Before last summer, I was the quiet kid who always sat in the back, afraid to speak up. But something changed at the Boys & Girls Clubs Summer Camp.
It started with the field trips—so many firsts. We walked across the Golden Gate Bridge! I had lived so close my whole life, yet never set foot on it. The view was unreal seeing the bay, San Francisco and East Bay Hills. I felt like I was part of something bigger. Then it was the first time I went to Six Flags. I remember the rush of my first roller coaster. I screamed louder than I ever talked at school!
Juan Carlos’ Story
Back at camp, we did hands-on activities that actually made learning fun. My favorite was making a 3D model of DNA using candy. Twizzlers became the backbone, and gummy bears were the base pairs. I built something real, something I understood...and it was delicious!
By the end of summer, I wasn’t just the quiet kid anymore. I laughed more, made friends, and felt like I belonged.
Camp was the best part of my summer—I made friends, tried new things, and learned in ways that didn’t feel like school. I want other kids to have the same chance! Your gift can help more kids go to camp, make memories, and have the best summer ever.
Thanks,
Give the gift of a great summer!
The Kids You Help:
Hi, my name is Sofia, and summer camp is my favorite place in the world!
Every morning, while my mom goes to work, I get to spend my day at the Boys & Girls Club Summer Camp. We do so many cool things! Without camp, I would sit around at home watching TV.
Every day is different! One day, we’re making up silly games in the gym, and the next, we’re on a field trip, exploring tide pools at the beach. On one field trip we went to the California Academy of Sciences and saw dinosaur bones, a rain forest, and all kinds of fish. I saw things I’ve never seen before.
When I am at camp I feel happy. The staff are so fun and always helping me out. Like Pebbles, who cheers the loudest when I try something new. When I was nervous about playing one of the group games, she encouraged me to go for it. When I had a rough morning, Dragon noticed right away and sat with me until I felt better. They make sure every kid feels important, included, and supported. I look up to them a lot, and one day, I want to be a staff member too so I can help kids the way they’ve helped me.
I’ve learned how to paint and play soccer- and the best part? My friends. We play, learn, and grow together, and I know I can always count on them.
The truth is, camp only happens because of grown-ups like you.
Thanks for believing in us!
Sofia, Age 11
