“I’ve learned that taking risks can lead to unexpected friendships, fun, and the best memories….”
When Ava was six years old, her father passed away suddenly, leaving her and her older brother with the devastating wound of parental loss.
From another widowed parent, Ava’s mom learned about Wildflower. With negotiated camp tuition reductions, scholarships, and the support of a trained social-services professional, Wildflower made it possible for Ava and her brother to continue attending their beloved Fessenden Day Camp.
In her application to Wildflower, Ava’s mother expressed her desire to alleviate some of the grief with the stability, community, and joy that her children’s tried-and-true camp helped provide. Wildflower was born from these exact circumstances – according to founder and widowed mother, Cyndi Jones.
Ava’s mother wrote: “Wildflower gave me peace — feeling less guilty knowing my children were laughing, playing and surrounded by friends while I worked. As the years went on, Wildflower gave them experiences and opportunities I could have never provided alone.”
Nearly a decade after her loss, Ava radiated optimism and a level of maturity not uncommon for children who experience loss so young. She broke into a wide smile when speaking about her cherished camping years.
“It has truly been a gift to have the chance to spend every summer at Fessenden as a camper/CIT. I was always so excited for summer, because I knew [my friends] would be back there…”
Ava grew, flourished, and thrived at Fessenden Summer Camp. The day camp offered exciting activities to choose from, including dance, swimming, archery, sports, and more.
“Every single summer filled with joy, happiness and the best memories would not have been possible without the Wildflower organization.”
Buoyed by her camp friends, Ava eventually blossomed from a camper to a Counselor-in-Training who enjoyed working with children. She is a dedicated student, pushing herself in her studies — a quality she attributes to her late father’s dedication to his work. As an avid writer, she keeps a journal of letters to her dad.
Ava’s camp experiences inspired her decision to join a child-care program in school with the goal of helping people, specifically young children, as she looks to the future.
“The opportunities that [Wildflower] was able to give me – I want to be able to give other people.”
Approaching her eighth Wildflower summer at Fessenden, Ava was inspired to step outside her comfort zone, into a travel program that included a stop in Italy – where her family was from. Encouraged by the adventure, she and her mother worked with Wildflower to make her summer dream a reality.
Ava’s decision and journey highlights Wildflower’s lasting impact on grieving families. Wildflower’s intervention catalyzed grief to nurture Ava’s confidence, resilience, and curiosity – qualities that empowered her to embrace new adventures, including unforgettable intercultural immersion.
“I will admit that I was hesitant about traveling so far away from my family without any experience of being out of the country before. But through this experience, I’ve learned that taking these risks can lead to unexpected friendships, fun, and the best memories.”
The resilience gleaned from Ava’s camping years quickly paid off as she navigated the brand new environment, missing her close-knit family. Once the culture shock faded, Ava was captivated by her surroundings and new friends — and never wanted the adventure to end.
“I’ve learned so much about different cultures, tried new foods, shopped in new areas and enjoyed many cities’ beautiful architecture and art!”
With Wildflower’s support, Ava learned that stepping beyond her comfort zone and immersing herself in new cultures can lead to profound growth, meaningful connections, and a deeper appreciation of the world and her own strength. These lessons are gifts that continue giving, maximizing Wildflower’s reach as each camper blossoms.
