Confidence is Cool

Hi Sarah! Where do I start 🙂 This is Abi's second year attending Sail to Prevail. I think it has become the highlight of her summer. Maybe highlight of her year!! She wants to be a camp counselor when she' s too old to attend:) There are a lot of summer camps around, but yours is the only one who specifically cater to kids like Abi. Camp Sail To Prevail makes these kids feel that they can do anything, and Sarah, you and your wonderful staff of counselors and volunteers tirelessly help prove to them that they actually can!! Thank you so much. 🙂

Wonder weekend!!! Maria and I would like to thank all of you guys at Sail to Prevail for such an absolutely SPLENDID TIME sailing. Please send our kudos to the entire crew!!!

Thank you to all involved in making the weekend such a wonderful weekend.

Our daughter, Grace, looks forward every summer to her time at Sail To Prevail. It is a place where she is able to truly be herself and feel not only accepted, but appreciated for who she is as a person. She has developed bonds unlike any others in her life with a staff that sees beyond disability. Her time with other children who are meeting their own challenges is also invaluable. The opportunity she has to be in such a beautiful location as Newport and participate in activities unique to most of her peers, such as sailing, bring her great pride! We couldn't be happier!

Patty, Thank you and Sail To Prevail for this weekend. It is amazing how generous you all are - some we saw and some who were behind the scenes. I was thinking about your dock which gives us a window onto a world which we would otherwise never see, and of your willingness to get Bob and all the others out in the boats and onto the water for a good sail. And thank God for the absolutely perfect weather both Saturday and Sunday. Thank you all, also, for the lovely dinner Saturday night. I was sitting at the end of the old people and next to the young people, and it was fun to observe the difference in conversations. It took me back to a very long time ago, and the excitement and promise of shining youth. It was very nice to meet you and talk with you, and also Chad on Sunday. Thank you and thank God for His goodness,

This was my son's 4th year attending Sail to Prevail Camp. He always looks forward to seeing the friend's he has made over the years, especially the staff! He feels so free when he is on the water .There are no limits placed on his disability. I am so happy that he is involved in such a camp that gives these children the confidence to do anything. I am always telling people about this camp so that their children can experience what Evan does!

“We can't express enough how much this Confidence is Cool camp means to Abi and her family. She absolutely loves coming to camp and looks forward to it every summer! This is probably one of the only summer programs that is offered to kids like Abi where she can go, have fun and just be a kid. It's also so good that she can attend this camp without mom and/or dad having to be there, because you have so many young, nice people who volunteer, and a nurse. (That wonderful Sheila! I sent her a nice note also.) This camp allows Abi to foster her independence which is so important for her. Kudos to you, Sarah, for your hard work and dedication to making these kids feel like they belong. Thank you so much for another spectacular summer for Abi, and we can't wait to do it again next summer!”

My children have volunteered and/or worked for the camp for the past several years and it’s wonderful to see how they’ve become like family to the campers. It’s a fantastic program and the time spent at the Confidence is Cool camp is always the highlight of the summer and talked about all year long.

I would really like to compliment you and the staff for the extraordinary sailing program you did this summer to benefit Veterans. The weather perfect, the setting in Newport the best, the equipment well prepared, and the staff on deck. A day to remember. The staff was particularly good and professional in dealing with the veterans and their particular disabilities. The total experience was enjoyable and refreshing. What could be better? These programs enhance the quality of life for each individual and provide experiences that will never be forgotten. Thanks to you the staff at Sail to Prevail: this work does not go unnoticed and is truly appreciated. Keep up the good work.

Oh my, not sure what to say. It is not like just going to a camp for Johnny, it is like being with family. All of the counselors are amazing. At Sail to Prevail Johnny feels "NORMAL." (oh how I hate that word) The counselors work so hard to enable our kids to believe that anything is possible. They truly take them to the ends of the earth. Whether it be sailing, swimming, hiking.....hiking who knew a child in a wheelchair could go hiking? Where there is a will there is a way as far as Sarah and her wonderful team of counselors are concerned. At 16 Johnny has such a need for independence, which Sail to Prevail provides him with. It is a safe place for him to be without us. To be a typical teenager without his parents hovering over him. He has formed such strong bonds with the counselors; Lauren, Jesse, Matt, Molly, and of course Sarah just to mention a few. He has also formed friendships with the campers, i.e. people like himself. The campers may have different disabilities, but it is their ABILITIES that are highlighted. Sorry I know you are busy and I was trying to make it short but this camp means so much to us as a family that it is hard to use only a few words to describe it. Maybe this can sum it up. Every year on the last day as we pull away and head for our long drive home back to NY (and yes it is absolutely worth the trip), a voice from the backseat says "Mom, how many days until I have camp again?" I sadly have to say 365 days buddy 🙁