Last night we spent the night in Port Royal and had dinner with some of our Jamaican volunteers! We had such a blast but got in so late! We were up early for our long return journey to Rochester, NY. Today we traveled from Kingston to Ocho Rios for our one day of relaxation and fun. We enjoyed being able to spend the day with each other before heading back home!
The rest of today’s blog is a reflection from two of our volunteers detailing their experience this week at camp!
Laura Zimmer’s take on the past week…“Two years ago, I signed up to go to JASY but backed out because of another opportunity at home. I am so utterly disappointed in the girl who made that decision. The past week has changed my perspective on so many things and those kids have reminded of why I love life. Every time a kid would smile or laugh, the feeling that filed my heart was incredibly whimsical. I have never felt better than when I was at camp, and knowing that everyone else felt the same way made it even more spectacular. One of my favorite campers, Hudelia, continuously made my day just through her love for laughter. There were so many amazing moments with every group. I would love to be able to share them all. Not only were the campers amazing, but so were the volunteers. The memories I shared with all these wonderful people will forever hold a special place in my mind. There are not enough words to describe my experience through the last week, and I am so eternally grateful for it.”
Erin Thompson’s feelings and thoughts from JASY 2015, “This week has exceeded all my expectations; I have made bonds and friendships that will remain in my heart for the rest of my life. As a Sports Ambassador on the Red Team, I had the opportunity to interact with 34 young Jamaican kids. These kids taught me so much about life and the beauty of living simply. Today, on our relaxing day in Maragaritaville, I had the chance to reflect on the week and how it impacted my own life. I learned the power of love; whether it be through hugs, smiles, or just through conversation. The kids who attended this camp love every second they spend at JASY camp. One of my campers, Tevin, said to me ‘I wish JASY camp could last the whole summer!’ I believe that everyone on our team would love to be able to do JASY everyday, and I hope that this amazing mission persists through the years.” This week has been moving, inspirational, and humbling. We hope that each and every one of you gets to experience something like JASY in your life. It truly is life changing for both campers and volunteers.