Dear Family and Friends,

I am super excited to share with you an opportunity that I have this summer! Many of you know that I spent two weeks last summer as a counselor at a very special place called Camp Daniel. These two weeks changed my life. I experienced God in ways I never had before and felt a sense of belonging and acceptance in a community of people that truly honor individual differences. They see every person as a valuable and unique creation of God. Camp Daniel is located in northern Wisconsin. They offer activities year-round but the main focus is on summer camping experiences for individuals with disabilities. Each person’s physical, social, and spiritual needs are lovingly met while at camp. Each camper is paired with a counselor that is their friend for the week and reinforces the concept of our need for each other and celebration of our differences.

As a counselor last summer, I was paired with two ladies the first week and one lady the second week. We hung out together and got to experience traditional camp activities together as well as all sorts of other crazy fun. They taught me to take each challenge and find creative ways to overcome hurdles while never taking myself too seriously. We spent our weeks swimming, doing nature art, dressing up for theme meals, and participating in many campers’ favorite rec event, Messy Games. I had to hit the showers pretty quickly after my campers tried to feed me pudding from spoons over my head while I lay on the ground. Some of the best moments at camp outside of all the fun activities and campfires were at Chapel where speakers shared how their lives were impacted by Christ. Singing and worshiping God with this joy-filled group of people will always be a precious memory that I will forever hang on to forever.

This summer, I have been invited back to spend seven weeks at Camp Daniel as an intern in their Summer Internship Program. I didn’t have to think very long before saying yes to this amazing opportunity! By participating in this program, I hope to gain leadership, communication, and team-building skills. I will get hands-on experience coaching, encouraging, and leading groups of campers and volunteers and learning skills to manage conflict effectively. I expect to have lots of fun but also know that there will be many challenges along the way. It will be through some of these challenges that I expect to grow the most.

You are receiving this letter because, like Camp Daniel, you have had a significant impact on my life in some way. The Summer Internship Program is a missions trip, and to make it happen, I am asking for your help. Most importantly, please pray for my time at Camp Daniel that God uses my gifts to impact the campers in powerful ways and that my faith and relationship with Christ continue to grow. The total cost for the program is $800, which covers my meals, transportation, training, and lodging for the seven weeks. I am required to raise the cost before June 17th. I would be extremely grateful for your support in any amount that you can give. Camp Daniel is a 501(c)-3 non-profit organization, so all donations are tax-deductible. 

To donate, simply write a check for the amount you would like to give to Camp Daniel and write my name on the memo line. Donations can be mailed to W10541 Army Lane, Athelstane, WI 54104. A receipt will be mailed to you. You will find a donation slip enclosed with this letter to make the process as simple as possible. 

Thank you so very much for helping to make this opportunity possible for me. I cannot wait to see how God works in my life and the lives of the campers this summer through your generosity and prayers. I’m positive I will have lots of amazing stories to share with you when I get back in August.

With love,

Kenna Coffey