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As part of the first group of CFAK campers at Camp Marimeta, Syeda couldn’t have imagined how much her world was about to grow.
Before Syeda arrived at camp, she had never been in a lake before, let alone swimming. The outdoors were entirely new to her and felt unfamiliar and intimidating.
Through encouragement from her counselors and support of her camp community, she built her confidence, challenging herself more and more.
Over the years, she came to participate in all of Marimeta’s lake activities. This summer, as a Counselor in Training (CIT), Syeda reached another amazing milestone she could have only dreamed about before camp: participating in Marimeta’s service-learning trip, traveling to and snorkeling in Hawaii.
Syeda joined Camp for All Kids as a fifth grade student and now five summers later, she has become the first CFAK camper to earn Marimeta’s five year jacket – a beacon of the remarkable journey she has taken.
Next summer, Syeda plans to return as a member of the staff, becoming one of the first Marimeta Camp for All Kids campership recipients to come full circle to a camp employee.
Her mom, Serita, has witnessed Syeda mature and grow in countless ways at camp. From learning tennis and ziplining to developing leadership skills and building confidence, she describes the Marimeta experience as life-changing.
What makes Syeda's story especially meaningful is that it didn't happen in a single summer: it happened because she was able to come back – each summer building upon the confidence from the last.
That’s the power of renewable camperships – it doesn’t simply create one unforgettable summer, it creates opportunities for children to grow, year after year, discovering new passions they never knew they had and developing life skills they never imagined possible.
This is kind of impact your generosity creates.
Five summers ago, Syeda had never been in a lake.
Today, she's snorkeling in Hawaii and helping to create that same experience for others.
Thank you for helping make stories like Syeda’s possible.
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