Sarah Mahony was 8 years old when she visited Camp Fiver for its grand opening in 2000 along with her late grandfather, the author of Watership Down, Richard Adams. The Fiver Children’s Foundation takes its name from Fiver, the main character, a visionary rabbit, from the classic novel. Sarah shares some memories from that visit and congratulatory remarks on behalf of her family.
“Going to camp made me a better person. It also made me realize that there is so much more to do or explore than being on your electronic devices.”
“Volunteering and working part time at Fiver has been incredible! The team is so dedicated, loving, and supportive of their teammates and constituents. The magic of Fiver is contagious and creates a family with everyone who is in contact with it. I’ve volunteered with them for several years now, and I keep finding myself coming back to this second-home I’ve discovered.”
Pictured is Maritza’s son David
“Fiver gave my son the opportunity to go away for a couple of weeks in the summer to enjoy the great outdoors and provided him with encouragement to do well in school and set goals for his future. It has opened his eyes to various activities, sports, and experiences. I appreciate Fiver for helping my son grow up into a well-rounded individual with the desire to continue his education and overcome challenges. It’s given him the confidence to believe he can do it and make something of himself. Thank You Fiver!”
“Fiver Children’s Foundation is truly a home to me, my family, and so many others. It is a place that is truly indescribable, it can only be experienced. This foundation has nurtured me for over 10 years and has truly impacted my life in many pivotal ways. From a young age, Fiver has instilled in me: leadership skills, interpersonal skills, the importance of education, being family-oriented, courage, and giving back. These are values that will be engrained into my family for many years to come and for that reason I will forever be in debt to Fiver. ”
“I want to go back to camp because I had so much fun there. It feels like a second home... It feels like heaven.”
“I am very grateful that I had an opportunity to be a part of this organization for the past 17 years. The lessons and support I’ve received at Fiver still shape my choices today as a woman and a mother. I wish everyone had a chance to call this place home.”
“I’m so proud to call this organization my “work home”. This is the first organization in my career where I’ve felt my own life is being positively impacted by the kind of programming we offer to our young people. I earn dog tags like our kids do (Respectful and Compassionate so far), and I’ve embraced trying new things and expressing myself more confidently in a work environment that is supportive and nonjudgemental. ”
“Every Fiver participant I have met is motivated, caring and a well-rounded member of the community. All of Fiver’s staff and volunteers maintain a positive culture and serve as reliable and thoughtful role models.”
“Since I’m going into my junior year of high school, camp gives me the opportunity to visit colleges, see what they have to offer, and see what interests me the most. At camp, I can also discuss real world problems with other people and get different points of view which I think is great.”
“Camp is like a second family to to me because they make me feel comfortable in camp. And in summer I feel so bored sometimes, but camp never makes me feel bored!”
“It was about 13 summers ago where I came to this camp for the first time. I was so happy to find a new home, a place where I can be able to express myself however I wanted, and a place that helped me develop and improve as a person. After those 10 summers and a year of a break without the camp, I came back to work for the camp for two summers now, and I was able to see the same results that the camp achieved with me. I really believe the camp works wonders for many children helping them all reach their potential. Once a Fiver, always a Fiver.”
“I want to go back to camp because camp is a home to me. A home isn’t just a place where there is a bed and shelter but somewhere you feel comfortable and are able to express your honest self. Camp has been something special for me and now I am finally able to share or enhance that emotion for my fellow campers now being in SERVE. I want to continue to enjoy my time with my friends at this place I call home while also being a leader.”
“I get to spend time outside the city and have my own personal space at camp. I love to try new things like broccoli, peas and carrots, leaving my comfort zone, and participating more often. ”
“Fiver has given me the space to come into my own professionally and personally— to be successful at my work, build authentic relationships with community and empower our youth, and to continue to challenge myself to be a better me always!”