Just a few months ago, serendipity stepped in and I joined the small yet mighty team of Experience Camps. I had no clue that this group of amazing humans was about to become my family. A small staff and 400+ incredible volunteers who give so much of themselves, all to make sure our 800 campers feel at home and have the Best Week Ever. From the moment they step off the bus, this is home. For kids who have lost so much in their young lives, now they have gained so much more in the ExCamps family. 

This summer I had the chance to visit our camps in Pennsylvania and Maine. Camp is indeed a place of magic. Not the unicorns and sparkles kind (although there may often be some unicorn onsies running around). It's the intangible kind of people who "get it".  I am fortunate enough that someone close in my life has not died, yet.  I know I don't exactly know what these kids have already and continue to go through. But the beauty of ExCamps is you don't have to "be in the club" to be there for these campers. 

Sadly, I do have the experience of seeing a loved one be seriously ill. This is partly why I am fundraising for ExCamps. As I sat in the back of several campfires, listening to these 8, 9, 10+ year olds talk about how they lost their caregiver to cancer, or heart disease, or another terminal illness, I was struck by their bravery.  I am 33 years old. I cry at least once a week thinking about my family going through this illness. I worry every day. How will we manage this? What do we say to each other? What happens next?  I think about how these kids, these terribly strong and brave kids, hold their head up high and become each other's support. If they can get through this, so can I.  I want to do everything I can to make sure more kids can get the support they need one a loved one dies.

So, as one of the newer members of the ExCamps team I'm fundraising for our newest camp, MidwEx!  I hope you will join me. $5, $10, $50, $100, $2 million! Any bit helps. If not for me, give for the campers, If not for me, give for a person in your life you hope has this support. If not for me, give for yourself and know you'll make a difference in so many kids lives!