Dan Reynolds Executive Director Akron Rotary Camp for
Children with Special Needs
Dan Reynolds started his YMCA career as a camp counselor at Rotary Camp in 1995. In 1999 he became the director at Akron Rotary Camp. Under his leadership camp has grown from serving 200 campers each summer to over 1800 throughout the year. In addition to program growth, Akron Rotary Camp has completed over $5million in capital improvements over the past eight years. In 2014 Dan’s leadership role expanded to provide leadership to the Camp Y-Noah team. Today, Dan’s current title is District Executive Director working with Rotary Camp and Camp Y-Noah and the branch day camps. He earned a bachelor's degree in Therapeutic Recreation from Slippery Rock University. He is a member of the American Camp Association (ACA), served on their National Standards Commission for seven years and is the current co-chair of the Standards Committee for ACA, Ohio. Dan also serves on the YMCA of the USA Overnight Camping Cabinet. He is an Akron Rotarian, previously serving as a board member for the club. Dan is a board member of the Summit County Humane Society and also volunteers on the facilities committee for the Girl Scouts of Northeast Ohio. Dan has been married to Wendy for 18 years and is the proud father of Christopher, 15, and Kaylee, 12.
Camp Director, Dan Reynolds, may be reached at 330-644-4512 or email danr@akronymca.org.
The purpose of Rotary Cares is to show our support for Akron Rotary members and their families when dealing with the loss of a loved one, the hardship of illness and also to celebrate the joy of a new baby, job, marriage or other events in their lives. Please be sure to email me (click here) with any news you would like placed here. Note that information is posted only with permission of the individual(s).
Terry Dalton
Terry had to undergo some foot surgery this week and is at home recovering. He will be in a boot for 2-6 weeks. He shared that his youngest dog loves to sit on his lap and his oldest one is always by his side - so we hope they are helping keep him company during his recovery! Thoughts and prayers are with him during this time.
The Maddox family
We recently shared information about the loss of Reverend Kenneth Elliot Maddox, brother of GinaKaye Maddox. There is now a link where the information for the arrangements will be posted: https://sommervillefuneralservice.com/obituaries/rev-kenneth-elliot-maddox/ GinaKaye has requested that in lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his name to the Rotary Camp.
Well, since we can't be social in person yet, how about a fun way to be active and social in tandem with your fellow Rotarians?
Here is a fun idea I came up with as your Social Chair to participate in the Summit County Metro Parks Fall Hiking Spree together but apart.
As Julie Brandle, our Assistant District Governor shared, The Rotary Foundation Trustees and Rotary International Board of Directors have both unanimously approved adding a new area of focus: supporting the environment. This seems like an opportune time to get out there and reconnect with our local environment, Maybe a project that supports this focus will come to mind as you are enjoying our park system.
This years theme for the Fall Hiking Spree is From Fields to Forest. This year, the Fall Hiking Spree celebrates the rich history of the properties they proudly manage for our enjoyment and their successful return to nature. Take a journey on this year’s spree and explore the former farms and fields that are now forests.
As you hit the trails, snap a picture on your trail of choice, pre hike, while on the hike or post hike and send to me, You can email me, text me or post to Facebook, Instagram or Twitter using the hashtag #AkronRotaryHikes
Each week I'll collect the photos and post to our Rotary Club of Akron FB Page and our Akrotarian to see your fellow Rotarians out taking advantage of our amazing park system.
Please remember that if you choose to hike with fellow Rotarians while distancing, please keep your distance in your photo! I will not be featuring photos that don't follow social distancing guidelines.
Anyone who finishes the whole spree, and sends me a copy of their completed form will be entered into a drawing for a Fall Basket of goodies!
Dr. Matthew Deevers is the Executive Director of Summit Education Initiative, where he previously held the role of Senior Research Associate. Before joining SEI, he was a public school teacher and administrator.
SEI’s mission is to improve personal and regional prosperity through increased educational attainment. Education provides a clear path to future success, career opportunities and promotes vibrant and resilient communities. The SEI sees their role as providing support and enhance existing systems. Mr. Deevers commented that part of SEI’s mission is to ensure students have the degree and skills needed to have the life they desire and dream of. The proper education allows for greater pathways for the future.
To help Summit County realize their vision and act upon its mission, Summit Education Initiative:
Articulates the major educational challenges facing Summit county and
Tracks the progress being made to address those challenges by conducting research and publicizing relevant data and findings
Encourages and facilitates collaborations designed to address those educational challenges and
Develops prototype programs that test and refine strategies for removing barriers to high educational aspiration and achievement.
