Camp remains one of the few place where kids can just be kids. Where they learn valuable life and leadership skills, get the chance to explore, meet new friends and build confidence and make memories that last a lifetime. But not every family can afford to send their kids to camp. By donating to our Ride for YMCA Strong Kids event taking place on Wednesday, August 16, you can help us reach our goal to raise $18,000 and give even more deserving kids the summer of their lives. For kids like Bill, summer camp has the potential to change lives… Many years ago, Bill learned how to swim and paddle a canoe at camp. These skills proved invaluable. “As somebody who comes from a poor background, you automatically feel inferior to your peers,” he says. “By teaching you to be good at something, it makes a huge difference. Learning to swim gave me an opportunity to fit into the mainstream. I had the feeling that I was okay because I could do something well.” At the YMCA, the difference we are making in kids lives, well – it’s not just about a week at summer camp. It’s about opening up a whole new world of opportunity for kids, giving them the confidence to believe in themselves and their future -- regardless of what they have today. Please, give generously and help us give every kid a chance.