I am embarking on a challenging journey to run and participate in 100 miles for the YMCA PKC 2026, a cause close to my heart. This run is not just a physical feat but a commitment to empowering our youth through camp programming. Camp programming is vital for kids and helps equip them with the skills and confidence they need to shape a brighter future.

Ask any parent or teacher, and they'll tell you: kids need camp now more than ever. Anxiety and depression are surging among teens. Kids spend an average of 8-10 hours a day on screens outside of school, with social media fueling many mental health concerns. Nutrition and physical health are declining as kids go outside and move less than ever. Many face violence or the fear of violence, and some struggle with poverty and uncertainty about their next meal.

Then they come to camp. Whether it’s Outdoor Ed for three days or summer camp for a week, they learn resilience, how to play, and how to appreciate nature instead of being glued to a device. They develop autonomy and discover that science and the outdoors are for them. Camp lets them step out of the box school puts them in—and shine. For a time, they have a bed of their own, a hot shower, and as much good food as they want. At camp, kids can just be kids. And it changes them for the better.

I invite you to join me in this mission by contributing towards our goal of $1,500 USD. Every dollar brings us closer to making a lasting impact on the lives of these young individuals. Together, we can inspire hope and create pathways for success. Please support the 100-Mile Run | YMCA PKC 2026 today and help us build tomorrow's leaders.