“Camp Hayward is where I have made my closest friends, as well as where I have met the most caring and warm people. Camp has always been special to me, and has transformed my life.”
Lucie has been a camper at South Shore YMCA Camp Hayward for the past nine years. From the moment she stepped foot in Cabin Friar Tuck in 2015, Lucie knew she had found a place where she truly belonged- a sanctuary of friendship, self-discovery, and unforgettable experiences. Camp Hayward has become a second home for Lucie - a place where she can be her authentic self without fear of judgment.
The friends she made at camp have become her second family, sharing in the triumphs and challenges of each passing summer. It is not just the activities and adventures that make Camp so special to Lucie, but also the dedicated and passionate staff who nurture a vibrant and inclusive community. “I have learned so many things and wouldn't be the person I am without my time at Camp,” says Lucie, “I don't think I have laughed harder than I have with my Camp friends on Spectacle Pond or smiled more than reuniting with them a summer later. Because of Camp, they have become my second family.”
Over the past nine years, Lucie’s friends and mentors have provided her with guidance, support, and a listening ear when needed, becoming role models who inspired her to grow as an individual. This past summer, Lucie took on a new Camp adventure, and joined our Camp Hayward Counselor in Training Program. The lessons she learned and the skills she acquired at camp permeate every facet of her life, shaping her character, resilience, and ability to connect with others. Lucie aspires to give back to the Camp community.
Camp Hayward has become part of Lucie’s identity, a testament to the transformative power of a place that nurtures and celebrates the unique spirit of every individual who passes through its gates. Lucie says, “When I’m missing my Camp family, I stop and think back to memories from the summers past, knowing they will bring a smile to my face.”
