CAMP ERIN – PHILADELPHIA

COMMENTS FROM CAMPERS’

PARENTS & Guardians

I am sorry for the delay in emailing you to let you know what an awesome time the boys had.  E. has talked non stop about the weekend.  T. on the other hand has just been crying that he wanted to go back to Camp Erin.  I would like you to know that all the hard work and effort put forth by yourself and the others that made the weekend possible was MUCH appreciated.

They want to go back next year.  I explained that may not be possible as other kids unfortunately will be going thru what they have been thru this year.  Keep us in mind that if the opportunity presents, they want to go again. 

Thank you so much. 

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[My daughter] had such a wonderful time at Camp Erin.  She has shown positive evidence that the camp was a great benefit to her.  She had used phrases such as "Face your fears," clearly something she experienced at camp. 

Thanks so much, more later,

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I just wanted to let you know what a wonderful time [my son] had at Camp Erin this weekend.  He said it was the best time he ever had!  He couldn't stop talking about all of the fun activities, and especially how much he adored his cabin buddies.  He talked non-stop about how wonderful the three cabin buddies were... how they were nice, fun, and great listeners.  Please pass along my appreciation if you see these three gentlemen!

I want to thank you again for all your help over the past few weeks.  Camp Erin has been an incredible experience for [my son], and one I'm sure he will never forget.

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[My daughter] really enjoyed herself. You must have really had your work cut out for you preparing for camp Erin. Once again just waned to say thanks.

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Hi,

Five of my children attended Camp Erin-Phila. this past weekend.  I cannot express my thankfulness enough, for this absolutely wonderful experience for them.  My 18 yr old son died last summer from an auto accident while he was working at a camp in Maine.  [My son] was the middle of 11 children.  His heart was helping underprivileged kids at summer camp every year since he himself was in 6th grade.  It is so ironic that my younger kids would find support, love and healing at a camp also. 

I don’t know where to begin about how wonderful the whole experience was for them, and for myself.  I loved the way the leaders were so organized.  It put many of my fears to ease.  The staff greeted us all with warm smiles, and a feeling that they were there to serve and help us.  The quilts on the kid's bunk beds were an expression of love, not only from the foundation but from the hands that spent so much time making them.  I am familiar with Project Linus, and the love that goes into each blanket and quilt.  The teddy bears were adorable.  I also appreciated the quality of the meals that were served to the kids.  So much more nutritious than "typical" camp food.

After I dropped my kids off at their cabins, I was pretty emotional.  Seeing the love and concern that the counselors had for the kids, put my mind to ease, but it also broke my heart that my kids had a loss and that was the reason they were there.

To be honest, my kids were nervous about attending Camp Erin.  They were afraid they were going to have to talk a lot about [my son], and I know they feared getting emotional in front of strangers.  When the camp was over, they kept asking, "when can we go back again?"  I don’t know if there will be subsequent years for campers to return, or if there will only be a reunion, but there excitement proved to me, that they had a wonderful time.

God Bless your fantastic work.

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Since camp, [my daughter] is the most up she has been in a long time. She is talking about Christmas and going back to school - positive things.

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After [my children’s] dad died, [my daughter] was very angry, kept to herself, didn’t talk too much and was not as affectionate. Since returning from camp- actually like the video we saw, on the drive home from camp- she talked and talked and talked about her time at Camp Erin-Philadelphia. I have just recently seen signs of my daughter.  She is smiling more and becoming more affectionate. I know we still have further to go, but I am happy to see her not so angry. With the help of his grandfather, [my son] has started his own scrapbook and included the article from the Inquirer.

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K. told me how much she enjoyed camp. She said what a positive experience she had being with other kids. The only thing K. would change is the length of the camp; she wanted it to be longer. I guess she wasn’t sure how much she would like “the woods,” since she had never been outside of the city. Turns out she really enjoyed her first camping experience.

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[My children] had a wonderful time at camp.  I want to thank you and everyone involved for putting such a great thing together!

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I wanted to take this opportunity to thank you and your staff for the wonderful weekend my daughters, had at Camp Erin in August.  It was a tremendous opportunity for them to share their loss with others while making friends.  I know that this weekend will stay with them forever.

Once again, thank you to everyone involved with Camp Erin.