From June 29th through July 2nd, the lakeside energy of Akron, Ohio, set the stage for an extraordinary few days at Jett Foundation’s Camp Promise – Ohio. This special 18+ camp session was defined by an incredible sense of camaraderie, endless laughs, and unforgettable moments as our adult campers came together to relax, connect, and push their boundaries. There is a distinct kind of magic that happens when this group gathers, balancing peaceful moments by the water with high-energy adventures that challenged everyone to step outside their comfort zones.
The days were a beautiful blur of outdoor thrills, cozy traditions, and friendly competition. Campers spent their afternoons taking to the water for fishing, kayaking, and boating, while others looked to the sky and conquered the ropes course. Indoors, the energy stayed high with vintage arcade games, giant Connect 4, and classic camp arts and crafts. As day turned to night, the celebration only grew, featuring an epic, vibrant Mardi Gras night that brought out everyone’s festive spirit, and cozy campfires where stories and laughs were shared late into the evening.
“In addition to reconnecting with old friends: I’ve met many wonderful people that have become an extended family to me. Especially my cabin members. I love expressing myself in the form of crafts and hobby talks and learning about my fellow campers’ interests and hobbies. The main takeaway (for me at least) would be that more than anything it feels like a home away from home,” said Mike, a Camp Promise – Ohio camper.
Jett Foundation’s Director of Programs, Alexa Tinsley, attended the retreat and looked back on the experience saying: “Being at Camp Promise – Ohio was such a powerful reminder of what makes this community so unique. The bonds formed here are instant and deep, and seeing everyone fully embrace every single activity was incredible. A couple of my absolute personal highlights had to be the intense energy of the mini flip cup tournament and the chaotic fun of color wars. It was a beautiful, unforgettable few days, and I’m so proud of everyone who made it happen.”
An exceptional retreat like this requires an immense amount of heart, effort, and support. We are profoundly grateful to the volunteers and staff who dedicated their time to making this session one for the books.
We also want to extend our heartfelt appreciation to our generous sponsors, whose commitment ensures our programs remain free for our campers: Catalyst Pharmaceuticals, Cure Dale’s Duchenne, The Flatley Foundation, Sarepta Therapeutics, NS Pharma, Entrada Therapeutics, ITF Therapeutics, The Killian Family, Tall Cedars Foundation, Edgewise, Transamerica, and Ultragenyx. Thank you all for a summer retreat we will be smiling about for a very long time!
