A FIELD TRIP TO THE PAINTED TURTLE

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After the meeting, on Saturday, May 21, 2005, members of the Leona Valley Sertoma took a tour of the Painted Turtle Camp in Lake Hughes, California.  It was a beautiful sunny day for a stroll across the campus. 

Sertoma Group on Painted Turtle Well Shell Deck
 Overlooking the lake from the deck outside the Well Shell.


             Our guide for this tour was Deb Glazer, Foundation Manager for the Painted Turtle. She relates how important the golf carts we donated to the camp are to the success of the summer programs.  During the summer when camp is in session cars are not allowed into the campground
and the golf carts are the primary means of transportation for everything around the camp.

            For those who might not be familiar with the Painted Turtle let us bring you up to speed. The Painted Turtle is a member of the Association of Hole in the Wall Camps, and the sixth addition to Paul Newman's Hole in the Wall Camps for seriously ill children. The camp seeks to offer these children an authentic camp experience and an opportunity to just be a kid for a week.

Painted Turtle Gym
The gym is the place for all types of activities, even basketball.
 

Painted Turtle Bunkhouse
The campers' bedroom with beautiful quilts and turtle pillows.

  
Land was purchased in Lake Hughes, CA in 1999, and on April 12, 2002, the groundbreaking and construction began.  In May 2004, The Painted Turtle held its dedication and on June 22, 2004, the first campers arrived at the Painted Turtle.

                        The campground is truly a beautiful facility and its mission a worthy one. The Leona Valley Sertoma is happy that it could contribute to the success of this extraordinary place and each and every member is
to be congratulated for their efforts in making our gift a reality.

            To learn more about The Painted Turtle and how you can help, visit their website at:  www.thepaintedturtle.org.

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