Back home, in the City, Chloe has always had trouble fitting in.
She arrived at Moorelands Camp, aged 8, in a flurry of hyperactivity. Right away, camp staff realised that she needed help making and keeping friends. Chloe was loud, impatient and often interrupted campers and staff mid-sentence. It was clear that she was desperate to make friends and yet her behaviour kept other kids away. She felt left out, alone and angry. It was the story of her life she told camp counsellor, Lynx.
But something happened to Chloe at camp. She started to see that not everyone was against her. The inclusive atmosphere had an immediate impact. As she participated in activities and worked as part of a team, she started to build confidence in herself and then build friendships.
She told Lynx it was the first time in her life that people were kind to her; that other kids didn’t make fun of her or exclude her from the group. With support from staff, she learned to respect others and let them have their say. She learned that while she didn’t have to be like everyone else to fit in, she did have to treat others with respect.
Now aged 11, Chloe came back this summer for her third year at camp. She’s proud to have taken the lessons she’s learned back home and things are getting better there. But she still looks forward to camp all year long. It’s the one place, she explains, that she can be herself and everyone will accept her for who she is.
Chloe is from a low-income background. Without the sponsorship of generous donors, she would not be able to attend camp. Please donate and provide Chloe with the skills and life-lessons she needs to succeed.Our Moorelands’ campers’ names and images are changed to protect their identities.