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New England camps offer experience of a lifetime

NAPLES, Fla. (Aug. 31, 2011) – Eight students recently had the life-changing opportunity to attend prestigious New England summer camps, thanks to The Immokalee Foundation and proceeds from last year’s Charity Classic Fund A Dream auction.

Students were selected based on grades, involvement and accountability to attend Kingsley Pines, a three-week camp located in Maine. Two TIF students were invited to the all boys Camp Deerwood in New Hampshire, and Jesus Velazco, who attended Kingsley Pines camp last year was personally invited by the camp owners to participate in a three-week leadership camp this summer.

“Each camp provided the students with unique experiences and adventure that they never dreamed about,” said TIF program manager, Patricia Rizo. “Some of them have never been outside of Florida, or even Immokalee, others have never been on an airplane.”

The camps emphasized building character and friendships, along with learning new skills and enjoying a healthy outdoor summer experience.

Erial Perez attended the Maine camp and described it as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. She had heard about the camp from another friend, Monique Williams who also attended, and was excited when she heard she had been chosen to attend Kingsley Pines. She said the camp was full of activities, including archery, crafts, basketball, tennis, rock climbing, canoeing, water skiing and evening campfires. Campers make their own activity choices and are encouraged to challenge themselves and master skills in a variety of areas.

Theater was one of her favorite activities, with campers creating and performing different skits. “It was so much fun,” Perez said. She also enjoyed getting to know her fellow campers from all over the country and world. “It was interesting to get to know more about them and where they were from.”

Velazco was thrilled to learn he was invited to attend the Teen Leadership Camp, which consisted of only eight campers and three counselors. The program included a weeklong road trip to Acadia National Park in Maine and Quebec City, Canada, as well as numerous team building and leadership activities over a three-week period.

“It was an amazing experience,” said Velazco. “As time went on, we built friendships and learned to trust one another – all while having fun.”

Above all, he noted that the camp helped give him the courage and strength to want to do something else. “I want to travel the world. Now, I can gather my goals and dreams and make them a reality.”

For Rizo, seeing the kids’ faces upon their return is unlike anything else. “It is amazing how a few weeks of camp can change their lives, but it does. When they come back, you can see on their faces the image of confidence and real winners; that nothing is impossible and the opportunities in life are endless.”

The 2011 Charity Classic Celebration dinner and auction will take place Friday, Nov. 11 at The Ritz-Carlton, Naples. The theme of this year’s event, “Building Blocks for a Brighter Future” celebrates the foundation’s mission to provide sustained educational opportunities that make aspirations come true for the youth of Immokalee. Ticket prices are $550 per guest, tables are available at $5,000 for 10 and $6,000 for 12. Sponsorship and underwriting opportunities are also available.

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