One of my favorite memories as a child is going away to summer camp. It was definitely an experience. I remember before leaving for camp I was apprehensive about being around complete strangers for an entire week, but at the end of the week I was in tears at the thought of leaving the friends that I'd made during that wonderful week of fun and bonding. When I received an email offering me the chance to pick someone who I thought deserved to have the ultimate summer camp experience, my mind immediately went to my awesome bonus daughter, Jalacia, and her sister, Alexcia. I am entering to win a session of summer camp for them at Catalina Island Camps from The SITS Girls!
I always say that marrying my husband was one of the best decisions I made because I got the chance to have this wonderful, talented diva-in-training in my life. When I reflect on the wonderful camp experience that I had as a child, I truly believe this is an experience that Jalacia and Alexcia would benefit from and fully embrace. The girls live in Louisiana with their mom, bonus-father and little brother. They attend a Magnet School in Baton Rouge and are both doing awesome. Catalina Island Camps mission is to develop lifelong skills that instills respect for self, others and the environment. These are definitely qualities that go hand-in-hand with what they are being taught at home and school. The camp experience would help reiterate that and give them a chance to meet other kids from all over the country. We gotta teach our little divas how to network at an early age :)
The girls both have an adventurous streak and I can already imagine the stories of them challenging each other at kayaking and the rope courses. Jalacia enjoys art and I can see her taking her interest to the next level with photo journalism. Both girls enjoy cooking and they can take their culinary skills to the outdoors with outdoor cooking where the campers learn to prepare their meals over charcoal fires.
After taking the virtual tour, the camp I attended back in the early 90s doesn't seem nearly as an awesome anymore :) I still wouldn't trade the experience for anything in the world and truly hope that these young divas get the same experience. In the words of their mother, "As a family we have had personal set backs that could've affected the girls but they continue to push forward. That's why I do so much for them because they deserve the entire world and if I could give it to them they would definitely have it!!" Well, I definitely feel the same way about these two girls who have captured a special place in my heart and hope that we can make this a reality for them, too.
I encourage you all to check out Catalina Island Camps and share your childhood camp memories below :)
Many thanks to The SITS Girls and Catalina Island Camps for this opportunity!
Be Blessed Divas and Remember to be a blessing to others :)
~Michelle
Divas With A Purpose has become a source of inspiration and motivation. It's about women being driven, inspiring, victorious and having a plan of action to become the best them they have been called to be. With collaboration, we are making our way through this thing called life as women, mothers, sisters, and friends.
