Jon Wilkenfeld

Jon's page

Fundraising for Experience Camps
US$4,458
raised of US$5,000 target
Donations cannot currently be made to this page
Event: ManEx and SomEx, on 31 December 2019
In memory of David Schuster
ManEx and SomEx
Campaign by Experience Camps (RCN 262513136)
Experience Camps at Camps Manitou and Somerset | Five Camps. One Goal. A Battle of the Camps to decide who truly is the BEST WEEK OF THE YEAR

Story

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.   

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About the campaign

Experience Camps at Camps Manitou and Somerset | Five Camps. One Goal. A Battle of the Camps to decide who truly is the BEST WEEK OF THE YEAR

About the charity

Experience Camps are free, one-week camps for children and teens who have experienced the death of a parent, sibling or primary caregiver. It's a place where kids can laugh, play, and learn how to cope with their losses with hope and resilience. It's a place of untethered joy and genuine emotion.

Donation summary

Total raised
US$4,458.00
Online donations
US$4,458.00
Offline donations
US$0.00

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