Lions Wilderness Camp for Deaf Children, Inc is a 501(c)(3) charity foundation formed under the California Nonprofit Public Benefit Corporation Law for the purpose of providing the opportunity to grow and learn through fellowship and the camp experience for hearing impaired children. The Foundation is governed by a Board of Directors elected by participating Lions Clubs of California.
Executive Board for 2022
Danny Raymond
President
Danny was born in Downy, California, and grew up in Independence in eastern California’s Owens Valley. He attended San Jose State University where he met his future wife, Cynthia Bennett. Married in 1973, they have two sons and two grandchildren.
In 1989 Danny joined the Dublin Lions Club and was president in 1993-1994 and again in 2000 – 2001.
He was a district Zone Chairman and served on the District’s Sight Conservation/White Cane/Diabetes Awareness Committee. He was Dublin Lion’s representative to the Oakland Center for the Blind for many years becoming president in 2001 – 2002.
As an active participant in Multiple District 4’s Lions Wilderness Camp for Deaf Children Committee in the 1990’s, he became aware of the good work Lions Wilderness Camp does for Deaf and hard of hearing youth. Danny joined the Lions Wilderness Camp for Deaf Children Board of Directors in 1999 and served as treasurer from 2011 to 2016.
Dana Johnson
Secretary
Dana has been interested in camping since many experiences with her family, Girl Scouts and church camps. Throughout her career as a registered nurse, she cared for children as well as adults.
When husband, David, became a Lions District Governor (4C5) she learned about the Lions Wilderness Camp for Deaf Children and wanted to get involved. In 2004, Dana volunteered to be the nurse for Teresita Pines and became the nurse for Camp Ross Relles when it opened. She joined the Board in spring of 2013 and became secretary in June.
Helping each camper and adult have a SAFE fun filled week is Dana’s passion. Taking ASL classes has helped Dana encourage the campers to use their sign language skills.
Nick Nichol
Gold Country Lions Camp Manager
Nick and his wife Francine are native Californians. He retired as an aviator from the US Air Force in 1989. They are both members of the Sunrise Lions Club of Roseville California, District 4-C5. He has been a Lion since 1977, she joined in 1992. Nick served as District Governor in 1994-95.
The Nichols have been involved with Wilderness camp since 1993 serving as volunteers at camp every year since, usually with a culinary specialty. Nick joined the Board of Directors in 1995, serving as District Chairman, Area Director and head chef. He was secretary of the Foundation for many years and is now serving as the Camp Manager for the Gold Country Lions Camp – Ross Relles. They both enjoy fishing, canoeing, camping and drawing.
916-965-3898
Directors & District Lion Representatives
Contact any member on this list to schedule a speaker for your club or organization or to get additional information on Wilderness Camp activities in your area. Members listed are members of the Board of Directors.
| District | Name | Area | Phone |
| C-3 | Phillis Neitling | Concord | 925-798-7929 |
| C-5 | Francine Nichol | Fair Oaks | 916-965-3898 |
| Fay Young | Roseville | 916-708-9414 | |
| Gilbert & Karen Barrow | Sacramento | 916-502-1206 | |
| Dick Seward | Laguna Woods | 949-770-8384 | |
| L-6 | Vickie Ford | Oceanside | 760-295-0820 |