Camp Courageous Perpetual Fund:  https://campcourageous.org/perpetual-fund/

Some visits to Camp Courageous feel especially meaningful — the kind that remind us why this mission exists and why its future matters so deeply.

Recently, Twila Griffith and Doug Daubenberger stopped by the Camp during a Tuesday morning drive from Dubuque. Both carry with them the memories of wonderful spouses, and both share a heartfelt connection to the values that have shaped Camp Courageous for decades. Doug grew up in Quasqueton, living near the late former board member Phil Short and family, while Twila brings strong Dubuque roots — and a story that connects directly to the spirit of education, inspiration, and stewardship that defines the Camp today.

Twila’s husband, Daryl Griffith, was my high school Earth Science teacher — a man far ahead of his time. When Earth Day was just beginning in 1970, Mr. Griffith was already teaching students to care for the planet, to think long-term, and to understand that small actions can grow into lasting change. I told Twila that while I may not have been an “A” student, the lessons he taught shaped my life in ways I never could have imagined.

Because of that inspiration, Camp Courageous now has solar panels that save more than $120,000 every year — resources that go directly back into serving campers with special needs. Thousands of trees have been planted from seedlings, growing year after year alongside the Camp itself — about 250 annually at Camp. Long before recycling and composting became mainstream, Mr. Griffith was already planting those ideas in young minds.

The Griffith family has long supported Camp Courageous, especially the Perpetual Fund, believing in a future where the Camp continues to thrive for generations. Doug shared that he had heard about Camp Courageous through Tait Cummins and WMT, yet seeing it in person exceeded anything he imagined. Their visit reminded us that the Camp’s greatest strength is the community of people whose lives and stories are woven into its mission.

Both the Griffiths and the Beckers share a common hope — that Camp Courageous will continue touching the lives of thousands of campers with special needs long after we are gone. The Camp Courageous Perpetual Fund exists to make that hope a reality. It ensures that the doors remain open, the laughter continues, and future generations experience the same joy, independence, and belonging that have defined Camp Courageous since the beginning.

By supporting the Camp Courageous Perpetual Fund, you are not just giving for today — you are creating a legacy that will continue to change lives far into the future.

To learn more about the Camp Courageous Perpetual Fund, visit:
https://campcourageous.org/perpetual-fund/

You may also contact Charlie Becker at cbecker@campcourageous.org, call 319-975-6425, or write to:

Charlie Becker
Camp Courageous
12007 190th St, PO Box 1
Monticello, IA 52310-0001

Mr. Daryl Griffith