The goals that drive SEI’s mission and vision are:
to increase the number of students ready for kindergarten success
to increase the number of students on track for success in school,
ensure all students who graduate high school have a plan to become enrolled, enlisted or employed,
to increase the number of individuals with career credentials and college degrees, and
empower partners who are working with youth to support student success.
As SEI works to engage with their partners and collaborators, Mr. Deevers listed a few of their engagement activities. These engagements include the following:
all Summit County school districts, plus many non-public schools,
three closest higher education institutions,
60+ Out of School Time Partners,
130+ preschools,
government and nonprofit agencies,
local, state and national foundations and funders, and
business entities.
To accomplish SEI’s goals, Mr. Deevers described their methods. These include:
Convene caring adults from educational, nonprofit, government and business entities,
Use data to identify specific issues that require attention,
Mobilize their five strategy teams to execute specific goals and tactics that address the issues,
Measure progress and success,
Report their findings,
Scale successful strategies across the county, and
Repeat steps 1 – 6 as necessary until the goals are met.
SEI in collaboration with their various partners have developed some Leading Indicators of Success. These indicators can change as new needs or challenges are identified. Currently the following Educational Attainment Indicators are in place:
Kindergarten Readiness – Scoring on track in Language and Literacy on Ohio’s Kindergarten Readiness Assessment,
Third Grade Reading – Scoring proficient or higher on Ohio’s 3rd Grade Next Generation Reading Test,
Eighth Grade Math - Scoring proficient or higher on Ohio’s 8th Grade Next Generation Math Test,
Ninth Grade Success – Completing 9th Grade with a 3.1 or higher GPA and 6.5 cumulative credits,
College and Career Readiness – Graduating with a 21 or higher composite score on the ACT (or equivalent),
College Enrollment – Enrolling in accredited post-secondary programs,
Post College Readiness – Encouraging individuals who have attended college but didn’t graduate, to see how they can go back to school to get their degree or other type of certification, etc.
SEI has a staff of nine. Most of their funding comes from the United Way of Summit and Medina Counties and various local Foundations. Since SEI is a Not-for-Profit organization they always welcome donations from individuals and corporations.
Rotarians interested in getting involved with the SEI initiatives can check out their website. Currently they have a Career Awareness Video Project. SEI is looking for volunteers to complete a brief video about their career to enable students to explore various career options, etc.
Individuals wishing to know more about Summit Education Initiative are encouraged to go to their website, which is seisummit.org.
Fellow Rotarians, it's that time again! Help Akron Rotary Camp earn $ to send kids to Camp! Save your ACME receipts from August 6 to December 26 to earn some Community Cash Back on ACME Fresh Market Store Brands. Receipts can be mailed or dropped off to Akron Rotary Camp, 4460 Rex Lake Drive, Akron, Ohio 44319. As always, thank you for your support!
Do you shop on Amazon? If yes, AmazonSmile is an easy way to support Rotary Camp with every purchase. Just takes a few minutes to set up.
At no cost to you, Amazon will donate 0.5% of your eligible AmazonSmile purchases
If you are not already an AmazonSmile member, sign up on your web browser. Simply select Rotary Camp for Children With Special Needs Inc to start generating donations.
AmazonSmile customers can now support Rotary Camp for Children With Special Needs Inc in the Amazon shopping app on iOS and Android mobile phones. Simply follow these instructions to turn on AmazonSmile and start generating donations.
Open the Amazon Shopping app on your device
Go into the main menu of the Amazon Shopping app and tap into 'Settings'
Tap 'AmazonSmile' and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the process
If you do not have the latest version of the Amazon Shopping app, you will need to update your mobile app. Click here for instructions.
If you have questions or need assistance, please contact Mella Castner, director of development at Rotary Camp (330) 644-4512.
Your health and safety is important to us.
Our thoughts are with all of you and our sincere appreciation goes out to every individual working to help keep us safe and healthy.
SEI’s mission is to improve personal and regional prosperity through increased educational attainment. Education provides a clear path to future success, career opportunities and promotes vibrant and resilient communities. The SEI sees their role as providing support and enhance existing systems. Mr. Deevers commented that part of SEI’s mission is to ensure students have the degree and skills needed to have the life they desire and dream of. The proper education allows for greater pathways for the future.
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