Dear Friends and Family,

See the photo of me with the 4 teenagers?  They represent the success of Camp Horizon programs!   I've know these 4 teens since they were 8 years old (3 of the 4 in the photo all started Camp Horizon the same year as I did in 1999).  I've watched them grow emotionally and spiritually by being a part of the Camp Horizon family.  When this photo was taken, they were planning a workshop on Peer Pressure for their fellow campers, which they facilitated at a Leadership Development Program (LDP) event in May.

From uncertain beginnings to being adopted into loving homes, these teens are the next generation of Camp Horizon leaders.  They are planning to be staff interns at the Summer Camp program (for ages 8-11 yr olds) this July.  For all who do this, it is almost a full circle moment, as they were all once summer camp campers (the introduction to our programs).  They complete the "circle" when they graduate high school and come back as summer camp counselors, which some do.

Let me tell you about these 4 special people in my life:
(FYI - Their personal history is confidential due to their former status as foster children, but I can tell you this about them....)

ROSEA, the young lady in the pink sweater, is going to be very busy this summer.  In addition to being a summer camp intern, she is also participating in the Georgia Teen Institute (GTI) for Middle Schoolers as a student staff member.  Then she'll  be an attendee at the GTI event for high schoolers, like she did last year (I was the adult advisory at last year's GTI with Rosea, her sister Ronea - pictured here - as well as another camper).   Rosea has really come into her own since last summer's GTI.  She exceeded expectations by becoming a true leader in applying for the GTI middle school student staff member position for 2008.   She is also a very gifted poet and all around sweetheart.

RONEA is Rosea's twin sister, pictured in the white shirt.  Ronea has overcome a lot of self doubt and shyness over the years and  continues to inspire us with her willingness to take on obstacles placed in her path.  She is very funny and loves to sing.  She showed her true strength when she stood in front of 200 people, at last year's GTI, to sing a song in the talent show.

TYLER, the young man in the photo, just graduated high school and is starting college in August.  Being a summer camp intern this year,  will be his last act as a Camp Horizon "camper."  Then he'll have the opportunity to become involved as an adult  volunteer. He is extremely humorous and charming and we all look forward to seeing him become the great man he is destined to be.  I will miss him terribly  while he is away at college!

PAULA, the young lady with the long hair, and I have a special friendship. We email each other all the time.  She's so smart and graceful - I just love being around her spirit.   She's extremely well-read and loves to be the big sister to her younger siblings - FAMILY is very important to her.  She's planning on attending the GTI event for high schoolers, as well as return once again as a summer camp intern.

Later in the year, all LDP campers are invited to attend the annual weekend camp retreat and other one-day life skills events, held throughout the year.

These teens represent a small part of the Camp Horizon family .  We're happy to say that there are other nice stories to tell......but as you can imagine, there are some not-so-nice stories too.  That's why Camp Horizon is so important!   Many of our campers are in foster care and don't have a consistent family to love and support them year in and year out.....but if they are a camper at Camp Horizon, they have OUR family to count on.....to remember their birthday.....to share and remember an experience of them riding their first horse......loving them unconditionally and allowing their true nature and spirit to shine and showing them how to love themselves!  We record all our special memories through photography.  Every year, Camp Horizon high school graduates get a collage featuring pictures of themselves throughout their Camp Horizon experience (from age 8 to 18).  Some children in foster care don't have photos documenting their lives.....Camp Horizon truly cherishes this aspect of being part of our family!

As a board member and 9-year volunteer, I am committed to restoring dignity and hope into the lives of these children and teens.

Please help in this effort by making a donation today!

Donating through this website is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to support my fundraising efforts.

Many thanks for your support -- and don't forget to forward this to anyone who you think might want to donate too!