Sharon's Kids
How is your organization strengthening our community?
Sharon’s Kids, a nonprofit association, is based on the premise of helping kids have experiences that develop character and build values through cultivating an awareness, understanding and appreciation for the natural world.
Our initial focus is to send under-privileged boys and girls, ages 8-13, to the Santa Maria YMCA camp for a week next July, 2012. Boys and girls will be nominated by local elementary schools and the two Delta County mentoring groups of Partners and Families Plus. The main criteria is that the child’s family would otherwise not be able to afford to send the child to camp. These children are considered at-risk and have extremely challenging family situations. Most of these boys and girls are from single parent homes or being raised by a grandparent of legal guardian, and some are in foster homes.
Why Camp? Going to a summer camp like the Santa Maria YMCA will provide an opportunity to “get out of Dodge”, as Crawford principal Helen Groome explained. First and foremost, these kids will have something fun to look forward to. Many of these children have not been outside Delta County. Camp will build values and character development by providing experiences that support growth and help develop the relationship, leadership, and decision-making skills that will help them to be happy and successful in the future. It is the goal of this YMCA camp “to make every activity, from eating breakfast to team building initiatives, opportunities for learning and development. . . Staff strive to include the core values of the YMCA: Respect, Responsibility, Honesty and Caring, into each experience that campers have while they are at camp.” Every adult that went to camp can recall fond memories of their experience. We hope that this experience provides the opportunity for a life-long love of the out- of- doors and that this tradition continues with future generations of their family.
Beyond Camp. “Sharon’s Kids” administers a youth outreach program for at-risk youth of Delta County. Sharon Riegel managed a similar, successful program for 12 years under Women on the Move hiking group, sending 70 children to Camp through member donations. Under Sharon’s Kids, the successful summer camp component will continue, but the outreach program is expanded to include year-round outings such as hikes, swimming, X-C ski lessons, llama treks, and natural science explorations.
“Sharon’s Kids” is an organization that relies on volunteers and donations. The normal cost for a one-week session at the Santa Maria YMCA camp is $620 per child. The Director is giving Sharon’s Kids the reduced rate of $100 per child.
By “Helping Kids succeed” we are building a stronger community. By supporting “Sharon’s Kids”, boys and girls lives could be forever changed. These kids will know that someone cares and they will believe they are worthy.
In what ways does your organization work to empower individuals to serve their community?
The goal of providing an outdoor summer camp in the Rocky Mountains and year-round outdoor recreational opportunities for youth is an empowering experience. A child builds self confidence through mountaineering, climbing, a ropes course, kayaking, swimming and camping. It is this type of teambuilding experience that develops values and strong character that are inherent in future leadership abilities.
These children witness volunteers in every aspect of Sharon’s Kids. What better way to assure future community leaders than to expose the kids to quality, kind and encouraging adults.
How does your organization serve to build bridges between different people and groups in the community?
Sharon’s Kids is comprised of youth ages 8-13. At camp they associate with people of all ages, abilities, ethnic groups and religious affiliations. They become united in a common effort with worldwide fellowships. Many of the college-age counselors are from outside the U.S. and the campers are from across the country.
Sharon’s Kids expose children to adults and a variety of community groups in our area. Currently, they are taking X-C ski lessons from the Grand Mesa Nordic Council instructors. On hikes and other related activities, men and women volunteers provide transportation and participate along with the children. Often parents join these activities and share the excitement of learning new skills. Children get to know and form bonds with these adults from varied backgrounds in our community. The volunteers are rewarded by a greater understanding of the needs of our community’s youth and are impressed with a child’s quest to learn and expand their horizons. It is a win-win situation for the children, their parents and the volunteers. This is an investment in our future.
Another nomination for Sharon Riegel's "Sharon's Kids"
She has helped the kids of Delta County for many years by organizing, begging for money and taking the kids to Camp Redcloud, organize hikes, swimming trips etc. etc. to get the kids exposed to recreation. An activity they would most likely never have a chance to enjoy and she is a tireless advocate of the less fortunate children, boys or girls! She loves those kids, enjoys being with them, taking them on adventures and enriching their lives!
