Dear Brave Camp Moms

Today, Jane's Fund had planned to highlight CAMP for Miracle Monday. But in light of recent events, we felt moved to share something different—something we hope might offer comfort or strength to even one camp parent navigating uncertainty.

These are the words of a camper —“Little Jane” — written to her camp mom as she neared the end of her life from brain cancer. Her hope was to pass along bits of wisdom to her younger siblings—“the few things in life Mom and Dad got right.”
 

#1: CAMP

“Thank you for camp. For encouraging me and insisting I go, even when I cried and thought I couldn’t do it. Every camp was good—lacrosse, tennis, catching fish at Camp Whip-poor-Will with cousins—but Camp Greystone was the best gift you and Dad ever gave me.

Real friendships with DMCs (deep, meaningful conversations), the funniest memories, the place I learned to be my bravest self... and where I discovered what living with faith feels like.

I know camp was expensive and you both sacrificed a lot—but it was the best decision you ever made for me.”

Camp wasn’t just a highlight in Little Jane’s life. It gave her the courage to face death at 17 with peace, to make pinky promises for “until we meet again,” and to call heaven her miracle.

To all the brave camp moms and dads out there: keep choosing faith over fear. Keep choosing life over loss. Keep choosing to give your child the chance to grow through camp.

We may never understand why bad things happen to the best people. But we do know that love will show up—often from the most unexpected people and places—to help light the way forward.