GRATITUDE & LOve Notes

Here’s why our Nature Access Initiatives are so important to us!

Incredibly Powerful...

“As an Indigenous family, it was incredibly powerful to find a land acknowledgment on every page or your site and to see that your reparations scholarships are not tied to income. It has been frustrating and painful in the past to feel as if I need to give an organization my trauma and poverty in order to participate. Thank you.”

“We can’t thank you enough for the scholarships and assistance. My kids said they had their ‘best summer ever’ and it was because of you. They loved every minute outside and their counselors too. With the stresses of Covid, our eldest was barely getting out of bed for weeks and now she seems like herself again. So wonderful, thank you.”

Growth, Independence, Confidence, Leadership...

“I am so grateful for the strides you are making to make your programs accessible. Thanks to the reparations fee waivers, my son has been able to participate in multiple weeks of camp. He has grown so much and developed his independence, confidence, and leadership capabilities. It’s so wonderful it brings tears to my eyes!”

Thanks for everything you did to make it happen for us this summer!

“Thank you for taking the time to talk with me about our situation and being flexible and responsive. Our camper said he could have stayed for another 2 weeks…One day.”

Thank you for making your camps accessible

“I’ve been wanting my son to experience your camps for a few years but as a single parent, I thought they were out of reach for us. Thanks to the reparations fee waivers he was able to participate and he loved every minute. He is already looking forward to next summer, thank you!”

Camp has been a truly happy and enriching experience and run so safely and efficiently in the midst of a health crisis.

“[Our camper]’s spirits are higher with each week of camp, and he is so proud to tell us about moments in his day. I have also noticed he has started telling us stories – which I think is thanks to Growing Wild and storytelling. The whole team has been wonderful. Their recaps at days’ end made me feel that someone is really paying attention to the kids – really watching and listening and engaging – so good to know in these nerve-wracking times!”

I would like to say that words cannot describe how appreciative we are of the fact that you braved this summer and opened up camp.

“I understand that it must have been difficult to figure out all the logistics of operating camp during a pandemic, but you were able to do it. Thank you for putting together such exciting and educational programming at camp this summer!”

Thank YOU. They are both thoroughly enjoying themselves each day!

“I’m absolutely thankful for the precautions allowing them to do so as well! It has definitely been a load of anxiety off as I catch up on much-needed errands, shop stuff, and unpacking after our move! Thank you SO much!”

We are so grateful for the staff's commitment to fun, to the outdoors, and to safety during the pandemic.

“My child just finished 4 weeks of camp at Primitive Pursuits. He had such a wonderful time: always excited to go in the morning and brimming over with excitement about what he’d done and learned when he got home. Thank you!”

This was the only camp I felt safe sending my child to.

“It was clear that a lot of thought went into making Primitive Pursuits safe and fun this year. After months of virtual school, followed by a summer away from friends, Primitive Pursuits provided a much-needed respite for my child, from the stresses and woes of life during Covid-19. Thank you to all the staff for the incredible work you did this year!”

My children look forward to EVERY opportunity to attend

“Each drop-off, I feel confident they are in good hands. Especially this year, with so much uncertainty, camp was/is a welcome reprieve from upset and tap into normalcy and well being. It is impressive to see familiar (returning) counselors each year and everyone has such positive energy! The staff’s strength in character has certainly influenced my children’s character and sense of self.”

I was pretty impressed when on a family hike recently, my boy, not even 4, correctly ID'd a wild plant and told me it's medicinal benefits!!!!

Your program is one of, if not the best, thing about living in Ithaca

“I have been so impressed with how PP has established drop off protocols that everyone seems to follow. PP is a huge part of my son’s summer every year. We are SO thankful to have any opportunity to get our son out there this summer, and it has been (as usual) just an awesome experience for him. Thank you to your staff for putting in the effort to make it possible in the current climate.”

Our son adored his counselors and had an amazing time

“Every day my son came home excited to tell me about his adventures at camp; from making a fire, to observing insects, and playing games with new friends, he loved it all. And every morning he happily wanted to go back. Thank you for making it all possible!”