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“Charles J. Miller had a dream. It all started the summer of 1969 during a conversation with the Executive Director of the Woodhaven Learning Center, a school for mentally and physically challenged children in Columbia, Missouri.
His dream was of a residential summer camp on property he and his brother-in-law, Harry Brown, owned, located on the Lake of the Ozarks. A camp where the physically and mentally challenged could experience the exhilaration of outdoor living and play. A camp designed to match their special needs and provide them with the maximum safety with freedom to enjoy nature.
Meetings and discussions with concerned groups including the Missouri State Division of Mental Health, United Cerebral Palsy of Missouri, Missouri Association of Retarded Children and Woodhaven Learning Center led to a meeting with the Jaycee Executive Committee.
Mr. Miller told the Jaycees of his dream, and on May 17, 1970, the Missouri Jaycees voted to adopt the camp project. Mr. Miller and Mr. Brown donated their land; 35 undeveloped acres adjoining the Lake of the Ozarks with an additional 100 acres for nature trails and out camping. They named it Wonderland Camp and it was incorporated as a not-for-profit foundation by the State of Missouri (www.wonderlandcamp.org).”
On August 18, 1990 one of the ADA’s dart players, Carla Wessel, got a great idea and decided to put together a dart tournament to help raise money for Wonderland Camp. A few years back Carla decided to sponsor and send another ADA member’s, (Duane Timmermann) cousin, Dylan to camp. This inspired Duane and soon after he joined Carla on the mission to raise money for this great cause. Duane and his family had a passion for Wonderland Camp and his first year helping out, 24 dart players came out and $4,000 was raised. The following year Carla was busy with college classes that she was enrolled in so Duane and his family took over running the tournament. The second year was an even greater success with $4,500 being raised and 46 players showing up. The third year was an even greater success with $5,500 being raised and 76 darters showing up. In just as little as 3 years $14,000 was raised.
Many people wonder where the name of the dart tournament came from and the tournament was named after Ray Garrett. Ray lived in Rock Mount, MO and would donate his free time to Wonderland Camp. He would help them with renovations and additions, opening and closing camp each season, and any other jobs that needed to be done. Unfortunately Ray passed away in 2010, so now we have the Annual Ray Ray Memorial Soft Tip Dart Tournament in honor of Ray Ray, which was Ray Garrett’s nickname.
Carla was the brains behind starting the dart tournament but she called upon the ADA to help run the brackets and make sure things went smoothly. Glenn Remick was there the first year to lend a helping hand and was there every year until his son Karl took over. The ADA always donates a board, darts, or some other items to be used in the raffles and silent auctions which is much appreciated. Glenn never asked for a thing in return, and did the tournaments on his own time says tournament runner Duane Timmermann.
Ray Ray Memorial Soft Tip Dart Tournament is held each year to help raise money for Wonderland Camp. This year it is going to be on Saturday May, 14 at South 94 Bistro in St. Peters, MO. Signups will begin at 1 pm and will go until 2:45. The tournament will begin at 3:15. Entry fee is $10 and all players will receive a prize with trophies for top 3 teams. Format will be 501/Cricket/Choice. Players will cork for which team throws first. If the third game is needed winner of the cork will pick the game, 501 or Cricket. Like in the past there will be a silent auction, raffles, and 50/50 drawings. All money collected goes directly to Wonderland Camp. You must be present to win any prizes. There will be a DJ beginning around 8 pm with karaoke until 1 am. For more information please contact Duane Timmermann at 314-226-5647
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