Stories of Impact

For many youth in Scarborough, DOXA Day Camps are a place they think of as a home away from home for the summer months. Hannah is one of them! We sat down with Hannah to learn more about her experience with DOXA. Here is what she shared: 

How long have you been involved with DOXA Day Camps?

I began attending as a camper in grade 8 and volunteered the following summer. Last year, I was employed to work for DOXA as a camp counselor. When I first came to DOXA, I immediately felt welcomed. I keep coming back to DOXA camps because I have friends and mentors there who accept me no matter what.

What is your favourite part of camp?

My favourite part is probably the praise time. The campers and counselors have a lot of fun - we get out of breath and lose our voices because of all the jumping and singing we do!

Do you have a memory from your summers that stands out to you?

Two years ago, as a volunteer at one of our DOXA Day Camp sites, I helped a counselor care for her group of campers. I didn’t think that I was doing much to help. On the last day of camp, the cousnuelor came up to me and said, “Hannah, thank you. You helped me so much.” Then she gave me a hug. That was really memorable for me because she noticed and acknowledged what I did to help. That made me feel seen.

How has being involved with DOXA impacted your faith journey? 

I’ve experienced God’s love through the people at DOXA. For the staff and volunteers, being a Christian isn’t just believing in Jesus, but also devoting their life to him. The staff at DOXA live out their faith, and now I’ve been trying to do the same in my everyday life.

What began as a fun place for Lucas to play basketball with friends, developed into long-term relationships with staff, and a desire to keep returning to YU’s Hoop to Hope program, even when his friends were no longer interested. Lucas has been involved with sports drop-in programs in Jane and Finch since he was in grade 5. Fast forward a few years, and Lucas is now in grade 12. He’s graduated from camper to summer staff, and he’s even joined our YU internship program! For the last two summers, Lucas worked alongside Scott Veals to run sports drop-in programs and lead overnight trips to Camp Widjiitiwin for Downsview youth.

Lucas comes back year after year because he truly sees the opportunity to change the lives of the youth he serves. He shared with us how opportunities like daily connection through sports or week-long trips to Camp Widjiitiwin help foster relationships that make transformation possible. One of his favourite camp memories is spending time with youth in a wooded area full of hammocks. “That’s where they can freely ask important questions and have conversations that matter,” said Lucas. 

He enjoys helping youth learn about Jesus in a way they might never have heard before. At the end of the summer, it is Lucas’ hope that they will come away knowing that Jesus is merciful and gracious, and that they can always come to Him.