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receive numerous notes and letters from parents of boys
and girls who have attended one of our approved camps
as a result of a sponsored campership through the Cheley
Foundation. Many parents report that, upon their return
from camp, their children demonstrate enhanced maturity,
self-confidence, and social skills. |
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We
believe that this experience afforded Kati a chance to
grow and mature as a young woman independent from the
safety net of her family. She had to find her own way
to overcome obstacles and adversity with the support and
companionship of her fellow campers and find her own voice
in the process. WE believe Kati learned the value of deferred
gratification through her struggle to overcome obstacles
on the trail and the sense of confidence and accomplishment
that she felt after she had conquered her trials and fears.
She learned the value of teamwork and responsibility through
the group hiking and camping activities. She learned how
to rely on herself when she needed to and she learned
how to get along with many different personalities, enabling
her to learn vital interpersonal skills and meet many
new friends along the way. |
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I
have literally been waiting all year to write this letter!
I will somehow try to find the words to express my gratitude
for what you have provided for Edward. I truly can not
thank you enough for your generosity. Edward has been
able to attend Colvig for the third summer in a row
this year because you provided the means to get him
there.
When
he returned from camp last year, something inside him
changed and it was so apparent to everyone who knows
him. At my first parent teacher meeting last year, hi
teacher said she noticed it immediately. He was so confident
and while he never let his learning disability get in
his way, he really was taking charge of his education.
He became such a model student that teachers were asking
him to be in their classes!
Colvig
Silver Camps has shaped who Edward is today. At just
1`4 years old, he is a determined, strong, self-assured,
adventurous and giving young man. You can see from out
initial application that he wasn't described that way.
He was not confident, lacked a great deal of the self-esteem
he now has and wouldn't have been described as a leader.
He has accomplished this goal. He is known at school
as the Leave No Trace Behind, hiking and backpacking
guru. He even taught a class last year! He studied Alaska
last year in a class at school and is no on a backpacking
trip covering 1400 miles.
This
spring Edward applied and was accepted to join the Arapahoe
Rescue Patrol. He completed his basic training and is
now a member of the only youth-lead search and rescue
organization in the country (possibly the world). I
am positive that he wouldn't be volunteering for such
an amazing service if it hadn't been for such an amazing
service if it hadn't been for his experiences at Colvig.
I
am so grateful to Colvig and to the Foundation for the
gift you have given my son. I hope you know just how
much what you do changes the lives o young person, which
in turn changes the world. You have changed the path
my son is on and while I don't know where it will take
him, I know it will be somewhere phenomenal!
Thank you from the bottom of my heart
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See
a slideshow sent to us by one camper's family. (You
will need Powerpoint software in order to view this slideshow.) |
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For
our son, this camping experience was a "life-changing"
experience. He's not only learned new skills for life,
but he's accepted new challenges. It has been a character
building experience that will show results for a lifetime.
The moment I saw him I could tell he was a "changed"
young man. I feel he learned about friendship and bonds.
He learned how to challenge himself. He's learned about
self reliance. Most importantly, he's showing by example
the relevance of a "code of ethics." |
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Not
only did he cultivate some very special friendships, he
left camp with a renewed sense of self and greater confidence.
We had the opportunity to join him during his final weekend
at camp. It was obvious to us that he had had a profound
life-changing experience. It was rather extraordinary
for us to observe the bond he shared with his fellow campmates
and staff. He seemed completely at ease with others, and
appeared unusually comfortable with his emotions. It was
as if he had somehow made peace with his true and natural
self.
Camp was also a time of profound self-discovery for him.
At the ripe young age of 13, he discovered the freedom
and beauty of living in the moment, enjoying the here
and now. The focus from "doing" to "being"
has been a powerful revelation for him. It's also apparent
that he had many opportunities to fine tune his leadership
skills. Please know how much your sponsorship has meant
to us. We are forever grateful. |
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I
write once again to thank you for allowing my son to experience
a wonderful session at camp. He has expressed in letters
to his family how the second time around was better for
him because he knew what to expect and what was expected
of him. Also through his letters I fell he had a sense
of comfort for the wilderness, and that he has gained
positive leadership skills.
The
feedback I received from his counselors proved his inner
strengths at camp had a positive effect on other campers.
He has also mentioned several times to family how one
day hew would like to become a junior counselor and
then a senior counselor at camp so he can give back
what the experience has given to him.
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Thank
you for choosing my son Nigel for the 2004 camp scholarship.
Nigel's a great son, person and student. He works hard
everyday and deserves to have a reward such as this. Camp
brought out the best in Nigel and has taught him responsibility,
self-confidence and leadership skills. Again, thanks! |
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Josh
is 13 and had never been away from home for more than
a week and we were both fearful this would be hard. Slowly
the news trickled in and he was having a blast. He was
falling in love with the horses and the mountains.
When
we came to pick him up from camp we noticed he was in
his element. His posture was better, his manners seemed
better and he was not afraid to tell us that he loves
us.
The
drive home was very sad for Josh because he was leaving
a once in a lifetime experience. He made friends and
learned how to ride and care for horses. We began to
see daily the life changes camp had made on Josh. There
has not been a day since that we have not heard about
or seen evidence of camp.
As
a mother, I have been grateful and thrilled that my
son had the privilege and opportunity to attend and
participate in camp. It has been a life changing summer.
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I
would like to thank you for giving Alex the opportunity
to attend camp. Without your funding help with the tuition,
he would have never gotten the chance to experience the
wonders he tells us about.
During Alex's time at camp, he learned many new skills
and also had a chance to improve on skills he already
possessed. These include archery, riflery, horseback
riding, river rafting, mountain climbing, etc. These
new skills, combined with friendships he made, have
led to an increase in Alex's self-esteem and given him
a great confidence in his own abilities. It has also
helped develop his social skills, making him more outgoing
and more accepting of the differences in individual
people. The endeavors that my son has undergone will
undoubtedly aid him through future points in his life.
I thank you for sharing the camp experience with him.
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Camp was once again a great experience for my child, Corey.
I sense a change in him from when he left to when he came
back. Before he went to camp, I would have to tell him
to do his chores - after he came back from camp, I didn't
have to tell him. He did the on his own.
We feel camp is like one big happy family. Thank your
Foundation for myself and Corey for giving him this
great opportunity and support.
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