History

Stained Glass

Camp Jenée is an adult cancer survivors retreat held twice a year. The first Camp Jenée adult cancer survivors’ retreat weekend was held in May 1996. The retreat is dedicated in honor of the memory of Jenée Dyer, a cancer patient who touched many lives through many volunteer and employment activities before her death in August 1995.

The program is directed by Don Armstrong and Mary Riecke. The program originally was sponsored by a not-for-profit organization in Fort Wayne. When that organization could no longer sponsor the program, the directors approached Camp Watcha-Wanna-Do. This is a 501-c-3 not for profit organization that offers recreational programs to children surviving cancer. Knowing that the organization was ready to expand its programs, the directors asked for them to consider sponsoring the Camp Jenée program. As of January 2002, Camp Watcha-Wanna-Do became one of the financial sponsors of the independently owned and directed Camp Jenée program. Contributions, donations, and memorials also provide necessary financial support.

The program is planned and implemented by a committee of volunteers consisting of Jenée’s father and several of her friends. We have two volunteer oncology nurses at camp to help with any medical needs or to answer medical questions that may present themselves.

Camp Jenée serves adults in Allen County and many surrounding counties. Although most of our participants come from Fort Wayne, IN we have had people from Elkhart, Columbia City, Kendallville, Valparaiso, Rome City, Monroeville, Milford, North Manchester, Avilla, Richmond, Markle, Churubusco, Syracuse, Decatur, South Bend, Angola and others.

We serve approximately 30-40 participants per session. The retreats are held in a conference cabin at the Fort Wayne YMCA Camp Potawotami in South Milford, IN.

The entire weekend is aimed at teaching techniques of self-nurturing, stress reduction and coping techniques. The program for the weekend varies but includes such nurturing activities as quieting the mind exercises, journal writing techniques, small group discussions, tai chi, relaxation techniques, arts and crafts and a remembrance ritual. Each participant is encouraged to choose one complementary care session to add to the magic of the retreat. Practitioners from around the Fort Wayne area come for the afternoon on Saturday to provide complementary care sessions for free! The sessions include such complementary therapies as massage, reflexology, healing touch and reiki.

If you have additional questions, please don’t hesitate to call Mary Riecke at (260) 417-1533 (cell).