Hiram House Resident Summer Camping & Day Camps

Horseback Riding Program Returns to Hiram House Soon!

A western horseback riding program will be re-introduced at Hiram House in 2003 at the camp’s newly-constructed Equestrian Center, which is set to open in the spring.

Riding will be available as part of the Summer Camp program and to area schools, community organizations and neighborhood centers. Watch for more details about the Dedication in the next issue of the newsletter.

Funding for the Equestrian Center was provided by the Billie Howland Steffee Family Fund, administered through The Cleveland Foundation.

For more information, please contact Hiram House at: (216) 831-5045.

“Antwone Fisher” Screenwriter Is Former Hiram House Camper

Movie Opens December 20:
Filmed on Location in Cleveland

The new film, “Antwone Fisher”, will make its regional premiere in Greater Cleveland this month and Hiram House will be among those

community organizations with special ties to the former camper, now turned celebrated Hollywood screenwriter.

Academy-award winning actor Denzel Washington makes his directing debut and stars in this moving story about the life and hardships of Cleveland native Antwone Fisher, played by talented young newcomer Derek Luke.

Antwone Quenton Fisher

Inspired by his life, Fisher wrote the screenplay for the film, followed by his best-selling memoirs ‘Finding Fish’. He fondly recalled his experiences at Hiram House School Camp with his 5th grade classmates from the Cleveland Schools and teacher, Brenda Profit. He plans to re-visit Hiram House Camp this winter as part of the film’s tour.

For more information, visit online at: www.foxsearchlight.com

Denzel Washington (l) and Derek Luke (r) star in the film“Antwone Fisher”

Fall is Busy Time at Camp!
When Summer Camp ends and the last hugs and goodbyes are finished, the action still doesn’t stop at camp.

The late summer and fall months have been a flurry of activity at Hiram House as many groups have visited us for School Camps, Youth Retreats, Reunions and other special events. The photo montage on this page represents a sampling of all the fun and education taking place at camp during that time.

St. Mary’s School of Religion Youth RetreatHundreds of children from St. Mary’s Parish in Hudson held their annual Camp Celebrate at Hiram House this summer (above). The two-week retreat is part of their religious education program which continues throughout the school year.

Reunion at Camp Honors Former Associate The family of longtime Hiram House associate Rose Savoca held a weekend-long family reunion for hundreds of her relatives from throughout the country to celebrate her 90th birthday this summer (below, seated, at right). Savoca oversaw extensive programming at Hiram House Camp for many years for the Cuyahoga County Department of Mental Retardation.

“Fresh Air Camp” Halloween
The “Fresh Air Camp” for ventilator dependent youth held a Halloween costume party reunion for campers and their families at Hiram House.

Mentor Schools
Camp Held
Some 1,000 students, teachers, staff and parent volunteers attended the annual Mentor Schools Camp held at Hiram House in September and October. Sixth graders from each of the district’s elementary schools use the program as part of their curriculum. They are shown studying in the Environmental Center.

Cleveland Option Schools Visit
Students, like the boy at left, learned to make a birdhouse and other outdoor educational lessons when the Carroll Cleveland Philosophers’ Program, a Cleveland Option School, visited the Hiram House School Camp this fall.

Summer Camp 2003 Registration Now Open
- New Horseback Riding Camp to be Offered -

Pioneer Boys posed with a Covered Wagon at Hiram House Summer Camp. Sign-ups are now open for camp next season.

Open registration for Summer Camp 2003 begins in December.

Summer Day, Junior Day and Resident (overnight) camp will be offered in June through August. One and two-week sessions are available.

Dates for the 2003 season are:

• Summer Day Camp - for boys and girls, ages 6 to 11 years - June 23 to August 1.

• Summer Junior Day Camp - for boys and girls, ages 5 and 6 years - June 23 to August 1.

• Summer Resident Camp - for boys and girls, ages 6 to 13 years - June 22 to August 1.

New this year will be an optional Horseback Riding Program (see cover article) open to Summer Campers.

There will also be a new one-week Summer Riding Day Camp, August 4 to August 8, for kids ages 6 to 11.

Summer Camp information meeting will be held on January 21 at 7 p.m. (Day & Jr. Day Camp only) and at 2 p.m. March 30 (Resident Camp only) for campers and their families. For more information, please call (216) 831-5045 or contact us at info@hiramhousecamp.org

Registration is on a first come basis, so please sign up early for the best selection. Makes a great holiday gift for your favorite campers!

Pumpkin Festival was a Great Success!

Beautiful fall weather and autumn colors were the perfect backdrop to a near perfect Pumpkin Festival 2002.

Over 2,500 children and families enjoyed this year’s festivities, raising some $25,000. All proceeds from the event will once again benefit the annual “Campership Fund” which helps to send disadvantaged youth to Summer Camp. Our sincere thanks to all who attended.

Hundreds of volunteers, donors, and sponsors make this wonderful event possible each year and we are most grateful for their generous support! .

Kids’ Coloring Contest Winner Kathryn Petrochic, 7, of Euclid (above) cuddles with her 1st prize Teddy Bear. Susan Blashka of Solon was the winner of the 50/50 cash raffle at the Hiram House Pumpkin Festival.

Hiram College “Alumni Volunteer Day” Helps Pumpkin Festival

Dozens of Hiram College Alumni, Students, Staff, and their children volunteered their time this October to set up the fantastically spooky “Haunted Hay Maze” and to help us prepare for the Pumpkin Festival this year. The event was one of several sponsored by the college throughout Northeast Ohio to promote community service. Plans are to expand the program to other cities around the country next year.

Shuttle Services by Orange Schools

Our sincere thanks to Orange Schools and its bus drivers who provide transportation services to and from the Pumpkin Festival and parking areas at the schools each year. Drivers were: Dennis Nowakowski, Shannon Gross, Tina Marason, Chris Brankatelli, Vince Terrano, Ted Lange, Nancy Belle Gordon, and Robert Gordon as a greeter.