Summer Camp on the Lake

I am a single mother and cannot afford a family vacation for the whole family, thanks to your scholarship program the children get to take their own vacation to Camp Fitch.

When I pick him up from camp he is glowing, beaming with Camp Fitch joy. He told me that camp is his summer home and the Camp Fitch Bunch is his family.

It gives him a chance to explore life in a controlled setting while gaining needed social skills and computer programming skills. As a high functioning teen with autism he needs to learn how to connect with others on his own.

Evan has grown as a person and matures every year. I can't wait for him to continue the values that he learns while away at camp when he comes home.

Camp allows my daughter a time and place to unwind and get away from the everyday things in today's fast paced life. She can unplug, expend energy, and enjoy the outdoors with all of its natural challenges and beauties. In addition, the very spiritual nature of the camp, the devotions and the ceremonies have left an imprint on her heart!

Alex has enjoyed each year. He is enthusiastic as camp approaches and looks forward to the adventure, new activities and friendships. As an only child, I love that he adapts to being part of a larger group. I like that the days are full and no electronics are around. The fact that he plans his own schedule and is independent is a big plus.

I love that there are no electronic devices allowed. Camp provides a beautiful outdoor space, fun activities and a unique experience to sleep outdoors in the cabents. My daughter also made a lot of new friends and tried a lot of new activities. It was an even better experience for her (and us) than I had anticipated!

My daughter and I are very close. I feel at times that this bond has been her crutch to break out and believe that she can do things without me. Camp allows her to see in herself what I see in her every day.

Camp Fitch is a family tradition now. It helps the kids develop independence and self-esteem. They are able to survive without their parents and enjoy themselves immensely. In school, teachers can tell kids who have had these kinds of experiences. It adds richness to their character.

I wanted her to experience being away from home, to learn to bond with other kids and do fun activities before she started high school. Camp Fitch gives her a chance to learn how to make new friends outside of her peers at school.

Camp Fitch, and the YMCA in general, have a solid reputation and good reviews. This camp with its large terrains and location on Lake Erie to offer everything that we were looking for in our son’s camp experience. Overall, this was a very positive camp experience for our son, with many fun memories.

Kyle has come out of his shell during the three years that he has attended the camp. Because of the Leadership Development program he has started being more involved with teaching at church and volunteering for mentoring programs through the school system. He very much wants to spend the summer at camp next summer as a counselor.