This month, ACA is proud to recognize Jon Salmon and Camp True Friends for our volunteer spotlight.
Jon started his career in camping in 1999 as a summer staff member. He is originally from England and was accepted into a summer staff position at Camp Friendship through the CCUSA. Since then he has definitely caught the camp bug and has gone on to work at Camp
Courage, Camp Courage North, Camp Eden Wood, all operating under the Camp True Friends umbrella. Jon started working full time in camping in 2008 at Camp True Friends, and is currently their Director of Programs.
Camp True Friends was established in 1955, and was created to serve individuals with physical disabilities, allowing children with physical disabilities to experience all camp had to offer in an accessible environment. Camp True Friends is made up of several camp locations found all around Minnesota. They have locations in Maple Lake, Annandale, Eden Prairie and Lake George Minnesota. Their programs include camp, respite, retreats, team building, therapy and adaptive riding, and travel. They serve over 25,000 individuals every year.
Jon has had many great mentors throughout his camping career but the one that sticks with him the most is Laurie “Chet” Tschetter. She worked at Camp True Friends for many years before Jon, and took him under wing. Jon says the guidance and support that she gave over so many years (and even now, on occasion) has been an incredible influence on his life. He says “I am so appreciative for the confidence she has shown in me.”
Jon is not only prolific in camping but also within the ACA! He has held different volunteer positions within the ACA. Jon has been an ACA visitor for several years and helped different camps become ACA accredited. He also continues to serve on the membership committee, and has held the Membership Committee Chair position in the past. He is no stranger to volunteering outside of the ACA too! He served on the board of his local theatre for 12 years, and is the president of his home city’s baseball association board, where his sons played during their youth.
When asked why Jon felt so passionate about camping, he said “The camp experience is such a great one to provide variety and a feeling of rewarding work throughout. Volunteering has helped me to be able to expand horizons more and learn, while also serving in some capacity.” Jon’s favorite part of volunteering with ACA are the ACA visits to other sites and camps. He enjoys getting to see how others interpret things, run programs, and how their interactions with campers and staff have such a positive impact in the futures of those they connect with.
Jon had this to say at the end of the interview, when asked what he was most proud of in his camping career, “I am proud to have been part of both my own organization and ACA for so many years and look forward to continuing my involvement with both. I hope that I had been able to be a part of creating some life changing experiences for those I have worked alongside and that people I encounter will feel good about the times we have shared.”