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When Edwin first arrived at Fairview Lake YMCA Camps, he was quiet, hesitant, and unsure of what the week ahead would bring. His mother Shannon Torres, a single parent navigating loss, trauma, and financial uncertainty, was simply hoping her son would feel safe.
What they found instead was something far more powerful. They found belonging.
Edwin and his mother live in East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania. In the years leading up to his first summer at camp, their family experienced significant transitions, including the loss of Edwin’s grandmother, who had been their primary source of support.
As summer approached, Edwin’s mother faced the reality many families know too well. She needed a safe, nurturing place for her child while working full time, but worried camp would be out of reach financially.
Thanks to financial assistance made possible by donors, Edwin attended one week of Fairview Lake YMCA Camps in 2022. Like many parents, his mother felt anxious about sending her child away. Camp staff provided reassurance, consistent communication, and a sense of care that immediately set the tone. From daily photo updates to personal check-ins, the message was clear: Edwin mattered here.
By the end of that first week, Edwin was transformed. He had made friends. He had tried new activities. Most importantly, he had begun to come out of his shell.
“Edwin had a blast,” his mom said. “He made friends and bonds. He came back brighter and more outgoing.”
That single week became the start of a journey. Each summer, Edwin returned to camp for longer sessions, growing from one week to two, then three. As he grew, so did his confidence. Camp became the place where he learned to swim, to rock climb, and to step forward socially. A once-shy child became a teenager who proudly sang in front of others during camp lunches and talent shows.
At home, the family faced ongoing financial strain from home repairs, vehicle replacements, medical and legal expenses, and economic pressures that made every decision feel heavy. Yet year after year, Fairview Lake YMCA Camps ensured Edwin could return.
That commitment came into sharp focus this past summer. For the first time since Edwin began attending, his family did not sign up for camp. The cost felt impossible. At 14, Edwin even secured working papers, hoping to earn money to pay his own way back. When camp staff noticed his absence, they reached out personally.
They did not ask why. They asked how they could help. Together, they found a way.
“After putting everything in order, Edwin was actually able to go to camp this year. When I told him, he cried tears of joy,” Shannon shared.
Today, Fairview Lake YMCA Camps is more than a summer experience for Edwin. It is his second home. It is where he feels accepted, supported, and encouraged to be fully himself. For Edwin and his mother, that support changed more than one summer. It helped shape who Edwin is becoming.
“The staff never made us feel like we were just another family joining camp. They made us feel like we were family and without judgment. I will forever be grateful to the YMCA for being there for us in our time of need and allowing my son to continue to create wonderful memories at camp," Shannon said.