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Our Story

Property Loan Signing of Lions Camp Crescendo:
Howard Cook, Roy Willis, Bill Dawson, Cordie Willis, Eric Farris, Don Flannery, Ches Wheeler, Cecil Warner, Tom Darrah, Skip Zehnder and John Picklesimer

About Us

Since its purchase in March 1996, Lions Camp Crescendo has served the needs of deserving children throughout Kentucky.

Lions Camp Crescendo was founded with the idea to offer camps to children from a variety of backgrounds at no cost. Camp currently has four camps, each serving blind/visually impaired children, deaf/hard-of-hearing children, children in foster care or court-appointed kinship care, or children affected by HIV/AIDS. Dedicated volunteers fully staff these camps for two weeks. Lions Camp Crescendo aims to provide more underserved children the lifetime memories through a summer camp experience.

Our Mission

Our mission is the enhancement of the quality of life for youth, especially those with disabilities through the delivery of traditional camp experiences by caring individuals and to enable others to use our camping and retreat facilities to serve the larger communities humanitarian needs.

Crescendo Goals

To ensure that all blind and visually impaired and deaf and hard of hearing children in Kentucky have an opportunity to participate in the enriching experience and make lifetime memories of attending camp, regardless of the ability to pay.

To seek out other special population groups without services within the state and develop programs suitable to their needs.

To utilize Crescendo facilities to the fullest to minimize operational costs and debt to proceed at the fastest pace possible.

To continue the music education and development of youth through the enriching experience of the band camp training program.

To expand our services to other age groups within the vision and hearing impaired population, including the elderly.

To continue to offer affordable facilities to other nonprofit groups i.e., Churches, schools, youth groups and other organizations.

To develop programs for younger children to spark their interest in desirable activities.

Testimonials

  • Camper: 1 year

    Hi, I am 6 years old. This was my first year at camp and I love it! I never went canoeing before. It was amazing. Also, I never got to do archery. It was hard, but I did really well. I thought I was going to be scared, but I wasn't. It was really fun and I want to do it again. I wish it was longer, but I know I'll see my friends next year. I love making new friends, and this place was a perfect place to do it.

  • Camper: 5 years, Counselor: 8 years

    Lions Youth Camp has been apart of my life since I was just 9 years old. I was attending short course at KSB when I was invited. That year I had the most fun I had ever had away from home. I returned four more times as a camper and enjoyed every moment of those years. Camp for me was a chance to connect with friends and have fun away from my home where I was home schooled. I waited for camp all year long. The events were always enjoyable and each day was action packed. I loved the journey to camp and hated the journey home. But the largest impact camp has had on me is in my adult life. I, on the advice of the counselors at the time, became a counselor myself. The children have had such impacts on me and they have made me the person I am today. Watching them have fun is the highlight of my year. The greatest impact however is that I have joined the Lions Club myself. I want to make a difference in my community and be involved with the organization that makes Lions Youth Camp possible. And all of this because a Lion invited me to the camp one wintry evening. Thank you, thank you for being a part of my Life, Lions youth camp!!

  • Camper: 2 years, Counselor: 1 year

    Lions camp has helped me learn how to be a leader for my group as an older kid in the group when I was a camper. Lions Camp has helped me gain more social skills by meeting more people and becoming good friends. Lions Camp has helped a lot of my friends find their Deaf Identity since some of them has never been in a deaf world, as they are placed in hearing schools. Lions Camp is the best camp ever!!

  • Camper: 4 years

    Lions camp mean so much to me. I went there three or four times in past years. At there, I met new people who are my friends now. Many great staffs and campers you will meet! I enjoyed my time there. It's super fun, and there are many different activities to do during in camp. If there were no age restriction of 15, I'm going there forever. It's place where you meet your friends and same place you consider a second home. This camp gives deaf and blind children a opportunity to learn and enjoy themselves.

  • Camper: 4 years, Counselor: 2 years

    I have been with camp crescendo since I was 11 years old because of this camp I have came a long way. This camp has help me to realize that there are people out there who care, who believe in you, who want you do do well the staff is amazing always right by your side to help you Along the way we all have our own issue we have to face on a daily basis by coming to this camp I realized i could not only be a kid but leave my struggles behind for a week I could be the real me let loose I also got to be around others who are like me before this camp I never have came across anyone besides my own brother that has anirida when i came to camp I found other with the same eye condition it makes you feel good that your not the only one with this condition and you get to meet others who might not have to same thing but go through some of the same struggles you meet so many new people and make friends forever through this camp. this camp has helped in so many ways from my self confidence to believeing i can do anything and now that I am to old to be a camper i will be a counsoler until I can't anymore it's my turn to pay it forward and I hope I make a change in some kids lives

  • Camper: 4 years

    Hi I am nine years old I have been to crescendo since I was 5 I love coming to camp every year I love the people and the activities that we do because we dont get to do them at home very often I love that they put swim time in every day I love all the consoles and staff my favorite is always there funny kind amazing and he makes camp fun but so does everyone else I like meeting people like me because when u I walk around you area daily u don't usually see a person that blind this one we gives me a chance to be around others like me and see how we are all alike and different at the same time camp has changed my life for the better and it keeps getting better each year

  • Camper: 1 year

    Hi I am 6 years old this was my first year at camp I love it I never went canoeing before it was amazing also I never got to do archery it was hard but I did really well I thought I was going to bw scared but I wasn't it was really fun and I want to do it again I wish it was longer but I know I'll see my friends next year I love making new friends and this place was a perfect place to so do it

  • Camper: 6 years

    Hi I'm 13 years old I have been coming to camp since I was eight I'm a very shy person when I first started coming to camp I was nervous i would really only talk to my sister but everyone was so nice even the other campers I felt like I fitted in right away it was easy to make friends our days are jammed packed every day and I like it there is no time to be bored because we are always moving half of the stuff we do there I don't get to do at home very often so by coming I look forward to doing it this was my last year as a camper which made me sad but I know there are other ways to keep being involved next year I will start as a support staff and make my way up.

  • Camper: 2 years

    Lions Camp is a place where I can be myself. I'm able to communicate with other people using my own language, ASL. I always make new friends every time I go to Lions Camp. We are able to make new and fun memories that will last a lifetime because of Lions Camp. Having Lions Camp makes it possible for Deaf and Hard of Hearing kids to have the experience of going to summer camps just like other kids.

  • Camper: 2 years

    Hi I am 8 years old this is my second year as a camper when I first started camp I didn't know what to think about it I was scared at first but every one made sure that I was ok they helped me do activities and made sure that I was happy i love camp and enjoy it I look forward to it every year I make new friends every year and everyone treats everyone like family which is the best part my favorite saying from this week that I will remember forever is one unit one family no matter what we all come together as a whole we are one family no matter where we come from.

  • Camper: 1 year

    Hi I am 9 years old this was my first year at camp I thought it was amazing there is so much I learned from Camp yes on the daily basis my family does do fishing but for me to do canoeing and archery and air rifles it was fun I love meeting new people making new friends I was scared to be new people at first because everybody looks so different for me but when I starting meeting new people I realize they were much like me there's so much you can learn I love coming I plan on doing this for many more years to come.