Building Belonging: A Decade of Partnership Between the Camp Cambria® Foundation and True Friends Camp Courage

For children and adults with disabilities, camp is more than a destination—it’s a place of independence, belonging, and joy. At True Friends Camp Courage, those experiences come to life every day: through shared meals, endless outdoor activities, meaningful new friendships, and medical care that so many campers rely on. Over the past decade, Cambria has had the privilege of supporting that mission—not by changing what Camp Courage is, but by helping make it more accessible, inclusive, and comfortable for everyone who uses these incredible facilities.

That commitment recently reached a significant milestone with the donations from the Camp Cambria Foundation to support the construction of the Cambria Recreation Center, a new $17.7 million year-round facility designed to serve campers of all abilities. The Camp Cambria Foundation was the largest private donor, contributing $2.5 million to overall construction. 

A Space Designed for Accessibility

Located at Camp Courage in Maple Lake, Minnesota, the new Cambria Recreation Center replaces a 50-year-old pool and gymnasium building that was beyond repair yet critical to serving campers. The new 26,600-square-foot center includes a temperature-controlled, zero-entry, ADA-compliant pool with a splash pad that expands aquatic and therapeutic programming. It also houses a large gymnasium that supports adaptive sports, performing arts, and group activities. There are multi-use spaces that allow camp programming to continue regardless of season or weather and fully accessible private shower rooms and restrooms were added. To support more hygienic and low-maintenance environments in these recreational and healthcare-adjacent settings, 3,500 fabricated square feet of beautiful Cambria surfaces were used throughout. Cambria’s Ironsbridge®, Portrush®, Skye™, Clifton™, Sandgate™, and White Cliff® designs are featured. 

Rooted in a Longstanding Partnership

Cambria’s relationship with Camp Courage and its parent organization, True Friends, spans more than a decade. From 2014 through 2021, Cambria partnered with the Arthritis Foundation to host Camp Cambria® at Camp Courage, a summer camp experience for children with juvenile arthritis. Camp Cambria became a week where kids felt understood, supported, and empowered alongside peers who shared similar challenges. Those years shaped Cambria’s belief in the power of camp to connect kids. This laid the foundation for long-term investments in the facilities at Camp Courage to make those experiences possible.

As Cambria CEO Marty Davis explains, the focus has always been on the campers. “This has never been about a building or a number,” Davis said. “We’ve always believed that kids with disabilities deserve a place where they feel safe, supported, and free to be themselves. Camp Courage has been that place for so many children, and our role has been to listen, learn, and work together to help make camp better for everyone who comes here.”

Transformational Improvements Since 2018

In 2018, the Camp Cambria Foundation invested $2.2 million in major renovations across Camp Courage. At the time, the facility had seen only limited updates in its more than 60 years of service. While the natural setting was beautiful, the facilities needed improvements to continue operating year-round.

Those renovations transformed three central spaces: the Lakeside Dining Hall, the Health and Wellness Center, and the Skye Clubhouse. 

The Lakeside Dining Hall received a new roof, siding, windows, and HVAC system, making it usable in all seasons. Accessible bathrooms replaced makeshift privacy solutions, with Cambria quartz surfaces being utilized on the walls and vanities, providing a more hygienic and low-maintenance environment. A Nutrition Nook was added for a fun place to learn more about health and nutrition, and grab healthy snacks throughout the day. The kitchen was reconfigured for safer and more efficient meal preparation, including allergy-friendly workflows and an elevator replaced an outdoor ramp to ensure full access to the lower level. A renovated fireplace became a warming centerpiece, and the lower-level “Dragon’s Den” was improved to eliminate longstanding flooding issues.

The Health and Wellness Center was completely rebuilt, creating private exam rooms, accessible showers, and improved living quarters for medical staff. Durable, nonporous Cambria surfaces were installed for safe medical care, while thoughtfully named rooms and commemorative plaques honor women who served in the WWII medical corps.

Skye Clubhouse, the camp’s art building, was transformed into a bright, inspiring creative hub. With enhanced lighting, accessible worktables featuring Cambria’s striking blue Skye design, wheelchair-friendly easels, and thoughtfully organized supply storage, the space now invites campers of all abilities to engage with creativity and confidence.

In 2020, Cambria deepened its commitment with an investment to fund HVAC upgrades for three sleeping cabins, helping campers stay comfortable during warmer months and allowing the cabins to be used throughout the year.

Powered by Community and Employees

The Camp Cambria Foundation created its endowment by hosting the Camp Cambria® Classic, an annual golf and concert fundraising event that brought together Minnesota businesses and supporters committed to creating inclusive camp experiences. Through their generosity, over $7 million was raised to support the kids of Minnesota. 

Behind the scenes, bringing these projects to life required years of collaboration across Cambria. Teams throughout the company played vital roles—from the philanthropy team guiding long-term partnerships, to the marketing team creating promotional assets for the fundraising and camp experiences, to the accounting team ensuring every dollar was stewarded responsibly. Operations and engineering teams helped navigate complex renovations and new construction, while the Cambria FabShop and Surfaces teams worked hands-on to fabricate and install durable materials throughout camp facilities. It was the hard work of hundreds of Cambria employees that made this so impactful.

What the Partnership Has Made Possible

For Camp Courage, the impact of Cambria’s support extends far beyond individual projects. According to John LeBlanc, CEO of True Friends, the improvements have fundamentally expanded what the camp can offer.

The true impact of our work with Cambria extends far beyond the financial contributions. As a trusted partner, they don’t just donate funds or product, they also opened doors for other critical support around the state, helping us navigate legislative efforts. Their team of experts was heavily involved in the 2018 renovation construction. And many of their employees have supported True Friends in a variety of ways.

“We are deeply grateful for both the financial investments and the profound commitment of time, expertise, and advocacy that Cambria has provided,” added LeBlanc. 

True Friends is a nonprofit organization offering life-changing experiences that enhance independence and self-esteem for children and adults with disabilities since 1955. They have three camps in Minnesota.

Looking Ahead

Visitors will learn about Cambria’s contribution to Camp Courage through a permanent donor dedication boulder near the Welcome Center, which is a lasting symbol of partnership. But the true legacy lives in everyday moments: a camper entering the pool independently, a goal scored by a player in a wheelchair in a game of Power Soccer, or in the numerous events and retreats that will now be able to be held year-round.

For Cambria employees, this work reflects who we are at our best—building spaces with quality and purpose, supporting our community, and helping ensure that a Minnesota treasure remains a place where everyone feels welcome, supported, and empowered.