Camp Wildcat auctions goods to help get its kids outdoors

Katherine K. Gardiner Arizona Daily Wildcat Camp Wildcat members auction off donated items to raise money for outdoor activities for underprivileged and disabled children. The student-run organization raised about $1,000 from yesterday's auction.

Camp Wildcat, a 30-year-old organization, runs camps for underprivileged and disabled children who otherwise could not enjoy outdoor activities, said Jeff Pany, management information systems and accounting junior and fund-raising chair for Camp Wildcat.

"These are all things donated to us. It was a lot of fun. We put a lot of effort into it so we can take kids camping. It was definitely a success," said Julie Cronlund, elementary education senior and Camp Wildcat member.

The club is preparing for Big Camp, a camping trip planned for April 11-13. About 90 children will participate, making it Camp Wildcat's largest camping trip in recent years, Pany said.

"It's a lot of fun and a chance for kids to get out of a normal weekend," said Scott Caudle, an engineering physics senior and director of Big Camp.

The items auctioned included certificates from Macayo Mexican Restaurants, Target and Wal-Mart. An autographed Arizona Cardinals football and an Omni Tucson National Golf Resort pass were also auctioned.

"It was entertaining, fun, and a great time," said Cindy O'Connor, whose son, Colin O' Connor, is a member of Camp Wildcat.

The money from the auction will go toward paying for the camp and all other expenses of the club's activities, Pany said.

Other Camp Wildcat activities include zoo and Mount Lemmon trips, Caudle said.

"It gives me a chance to go out and help other members of the community, and basically have a good time while I'm doing it," said Josh Rubin, a psychology junior and second-year Camp Wildcat member.

Tucson Unified School District gives Camp Wildcat the names of children who get federal funding for school lunches. Ninety percent of the children who participate in Camp Wildcat are federally funded for lunch, Rubin said.

Camp Wildcat also supports students from the School for the Deaf and Blind and patients at University Medical Center, Rubin said.

The organization has about 80 members, but needs more counselors for the upcoming camping trip, Caudle said.

"The great thing about it is that you can do as much or as little as you want," Caudle said.

Camp Wildcat meets every Sunday at 7 p.m. in the Memorial Student Union Rincon Room.