A quick photo tour of Courage Center Handiham Radio Camp facilities - 2010
By Patrick Tice, WA0TDA
Handiham Manager
Welcome to Camp Courage! I'm Pat Tice, WA0TDA, the manager of Courage Center's
Handiham System. Each year we provide a weeklong residential camp session for
people with disabilities, giving our Handiham members a chance to learn about
ham radio in a beautiful camp setting that is accessible, safe, convenient, and
modern.
Minnesota Radio Camp is at Camp Courage, Maple Lake, Minnesota. I took these photos in the Autumn of 2009, when the leaves had already fallen from the trees, but we will add some summer photos during the coming months to show you a bit more about the beautiful place we call Camp Courage.
This round building is the main camp office. When you arrive, you check in here.
The Handiham headquarters office is located on the lower floor. This building is
equipped with wireless Internet and a computer lab.
This is a view of the Main office building from the spacious lawn at the back. A
300 foot dipole antenna has recently been added at this location.
Believe it or not, there is a three-element beam antenna in this picture. It is
on a hill and on top of a 50 foot tower, but hard to see because of the trees
from this angle.
Here we are at the Handiham HQ entrance. This is a walkout level, so there are
no steps and no need for a wheelchair ramp. A GAP vertical antenna is visible to
the left of the building.
Convenient double doors provide access for larger electric wheelchairs or
equipment. Hey, that's me reflected in the window as I take the picture. I
wonder if that's a sign of a professional photographer!
Entering the headquarters station and office area, you will find a large,
well-lighted, carpeted room. Several Mac and Windows computers are available and
connected to the Internet. The radios are wheelchair-accessible.
Here is a close-up of a radio cabinet with a ham station.
A Kenwood TS-570SAT awaits.
A specialized video production area is available to edit video and audio.
Radio camp will be held on one of two campuses at Camp Courage, called
"Woodland". There are three large cabin buildings, all new
construction within the past few years. This is a view as you walk from the
parking lot at Woodland toward the first cabin. Don't let the rustic cedar look
fool you -- these cabins are full of modern amenities.
One of the first things I noticed when approaching the Woodland cabins was these
utility boxes on the ground. The big one on the left is a power transformer that
provides AC power and the smaller one on the right is for telephone wiring. All
of the wires are underground, making it safer and easier to install wire
antennas to use during the week of radio camp. The underground wiring also cuts
down on power line noise.
Here we are at the front entrance to one of the cabins. Facing the front
sidewalk is a large screen porch with a vaulted ceiling. There are no steps,
making the cabin entirely wheelchair-accessible.
As we look down the path, we can see another cabin. The paved path provides safe
and easy accessibility.
As we step inside one of the cabins, it is hard to take in the huge, bright,
airy common space that serves as a meeting spot or relaxation area. There is a
vaulted ceiling and the furniture includes padded chairs and a sofa. The wood
paneling has that north woods feel.
Each of the three cabins includes two classroom areas, providing us with a total
of six teaching spaces convenient to everyone, since the three cabins are
located near each other. A large window provides plenty of light and a nice
view, and a small countertop and sink is available in each classroom in case
there are spills.
The screen porch can also be used as a classroom area on nice days at the
discretion of the instructors. Each of the three large cabins has its own screen
porch.
The screen porch as a view of the path and forest, with Cedar Lake behind the
trees.
Here is another view of one of the classrooms. You can see that there is plenty
of room.
Another view of a classroom shows direct access to a bunk area that is adjacent.
The vaulted ceiling in the main room of each cabin includes a skylight.
Here we are, back in one of the main commons rooms. Visible from this angle is
the comfortable furniture and the fireplace. Through the windows we look out to
the screened porch in front.
Each cabin has a fully-equipped small kitchen. In this view, you see a
countertop with a kitchen sink, coffee maker, and microwave oven. The window
over the sink looks out to the forest.
Looking the other direction in the kitchen, we see a fridge and stove.
In the central part of each cabin you will find the laundry area. There is an
over under dryer and washer as well as a laundry tub.
Now let's take a look at the bedrooms. Each cabin has four bedroom areas. These
are located at the corners of each of the three large cabins. There is also a
fifth bedroom area for staff off the laundry room.
The camper bedroom areas have a courtesy sink to help with caregiving needs,
although each of the four sleeping areas in each cabin does have its own
bathroom, which is fully-equipped.
This is another view of a sleeping area showing bunk beds. Every bedroom has a
large window.
This is another view of one of the classrooms before it is set up with tables.
Notice the easy access and the large window. The overhead lighting provides
plenty of light.
This is another view of a classroom area on the opposite side of the same cabin.
Again, we see a large window with a view. Although the overhead lighting is
turned off in these photos, the classrooms are well lighted and spacious, as
well as being convenient and accessible.
In this view of a classroom, you can see the countertop with sink that will come
in handy during coffee break times.
After class, you can relax in the great room commons area. Each great room has a
fireplace and lounge area. There is high-speed wireless Internet access
available.
Each cabin's great room commons area also has a TV set with a player. There is
no cable TV or off the air TV, however.
A game table provides a place to play checkers or chess.
The vaulted ceilings provide a spacious, light, and inviting relaxation area in
each great room commons.
Here you can see Cedar Lake through the trees, looking out from the screen
porch. Notice that the size of the porch provides enough room for even power
wheelchairs.
This outdoor shelter was under construction just outside the cabins when I took
this photo in the Autumn of 2009. It could serve as an excellent "Field
Day" shelter. The concrete slab extends out away from the shelter,
providing easy wheelchair access. The lake is just beyond the trees.
The well-maintained paved paths that link all parts of camp provide good access
to everyone, whether walking or using a wheelchair. We think you will find Camp
Courage and the Woodland campus to be comfortable, safe, and a great place to
learn amateur radio.