MEDIA ROOM

Giraffe Award Winner: Karin Beal of Rogers Memorial Hospital
Special Honor at WCCF 125th Celebration for Innovation in Health Care
January 18, 2007

Madison- As the Wisconsin Council on Children and Families (WCCF) celebrates its 125th year at Monona Terrace in Madison on January 24th, it will honor Karin Beal of Rogers Memorial Hospital for working with families and creating "Challenge Camp" for children with ADHD, emotional or behavioral disorders and their siblings.

"We honor the best in the state that have gone above and beyond for kids in Wisconsin, those that have really 'stuck their necks out' with our Giraffe Awards. Because this is our 125th year and such a celebratory event, these awards are truly special and Karin is a very deserving recipient," said Charity Eleson, WCCF executive director.

Summer camp is often not a possible experience for kids with ADHD, or behavioral or emotional disorders so Karin worked with families and Rogers Memorial to create a summer camp on the hospital’s Oconomowoc lakefront campus to meet the needs of children who cannot go to other summer camps. Challenge Camp helps children ages 5 to 17 build self esteem, social skills and a sense of personal responsibility.

The recent addition of a Sibling Challenge Camp and a Counselor program for older returning campers means the Challenge camp is truly an affair for the full family and a unique opportunity for peer development. Karin’s willingness to create a family responsive program for exceptional children deserves recognition.

Started in 1881 as an outgrowth of the State Board of Charities created by Governor Lucius Fairchild, the Wisconsin Council on Children and Families is celebrating 125 years raising voices to make every kid count. More information on WCCF and the 125th event at www.wccf.org

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