(Camp) Family Matters

Steve Urkel taught us that family matters.  Through the good times and bad, family will always be there.  For many children, their camp family also matters.  These are the friends and adults who make camp an enjoyable experience.  15-year-old Tyrek has been a member of the Jameson Camp family for 7 years.  While his life at camp has been a blessing, his life outside of it has seen many curses.  Tyrek’s story is an emotional roller-coaster filled with despair, uncertainty, but through it all, hope.

Tyrek as a toddler

The story begins with Tyrek’s mother, Niesha, who was diagnosed with diabetes at age 13.  It’s a disease she has dealt with her entire adult life and one that was a harbinger of health problems to come.  Fortunately it did not prevent Niesha from having 2 wonderful boys, Tyrek and his older brother, A’Dante. However, the family faced a crisis early on that tested its strength and resiliency.

In 2001 when Niesha was a single mom with 2 toddlers at home, the boys’ father broke into the house, stabbed her multiple times, and left her for dead. Fortunately she survived the traumatic incident.  Only 21 and an emotional wreck, Niesha had many paths to choose from.  She could have let it get the best of her, but giving up is simply not in Niesha’s nature.  She continued to provide for her children all the while trying to instill positive values in them. She wanted to make sure that despite the difficulties, her kids could still experience the joys of childhood.

A'Dante (left) & Tyrek

Enter Jameson Camp.  When Tyrek and A’Dante were 8 and 9, Niesha enrolled the boys in a 5-day session at camp.  “The reason I went with Jameson Camp was the affordability,” she said.  “It gave the kids at that time and at that age the chance to have a real camp experience.”  Because of the support of donors and the money received from facility rentals, Jameson is able to offer camp programs at a reduced rate to help low-income families.  In this instance, Niesha was able to give her boys an opportunity she never received.  “I wanted to be able to give them something that I didn’t have growing up as a child.”

While at camp, Tyrek met a camp counselor named Malcolm.  Together with Malcolm and the rest of the program staff, Tyrek gained valuable 21st Century skills such as interpersonal communication, teamwork, time management, and more.  “They really helped me concentrate more and be more respectful and responsible,” Tyrek shared.

Unfortunately, the following year, Niesha wasn’t able to sign the boys up to attend camp.  It wasn’t until about 3 or 4 years ago that Jameson Camp came into her focus…again.  “I was in search for another camp experience for them and stumbled upon Jameson again,” she said.  “That was awesome because their first day there, they met Malcolm and he remembered Tyrek from years ago.”  Though camp ‘siblings’ may leave for a while, they’ll always be a part of the family; big brother Malcolm proved just that.

After settling in to summer camp, Tyrek began to develop more skills like responsibility and respect. He enjoyed attending Jameson, but there were times when his home family couldn’t get him there. That’s when his camp family stepped in.  If Tyrek needed a ride, a Jameson program staff member would pick him up.  Every child deserves the opportunity to attend camp, and Jameson made sure Tyrek got the full experience.

With a few summer camps under his belt, Tyrek was ready for the next level at Jameson Camp: the Youth Leadership (YL) program.  The year-round program provides teens with a number of ways to learn about, practice, and reflect on what it means to be a leader.  They participate in monthly weekend leadership retreats, alternative spring breaks, college visits, community service projects and much more. Three levels are offered: ACE I (Advanced Camping Experience), ACE II, and CIT (Counselor-in-Training).  Tyrek applied for and was accepted in the ACE I program. Here, he served on teams, strengthened his decision-making skills, and began to learn the basics of being a leader.  All was going well for him and A’Dante until tragedy struck the family again.

Last year, Niesha was diagnosed with kidney failure.  At one point, the boys were faced with the real chance of losing their mother.  But like she always does, Niesha fought the good fight…and won. “Looking up and having the possibility of not being around for your kids, it makes you appreciate life so much more,” she said.  But they weren’t out of the woods yet.  With Niesha and her husband out of work and the medical bills adding up, the boys again risked missing out on camp.  This time an unknown Jameson ally stepped in.  “They had a donor who came through who was looking to pick up 4 kids,” she said. “And it was Heaven-sent because again we’re facing another trial, another tribulation, and we were still able to overcome that and move forward.  With each situation that has happened over these few years, Jameson has found a way to be involved in it.”

The issues at home began to take their toll on Tyrek, and it wasn’t long before they carried over into the classroom.  He began to act out in school, not violently, but verbally.  “It was all talk talk talk,” said Niesha.  “They had problems with his behavior.”  Tyrek had to go to court, pending expulsion. Once again, Malcolm stepped up as a big brother.  He stayed in contact with Tyrek, gave him positive advice, and even said he’d be checking in on him if he was allowed to return to school.  Along with Program Staff members Tim and Andrea, Malcolm helped Tyrek with his issues, and a change in attitude led Tyrek to being allowed back in school.  

A new year has brought about a new kid. “Since I learned my lesson, I’ve been the top student,” he said.  “Teachers noticed changes and they have me helping other students.  I’m getting attention for good stuff instead of bad things.”  He’s also begun to focus on a career path once he finishes school; nursing.  “I have a heart for people,” he said.  “I want to be a nurse.  I want to help everyone.”

Looking sharp!

Recently, Tyrek graduated from the ACE II program at camp.  Soon, he will join the CIT program and he anxiously awaits the new recruits he will work with at the October Follow-up.  “If you really think about it, we already have each other’s backs. If you really love Jameson Camp, we’re like one big family.”  Through all the turmoil and uncertainties with their family, Niesha knew all along where her sons’ second home would be: “I knew Jameson was where he needed to be.  At the end of the day, I made the decision and I know I made the right decision for him.”  Tyrek smiled. “You did, mom.”



If you would like to donate to Jameson to help campers just like Tyrek, please click here. If you've donated in the past, thank you for your support.