As I have written many of you in the past, I am now writing to you once again….to ask for your help getting three teens to summer sleep away camp.
Over the last four years we have raised over $ 10,000 with the mission of getting children from the Tristate area to summer sleep away camp.
Over 10 year years ago, our oldest daughter Elizabeth aka “Lizzie” left to attend a summer sleep away camp at this magical place called Camp Jewell (a YMCA year-round camp in the north-western part of CT). A few years later our second daughter Lauren starting doing the same.
Highlights included: • It was during these summer trips that we first understood the power, independence and fun that came from attending a two week sleep away camp break, • It allowed the girls to have a fresh start away from children that they went to school for 10 months out of the year, • A placed where they could be themselves, make new friends, meet and get to know counselors from all over the world (mostly western Europe and Australia), • Go on “Over nights” (sleeping in tents in and around camp), • It allowed the girls to get used to being away from home…. which helped prepare them when it was time for them to leave home for college.
The Best parts for me and Lyn-anne was: • Each day checking the camp photo web site – looking for a glimpse of our children, • The pickup and ride home – hearing the stories of adventures, friends, activities, skits, including camp songs and chants o These stories, songs, and hands gestures/clapping would continue year-round, when we sat around the dinner table… as well as when the girls got together with other friends that also attended camp…I remember one time when I drove Lizzie, Lauren, and children from another family in town to a movie in the next town over…. driving in our minivan shifting side to side as we drove. As MasterCard says – “Priceless”
So, that brings me to why I am contacting you today – At just under $2,000 (rack rate) / year/camper Lyn-anne and I were fortunate enough to be able to send our children to camp. I am trying raise $3,000 for the Camp’s annual Fund, this will allow 3 children ($1,000/cost/child) to camp this summer that normally would not be able to make it. The people at Camp allow me to direct the money I raise to help get teens from Bridgeport.
Full disclosure, I am a member of the Camp Jewell advisory board & Lizzie is returning as a camp counselor this summer….and there are rumors that Jimmy may go away to