Ashlee’s Return to Camp Letter

Ashlee is a former Regional Ambassador and a long-time Easter Seals camper. This year she will be taking part in our newly launched Voyager program for older campers. Here’s a letter we received from Ashlee explaining why she can’t wait to get back to camp this summer: 

Oh wow, I’m so excited to be going to Merrywood this summer. Camp is the most magical place on earth, forget Disney.

Camps are so important to children and youth and adults, especially this year. We have been put on the sidelines even more but camp takes that all away. Without camp I felt like something super important was missing. When I was younger, I went to a school where I was the only student with a physical disability, so camp was like magic, “wow, I’m not the only one!”

Virtual camp was out of this world amazing, it warmed my heart that the staff would work so hard to make sure us campers had a great summer. I took part in the CIT program and had so much fun.

I felt for the campers that had never been to Woodeden or Merrywood. I was happy to answer any questions, a lot of them asked what it was like. I told them it was like a gigantic sleepover, with a bunch of friends and super fun activities.

Camp has taught me that I can do anything. There is little I can’t do at camp, even then, staff adapt or are happy to help with whatever we need in order to have an amazing time. I’m really excited to take part in the new Voyager program for older campers. I’ve taken part in every new program that Easter Seals Camp has organized and it’s coming full circle this summer.

I’m really excited to try my favourite camp activities again. I can’t wait to just float in the pool with no cares in the world – those are dropped off at the gate when we check in.

The Managers of Operation have gone above and beyond answering my questions. I was a little nervous returning, but not now. Every day I wake up thinking “one more day closer to the best place in Ontario.”

To our camp staff that are coming to camp to care for us and do programming, thank you from the bottom of my heart. What you are doing means a lot. Some of us haven’t seen our friends for a long time and you guys are making this possible.

I don’t think “thank you” is enough though…

Sincerely, a grateful camper.

Ashlee