Looking back , after a few days of my first camp experience, when I started at Manitou 8 years ago….., the amazing camp environment got a hold of me and helped me break out of my shell. Camp Manitou provided me with a safe, arm and caring atmosphere that helped me make many friends and lasting memories within those first few days…Manitou is where my best memories were formed. I learnt reponsiblity, independence, respect, acceptance, love and so much more. I have developed friendships that I know will last a lifetime. The people at Manitou , whether it’s a camper or staff member always seem to put a smile on my face and warm my heart. I’m comofortable being myself and I don’t have to try or worry that people won’t accept me. Thank you for giving me the best years of my life….
Senior Girl 2006 Malerie

August 16, 2002

Dear Mark and Jeff,

It hasn't even been 48 hours since I left camp and already I am missing it like crazy. The summer of 2002 was the best summer of my life. The friendships I made and the experiences I had will be remembered forever.

Before camp started, I was a little unsure of what the CIT program would be about. I was worried about all the responsibilities, if or if not my campers would like me, and if I would get along with the staff. But from the minute I stepped off the bus, all my worries were pushed aside. The few days at Algonquin gave us all a chance to get to know each other and catch up with friends from previous years. It also taught us how to deal with situations that may arise and how to deal with campers. During that time, Marissa told us that we would form bonds with our campers that would last a lifetime. To me, that seemed very strange. As a camper at another camp for a few years, we would change CIT's each week. They would come and go, and would not be remembered after their week was up. Marissa's words echoed in my head on changeover when, as the buses pulled away, I had this urge to cry, as if the campers leaving were my own children. I missed, and still do, each and every one of them. This showed me how much I loved being a CIT, because I could become so close with my camper cabin as well as my own cabin.

This letter is to thank you for giving the best summer ever. The CIT program was everything I had hoped it would be. In my opinion, it is the best program offered, because it is the perfect balance of being a camper and a staff. We are given a lot of responsibility with planning camp wide programs which are so much fun, we get a chance to truly get to know our camper placement cabins and their counselors, we are given the opportunity to share our knowledge during our activity placement, we are treated with respect by being able to participate in staff activities, like staff snack and phone use, but when it boils down to it, we are still campers and are given the luxury of choosing 3 out of 5 of our activities per day. I had the chance to try and participate in activities that I absolutely loved, like tennis and Tae Kwon Doe, that I now hope to continue with in the city.

Thank you Mark and Jeff for everything you have done in making Manitou the place it is, my home away from home. I love Manitou and I hope to be back next year.

Love always