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2021 Great Lakes Chapter 12th Annual Summer Campout
July 23, 2021 - July 25, 2021
2020 EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELLED
Due to the global pandemic, the 2020 Great Lakes Exstrophy campout has been canceled. But we already have dates for our 2021 campout – Friday, July 23 to Sunday, July 25, 2021.
If you made reservations at Eby’s Pines for the 2020 event, you can transfer your reservation to the 2021 campout at no cost! Call the campground directly at (574) 848-4583 and speak with Teresa or Linda.
Details:
You are invited to join us for a weekend campout for anyone dealing with bladder exstrophy, cloacal exstrophy, epispadias and hypospadias and their families and friends. This is a great way to connect with other families, share in similar experiences and know that you are not alone!
Dates: Friday, July 23 to Sunday, July 25 2021
Location and Facilities: Eby’s Pines RV Park & Campground (http://www.ebyspines.com) in Bristol, Indiana is located in the scenic forests of northern Indiana’s Amish Country. It is just minutes from the Indiana Toll Road. Eby’s Pines has tent sites, full hook-up sites, pull-thru sites, and cabins, as well as two heated pools and a playground.
Activities: Join us on Friday and Saturday evenings in the Shady Lane area of the campground as we gather around the campfire and enjoy s’mores. We have reserved the Island Pavilion (a short walk from the swimming pools) all day Saturday. That day at the Island Pavilion join us for a picnic lunch at 11:30am—we will provide hot dogs, chips, cookies, and bottled water—followed by a group photo at 12:45pm. The rest of the time will be unscheduled for swimming, games, crafts with kids, exploring the Shipshewana area, and—most importantly—having fun with old friends and making new ones!
Reservations: Eby’s Pines is now accepting reservations for campsites for our 2021 campout. Please call Eby’s Pines as soon as possible, especially if you have preference for a site (e.g., in the Shady Lane area, where Alice and Brad will be) or type of accommodation (e.g., a rustic camping cabin). To make your reservation, call Eby’s Pines at (574) 848-4583 and ask for Christie, who will be eager to help you!
If you are interested in coming but don’t want to camp, there are several nice hotels within a short drive from Eby’s Pines. The nearest hotel is Hampton Inn & Suites in Middlebury, IN (phone (574) 822-0288). Additional hotel information for Shipshewana, IN, can be found at: http://www.Shipshewana.com
We hope to see you at the 2021 GLC Campout, whether you can stay for the whole weekend or even just part of it! In the meantime, details on the campground amenities can be found at www.ebyspines.com. For more information, check out our FAQs below or contact Brad and Alice Ambrose at [email protected] or 616-406-7857.
Frequently Asked Questions about the A-BE-C Great Lakes Campout
Q: Who can attend the campout?
A: Anyone of any age, adults and children, living with bladder exstrophy, cloacal exstrophy, cloaca, epispadias and hypospadias are invited to attend, along with their immediate families, extended families, and friends! Also, you don’t need to live in a “Great Lakes” state. (Campers have come from as nearby as Middlebury, IN, and as far away as Washington, Massachusetts, and Ontario, Canada!) Over the past few years we have seen an increasing number of families attend—ranging from 20 to 30 families—and the ages of those with exstrophy have ranged from toddler age to adults in our 50’s!
Q: What is the typical schedule of events for the weekend of the campout?
A: On the evenings of Friday (July 23) and Saturday (July 24) we are planning a campfire at one of our group’s campsites along Shady Lane. On Saturday, from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, everyone is invited to the Island Pavilion for games, crafts, and conversation. Starting at 11:30 am on Saturday, join us at the Island Pavilion for a picnic lunch followed by a group photo at 12:45 pm. Apart from these activities, the rest of the time is unscheduled so that everyone can enjoy the campground facilities and nearby attractions as they so choose. (Note: You are welcome to arrive a day or two early and/or stay an extra day or two after the weekend, as some families have done in the past. That way, the campout can be part of a longer vacation and you can visit even more with other families who do the same!)
Q: What can we bring to the picnic lunch on Saturday?
A: Whatever you would like—but please don’t feel obliged to bring anything! We will provide hot dogs (including skinless hot dogs and gluten-free buns), chips, cookies, and bottled water, as well as plates, plastic ware, and napkins.
Q: We are inexperienced and/or unexcited when it comes to camping, whether in tents or RVs. Must our family “camp out” to come to the campout?
A: Not a problem! We cannot offer any camping equipment to borrow, but several nice hotels are located a short drive from Eby’s Pines. (Our favorite, closest hotel is Hampton Inn & Suites in Middlebury, IN; see above for details.) If you plan to stay in a local hotel, please be aware that visitors to Eby’s Pines must register at the campground office upon arrival and obtain a day pass in order to use the pool, playground, and other campground facilities. (Please call Eby’s Pines directly at 574-848-4583 for 2020 day pass fees.) However, if you plan to visit Eby’s Pines for just Saturday, July 24, upon registering at the campground office, tell the staff person you are joining the “Ambrose group” at the Island Pavilion; your day pass should then be free of charge.
Q: Are there scholarships or other financial help available to cover travel costs for the campout?
A: Unfortunately not at this time. The cost of the Saturday picnic lunch and renting the Island Pavilion for that day has been paid for out-of-pocket by the campout coordinators. Over the past few years we (Alice and her husband Brad) had received donations (for example, from doctors with whom Alice used to work) that helped offset some of these costs. However, we do not receive financial support from A-BE-C, despite being affiliated with them.
Q: I wish there were a campout closer to me!
A: There can be! All that is needed is one person or family to serve as a point of contact, select a date and site, and get the word out. (Exstrophy-related Facebook groups have been great for free publicity!) Alice has experience coordinating regional campouts both here and in Washington state, so please feel free to contact her if you would like more details or suggestions on getting started!