Sharon’s Kids, a nonprofit association, is based on the premise of helping kids have experiences that develop character and build values through cultivating an awareness, understanding and appreciation for the natural world.
Our initial focus is to send under-privileged boys and girls, ages 8-13, to the Santa Maria YMCA camp for a week next July, 2012. Boys and girls will be nominated by local elementary schools and the two Delta County mentoring groups of Partners and Families Plus. The main criteria is that the child’s family would otherwise not be able to afford to send the child to camp. These children are considered at-risk and have extremely challenging family situations. Most of these boys and girls are from single parent homes or being raised by a grandparent of legal guardian, and some are in foster homes.
Why Camp? Going to a summer camp like the Santa Maria YMCA will provide an opportunity to “get out of Dodge”, as Crawford principal Helen Groome explained. First and foremost, these kids will have something fun to look forward to. Many of these children have not been outside Delta County. Camp will build values and character development by providing experiences that support growth and help develop the relationship, leadership, and decision-making skills that will help them to be happy and successful in the future. It is the goal of this YMCA camp “to make every activity, from eating breakfast to team building initiatives, opportunities for learning and development. . . Staff strive to include the core values of the YMCA: Respect, Responsibility, Honesty and Caring, into each experience that campers have while they are at camp.” Every adult that went to camp can recall fond memories of their experience. We hope that this experience provides the opportunity for a life-long love of the out- of- doors and that this tradition continues with future generations of their family.
Beyond Camp. “Sharon’s Kids” administers a youth outreach program for at-risk youth of Delta County. Sharon Riegel managed a similar, successful program for 12 years under Women on the Move hiking group, sending 70 children to Camp through member donations. Under Sharon’s Kids, the successful summer camp component will continue, but the outreach program is expanded to include year-round outings such as hikes, swimming, X-C ski lessons, llama treks, and natural science explorations.
“Sharon’s Kids” is an organization that relies on volunteers and donations. The normal cost for a one-week session at the Santa Maria YMCA camp is $620 per child. The Director is giving Sharon’s Kids the reduced rate of $100 per child.
By “Helping Kids succeed” we are building a stronger community. By supporting “Sharon’s Kids”, boys and girls lives could be forever changed. These kids will know that someone cares and they will believe they are worthy.
In what ways does your organization work to empower individuals to serve their community?
The goal of providing an outdoor summer camp in the Rocky Mountains and year-round outdoor recreational opportunities for youth is an empowering experience. A child builds self confidence through mountaineering, climbing, a ropes course, kayaking, swimming and camping. It is this type of teambuilding experience that develops values and strong character that are inherent in future leadership abilities.
These children witness volunteers in every aspect of Sharon’s Kids. What better way to assure future community leaders than to expose the kids to quality, kind and encouraging adults.
How does your organization serve to build bridges between different people and groups in the community?
Sharon’s Kids is comprised of youth ages 8-13. At camp they associate with people of all ages, abilities, ethnic groups and religious affiliations. They become united in a common effort with worldwide fellowships. Many of the college-age counselors are from outside the U.S. and the campers are from across the country.
Sharon’s Kids expose children to adults and a variety of community groups in our area. Currently, they are taking X-C ski lessons from the Grand Mesa Nordic Council instructors. On hikes and other related activities, men and women volunteers provide transportation and participate along with the children. Often parents join these activities and share the excitement of learning new skills. Children get to know and form bonds with these adults from varied backgrounds in our community. The volunteers are rewarded by a greater understanding of the needs of our community’s youth and are impressed with a child’s quest to learn and expand their horizons. It is a win-win situation for the children, their parents and the volunteers. This is an investment in our future.
Another nomination for Sharon Riegel's "Sharon's Kids"
She has helped the kids of Delta County for many years by organizing, begging for money and taking the kids to Camp Redcloud, organize hikes, swimming trips etc. etc. to get the kids exposed to recreation. An activity they would most likely never have a chance to enjoy and she is a tireless advocate of the less fortunate children, boys or girls! She loves those kids, enjoys being with them, taking them on adventures and enriching their lives!
