Lifelong Camp Experiences Created for First Time Campers

August 28, 2025

Some of our young women went to Camp Miniwanca, in Shelby, Mich., for a week, where they had the adventures of a lifetime, discovered their personal strengths, and made meaningful connections through powerful camp experiences that they will never forget as youth campers.

Charla-Jae and Daejenae had life-changing experiences while taking their first trip to camp with Mercy Home.

Daejenae never thought she would ever get camp experiences she went through and have the many adventures that she had. And those experiences helped her discover her self-confidence.

Transformative Camp Experiences for Youth Campers

At camp, the girls did several fun activities like rock climbing, team building games, a ropes course, hiking, relaxing on the beach, swimming in the lake, canoeing, and more.

“We did a lot of stuff I’ve seen on the internet, and thought I would [never] do,” Daejenae said. “The staff really made an impact on [our experience].”

But there was one pivotal moment that pushed them out of their comfort zone. During the ropes course, the girls had to maneuver through a course high above ground. Despite their fears, they finished the course with the encouragement of our coworkers.

Coworkers later gathered with youth in a circle and shared something positive they saw in each young person. 

“The [staff] were really nice and gave words of encouragement,” Daejenae said.

“They saw our growth and acknowledged it,” Charla-Jae added. “It made me feel proud of myself.”

During the games and activities, the girls learned valuable lessons such as how to express themselves better with their peers and our coworkers, as well as the importance of time management, teamwork, and being independent.

While at camp, Charla-Jae and Daejenae’s friendship grew stronger. They were able to get to know each other and the other youth better.

As the school year begins, Charla-Jae wants to take the lessons she learned through her camp experiences and apply them in school. Her time at camp has helped her with her social skills, and now she feels more confident in communicating effectively with her teachers.

“I feel like [camp] did prepare me [for school] because in the past I didn’t really know how to communicate with my teachers, but now I know how to talk more effectively with them and staff,” Charla-Jae said.

Our youth campers would not have had the unforgettable camp experiences without the possibly of the generous support of our donors.

“Thank you [donors] for your support,” Charla-Jae said. “I had a great experience at camp.”

“Thank you for your support,” Daejenae said. “I am very grateful. We love you.”