Participation in everyday camp life really helped boost Amelia’s self-esteem and we started to see a very charismatic and outgoing girl

Amelia* is an 11-year-old girl who has a Learning Disability, ADHD, bedwetting issues and an anxiety disorder. It was her first summer at camp and she was extremely anxious.

Over the past few years, she had pulled out of every “after school” program and summer camp because she was too overwhelmed by the social environment and was being bullied. It took her a bit of time to settle in, but Amelia really thrived with the structured environment at Camp Kirk and nurturing approach of the counselors.

As her anxiety lessened, Amelia started taking opportunities presented to her at camp to dance, sing, play music, and to just be a well-loved member of her cabin group. The small successes that came from participation in everyday camp life really helped boost Amelia’s self-esteem and we started to see a very charismatic and outgoing girl.

We discovered that she has an incredible talent with music & dance, and it was a highlight for Amelia, her parents, and the staff to see her perform in front of whole camp by the end of the session. 

* Names have been changed to protect the privacy of individuals and their families.