After her first day at camp, Hazel came home beaming. “It was her favorite camp day ever,” Meredith recalled. From that point on, Hazel was up early, excited and eager to return. She found safety, structure, and most importantly—joy.
“All the kids were kind. There wasn’t any drama,” Hazel said. “I felt like I could just be a kid without worrying. And I loved being outside. I felt less tired and like I could focus more. We got to touch and learn about nature—like 'what kind of bug is this?'”
“I watched a little of Hazel’s light come back,” said Meredith. “Her confidence grew. She felt liked, and like everyone wanted her in the group, just for being her. This is an indescribable relief for a parent.”
Every day Hazel brought home new stories. Giant sticks became pencils for writing in the dirt. Laughter rang out during silly games. Her counselors made her feel safe and seen. “Hazel talked about them every night,” said Meredith. “They didn’t just supervise—they genuinely made an effort to get to know her, and to meet her where she was.”
For Meredith, camp provided more than just fun for Hazel—it offered peace of mind. “It’s hard to be a working mom in the summer. There’s a lot of guilt,” she shared. “But knowing Hazel was having so much fun, feeling safe and accepted, and spending her days with a supportive team made it easier. I knew she was in the best place possible, and that’s the biggest gift a parent can receive.”
Nature Adventures Camp became a place where Hazel could breathe easier, laugh harder, and just be herself. And that kind of summer? That’s one she’ll never forget.
