For those of you who know me, you know that nothing has been more influential in my life than Camp Fitch. I spent 7 years as a camper, from a week in the summer from 2008 til 2012, two weeks including one as an LIT (leader in training) in 2013, and two as a CIT (counselor in training) in 2014. For the last 5 years, I have worked on staff, and the last two have been spend as a director on the Leadership Development Team, which I worked with the 15-16 year old age group who wished to become better leaders in their lives and maybe future staff members. 

Through these past 12 years, I have both seen and felt the immense impact that Camp Fitch can have on people's lives. I have always said that I grow closer to the person I want to be with each summer that I spend at camp. It is a truly magical place that every child deserves to have the opportunity to experience. The staff is next-level; the scenery is breathtaking; the activities are out of this world; and hey, the lake is pretty great too! In fact, last summer, over 98% of campers said they wanted to come back the next year. 

Last year, I was absolutely floored by the support I received. With a goal of raising enough money to send one child to camp, I admittedly had low expectations. It still brings a smile to my face, even almost a year later, to know that I exceeded my goal and raised $1,000 for the kids. Nothing brings me more joy than knowing that multiple children's lives were changed because of the money I was able to fundraise, and I am still so grateful for everyone who donated.

Although I may not be returning to work this summer, I have seen some really cool examples of Polar Bear funds being put to use on the LDT program. Each of the last two years, I have seen CITs on a campership who changed lives themselves and became incredible role models. One of these kids was someone who had never been to camp before, but proved to be a perfect fit as a CIT, whose bubbly and infectious personality shown. Another was someone who was a Fitch regular, but took on the leadership challenge despite his qualms about working with kids. In the process, they gave a group of kids the best week of their lives, and made kids laugh every week while being a standout for what it means to step out of the comfort zone. 

It's crazy that Camp Fitch has been a part of my life for well over half of my life, and I know it will continue to be a huge part of me for the rest of it too. This year, I am hoping to raise $1,500 to plunge into the freezing cold waters of Lake Erie through the Polar Bear Plunge. Sadly, I do not plan on spending any more summers north of the tracks, but although my journey has come to an end, hopefully I can start a new journey for two kids that might just last even longer.