative Weekends program with us!
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Alternative Spring Break
Alternative Spring Break (ASB) groups come to The Fowler Center through the national volunteer organization that is active at many universities. The organization provides students with community service projects during their breaks from school. Alternative Spring Break groups usually bring 10 to 15 students to The Fowler Center for a week. The Fowler Center acts as an ASB site focused on helping individuals with disabilities. ASB students participate in projects that help to provide campers with a quality experience at camp. In the past these volunteers have helped in areas such as: building challenge course low elements, creating and naming trail signs for the property, painting cabins, building tack rooms at the horse ranch, repairing the small animals area, taking inventory of materials, and planning programs for campers. Depending on schedules, several groups have also been able to be a part of a weekend respite or two on either end of their break week, giving them a chance to meet some of the campers they have benefited. The Fowler Center can provide lodging and often meals to Alternative Spring Break groups. Contact us for more information if you are interested in visiting The Fowler Center for your Alternative Spring Break site! |
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