Since 1987, the local T.T.T. FZ group has sent two young, local girls to camp. This year, the two girls who have been chosen by the chapter to attend the Y-Camp in Boone are Aubrey Valdez and Maddy Hamilton.
“The camp is an experience in leadership for the girls,” said local T.T.T. camp chairperson Stephanie Snell.
About T.T.T.
T.T.T. is a national organization that was founded in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa in 1911, with the goal of providing a positive summer camp experience for young girls. The three T’s stand for time, talent, and treasure. There are chapters across 10 states, including Washington D.C., and 3,000 members nationwide. There are two chapters in Osceola.
The nonprofit, philanthropic organization is comprised of women who donate their time and efforts to send young girls to camp who might not otherwise have a chance to go. The goal of the camping experience is to provide an educational experience as well as life experiences in being away from home to gain independence and make new friends. Smaller chapters, such as the one in Osceola, send two girls per year. Larger chapters may send up to 20. On average across all chapters, 410 to 450 girls are sent to camp.
The local chapter was started in 1980, and Marcia Lange and Diane Obgourne remain as two original members who are still active. The chapter currently has 27 active members plus a few inactive ones.
Camp
The Y-Camp will take place in August 7-13. According to the Y’s website, the week away from home is “an opportunity to grow…Instead of designing and constructing a beautiful new home or a skyscraper to tower above the city, we are building confident, caring, independent young people.”
Some fun activities at camp that the girls will get to participate in are canoeing, zip lining, crafts, and horseback riding. The Y-Camp says that “campers are strengthened by the sense of confidence gained by learning new skills and making choices throughout their time at camp, all of which allow them to learn more about themselves.”
Everyone is eligible to open enroll up for the camp, but there is a special section set aside for Tri-T chapters to send girls. In Osceola, four girls are nominated in the fourth grade by the teachers. Of those four, the chapter selects two.
The chapter meets nine times throughout the year with the goal of raising money to help send the girls to camp, and they provide all the necessary supplies that the girls might need while away from home. In June, a “camp shower” was held for Aubrey and Maddy, and they received such supplies including toiletries, sunglasses, a flashlight, bug spray and more.
Fundraising endeavors for the chapter to help with camp costs include Rada Sales, Happy Dollars, and an in-chapter silent auction.