A letter from a Crew parent
We love hearing from our Crew teens and their families, and we wanted to share this letter from DeRonda Calhoun. Her son, DeMarko, captivated an audience of 250 at our Summits & Horizons event with hilarious and heartfelt stories from the Trailblazer Advanced Destinations Trip to Owakonze, Canada. Her daughter, Azariah, is also part of our Crew! Read on to hear about their experiences in her words.
To: Adventure Crew,
Adventure Crew is a program for students who need or enjoy having something to do during their free time on the weekends, evenings, or during the summer. As a parent of two Adventure Crew participants who have been a part of the program for many years, I truly appreciate the program. This is a free program that is offered to all students, no matter the income or household status of the student's household. A lot of time free programs are only offered to low-income families or only to single-parent families. As a parent who works hard with a husband who also works hard to provide for their family still cannot afford or because of work not able to do many of the activities that are provided by the Adventure Crew program. With that being stated, this program reaches and connects with a group of students/families who normally would be overlooked.
DeMarko in Owakonze.
My children enjoy Adventure Crew activities so much that they do not want to miss any of the activities or classes that they are offered. My children have experienced things with Adventure Crew for the very first time, such as white water rafting, skiing, and traveling out of the country.
My son DeMarko Calhoun was able to travel with Adventure Crew to Owakonze, a wildness outpost. This trip is an example of how Adventure Crew allows students to experience something they would not normally have the opportunity to do. I know the farthest my experience of being out camping is going to a park campground. As a parent, I am so proud that my son was chosen to have this experience. He was able to go to survivalist classes to learn about surviving in nature. Adventure Crew paid for my son’s passport, transportation, and the gear that was needed for the trip. I wouldn’t have been able to afford it because of household needs and other children. This meant the world to me that my son was able to attend this great adventure that provided him with a great experience that could help him in the future.
This is my son's senior year of high school, my daughter Azariah Calhoun is a freshman in high school and she has been part of the Adventure Crew program since the seventh grade. Before being old enough to participate in the activities she loved to hear all of her brother's stories about what he did with Adventure Crew. Now she is the one telling the stories and trying to get her friends to join.
With all that being said, thank you Adventure Crew! This program is truly a blessing in our life. We appreciate all the opportunities provided to my children and all the other children in the program. Please continue to keep up this great work with Cincinnati Public Schools families.
Thank you,
DeRonda Calhoun
Proud Parent of Two Adventure Crew Participants