Tallie is 12-years-old and has been coming to Pine Tree Camp since 2018.

That first year, her family had no idea what to expect as they drove down the camp road towards the water.  As they crested the hill, everyone started cheering Tallie’s name.

“I am so excited when I take her for the first day and they make so much of the children. They announce who is coming and everybody is welcoming,” said her grandmother, Joline.

Tallie tends to be shy and Joline can see how the warm, enthusiastic greeting from the counselors and staff immediately helps her to feel welcome.

“There is no other camp that would be as accepting. Especially as she gets older, it’s a place where all the kids are accepting and everyone is included.”

Tallie particularly likes the opportunity to develop friendships with other campers and counselors and how special all the campers are made to feel.

“The counselors are phenomenal,” Joline continued. “They treat everyone the same. And I love that they come from so many different places, even from outside the United States.”

Tallie uses a wheelchair and loves the freedom she feels when she’s in the water.

Joline appreciates how being at Pine Tree Camp for a week gives Tallie the chance to experience independence away from home.

“It gives her the chance to have a break from us,” she said. “It opens up her world to more opportunities than she would otherwise have. Pine Tree Camp opens her eyes to new things and helps her become less shy.”