Two years ago, the kids were coming on vacation…
I was in an area with no access to extracurricular activities for kids.
I have always enjoyed seeing kids out in the open, playing, off their gadgets and being creative and learning life skills
So I said to myself… why not organize a vacation camp for kids and teens?
Nothing commercial
Just a great camp where kids can be kids while engaging in experiential gadget-free activities and interacting with each other as kids should
So I put a plan together…
The problem
I had no experience. Or I scared myself into thinking I couldn’t do it.
I had been hosting informal craft, library and entertainment activities for kids and women for years – for free. I grew up watching my aunts and mum freely do same for kids in the communities we lived in.
My experience as a creative, Lead Producer, high level thought leadership event management specialist, and a woman with many talents came in handy.
But I was still terrified of failing
A whole long vacation camp with proper extracurricular activities for varying age groups at the same time? Daabi la.
Pure madness!
“Eiii what if no parent signs up?”
“How do I even source for logistics “.
“How about personnel?”
A whole lot
A few times I tried shelving the idea. But I found myself circling back to it.
I shared my fears with my landlord who had been very encouraging. He told me the worst that could happen was a “no” and how I should even be proud of myself if that happens
I shared my vision with four more women in my community. They were fantastic!
So I took the plunge.
Imagine my surprise when 38 children were quickly signed up by their parents.
38 children ranging from 4 – 17 years?
“Am I crazy?”
“What was I going to do with that large number”?
But I had gone to “run my mouth”. There was no backing out
And with great support from the four women I initially opened up to, our camp started.
They graciously joined me as Camp Facilitators amidst their busy schedules, sacrificing their time, skills, resources to drive this vision with me.
Truly, it took a village – some of our kids’ teachers freely volunteered their services. I had great support
We did
= Music (instrumentation)
= Arts & Crafts
= Robotics and other STEM activities
= Sports
= Culinary Arts & Practical Life Skills lessons
= Security & safety lessons
= Financial literacy
Our Robotics lessons were facilitated by #CoralReefsInnovationsAfrica , kind courtesy #RichardAnim.
I did everything – sourcing and arranging logistics, cleaning, nanny duties, admin roles, coordinating the various moving parts of a vacation camp.
It was as exhausting as it was fulfilling to see an idea you birthed taking off.
It was a baptism by fire. It tested my resilience and problem-solving skills. I powered through. With the help of God and those amazing women and dedicated volunteers, some of whom were parents of our participants.
The feedback from parents and our participants was, and has been overwhelmingly positive.
When the camp ended, some of our kids and parents came asking for more.
I also officially started my kids’ Arts & Craft service for birthday parties, Sunday schools and other child-themed events in addition to my Ladies’ Craft nights.
Why am I sharing this?
Looking back, I’m amazed at how God threads the pieces together. What started as a crazy idea born out of necessity became a life-changing experience for me.
It takes a village, they say – and mine showed up big time.
If you’re stuck on that dream, let this be the sign: take the plunge, gather your tribe, or go at it alone, put in the work and watch God turn it into something beautiful.
Don’t let your ideas gather dust. Take the leap Even if it doesn’t take off, you’ll learn, grow, and gain.
The biggest regret is not trying. Let nothing hold you back
