Send Ethyn Ryan to Camp Kodiak!

I am writing on behalf of Karen Ryan to ask for funding for her grandson to attend a 3-week summer camp program at Camp Kodiak for the year of 2025. By attending Camp Kodiak, her hope is for Ethyn to have the following opportunities: acquire much needed life and prosocial skills, see what life experiences are out there, and have the chance to build lifelong friendships with

peers.

Ethyn is a funny, caring, helpful and caring grandson whose presence is very much enjoyed by others around him. Ethyn is diagnosed with a learning disability, Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, Oppositional defiant disorder and Klinefelter Syndrome, in which he needs constant support to help him manage various life situations. Such supports can help to divert his big emotions, attend school in a consistent manner, build friendships and feel confident in himself.

Karen has had Kinship Custody of Ethyn since May 2021 through the Children’s Aid Society. Being a senior on her own and now retired from full-time work, it has been truly difficult to have the physical and emotional ability, as well as funds to help him enjoy his childhood years to its utmost fulfillment. Moreover, Ethyn comes from a low-income family with a lack of parental support from both parents. Given such circumstances, Etyhn’s childhood have lacked opportunities for positive memories, caring relationships and confidence building.

Through supports, it became evident that Ethyn thrives on building connection with others, especially those that can be a role model for Ethyn and support him in bringing out the best in Ethyn. Ethyn loves participating in various indoor and outdoor activities with both adults and peers, which is demonstrated by his success at school and in community programs.

In all, Camp Kodiak would provide Ethyn the opportunity to feel confident and build positive memories as a kid – a critical opportunity he had missed out on in his early years. Ethyn is very much looking forward to attending camp and is already watching videos on camping and what camping entails. While Ethyn enjoys his time at camp, it would also allow Karen to have the opportunity to recharge her battery – it would be a benefit to their family as a whole to survive and thrive moving forward.