Today’s Program: Tuesday, April 8th - Jan Skopecek, Executive Director Rebuilding Together of NW Arkansas

Last Week’s Program:

President, Jonathan Moore, led the Club with singing “America” and saying the “Pledge of Allegiance”. Invocation by Pamela Cicioni. Charles Hudson led the singing with “Let’s Go Out to the Ballgame”.

Bruce Branch introduced J. Paul Batson, Ed.D., Mentor Coordinator for Camp War Eagle. Dr. Batson is also with the NWA Child Care Referral Inc.

Camp War Eagle is a regional camp that is a project of the Walton Foundation. Camp War Eagle is a Christian sports camp, founded on Christian principles, providing a wholesome, upbeat, Christian atmosphere for all of the campers. The camp addresses the needs of youth: fun, character and spiritual needs, and personal needs. It operates on a 3.5 to 1 ration of counselors to children. Attendees of the camp are between the ages of 7-17 from all over Arkansas. The camp is nestled on over 300 acres and surrounded on 3 sides by Beaver Lake. There are over 70 different activities in a variety of areas:

• Sports - baseball, basketball, cheerleading, fitness, football, gymnastics, inline skating, self defense, skateboarding, soccer, softball, stunting, tennis, track & field, tumbling, volleyball, weight training

• Adventure - Archery, bouldering, fishing, fly fishing, hiking, horseback riding, initiative games, mountain biking, nature study, outdoor skills, rappelling, riflery, rock climbing, ropes course

• Water - Blobbing, canoeing, kayaking, pedal boats, water skiing, wakeboarding, swimming instruction, tubing, water logs, water slides, water trampoline

• Creative Skills - Basketry, ceramics, crafts, derby cars, drill team, guitar, hip-hop, jazz dance, newspaper, photography, pottery, rocketry, sign language, step, twirling, wood working

They even have a tribal competition. Everyone is initiated into one of two tribes - the Caddo and the Osage. There is a tale of War Eagle Camp being located on the ancient battlegrounds of these two tribes. They have daily challenges and competitions to decide who is the winner.

Other programs include:

• Zone ministries (still in the development stages) - one of the most effective and helpful programs. It’s a year round follow up program with weekly meetings to address children’s needs.

• Tutoring program - available to any child with a C or below average and has attended the camp. Most children get this service free based on family income.

• Mentoring program - makes a big difference in children’s lives. Aimed at helping children make good decisions. Mentors are available to spend at least one hour a week with the child. Goals of the mentoring program is to Christ-like behavior in kids, build confidence, help develop talents and develop family and personal relationships.

Dr. Batson says that the program needs more mentors. They try to get the best mentors they can get for these children. Potential mentors go through an in-depth background check. If anyone is interested in becoming a mentor, please contact him at 479-426-3965 (he is only in the office on Wednesdays and Thursdays).

If anyone has any children coming to visit them for the summer (grandkids, nieces/nephews, etc.) they are eligible to attend the camp. Visit Camp War Eagle online at www.campwareagle.org or 14323 Camp War Eagle Road, Rogers, AR 72756 - 479-51-8899. Acceptance requires a fully completed application, signed and accompanied by the required camp deposit and that the child meets the criteria. Tuition fees at Camp War Eagle is based upon family household income with those campers living in lower income homes paying no tuition fees. About 80% of the campers come from families making $40,000 or less.

Announcements:

• Dick Trammel announced to the Club that we will not meet on Tuesday May 13th. We will have our meeting on Wednesday May 14th. Governor Mike Beebe will be the guest speaker. We will be meeting with four other area Rotary Clubs here at the Embassy Suites.

• Rick McLeod reminded members that the Tetrazzini dinner is April 17th. Tickets are in envelops at the sign in desk. He will bring them next week also.

• Deanne Witherspoon made a presentation for Maureen Cover-Bryan and the Rotary Foundation to Susan Jasan. Susan was presented with her 2+ Paul Harris Fellowship pin. Susan dedicated the Paul Harris Fellowship in honor of her mother.

• Hal reported that we have 132 members. He has plenty of application forms and we need to work on increasing membership in our Club. The back of the bulletin is being updated. Please review your information and send any changes to Hal by June 1st.

Visiting Rotarians and Guests:
Bruce Branch introduced the visiting Rotarians and Guests:

Wayne Calhoun, Bentonville Early Risers
Daniel Cruz, Bentonville Noon
Carin Schoppmeyer, Downtown Fayetteville
Don Pace, Bentonville Noon
Hoyt Perrill, Downtown Fayetteville

Andy Ballestra introduced Gene Renken
Hoyt Pery introduced his fiancé, Jacci Denney
Dick Trammel introduced Tim Nichols
Susan Jasan introduced Cinda Grelle
Bert Kell introduced Jeb Huckeby
Harold Madden introduced Erin Kiefer

Atta Boys/Girls:
No make ups to report

Chad’s Members in the News:
Chad was not at meeting today

Bob’s Student Guests:
Bob did not have any student guests today. He announced that he was looking for names, so if you have any students in mind, please let him know.

Future Programs:

Tuesday, April 29th - Robin Green will speak to us about The Cancer Challenge 2008.

The meeting ended with President Moore leading the Club with the Four-Way Test.