Most people wouldn’t be able to ask for more than a perfectly clear weekend day on a green golf course while playing 18 holes. Unless the money spent on that round of golf with friends was to help a local charity.
Golfers will get their chance for such an opportunity in the First Annual Tooele Camp Wapiti Charity Golf Tournament on Sept. 26 at Oquirrh Hills Golf Course. Donations from the golf tournament will go directly to Camp Wapiti in Settlement Canyon.
“We decided to hold it for the first time ever at Oquirrh Hills so that golfers will get a chance to see Camp Wapiti after the golf tournament and have a banquet after the tournament,” said tournament organizer Brian Lindsay.
The tournament has been played in other locations, such as West Wendover, Nev. and Mesquite, Nev., but having the tournament so close to the actual camp will give witness to the golfers what Camp Wapiti is all about.
One look at the serene area of Camp Wapiti and golfers will feel like they are in the perfect campground. But this area isn’t just for the everyday camper, and Camp Wapiti is no ordinary camp. It is a place for children who have been diagnosed with serious diseases to escape hospital life and spend time outdoors.
Groups like Camp Hobe spend their time at Camp Wapiti. Camp Hobe is a summer camp designed for children with cancer and their siblings. It gives the children the opportunity to participate in normal camp activities with the accessibility of having their medical needs taken care of right on site.
A more-than-normal camping experience is what visitors will get when they come to Camp Wapiti. Along with the 17 cabins in the camp site, there is everything a camper would want. For example, a heated swimming pool, a large grass area for games of any sort and even an arts and crafts cabin.
“In the arts and crafts building we really let the kids make all the mess they want,” said Jim Barnes, a member of the Utah Elks Association in Tooele and camp director.
The Utah State Elks Association’s major project is Camp Wapiti.
“Without the help of Elks all over the state, this camp wouldn’t be here,” Barnes said. The camp is the fruits of all the sacrifices that Elks members have made. The Kent N. Wheelwright lodge that serves over 200 people was named after a fellow Elk member who helped contribute.
Camp Wapiti is not only for visitors from Camp Hobe and children with cancer, but several groups that want to give kids the outdoor experience.
“Kids with cancer, diabetes, heart disease and even children that have been abused spend time up here,” Barnes said. “They get first pick of the dates each summer.”
The Utah Elks Association in Tooele knows that not everybody will be able to handle the expenses of camping in Camp Wapiti, but they also won’t turn anyone away and will cover the costs of any child wishing to spend time at the Settlement Canyon camp.
Arlan Rhades gets the honor of working and living at the camp in such a peaceful environment during the summer months.
“My favorite part is waking up in the morning and seeing the kids running around on the grass and having fun,” Rhodes said. He had to fight back tears when talking about the children he became close to one year who didn’t make it back the following year.
Not many may know much about the miracles that happen at Camp Wapiti in giving children a true outdoor experience. But the Camp Wapiti Charity Golf Tournament will give golfers an opportunity to see what their money goes to.
For more information on signing up for the golf tournament or sponsoring a hole for any amount of money contact Brian Lindsay at (435)840-3574.
Jake Gordon: jgordon@tooeletranscript.com
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