Kids to Camp Fund

Kids like Aleesha dream of going to Disney World on summer vacation. But what Aleesha did last summer was far more special than going to a popular amusement park. She found enchantment, magic even, at a YMCA camp.

Like so many others, Aleesha’s family has faced financial challenges. A one-income family with four children, they've scrambled to make ends meet in this difficult economy. Last summer they had few options for summer activities for their kids. Camp seemed out of the question. Until, that is, the YMCA—with support from donors like you—stepped in.

The YMCA Kids to Camp Fund provided Aleesha a scholarship to help her attend camp for a week. That’s when the magic began.

Away from the daily family routines and challenges, Aleesha was enjoying a fun week at camp. She learned about our YMCA core values of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility, but she was skeptical when our counselors playfully told her that magic can happen at camp. Nonetheless, she reveled in the outdoors and shyly made acquaintance with her fellow campers.

Then, one night, a beautiful—and rare—cloud of fireflies descended on the campsite. Aleesha and the other campers watched in awe as the amazing bugs darted around them, lighting up the woods like thousands of extra stars.

The next day, she rushed to see the camp director, declaring excitedly, “I felt the magic! It was the fireflies - they were everywhere, and they were SO beautiful! And everyone was watching and having fun and being so nice to each other.”

And I promise, when you help a kid like Aleesha come to camp, you’ll feel the magic, too!