Picture this: s’mores by the fire. Swimming. Fishing. Ziplining. Foam parties. Cabin hangouts. Dance parties.
And it’s all made by design to be completely accessible and welcoming for individuals of all mobility levels impacted by Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
This is what summer at Jett Foundation’s Camp Promise is all about.
Jett Foundation’s one-of-a-kind programs have become an anchor in the Duchenne community and wrap around the entire family, providing education, connection, and support. Camp Promise is one of Jett Foundation’s many transformational and beloved programs offering free, week-long camps, 18+ retreats, and year-round programming for kids, teens, and adults living with Duchenne and other neuromuscular disorders.
Thanks to supporters like you, Jett Foundation delivers the magic of Camp Promise summer after summer and virtually throughout the year. Your generous gift this holiday season creates unforgettable memories, cultivates lifelong friendships, and makes first-time experiences possible for campers.
At Camp Promise – Rockies this summer, one mom, Michelle, experienced camp first hand as her son Logan’s camp counselor.
“For Logan, Camp Promise was the best vacation ever and he says it’s even better than Disney,” Michelle shares. “Camp wasn’t somewhere we ever had to worry about accessibility because it was designed so that we didn’t have to worry.”
In Logan’s own words: “I love Camp Promise because it was so fun and I got to talk to so many other people. The s’mores were so good and my favorite activity was the accessible bikes.”
“As a mom, one of my favorite things about camp was hearing the power chairs all clicking at the same time. It seems like a silly thing, but Logan isn’t around other kids who use power chairs, and hearing those clicks simultaneously meant Logan was going off to have an adventure with friends who understood him and could relate to him in ways even I cannot.”
This summer, 150 campers and 142 volunteers joined us across all five of our in-person camps and one virtual week of camp. Jett Foundation staff works hard throughout the year to create the safe, trusted, and fun camp environment the community has come to know. Making camp fully accessible for children and adults with complex medical needs does not come without its challenges and expenses.
Our dedicated community makes camp possible for camper families like Michelle and Logan’s. Your gifts and contributions are vital to making our programs available to all those in our Duchenne community who need them and helps ensure there are no waitlisted campers. Your support gives respite to families while they rest assured knowing their child is in good hands having an incredible time away with peers.
“Logan was reluctant to go to camp without me. After experiencing camp, he talks about wanting to go without me, and I think that alteration is incredible,” says Michelle. “Camp gave him so much confidence and independence. We could not have asked for a better experience than what Camp Promise offers.”
Thank you for continuing to support our programs like camp–we are so grateful for our community. From all of us at Jett Foundation, we wish you and yours a wonderful holiday season.
P.S. If you or someone you know is interested in volunteering at Camp Promise next summer, we encourage you to reach out!
