For the second consecutive year, we were honored to sponsor Camp 10-78. You may be wondering about Camp 10-78 and how it originated. To address these questions, we would like to share an article written by Mike Wissink, one of the founders of Camp 10-78 along with his wife Becky. This article delves into the origins of the camp and explains its significance to the founders, our organization, and all the officers who have had the privilege to attend.

CAMP 10-78:  Help for Heroes

By Mike Wissink

“I feel like we need some space to breathe.  Everything is coming at us, and it feels like it is closing in.  I just want to be able to turn my brain off.”  I cannot tell you how many times Becky and I had this conversation over the past three and a half years.  After being injured on duty, which forced my retirement, and going through a 3.5-year trial process, we truly understood the crushing pressure applied to law enforcement individuals, and their families, who have been involved in critical incidents and/or are injured in the line of duty.

In 2019 I was working as a Police Officer for the City of Oshkosh, Wisconsin, when I was assaulted while on duty. The injuries I sustained during that assault resulted in my left arm being disabled to the point that I could never return to active duty and as a result, forced my retirement in 2021. After being in the police force for over 26 years, I was not ready to retire or go out that way.  Between the physical injury, PTSD, pending retirement, and an ongoing attempted homicide trial, the stress on myself and my family became almost unbearable.

My family and I found that there was a lot of support from my department, fellow Officers, the community, non-profits, and many others.  All of them were special and helped us through my recovery.  I found that talking to other Officers that had been involved in critical incidents was incredibly beneficial and healing.  We all had similar thoughts and feelings and it was very helpful to know that I was not alone and what I was thinking and feeling was ok.  It was also valuable for me to talk about my incident and share my story and what I was going through.

One thing Becky and I found that was lacking was support for the entire family.  When Officers are involved in critical incidents and/or are injured in the line of duty it affects the whole family.  Many times, we found ourselves saying that we just wanted one day.  One day when the phone didn’t ring, when there were no medical appointments, no updates on court or the case, when we could just relax and breathe and not think about what our everyday life was really like at that time.  This is where the idea for Camp 10-78 came from.  Camp 10-78 is an all-inclusive vacation for injured Wisconsin officers and their families.  It is hosted at a resort that gives families the opportunity to spend time together outdoors in a private setting.

10-78 is the Wisconsin ten code for Officer Needs Assistance.  That’s what we wanted to give them and their family.  We wanted to give them a stress-free week, some time to take a breath, relax, and have fun with their families.  It also provides Officers and families the opportunity to be with others in similar situations.  It gives them time to share their stories and find camaraderie and healing with each other.

We knew we wanted to do something to help others who were in the same situation as us, but we also knew we couldn’t bite off more than we could chew given our circumstances.  So, we approached the Wisconsin Injured Law Enforcement Officer’s Resource Council (WILEORC) to ask if they would like to partner with us.  Cyndi Scollin, Treasurer of WILEORC, has been part of the planning process from the beginning.  “When Mike and Becky approached us about the idea of holding Camp 10-78, we immediately knew this was something we wanted to support. Being even a small part of the healing process for these families is something we are very proud of.”

With the help of WILEORC, we were able to successfully run our first Camp 10-78 in June of 2023.  Ten injured officers and their families attended what was a fun and relaxing week.  Campers who were interested in attending had to apply via our application process.  Upon arriving at camp their first day, campers were shown their luxury accommodations.  Our first meal together concluded with the option to share their stories with one another.  Wayne Blanchard, Walworth County Sheriff’s Department, was injured on duty in 2021.  He and his wife attended the camp. “Camp 10-78 was very relaxing as well as very emotional at the same time. It was great to be around other officers, spouses and families who have been going through the same struggles that can come with the job in law enforcement. I believe that was also a great benefit to the spouses / families to show that what their officer was going through, was a normal reaction to an abnormal event, and the same for the spouse/family. There was no pressure to do anything or say anything, but as other officers and spouses started to open up then the other officers did as well. This being done made the others realize that not being ok is ok and we are all able to move forward from a tragic event,” Blanchard said.

After a week full of fun activities including fishing, wildlife viewing, swimming, biking, arts and crafts, live music, and many campfires, we knew that this was something we wanted to continue and make an annual event.  Many campers spoke with us to tell us how impactful the week was for them.  Ronie Molitor, Trempealeau County Sheriff’s Department, who was injured in 2019, told us, “I don’t know if I can put into words how fortunate I am that I stumbled upon the ad for Camp 10-78 last year. I was hesitant to submit my application but did so figuring I wouldn’t make the cut anyway. My husband couldn’t make it at the last minute, so it was just my 13-year-old son and me. It was so relaxing, and the accommodation was amazing! Mike and Becky went out of their way to make sure we had a relaxing time with just enough activities to provide a great balance. I’m not a very social person but loved every minute of that week. Hearing everyone’s stories the first night really provided a connection that carried on the entire week and beyond, even my son felt the connections.”

“It was special to see all the families arriving at Camp 10-78, not really having any idea what the week would hold for them.  It was even more special to hear the testimonies when the week was over, of how much the week meant to them,” Cyndi Scollin (WILEORC).

 We are grateful that WILEORC is again willing to partner with us to provide a camp for 2024.  Applications and information about how to donate can also be found on our Facebook page (Camp 10-78) or WILEORC’s website (www.wileorc.org).

Our mission is to continue to help officers who have sacrificed so much find some peace and healing.  We knew we had met our goal after the camp in 2023 when we received a card in the mail from the family of Officer Marcus Clapper, Fond du Lac Police Department, injured in 2022.  In the card, Marcus’s wife, Brooke, wrote, “This past year and a half since Marcus’s incident has been a roller coaster of emotions, it was the hardest year of my life, but because of programs like Camp 10-78, Marcus is finding his happiness again.  On the way home Marcus made the comment, ‘that was the first week since my incident that I could just breathe again.’”