Camp Lucy: Where Girls Find Strength, Belonging, and a Team

When people ask me why Camp Lucy matters, I always start with our Foundation’s motto: “Every kid deserves a team.”

Today, kids face a world that often feels disconnected. Technology pulls them away from face-to-face connection. Racial and gender tensions are high. Opportunities for sport and community are shrinking as costs rise. These are big, complicated challenges. We can't solve them all — but we can do something. We can create places of hope, joy, and belonging.

Camp Lucy is one of those places.

At Camp Lucy, middle school girls — many for the first time — find themselves part of a team. They learn to row, yes. But just as importantly, they learn compassion, communication, positive self-talk, dedication, and teamwork. They discover what it feels like to be Strong, Powerful, Supported, and Brave. For girls who may have felt like they didn’t belong — in sports, in school, or even in their communities — Camp Lucy can change everything.

Of course, one of our biggest challenges is that Camp Lucy is the kind of program that could benefit everyone. And sometimes people wonder why we focus so specifically. But here’s the truth: If we try to serve everyone, we lose the very heart of why we exist.

Our mission is clear — to create a safe, nurturing, empowering space for girls who might not otherwise have one. Diluting that mission would do a disservice to the very young people we are here to serve. We believe — fiercely — that every kid deserves a team. And we’re committed to reaching the ones who need it most.

So, how can you help?
Share the story of Camp Lucy.
Tell your communities. Tell your schools. Tell your friends.

Show up for these kids — with your donations, with your time, with your voice. Help us provide lunches. Help us find great coaches. Help us spread the word. Post flyers. Send an email. Start a conversation.

And if you’d like to make an immediate impact, you can help by purchasing supplies directly from our Camp Lucy Amazon Wish List: Click here to view the list!

Because building a better, stronger world doesn’t happen by accident.
It happens because people — people like you — choose to show up.

Thank you for showing up for Camp Lucy.

Written by Patti Buck, Camp Lucy Manager