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News Release

Last modified: Thursday, July 17, 2008

Lilly Endowment Grant to transform Camp Riley at IU's Bradford Woods

$1.75 million will fund new construction, renovate and update facilities

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 17, 2008

INDIANAPOLIS -- For more than 50 years, children with physical disabilities have engaged in life-changing experiences at Camp Riley at Indiana University's Bradford Woods. Today's (July 17) announcement of a $1.75 million grant to Riley Children's Foundation from Lilly Endowment, Inc., sustains the commitment to make a substantive difference in the lives of thousands of future campers.

"Riley Children's Foundation is proud to partner with Lilly Endowment and Indiana University on behalf of Indiana children," said Jim Morris, chairman of the Riley Children's Foundation Board of Governors. "The Endowment's support further strengthens Camp Riley at Bradford Woods as one of the best residential camp programs for assisting children to move beyond their physical limitations and achieve increased independence, self-esteem and confidence. The impact of these improvements and additions on the quality of our campers' experience will be as remarkable as the determination they show us each year. "

"The shouts of joy from happy campers and the looks of pride on their faces after meeting a challenge at Camp Riley at Bradford Woods are compelling," said Lilly Endowment President, N. Clay Robbins. "The Endowment is pleased to be able to help maintain and enhance this wonderful resource for future generations of campers."

Indiana University President Michael A. McRobbie, who also serves on the Riley Children's Foundation Board of Governors, commented on the announcement.

"We at Indiana University deeply appreciate the generosity and great foresight of the Lilly Endowment in providing this funding through the Riley Children's Foundation," McRobbie said. "The improvements made possible by this grant will enable Camp Riley at Bradford Woods to continue offering its wonderful programs for many years to come. I am pleased that Indiana University can be a partner in this effort."

The Endowment grant will fund the most extensive repairs, renovations and new construction to occur at Camp Riley at Bradford Woods for more than 30 years. Bradford Woods is part of IU Bloomington's School of Health, Physical Education and Recreation. The following items are among the additions and changes that will be made because of the grant. All new construction and renovations represent important steps in fulfilling Bradford Woods' vision of combining the science of building, the art of design and the concept of environmental stewardship.

• The Lilly Therapeutic Riding Center will be a newly constructed facility connected to the existing historic barn that will include an indoor arena, observation area, classrooms and a therapy room. Agape Therapeutic Riding Resources, which currently offers services to campers, will partner with Bradford Woods to offer programming and other services to the new year-round center.
• Six prototype "green" cabins will be built to replace facilities that will be demolished.
• The Lilly Amphitheatre, the completely accessible outdoor gathering place for campers, will receive extensive brick and roof repairs.
• Fourteen cabins and buildings will receive new roofs, window, doors and HVAC systems, all of which will be done with a sustainable environmental focus.

Camp Riley, as well as three other specialty summer camps supported by Riley Children's Foundation and area organizations, are conducted at Bradford Woods, Indiana University's 2,500 acre, fully accessible outdoor recreation facility. In an average year, Bradford Woods welcomes more than 425 groups to its facilities. In 2007, more than 19,000 individuals participated in camps, educational programs, conferences and meetings at Bradford Woods.

Riley Children's Foundation founded Camp Riley at Bradford Woods in 1955 as an extension of its mission to advance and protect the health and well-being of Indiana children. Camp Riley is the only camp in Indiana to provide low counselor-to-camper ratios as well as 24-hour, on-site physician and nursing care.

About Riley Children's Foundation

Riley Children's Foundation supports Riley Hospital for Children, Camp Riley for Youth with Physical Disabilities and the James Whitcomb Riley Museum Home. As Indiana's only comprehensive hospital dedicated exclusively to the care of children, Riley Hospital has provided compassionate care, support and comfort to children and their families since 1924. Each year, families turn to Riley for care more than 191,000 times. Children come from all 92 Indiana counties, across the nation and throughout the world. Riley Hospital's strong affiliation with the Indiana University School of Medicine makes Riley Hospital for Children the leader in pediatric care in the state and the region.

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