Jameson Camp's Jeffersons

Every camp has a particular family that creates its own legacy. When you hear the family’s name, you think of the camp, and vice versa. For Jameson Camp, that distinction belongs to the Jefferson family.

From Braydon to Bryce to Brevin, the Jefferson boys have left their mark on camp. And even after baby Brevin stopped attending Jameson, the Jefferson family legacy lives on through Mama Jeana. About 10 years ago, Jeana first heard about Jameson Camp through Concord Community Center, a social services organization on the south side of Indy that provides educational, recreational and health activities to neighborhood residents of all ages. A Jameson Camp spokesperson went to a Concord event and spoke about the camp so Jeana took some information and considered signing up her oldest son, Braydon. Later on, she learned that Concord was sponsoring a child. So when Braydon was in sixth grade, thanks to Concord’s sponsorship and Jameson Camp’s sliding fee scale, he was able to attend camp.

The benefits of camp for Braydon were quickly evident to Jeana. “He was introverted as a child,” she said. “But once he started attending Jameson he became more confident in his abilities of being able to lead and speak and to get in front of people. Truly I think that’s because of camp.” After his first summer, Jeana knew Jameson was beneficial for Braydon so she enrolled him the next year. Fortunately for the Jefferson family, Concord came through again and sponsored Braydon a second time. Within 2 years, Braydon was chosen for the year-round Youth Leadership program for teens at Jameson and that’s when the Jefferson boat kicked into overdrive.

After Braydon’s success at camp, Jeana enrolled her middle child, Bryce, and her youngest, Brevin, in Jameson’s summer program. With all 3 of her boys at the same camp, Jeana hopped on the promotion bandwagon. She handed out Jameson pamphlets and helped sign people up for camp through Concord sign-ups. She also helped with school fairs, the camp’s Program Committee and was employed with the program staff for a summer. These activities ultimately led her to join the Board of Directors where she has now served for 2 years.

Jameson Camp Program Director Tim Nowak has been with the Jefferson family every step of the way and he's seen the benefits from both sides. "The boys have grown and matured through our Summer camp programs, Youth Leadership, and the steady and careful guidance of their parents," he said. "And Jeana has made it possible for us to do so much more for our campers through her countless hours and consistent presence. She is the best!"

Camp has had a lasting impact on each of the Jefferson boys. For Braydon, he still keeps in touch with campers, mentors and staff members that he worked with. "I call Jameson home and camp gave me great tools heading into 'real life' as an adult," he said. He is now involved in helping the next generation by mentoring youth. Bryce is the star quarterback for Decatur Central High School and with good fortune he'll be the next Aaron Rodgers. Bryce said, "I learned valuable leadership skills at Jameson, which has helped me in the classroom and on the football field." As for Brevin, he's already playing for the Southport High School varsity basketball team as a freshman. "Jameson Camp and my mentor gave me many tools to succeed like humbleness and dedication," he said. "On the hardwood and in life." It just so happens that Brevin's mentor is quite a talented basketball player himself...Utah Jazz point guard and Indianapolis native George Hill.

From a mom of 3 campers to a member of the Board of Directors to a current teacher at Decatur Middle School, Jeana has seen firsthand the impact Jameson Camp has had on the lives of young people. “It gives them a place to be themselves without judgment,” she said. “Thank you to everyone who supports Jameson because you have given children a place where they are loved, they are accepted, they can find themselves, and they are able to break out of their shell and become good people in society.”