Testimonials

We asked our 2021 grant recipients three questions about the impact that their summer had on their lives. Here’s what they said:

What was one skill you learned and gained this summer at camp?

Horseback riding. I have never ridden a horse before camp.

I received my marksman level 5 in air riflery. I have always been fearful of trying this activity in previous years, but this year camp had us cycle through some activities and air riflery was one of them. I am so glad I was encouraged to participate, as I likely would have never tried it outside of camp. I overcame a huge fear and really enjoyed moving up the levels

This year, I took a camp craft class where George taught me how to make fire. It’s a very important skill I wouldn’t have learned by staying at home.

Canoeing, I received my intermediate canoeing feather this year!

Last summer at camp, I learned how to load and shoot an Airsoft rifle. Learning a new skill helped me build confidence that when I try something, I can accomplish it.

One skill that I learned and gained this summer at camp was how to strengthen relationships with campers who were younger than me. I was able to be with many different campers this year due to switching pods because I was vaccinated. While moving around I was able to create new relationships and leadership skills that I would not have had without the opportunity of camp this year.

I got a riflery feather!

Swim level, sailing, and archery

What can you do at camp that you can’t do at home?

Archery & riflery.

One of the best parts about camp is that I must figure things out on my own. I do have counselors who guide me, but I don’t have my mom or dad to watch over me. I can make my own decisions on all kinds of things like what activities to participate in, who I choose to hang out with, what I eat and that makes me feel more independent. I love that we don’t have access to any technology as that does make us more reliant on ourselves. I am a pretty anxious person so camp really helps me overcome my fears of being away and when I get back home, I feel much better about myself and I know I can accomplish hard things. At camp I also get to meet new people. Since we all come from different places and different backgrounds it gives me a chance to make new friends with people, I may not have an opportunity to meet otherwise.

Go on outdoor adventures with my best friends and be part of a community with people I’ll know for a lifetime

Tubing, canoeing, kayaking, riflery, sabotage, camp craft, hanging out with boys my own age instead of sitting at home all summer. I get to hopefully see the friends I made this past summer next year, and of course George! I never knew I could enjoy life WITHOUT technology, truly enjoy a summer and yet never was I bored. OH, and waking up every day and jumping in the lake! OHHH, I LOVE IT! At home during the summer, it is so boring mom and dad work all day and I have no one to hang out with so I play a bunch of video games which are fine but get old quickly. With having camp to look forward to, it’s like a countdown clock and the best time of my life and I already am excited for next summer and pray I get to go again.

There are so many things I can do at camp that I can’t do at home, such as tubing, meet people from all around the world, kayak, canoe, sail, play gaga ball, fish, and take soapies in a lake.

There are many things that I can do at camp that I cannot do at home. Many of these include the activities and trip opportunities that we are given. I was able to see so many places that I would never go without camp. Two of my favorite places that I have been are the Apostle Islands and Isle Royale.

I can go horseback riding and play so many fun games that I can’t play at home. I got to try out a bunch of different activities during the first week which was fun.

Sailing, archery, wood shop

How have your experiences at camp helped you at school this year?

Not to be so shy when meeting new people.

Every year that I have had the privilege to attend camp I come away with greater independence and self-confidence. I am a strong student academically, but I lack self-confidence at times. Camp Mishawaka builds my confidence and my independence in all areas of my life. I became more self-sufficient and responsible after attending camp. After spending 4 weeks technology free, in nature learning new skills – I have a fresh new start for the school year.

I started high school this year and camp helped me to pause and get ready for a new school with new teachers and classmates. The many skills I learn at Camp Mishawaka are how to get along with others that I might not normally hang out with, be responsible for my own stuff, and work hard to achieve the next level at something. The counselors at camp are great at motivating and helping to develop new skills

I started Junior High this year and it is very different than what I was used to and I was a little nervous at the end of school last year. I feel like going to camp for the first time this past summer has helped me at school because if I can get on a plane for the first time in my life, alone, and go away at camp and live with people I don’t know and hang out and make friends, and do all kinds of different activities like getting up in front of everyone and doing plays, then going to Jr. High is easy and not scary at all and I have no problems trying to talk to new people. Also, camp has really taught me to set goals. At camp you get feathers and now at home I have created a list of goals for myself to achieve such as homework and things to study daily or exercises I do, and it feels good to achieve these goals that I set myself.

Camp has helped me become more outgoing, be more comfortable being me, and try new things.

Last year, going into camp with different expectations due to COVID helped me transition into the school year. At camp this year we were still able to do a lot of the activities that we have enjoyed in the past. This made me more optimistic going into the school year knowing that even though things might be different there is still a lot of good that can come out of it.

I gained more confidence, and I got to speak to so many people at camp and those things helped me at school and wherever I went. Also, when we did the SNL skit night for drama, I saw how much I could memorize in a week , and I’m going to audition for my school’s winter musical and hopefully I can get a speaking part ! I feel more confident this time because of drama at camp and my experience in drama at middle school. Last time in 8th grade I was in the ensemble at my middle school, so I’m going to work hard this time on whatever part I get this time, big or small or medium.

Being able to structure the day and focus on making sure I am responsible for getting my schoolwork complete and on time. Camp has helped with teaching personal responsibility for staying on track with all schoolwork and chores at home