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During the winter of 2008, a group of alumnae formed the Turtle’s Trail Foundation, a nonprofit organization designed to provide girls with the gift of a summer camp experience. In 2024, we were able to offer over $58,000 to help 15 girls attend camp. Those who support camping as an essential developmental experience know what a summer in a healthy environment can mean to a girl. Take her to camp with a tradition of spirit, friendship, and well-rounded athletic, outdoors, and arts experience, and she carries it with her for a lifetime.

In our post-camp survey of campership recipients this year, 100% of those who responded rated their child's camp experience as "10 / Amazing!" Excerpts from parents' replies:

"After picking up [our daughter] from her second summer at Camp, I have noticed huge personal growth from her. She is more independent now, very empathetic and more understanding of situations and issues. She is also open to trying new things and expressing herself without losing patience. She talks about the new friendships and experiences she had at camp and looks forward to seeing her camp friends again next summer. I am so thankful for the experiences and memories she gets to make at Camp!"

"Thank you SO very much for making this happen for me. I can't tell you how much this means to them and me and my family. To not have to stress about how I am going to pay off the camp loan is extremely freeing and allows me to focus on their happiness and not my own financial stress."

"We were really so happy and excited to see what a great time [our daughter] had there, how lovely and caring everyone was, and how much she experienced in only two weeks. It was very touching and awesome, she can’t wait to go back! We are also so appreciative for the opportunity and guidance we had from staff and parents of other campers, and although we were hesitant, that we took the chance and sent her!"

"Camp completely exceeded our expectations. We feel so grateful that they had this opportunity. We appreciate the impact it had on our daughters, and the Camp's mission of for girls in general. Thank you for all that you did to get our daughters there this Summer."

"We observed a noticeable uptick in self-confidence, as a result of meeting a diverse group of girls, making new friends in an accepting and caring environment, and fearlessly trying activities they’ve never tried before."

T and Lou Paulin, former Oneka owners, spent many years visiting various southwestern artist markets and gem shows viewing and gathering their own museum of treasures. They are presently reducing their collection of southwestern pottery among other items. TTF is fortunate to have been granted some items to use for our auction to raise funds towards our mission. For that, we are grateful!

Notes from Lou Paulin about some keys to the art of the southwest. Lou provided a number of references and websites so that anyone interested can do some online research into their own particular interests. There are a few "major" events which provide access to the artists.

In Santa Fe, New Mexico there is an Indian Market. It is attended by all of the pueblo Indians from Northern New Mexico. There are all kinds of categories (pottery, bead work, woven rugs, silversmiths, etc.). Each category is judged and ribbons are awarded for best in class, even best in show. Checkout their website.
There is a Gem Show where artists and collectors from all over the world converge on Tucson, Arizona, check it out here. These individual shows take over the various hotels and also have "tent cities" for the larger vendors. You can find literally anything, from fossils to meteorites to giant amethysts (5 Feet Tall!).

Turtles are frequently depicted in popular culture as easygoing, patient, and wise creatures. Due to their long lifespan, slow movement, sturdiness, and wrinkled appearance, they are an emblem of longevity and stability in many cultures around the world.^[1]^[2] Turtles are regularly incorporated into human culture, with painters, photographers, poets, songwriters, and sculptors using them as subjects.^[3] They have an important role in mythologies around the world,^[4] and are often implicated in creation myths regarding the origin of the Earth.^[5]

Hand Crafted Turtle Crochet Tote