This past summer was the fifth consecutive year that I've volunteered at Manitou Experience - the original site of Ex Camps.  For those that don't know, Experience camps are free one week camps that are dealing with the loss of a close loved one, usually a parent or primary caregiver.  The camps provide an opportunity for kids to be with other kids that "get it."  While there are grief-based activities for about an hour a day, most of the time is just about having fun and letting these kids be kids.  The kids come back year after year because to many - it truly is the best week of the year.    

This summer I had the privilege of being the Dean of the Michigan Wolverines (I'm the one in the Tom Brady Michigan jersey) as part of the camp's College League.  They divide the camp up into four teams, led by four "Deans" and supporting coaches, and the kids battle each other in activities ranging from traditional sports like flag football and basketball to games like dodgeball and gaga and special activities like rope burn, trivia and a scavenger hunt.  After losing all 7 games during the first day and starting off deep in 4th place, our team never lost their spirit. We rallied back hard and won the Olympics and 5 of 7 games on the second to last day of camp.  Ultimately, we came up short and finished in 4th place but the kids never lost their spirit or energy and I loved every moment of it.  

ExCamps still has room to grow and we need your help to open more spots for grieving kids to attend these wonderful programs.   Every donation matters as it costs about $1,000 to send a kid for one week.  It is totally FREE to the kids.  

Feel free to text, email, or call me if you want to learn more about this great organization.