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Dear Friends,
In June of 2005, our lives took an unexpected turn when I was diagnosed with colon cancer. My priorities became my family, my health and working toward a future. The love and support of friends and family and the excellent medical care I received pushed me to realize a life-long goal: to open Rustic Falls, a nature camp for under-served, special needs and cancer survivor children.
In 2006, we were fortunate to purchase an old dairy farm in Burlington, Wisconsin. Between chemo treatments and surgeries, our friends and family have helped us clear the land, create trails, and establish a base for the camp. The countless hours spent working on the property has transformed it into something truly amazing. With the help of volunteers and donations of all kinds, an 1850’s cobblestone house has been transformed into a beautiful facility that children will enjoy and remember. It is a place where families facing a cancer battle will be able to retreat for a bit and enjoy a beautiful setting to recharge and keep moving forward. Watch a short video of the building process here.
In October of 2010, our first group of children stayed at the camp. Six boys from Marillac Social Center were the first of many to benefit from your belief in this project. Since then, the camp has welcomed a class of children with autism, families battling cancer, and at-risk kids. The possibilities for the use of this unique facility are endless. We are excited to explore all the ways Rustic Falls Nature Camp can have a positive impact.
Rustic Falls Nature Camp is a place for kids to be kids. A place for kids to leave behind the pressures of everyday life, whether it be the grind of medical care or a neighborhood that has more than its share of violence. Each of the camp sessions is tailored to meet the special needs of the group, with an emphasis on connecting to nature.
The Frank Lentz Foundation-Rustic Falls Nature Camp has come a long way in a very short period of time. The renovation of the house and the grounds stands as a testament to the generosity of the human spirit. Many people have put a little bit of themselves in this project, from the classroom of kids who spread the woodchips on the trail to the volunteers who dug the holes for the waterfall. Each person who moved a rock, held a paint brush, hung a light or built a wall are all part the foundation of Rustic Falls Nature Camp. We are grateful to everyone and look forward to all the possibilities.
Sincerely,
Eric Lentz & Deanna Hallagan |
With your help, we've reached our goal to pay off the mortgage. The 1850s Cobblestone House and property is now owned by the Frank Lentz Foundation. In one year, you made it possible for the Foundation to raise $110,000 toward the balance of the mortgage. We would like to thank each and every one who believed in us and helped us reach our goal. We'd like to give a special thanks to Terry Schy for her belief in Rustic Falls Nature Camp and her faith in this project.