Success Stories

MyQuela came to Lewiston's Royal Family KIDS Camp at the age of six. After graduating from the program, she returned as a Buddy Camper in 2023.

My name is MyQuela and I started to go to camp when I was six years old. I wasn't very open to the idea of being surrounded by strangers whom I had never met before. I was scared, had my guard up, and didn't want to talk to anyone or let anyone in. Eventually, I opened up to those people who I called strangers because they greeted me with unconditional love and I was able to be a child without having to worry about what I need to do or help my little brother with. I was one of the youngest kids from my parents, but I felt as if I had to carry the world and be grown up at six. I was worrying about what no kid of any age should have to worry about. But at camp it didn't have to cross my mind. I was safe. There were actually safe adults and men in this world. I didn't have to wonder where my food was coming from because there wasn't enough money for a meal that night.

The camp saved me. I went from age six to twelve. I graduated, but every year before I graduated when camp was over and I got home, the first thing I looked forward to doing was camp that next year. Camp showed me that not all men are bad and there can be consistent people, because what kids need is consistent people and love from a trustworthy adult. Those kids going to camp look forward to seeing the Big Camper, Buddy Camper, or the Staff from the previous year. Camp was my safe haven where I could be a kid for a week before I had to go back to being a "big kid" and taking care of what my home life was. If there wasn't camp in my life I don't think I would have made it very far in life. Or frankly, gone down a very good path. Also, those strangers I was talking about previously - now I call them my family. They saved me; they saved my life, if I am being honest. I don't know where I would be right now if it wasn't for them.

-MyQuela, 2023