Why I Donate to Stomping Ground
Before I begin, I must admit two things that could very well play a factor in who reads past this first sentence:
CJ and Jack at Kate’s Wedding! Look at those beautiful boys!
First of all, I have only been to one week of summer camp in my entire life, just over 14 years ago in the middle of Pennsylvania, and I got my favorite Cleveland Browns hat stolen by a girl who had a confirmed case of cooties, and I decided I would never go back.
Secondly, I have never worked at/been to/seen/smelled/tasted Camp Stomping Ground. Ever. *GASP*
I know what you’re thinking…”Who is this POSER and why is he writing about Camp??” It’s simple, honestly. Because I fell in love with it. Just like each and every one of you probably did. I’m a sucker for everything about it, and especially for everyone that has a hand in making it what it is.
“Ok, but who do you know here?” So my name is CJ Haag and I’m one of George Clay’s (the really tall guy) biological brothers that got separated at birth and was reunited with him during a dramatic turn of events in the early 2000s.
JUST KIDDING. As much as I wish I was related to George, I’m actually one of Ray Mahar’s best friends in the WHOLE WORLD from college, and I was introduced to the Founding Fathers and Mothers of Camp Stomping Ground (you guys know Jack and Laura, right?) within the first few minutes of stepping into their house for the first time. I think everyone can probably relate, it was about 60 seconds later that I felt like family there. Jack Schott didn’t skip a beat in telling me about Laura’s and his very own camp (Camp Stomping Ground) and how it’s not like any camp I had ever been to. Considering my past camp experiences, it wasn’t hard to sell me on that. As I said before, I’ve been in love ever since -- with the people, the mission, THE NEW PLACE, and the radical empathy that radiates from every person affiliated with it.
CJ and the “Gary’s” a group of his friends who gave $2000 to our Day of Giving in 2019.
It was the overwhelming sense of family that I just mentioned that motivated me to give that first penny to Camp. I barely knew the people, but they made me feel like a lifelong friend within seconds of meeting them. And once I learned more about Camp (Jack and Laura can attest to this), I have swan dived into every opportunity to support it, whether it’s tuning in to the shenanigans on Day of Giving and donating a few sheckles, sharing their down-to-Earth blogs and videos that feel like they’re directed specifically to you, or just repping their T shirts around town on a daily basis. It all helps, and my favorite part about it (selfishly) is watching the effects that it has on camp at every level. That’s why I do it. Laura, Jack, and the entire staff do an ASTOUNDING job at making your support SEEN and translating every post you share, every costume you donate, and every penny you give into physical gains for the camp, and it’s inspiring to the point where it makes me not want to stop. I want to see more kids go to camp. I want to see these kids have more opportunities – and more fun -- and crave to go back. I want the staff to have all the amenities they need to support these kids and this camp, because as scary as it sounds, this camp is STILL GROWING and getting better every day, but it needs help from people like you and me to keep the wheels turning.
Sharing a post on facebook might just hit one more parent’s feed at the right time where they think “wow, technology read my mind again, I was looking for something like this!” Donating one more dollar might top off a scholarship for someone who might otherwise have not had the opportunity to experience the magic of camp. Wearing your Stomping Ground T Shirt might strike up that conversation with the family at the store and BOOM, three brand new campers. It’s exciting beyond exciting to see the direct effects that supporting this camp has, and that is exactly why I donate. It doesn’t take one wealthy person to donate a large sum of money to make a difference at camp (believe me, I am certainly nowhere near that category). Stomping Ground cherishes every supporter of camp, and it is overwhelmingly powered by the hard work, the generosity, and the hearts of young people -- digging into whatever they have to give with a smile on their face. It takes all of us to make it happen.
I can’t thank my friends at Camp Stomping Ground (Laura the Camp Director, Jack Schott, Superstar, Georgey, Klee, -- honorable mentions: DaKwan, Kate Mahar, Dr. Brad, Meagan, AGNG, BRIAN HATHAWAY, AshCash Money, Maurice) enough for this opportunity to reach out to all of you and share why I’m here, and why I love to show up whenever I possibly can. I know I’m not the only one that feels this way, so I can confidently say It’s Good to be Together.
