Camp Courageous would like to sincerely wish Kelly Garcia, Director of the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the very best of health and happiness in her future endeavors, after nearly six years of dedicated service to the people of Iowa. Kelly has been a dear friend of Camp Courageous, almost since her start.  We fondly remember on May 28^th, 2021, Camp Courageous was fortunate to host Director Garcia and staff, after someone from her office recommended a stop at Courageous, on her way back to Des Moines after a visit to Hills & Dales in Dubuque. With a large percentage of Camp Courageous campers utilizing services from the State of Iowa, it was an opportunity to show HHS what Camp Courageous offers individuals with disabilities. The visit to Camp Courageous was scheduled the Friday afternoon of Memorial Weekend, 2021. As schedules sometimes work, everything was running late, so their arrival at Camp wasn’t until 5ish PM. Director Garcia, and staff were so overwhelmingly impressed with Camp Courageous that they stayed long after their scheduled meeting and tour, even though it put them back in Des Moines near midnight on a holiday weekend…that kind of dedication is exceptional…and speaks volumes.

While at Camp Courageous, Director Garcia was texting Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds about what she was seeing and learning about Courageous. Garcia told Reynolds she needed to visit so she could personally see Camp Courageous. At one point she texted, “You need to check this place out… it is unbelievable.” Garcia went on to tell Reynolds that they needed to ride the Camp’s zipline together…

The later visit by the Governor, at the recommendation of Director Garcia, was the first time an Iowa Governor had officially visited Camp Courageous in over 50-years, since Governor Robert Ray officiated the dedication of the Camp July 6, 1974.  Upon arrival, Garcia and Reynolds were shown a camp presentation, given a tour, and were able to participate with campers in the camper’s Awards Ceremony. What a thrill it was to have the Governor of Iowa and the Director of HHS personally presented each camper their award during the end of the week ceremony.  Lots of singing, dancing, hugs, and tears…it was a heartwarming experience…

This surprise trip was all about introducing the governor to the Camp.  It was to be and ended up a very intimate view of the Camp…just the campers, the Governor, and the Director of HHS…and that is exactly what it was…genuine and heartwarming hugs…and a genuine sense of the wonderment that is Camp Courageous.  Reynolds and Garcia were rock stars…the campers loved getting their pictures taken and the warm and sincere hugs.

 Camp Courageous will be announcing a gift in the future that Kelly Garcia obtained from an anonymous donor, from out of state, that will honor Julie Beckett, from Dubuque…an originator of the waiver program that has allowed hundreds of thousands of disabled children to be cared for by their families at home. Her efforts, and those of others, led to the legislation and establishment of the Katie Beckett Medicaid waiver, named for her daughter Mary Katherine Beckett (1978–2012), who used a ventilator after surviving viral encephalitis in infancy.

Since Camp Courageous receives no government funding…Camp is not political…Camp is grateful for the goodness that exists in everyone…

-Charlie