a volunteer's letter of inspiration

This is a letter Flying Horse Farms received from Zak Grimm, one of their most active volunteers. Zak has cerebral palsy and didn't have places like Flying Horse Farms to find refuge when he was growing up. He feels at home there now.

"For anyone who knows me, it's no secret how I feel about camp. Flying Horse Farms is the reason why I can say this year has been the BEST of my 26. I know in my soul that I've had the time of my life making a difference for our campers in Mt. Gilead, Ohio.

It wasn't always that simple or clear. In the beginning, I admit I wasn't sure what would come of my time at camp. Would I be comfortable with so many people I didn't know? Would I be comfortable with myself? Would I be able to actually do things at camp?

A year later, all of my apprehensions have since melted away. I have been completely transformed by my experiences at Flying Horse Farms. Not only did I do one or two things at camp; I did everything at camp—short of hopping in the pool and driving a golf cart.

As for meeting new friends, all the wonderful people I've met at camp have become my new brothers and sisters. Flying Horse Farms gave me the chance to be a part of the family, to make a difference—large or small—for our campers, and to be myself in the process. What makes me different outside of camp became virtually invisible within this fun, magical place, and no words can express how huge that was for me. I needed a place to truly belong, and I found it. Not only on the camp grounds, but in the overall life-changing experience of helping kids be kids, of giving them a chance to live in the moment, and giving their souls a place they can call home.

Ryan, our camp director, is totally right: the magic of camp never leaves us. It will never leave me, and I absolutely can't wait to see where it takes me next season and for years to come.

And I'll always remember where that magic came from."