Scholarship Camp Roy-El Endowment

Camp Roy-El Reunion!
Sunday – August 15, 2010
Twin Lakes – 9800 N. Long Lake Rd. Traverse City, MI
1 – 5 p.m.

Click Here for Additional Details!

Fund History
Camp Roy-El was established in 1952 by Roy and Ellen Brigman primarily to provide a camping experience for the many youngsters who had just gone through a polio epidemic and who had limitations in what they could do. Twelve of these kids, with two who had cerebral palsy and one who had a heart defect, camped in tents at the Hickory Hills ski area and cooked all of their meals on open fires.

They were assisted by Mrs. Brigman's 15 senior Girl Scouts and three other adults. Two of these and two of the original campers were still associated with Camp Roy-El as were the Brigmans in 1991. In 1954 they moved to the Twin Lakes Residential Camp, which they continued to rent, so that the Handicampers might enjoy swimming. Activities ranged from crafts to archery and riflery, excursions, to evening activities including camp fires, carnivals and visits from special people. In the first year they had a boat trip on Grand Traverse Bay and went fishing in Oleson's Trout Ponds. They fished every year until 1989 and continued to enjoy the boat trip, through the fortieth summer.

Camp Roy-El was manned entirely by volunteers -- both adults and the high school group known as the Teenaiders. The adults ranged from college students to retirees and physicians, nurses, and educators. The Teenaiders had always been known as the "backbone of the camp" because they were constantly with the campers and helped them in every way possible, including feeding, pushing wheelchairs, putting on braces, helping them with games, and swimming.

Campers paid no fees and no fund raising drives were ever held. Camp Roy-El was supported entirely by voluntary donations. The entire Traverse City area was involved in activities, planning, funding and the welfare of the Camp Roy-El Handicampers.

In the 40 years, hundreds of campers and Teenaiders worked and played together with the help of countless staff members. Camp Roy- El closed following the summer session of 1991, as its original aims and purposes had been met.

Today, the spirit of Camp Roy-El lives on in the activities of the Camp Roy-El Fund. The Camp Committee established the fund with the Community Foundation in 1992, as a permanent tribute to the many campers and volunteers it helped during its 40 years. Camp Roy-El is a scholarship fund for individuals pursuing a career in a specialized area dedicated to helping the children, and others like them, that enjoyed the forty years at Camp Roy-El.

While repayment is not required, it is hoped that in future years recipients will consider contributing to the Camp Roy-El Fund in order to perpetuate and expand the number of scholarships that may be given.

Scholarship Requirements:

• Must maintain a 2.5 grade point average.
• Available to juniors and seniors (full or part-time students) completing undergraduate degrees at Michigan colleges and universities.
• Student must be working toward careers which involve persons with disabilities. Possible fields may include allied health, nursing, medicine, occupational therapy and physical therapy or students in social work and special education.

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