YOUR SUPPORT IMPACTS THE LIVES OF YOUNG PEOPLE Here are the stories of five people whose lives were changed thanks to your gifts to YMCA Camp Ihduhapi A Report to Our Donors YMCA of Metropolitan Minneapolis
YMCA Camp Ihduhapi is a place to discover Camp builds memories in positive and lasting ways. Those experiences can become some of the most enjoyable and important days of a young person s life. Camp Ihduhapi has been creating memories since 1930.... Lasting Memories Camp Ihduhapi is where memories last a lifetime! Campers return season after season. Many go on to become Junior Leaders, Counselors-in-Training, and then continue the tradition as summer staff. They all do a great job with the kids, one parent tells us. I have been sending my kids to Y camps for almost 15 years!! We can t think of a better place for kids to grow.
Challenges are important to a camper s growth and development. Last year, 1,345 campers enriched their spirit, mind and body through challenging and fun camp activities.... Outdoor Adventure At YMCA Camp Ihduhapi, campers have opportunities to seek out and participate in a range of wilderness adventures that help build the foundations of their lives. The parent of one young man tells of the impact camp made on his life: My son, Jerobi, made a 31 mile hike through the boundary waters!! The counselors said he did this without complaining and pitched right in when needed. We are so very proud of him and this accomplishment. He is now wanting to do the 100 mile canoe trip next year, and continue to train for leadership to become a camp counselor himself one day. Studies show that kids who go to camp have lasting and greater growth in social skills, thinking skills and positive values.... Self-Confidence Caitlin tried kayaking this year and was overwhelmingly excited about the whole experience, her mom says. Last year, she wouldn t try canoeing because she was scared. The word Ihduhapi is of Lakota origin for independence. Many of our campers have never paddled a canoe, ridden a horse, cooked a meal outdoors or even been away from home. But by experiencing fun and challenging activities in a safe environment, they gain confidence and personal growth.
Camp brings different types of kids together in a shared experience, and becomes a place where friendships are formed. Some may be brief; others last a lifetime. 96% of campers say that they made new friends at camp last year.... New Friends The fun and relaxed environment of Camp Ihduhapi makes friendships develop comfortably. Our campers experience a sense of community by living in age-appropriate small groups with trained staff. Says one parent, Camp Ihduhapi gives my daughter another opportunity to bond with people that are very much different than her. It s great. Thanks to our Y Partners donors, 260 kids in financial need were able to experience the joy of a Camp Ihduhapi experience....yourself Camp Ihduhapi provides unique accessibility to kids for whom a camp experience is especially meaningful. Our summer kicked off this year with scores of children of military families who came together at Ihduhapi for a week of fun activities in a nurturing environment. At Camp Ihduhapi, they got to share their family experiences, put aside anxiety and just be themselves among their peers.
THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING THE IMPORTANT WORK OF THE Those who are helped by your contributions will never forget that you cared about them and neither will we! Your support is very important to us, and we believe the best way to demonstrate that is to show you how YMCA Camp Ihduhapi affects the lives of young people. Each year, the Y Partners Annual Giving Campaign ensures that Camp Ihduhapi s programs and services are available to children and families who need them the most. $2,500 Enables CPR, Lifeguard, and First Aid training for camp staff. $1,200 Updates equipment for our Adventure Learning Center Programs. $600 Gives two campers a Sailing Camp experience. $300 Sends two children to Day Camp for one week. $99 Purchases four life jackets. To Donate Online: http://mplsfd.ymcatwincities.org/ihduhapi09yp (note: do not type www when entering address). The YMCA is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable organization. Your donations are tax-deductible. YMCA of Metropolitan Minneapolis
Camp Ihduhapi 3425 Ihduhapi Road Loretto, MN 55357-9512 Phone: (763) 479-1146 Web: www.campihduhapi.org Camp Ihduhapi s Mission: YMCA Camp Ihduhapi fosters physical, mental and spiritual growth by providing a fun-filled, challenging and supportive environment in which to learn about nature, others and oneself.