We all face challenges in our lives, and thankfully most of us have the necessary resources and support to overcome them. Unfortunately, this is not always the case for the children we meet every year at Agassiz Village. Our children often have few places to turn-especially in the summer-where they can feel safe, make friends and learn valuable life and leadership skills in a fun environment.
Agassiz Village summer camp is THAT place and your gift WILL change a child's life.
Meet Kayla
"I can't believe how many stars are out at night. You don't even know they exist when you are in the city." Kayla, 2016 camper
Kayla, age 11, currently lives with her grandmother who has had custody of Kayla since she was 3 months old. Her mother, deemed unfit to care for her three children, has more than 20 years of substance abuse. Kayla was born with methadone in her system and required a two-month hospital stay before going "home" to her caring grandmother.
Throughout Kayla's childhood, her mother has made no attempt to contact or visit her, which contributes to her struggles with rejection, abandonment and sadness. Her grandmother had very limited resources, but wanted Kayla to experience a fun, positive environment with her peers.
"I wanted Kayla to have something positive in her life where she could make friends and feel joy and she came back from camp with so much more ... confidence, responsibility and life-long friendships."
Kayla returned from camp with a renewed sense of happiness, a bunch of new friends and an extended AV Family she can depend on.
Kayla's grandmother was able to send Kayla to camp for four weeks because someone cares. That someone can be you!
While the names and faces change over the decades, our values do not. Today, Agassiz Village transports boys and girls from metropolitan environments-often marked by limited resources, stress, and negative challenges-to 400 bucolic acres where they are introduced to quiet wilderness, a pristine lake, endless sunlit summer skies and an awe-inspiring panorama of nighttime stars. They have the opportunity to experience a range of recreational activities from arts and crafts to swimming and boating to high ropes courses within a community that fosters friendship, safety, and self-reliance.