Board of Directors

Lions Wilderness Camp was 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, Lioness and Leo clubs of California and Nevada.

Executive Board for 2010

William Arnold
President

William L. Arnold, Jr. - is a gas control technician with P G & E in energy delivery at McDonald Island. He was the recipient of their Meilke Award in 2007 for outstanding Volunteer efforts in his community. Outside of work, William volunteers with the Lions Wilderness Camp for Deaf Children, Inc. Since 2001, he has volunteered in a variety of functions, including as a Board member and Vice President, to support the organization's mission to provide campers a way to meet other children of the deaf community, build self esteem and have fun in a natural setting. William also puts his carpentry and disc jockey skills to work to maintain the camp and provide entertainment at camp dances.

Benjamin Fregoso
First Vice President

Lion Benjamin Fregoso of Sanger, California, was elected 2nd Vice President in October, 2007.

He has been a member of the Parlier Lions Club since joining on the 14th day of April, 2001 and has held many offices within his club. He has been active within District 4-A2 as Trustee for the District 4-A2 Wellness Foundation since 2002 to the present time; Operation Friendship since 2003 to the present (Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico); served as a Director for the MD4 Lions Wilderness Camp for the Deaf Children for 2006 – 2007; and Zone 3 Chair, Northern Region. He has received from Lions Club International the 100% President Award, three 100% Secretary Awards, 2 Governor's Awards, from PDG Steve Bragman and our beloved PDG Carroll Welch, and the Perfect Attendance Award since joining the association.

In recognition of his service to the association, he obtained the Certificate of Achievement as a Certified Guiding Lion on the 2nd day of July, 2003 at the Lions International Convention in Denver, Colorado. He was given a membership award from Past International President T.S. Lee for membership growth during his presidency.

In addition, Lion Benjamin has served as a Supervisor and Director of the Sports Activities for the Sanger Apostolic Christian School in Sanger, California, from 1986 – 1991, Director for the Cal Ripkin Baseball Little League in Sanger from 2000 - 2004, and is involved with the Parlier Chamber of Commerce, Parlier, California, President of the Apostolic Men’s Ministry, and President of Activities for New Life Apostolic Church in Sanger.

Benjamin and his wife Diane are both Lions. He has two sons, the oldest Jason and his wife Crystal of Fresno, California and Ryan who lives at home.

Denise Arnold
Secretary

Lion Denise has been part of the Oakley-Delta Lions Club for the past 18 years. She was elected to the LWC Board in 2004. She is very active in her community through the Lions Club. She is a graduate of Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and received her teaching credential from Cal State Hayward. She is an elementary school teacher and has taught 4th and 5th grades for the last 14 years. 925-625-4874

Al Anderson
Treasurer

Al has been a member of the Bethel Island Lions Club, District 4-C3, since 1986. He has served as Past President, 7 years as Treasurer, 9 years as Secretary and as Region Chairman. He has been very involved with the VIP - Blind Fishing trips for many years.

Married to Donna for 30 years with five children, four grandchildren and and one great grandchild. Donna is a past Lioness and a current Lion in the Bethel Island club and a Director on the Lions Wilderness Camp Board. The Andersons have been helping with Wilderness Camp since 1987. Al has been in charge of the North Camp open house BBQ for 17 years.

Robin L. Nichol
Gold Country Lions Camp – 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 1982, 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 has been Secretary of the Foundation since 1999 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

Richard Kirchner
North Camp Representative

Rich, a Lion since 1987, is a member of the Montclair Oakland Lions Club in District 4C-3. He served as President 1992-1993, Club Secretary for 7 years and in district service as Zone Chairman, Region Chairman (3 times), Leadership Development Chairman, District Membership Committee, New Member Orientation,  and Cabinet Secretary. He owns an insurance agency in Oakland representing State Farm Insurance.

Rich and his wife Sandy have been married for 40 years, have two children and five grandchildren. They have been involved with Wilderness Camp since 1995-Rich serving as an Area Director, Vice President, and President.

In his spare time he enjoys a quarterhorse ranch in Twain Harte. The Kirchners love the outdoors and enjoy the high Sierra whenever possible. 209-928-1191

Vicki Ford
South Camp Representative

Vicki became a Lion in 1995 as a member of Vallejo Sea Lions in Vallejo, CA, and has been associated with Wilderness Camp since 1992. She joined the Board of Directors of Wilderness Camp in 1998. She and her husband Earle recently moved to Oceanside and is now employed in the San Diego area. She has worked at North Camp several times and "I enjoy working for the kids. Wilderness Camp is very near and dear to my heart." 760-295-0820

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.

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