We want you to meet Camile. Camile is a dedicated mother of three busy little kids. Her days are filled with all of the energy that a toddler, first grader, and fifth grader bring. Like most moms, Camile is concerned with keeping her little ones active, fostering new friendships, and preparing them for life – all the while balancing a home and schedules. We see you, Camile!
This summer Camile’s two oldest children, Lhogan and Laura, had the opportunity to attend summer camp at Vivo. Through generous donations to Everybody Plays, Lhogan and Laura were given a week at camp – free of charge.
“The free week of summer camp helped my family a lot – especially me! The kids had fun and every day after camp they had lots of stories to tell us. It helped me a lot as I have three kids – sending Lhogan and Laura eased my load in the house. It gave me a little bit of quiet time when my toddler was sleeping!”
Camile expressed gratitude when asked about her family’s experience attending summer camp at Vivo.
“My kids had a lot of stories to tell after their summer camp.
“They were so happy they were able to see inside Vivo because we usually just go to Vivo’s outdoor playground because it’s free. They told me they met a lot of friends and it’s also good for them mentally because they’re not on the screen when they’re in the camp – usually in the house they will just want to watch TV.
“To be honest, everything about summer camp at Vivo is memorable for them.
“They were so happy and lucky to be able to go to this free summer camp and see inside Vivo. My kids like to swim – they’re always looking forward to it and they told me whenever the instructor told them to change for swimming they would be jumping for joy.”
It can be easy to overlook these things, with many people nowadays seeing summer camp as another part of the schedule, or simply as summer childcare. Summer camp provides children with lifelong memories – experiences that they will carry with them for life. At Vivo, we love hearing about the confidence, joy, competence, and connection that summer camps bring.
“My six-year-old daughter, Laura, is going into grade one this school year, and I see that after summer camp, she’s already confident doing everything by herself. She told me she can eat by herself now, she can put on sunscreen by herself without any help, and even change her clothes.
“I got teary eyed when she was telling me this stuff. I told her I’m so proud of her. My baby girl is a big girl now.
“With my son Lhogan, he loves being active and meeting different kids so he can gain more friends and try new activities. At summer camp he was able to make new friends and he even asked me to get their numbers so they can play again another time.
Summer camp brings people together – creating lasting social connections, developing life skills, and core memories. This summer, through our in-house Everybody Plays program, we were able to send 35 kids to summer camp, free of charge. Everybody Plays is fully donor-funded! That means that because of the generosity of people just like you, kids like Lhogan and Laura were able to experience summer camp. They were given the gift of friendship, independence, play, and adventure. And the impact wasn’t only felt by the kids.
“As a mother of three, this free camp helped me a lot, especially with my mental health.
“This gave me a break, even though I still have a toddler with me. And I’m so happy they were able to go to summer camp for the very first time with Vivo. My kids have never had any paid activity because it’s expensive and we can’t just afford it. Vivo is close to our house and I don’t need to drive far for my kids to enjoy.
“And I’m so thankful you guys have an activity like this.”
At Vivo, we do a lot of talking about health, about how health is wholistic – it’s about our mental, physical, emotional, spiritual, and social wellbeing. We really believe that healthier generations are raised through this well-rounded view of health. Experiences like Camile’s remind us that we all have the ability to lift one another – that we are truly stronger together. When the community comes together for good, lives are changed.
To Camile for sharing her personal story, thank you. And to the donors who made this summer camp experience possible for Lhogan, Laura, Camile and family – thank you, you’re truly raising healthier generations.
