Exploring Careers and Learning New Skills: A Camp Mariah Summer

Camp Mariah combines fun in the sun and outdoor adventure with skill-building, career exploration and leadership development. This summer campers embraced hands-on learning while discovering a broad range of career paths and developing the skills needed to pursue their dreams, all while experiencing the beauty and tranquility of a Fresh Air summer.  

Campers learned to build robots, operate sewing machines in fashion class, paint and draw, take photos, create a resume, swim and more, turning new experiences into newfound confidence and creating inspiring goals for the summer and beyond.  

Skills-Based Confidence Developed Through New Adventures 

“This summer I was looking forward to the activities,” said Kelly, 11, who shared her enthusiasm for fashion and learning how to play the piano. “I learned how to sew on the sewing machine, which I didn’t know how to do until our instructor taught us.” Kelly also tried fishing for the very first time and caught a big fish! 

Delant, 14, explored his passion for cooking in culinary class, where he learned how to make pizza, cupcakes and even apple pie. Cooking has been something he’s loved since he was little, so getting the chance to do it at camp was especially meaningful. 

“I was most excited to play guitar and cook in culinary class. I like culinary class because it’s something I can bring to camp from home, and something I can take home from camp.” 

Delant also shared that Camp Mariah taught him to take pride in his accomplishments. “A moment at camp I felt proud of myself was last year when I got a yellow band in swimming. Camp Mariah taught me how to better myself and to be true to myself and others.”  

“The things I love at camp are writing essays, sports and swimming. One thing I learned is sportsmanship and teamwork, which has taught me how to communicate and talk to people better,” said Jamie, 13. 

Jamie shared the impact of Camp Mariah and how the experience has made him more open-minded and willing to try new things. “One new thing I tried was swimming because I barely swim at home. And because I love sports, I was excited to play in the soccer tournament with my friends, and we won!”  

Learning That Inspires New Passions  

While developing new skills, campers have the opportunity to explore new interests and approach familiar activities with a fresh perspective.  

Josee, 11, spent her summer making new friends and diving into camp activities. She shared the art classes completely changed how she sees art. 

“I tried so many new things this summer,” said Josee. “I used to hate art because I didn’t know how to draw. But now, I like art because we get to paint and I’m better at painting. And then in fashion, I learned how to pin and sew. We’re making a dress. It’s cool because I never really knew how to sew. I get to take what I learned here and bring it home.” 

“I was most looking forward to playing volleyball, but I also got to try photography for the first time, and it became my favorite class,” said Brooke, 12. “I’ve taken photos on my phone before, but we get to use real cameras and walk around and take photos in nature. It’s really fun!”  

Naileany, 12, was surprised by how much she enjoyed hiking and camping overnight under the stars. “I liked hiking a lot and it’s made me closer to nature. In New York, there are big buildings and cars all over and you barely see any trees. At camp, you’re in nature and it’s really peaceful.”  

“Camp is really fun,” said Naileany. “You get to make new friends and try new activities. I definitely recommend it!”