Tourist Office
The mission of the Rosholt Lions Camp is to provide camping experiences free of charge to disabled Wisconsin residents. Disabled residents include children and adults with cognitive disabilities such as Type 1 diabetes, as well as people who are deaf, blind, or visually impaired. The programs at the Lions Camp has been developed to meet the campers’ needs and interests. They have normal activities such as swimming, canoeing, sailing, paddle boating, inner tubing, kayaking, rowing, overnight campouts, and much, much more! When the camp first opened in 1956, it mainly provided services for blind peope, but later programs were added to help others with different kinds of disabilities. The first opening session for visually impaired children was in 1957. Twenty-six children attended. In 1964, the camp began admitted adult visually impaired campers The campers do not have to pay fees to come. The Rosholt Lions Camp has 448 acres of wildlife refuge for the campers and they also have a private lake to welcome campers.During their summer, the Lions Camp crew has goals that they want to try to achieve. They always want to promote greater self-confidence and independence, provide an opportunity for social interaction and outdoor recreation skills, and much more. They also want to provide an opportunity to have fun! Challenge courses have been created to provide a wide range of experiential opportunities. Teambuilding activities can range from energetic and physical experiences designed for groups. Teambuilding facilities include a 30-foot-tall two-sided climbing tower, a low ropes course, and a high ropes course.
This totem pole project at the Lions Camp really started 200 years ago when a pine tree was born in a stand of virgin timber along the shore of Trout River in the year 1776. After many days and hours it became the Totem Pole Na-Wak-Wa and measures 38 feet tall. The top figure carved was the Bald Eagle who is called, “Mi-Gi-Zi-Wag”. The Eagle was known for his courage and bravery. The second figure is the Beaver who is called “Amik” known for his ambition as a hard worker. The third figure is the Raven called “Gaa-Gaa-Gishi”. This Raven is special because he has the eye of an owl, one who sees in the dark. The next figure is the wolf, “ ma-iih-gan”, known for his cunning, tremendous stamina, and strength. The next figure is the Bear, “ma- kwa”, one of the strongest of all the wild animals in North America and one of the fastest, known to be an expert fisherman and family provider. The Lion’s Emblem representing the Lion, whom we call “ mi-shi-biz-ii” is the low man on the totem pole, but is also the most important. It is holding up all the others. It also represents millions of Lions supporting every event in their community..
(c) 2005 - Rene de Vries, Joan Goble and Hajime Yanase |
The Totem Pole at the Rosholt Lions Camp