It’s amazing how one event can impact a person’s life.
When my dad was a young boy, his mother dropped him off to spend the night at his uncle’s house. She never returned.
That event severely scarred my dad–so much so that he never wanted us to spend the night away from home. He wanted to know we were sleeping in our beds EVERY night. That’s why my dad never let my brother or I go to summer camp.
Every year, kids would tell me countless stories about the fun they had at summer camp. My friends would say how they learned new skills, like cooking outdoors, or hiked, swam in a lake, saw exciting things or met new people. My exclusion from this annual ritual hurt.
One summer, they made wooden ornaments for their parents. Since these gifts were made by hand, it was a very meaningful gift. One of my friends made a little wooden well—to remind her mom of the one she used to draw water from when she was a little girl.
Living vicariously through my friends birthed an innate passion in me to create opportunities kids would love. After gathering feedback from a team of kid enthusiasts and advisors, I identified 3 key factors I knew I must include in the Kids Can and Teens Can Kamps…
- Create unique age-appropriate activities and engagement.
- Support stronger relationships for improved mental health.
- Empower a humanitarian approach during these times of stress and uncertainty.
Now when I think about those camp-less summers—my frown is turned upside down. I cannot wait to hear the stories, ideas and life changing contributions this generation of kids will make in their world.
Enroll a child in Kids Can Kamp or teen in Teens Can Kamp! It’s an event that can have a positive impact on their young life!
by Sheila A.O. Champions Change Lives
Read Printed Books | Love Your Neighbor | Do More Together
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To read some of my previous blog posts, click on the link here and here.