"M's Journey: A Testament to the Transformative Power of Camp Fitch"
On March 9th, I'll be diving into the icy waters of Lake Erie at Camp Fitch YMCA to support the Polar Bear Plunge campaign. Your donations help provide scholarships to campers, like M, who found a safe haven and unforgettable experiences at Camp Fitch.
Why do I plunge? The answers flow effortlessly. I plunge because Camp Fitch gifted me some of my deepest friendships that will be with me forever. I plunge because camp taught me that I am stronger and more creative than I thought. But above all, I plunge for the lives forever changed by Camp Fitch.
Among those lives stands M, a teenager in the foster system, always living in uncertainty until Camp Fitch became his sanctuary. M got dropped off for a week of summer camp, just like any other camper, thinking he was only going to be at camp for the one week he registered for. As the end of the session approached, and campers got picked up to go home, M remained left behind.
Days turned into weeks, and still, no one came to pick him up. But on the shores of Lake Erie at Camp Fitch, M found more than just shelter; he finally felt a sense of belonging.
For five weeks, I spent my days back and forth with social workers who would eventually ask if we could keep M one more week. Despite the heartache of shattered promises, my bond with M flourished. We molded not only his soft skills but also his spirit, nurturing his love for dance and helping him feel loved and important. Every week at skit night, M would perform a new dance for the entire camp and without fail, the entire camp would be chanting his name in a standing ovation at the end of the performance.
As summer came to an end, and all this time being left behind at camp had passed, M was now being placed in a new home, not the same home he left when coming to camp five weeks ago. Driving M to his new placement at the end of the summer was heart breaking. For five weeks I felt like I was able to help him grow, and final feel loved and now I was sending him into the unknown. My heart was filled with love as my eyes filled with tears. All I could think was thank God M ended up at Camp Fitch.
I plunge for M and all the other campers who find their way to Camp Fitch. Let's make sure every kid has access to the transformative camp experiences that can
Make Kids Better, Forever!
Please consider helping get kids to Camp Fitch YMCA this year by donating to my
Polar Bear Plunge campaign.