From a Parent
“Dear Pat, June, Catriona, and Andy,
We have now packed (our daughter) off to France and I have a few minutes to sit and write. WOW!!!!!! What a summer she had. We are enormously thankful for everything that you all have done to support her as she has grown from a fiery adolescent into an accomplished young woman. Camp has had an incredible influence on her, and has been a place of stability, respect, friendship, and growth, particularly through those ‘miserable’ middle school years. I think she is a poster child for what camp can do for a child, especially a girl, in allowing growth and personal achievement in a safe, challenging, and honest environment. I know that she is going into Junior year with a great deal of pride and confidence, much of which has come from what she has experienced at camp.
We can’t thank you enough, and we look forward to seeing her camp life evolve as she continues to mature.”
From a Camper
“Dear Wawenock,
I just received my lifeguard certificate in the mail and your letter and it inspired me to write this email.
First of all, I MISS CAMP SO MUCH! I felt like the second I left camp there was no longer any time to breathe – because I was always doing something or needed to be somewhere. I just completed my third week of Junior year and already it is very rigorous. I’ve been to a couple meetings with different colleges which is exciting and new but truthfully camp has never left my mind.
Banquet night this year was one of the most memorable and meaningful nights in my life. I was absolutely astonished when I received the SRU award and immediately upon walking up to receive it, as you probably noticed, I had tears streaming down my face. The love and acceptance I felt at that moment and for the rest of the night reflected all of the love I have encountered during my six summers at camp, all combined into one amazing moment in time. I cannot even describe how honored I was and how amazing it felt. The tears I had were tears of joy which has never happened to me before. They eventually turned into tears of utter sadness because of the realization that it was my last year as a camper and I never wanted it to end.
Now, though, I am looking at it through a different perspective and I am SO excited to apply to be a CIT. The end of this summer truly showed me that there is no other place full of so many people who will always love me, be there for me, and guide me through life in such a loving way… This summer I came home from camp loving the person I was and never wanting to change. What was different about me was the acceptance of myself and my inner beauty and the knowledge that no matter where I am in my life or in the world, I will always have everyone from camp standing right behind me.
I really hope I can come back next summer and be at camp for many more summers. Hugs and kisses to all of you and I can’t wait to see you!!
Thank you for everything you have taught me.”
From Parents in Papua New Guinea
“Thank you very, very much for the report of Joanne. These reports of Joanne always make us in tears when we read of our daughter being there with you all at Camp Wawenock. She has been well taken care of by everybody at camp.
First day arrival at Sydney airport I saw her from the distance it was like a big bright morning star heading back home to us. As we talk to her about camp, she was in tears and said, camp is FUN and camp is GREAT (of course nothing like this camp in Papua New Guinea.) She expressed that she tried hard to share and was being nice with every member of camp community because everybody at camp are wonderful people from all around the world.
It’s hard to believe everyone being so nice to our daughter. Again thank you for Camp Wawenock family, counselling staff and many more friends there helps Joanne develop her strength and knowledge. Camps help her think bigger and brighter. As parents we see tremendous change to Joanne’s life.
It is hard to believe that Joanne is in touch with camp life tremendously and she already talk about going back next year.
Thanks for everything that you have done for Joanne.”
Click here for testimonials from members of the Wawenock staff