Y Mission Moment: The Life-Changing Gift of Camp

Joyce MacDonald Fri 04, 2022

The South Shore YMCA exists to strengthen community, improving the lives of those we serve in spirit, mind, and body. 

We are proud to bring you this week’s Mission Moment, a story of impact brought to you this week by Bruce Netherwood, Vice President of Camping Services.

Sending kids to their happy place.

Over the years I’ve received countless emails and letters from parents, campers, and staff, expressing their gratitude for the impact Camp has had on them. This particular letter is one of my favorites.

It comes from a mother named Lisa whose three kids went to Camp Burgess and Hayward and whose youngest daughter Lydia was a first-year counselor this past summer.

Here is what Lisa wrote:

“First of all, I think your camps are fantastic. I base my opinions on my children’s reactions and stories of camp and my observations of them after I pick them up from their short, yet hugely influential time there each summer.

We know families that go on amazing trips together, but we would prefer to spend our money on sending our children to their ‘happy place.’ Where can I take my kids that they can learn to navigate life independently in a small, structured, and caring environment? After each session there, they have a general sense of ease about them. They stand taller, speak with confidence, and are filled with contentment and wonderful memories.

We have two ‘Christmases’ in our family. One is the traditional December 25th celebration, the other is in August. I find the exciting build-up and the depressing letdown the same each year. As they get older, I think the emotions are much stronger in August as the gifts we give in December never match up to the gift of camp in summer. 

Camps Burgess and Hayward have my children’s good friends and trusted counselors. All three of my kids have expressed a deep feeling of acceptance and community that they don’t feel in school or on various teams they have been on. I often tell them to use this feeling they’ve described as their reference or ‘touchstone’ about belonging and what to look for in people and groups. How lucky they are to have this to refer to! I think this is key to making wise decisions as teens and young adults.

Many thanks go out to all of you that work so hard to make my children’s experiences at camp such positive ones that they come clambering back each year and begging for more sessions. You all are doing great. My kids are happy. They love it there. That’s what is important to me.”

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