Testimonials

"Why Mi-A-Kon-Da is different?.... I can't count all the ways. As someone with no sisters, I felt like I had a hundred at Mi-A-Kon-Da. As someone who struggled with shyness in the past, Mi-A-Kon-Da helped me realize how important it is to show the world who I am Mi-A-Kon-Da is like a little known secret that no one on the outside understands. But I'll share it with those on the inside for the rest of my life." - Elise

"I think the best way to describe the Mi-A-Kon-Da atmosphere would be to put it in the context of one of those mystical places that defies description. What makes Mi-A-Kon-Da truly special is the intangible grasp it seems to have over every person that steps foot on (her) island. There's something in the air, written across the counselor's/camper's faces that displays loyalty, love, and life lessons. To this day it remains a place in space and time that I learned a great deal about others and about myself as well. I miss it!" - Lia

"I am writing you to thank you very much for the two weeks I spent at camp. I enjoyed every day during my time there and I really did have the time of my life. I now have so many fantastic memories which I will never forget. I wouldn't have been able to have so much fun and meet so many new people if it wasn't for you, so thank you!" - Val

"I just wanted to write to thank you for providing such a wonderful camp experience for Nina this past summer. She had a fabulous time and it was a such an accomplishment for her to be away from home for two weeks and be independent while having fun. My daughter still has many great stories she shares with us about her experiences at Camp Mi-A-Kon-Da. Some of the highlights seemed to be Reflections meetings, drama, and receiving her junior camper badge. She took great pride in this." - Camper Parent

"My daughter says camp just gets better and better! She had a super 2 weeks and is, of course, looking towards next year." - Camper Parent

"I have to write to thank you for running such a wonderful camp. Mi-A-Kon-Da has become a bright jewel for both my daughters. I do think they are happier and more confident and independent for going. You are doing a wonderful job and it is greatly appreciated. They started looking forward to next year before they had even gotten home from this year. … And everyone introducing themselves as we walked through the camp. All open and welcoming. I'm thankful my girls are experiencing it all. Thank you for all you do to make it happen." - Camper Parent

"Mi-A-Kon-Da means pizza wraps on trip, collecting popsicle sticks, and cheering your heart out. It's getting soaked by the rain, making lifelong friends, and a place we can call our summer home. Once you start going to camp, there are only 2 seasons: summer and non-summer! It's a place where we can laugh, play, and sing all day, and have no worries except getting our clothes off the line when it rains. And the best part is when you step back onto Birch Island, you can pick up right where you left off and pretend like you never went home." - Tara

"I suggest that everyone tries out camp MI-A-KON-DA. This super cool camp is the best place in the world."

"I can't wait to come back, this year will be my 2nd year and I already love it!!!"

"Pam and Dave have created that perfect balance of security and risk, allowing us all to face life's many obstacles with that much more confidence. I believe that there is no better place to break down our barriers or to open ourselves to change than an environment in which we feel our most comfortable. Everything about Mi-A-Kon-Da, from the picturesque island to the nurturing staff, to the giggly campers provides us with the perfect place to grow to new heights, without compromising our won sense of well-being. Pam and Dave my gratitude and thanks towards you is immeasurable for allowing us all to become our treasured "camp selves" year after year. Being a camper here has added so much to every aspect of my life and has helped me grow in ways that would never have been possible without your generosity and dedication." - Camper

"When I stepped off the boat at front rocks for the first time, my heart felt like it was going to beat right out of my chest. I was so nervous. I'm sure that you could all imagine what I was feeling because we have all been through it. It was my first time seeing what camp Mi-A-Kon-Da had to offer, and it stunned me speechless. My first thought was" man this is awesome!" The island was and still is so beautiful. I could hardly believe that I would be spending part of my summer in this wondrous place." - Camper

"There is not another time or place where I feel more surrounded by friends and without a care in the world. That is a hard feeling to come across. And the food… well we've all heard horror stories about camp food. For me, camp food is better than home. I mean, dessert at lunch and dinner as well as two courses at breakfast? I never get those things at home.
Many of the activities we have at camp are also not found at home. Rock climbing, tripping, canoeing, sailing, kayaking and windsurfing to name a few. Theses activities make up some of my happiest memories and could be done nowhere but here. Part of the reason that I can't do these activities anywhere else is because of the people here; Think of yourself at your favorite activity. What do you see? I see myself with a group of counselors and friends who all share the same interest and enthusiasm for the activity. That's what our camp comes down to - people. Whether it's that C.I.T who helped you clean out your tent, or that maintenance staff who hauled your food all the way here from the landing, friends are everywhere. The friends that I've made here as I'm sure each and everyone of you has too, have had a huge impact on me" Camper

"There's something magical about Mi-A-Kon-Da that brings us back summer after summer. Something that makes living without electricity for a month or jumping into frigid water worthwhile. I'm not articulate enough to describe that magic in words, but I'm fairly sure everyone here knows what I am talking about; the magic of Mi-A-Kon-Da.
When we're on Birch Island we're allowed to be kids and play and learn and have silly fun all day. But, we grow more than we realize at camp, and in the most important ways. We learn to tolerate being away from home, and that helps us grow. Our friendships grow in leaps and bounds here because we can cry and laugh and experience everything together. We come back bigger and better people." - Camper

"This camp is so many different things to so many people. No other place could ever compare to the feelings of love, support, and friendship that I've found here. This camp enables you to be completely yourself, without criticism, or judgment; and maybe that's why the friendships we make here are so strong. There's always someone ready to be your friend - partnering up for buddies at free swim, or double hopping. I've made some of my best friends here. And although we only see each other once a year, somehow this camp keeps us together. The friendly faces, and beautiful surroundings makes for a summer I look forward to each year. And the familiar routine of activities, mixed with exciting, special events, always makes an amazing month. But it's so hard to fully express this place to others. When you go home, and talk to your friends about camp, they just don't know, they don't get it. That's why these people and friendships are so special because they've experienced Camp Mi-A-Kon-Da. They know it and understand how it is. And no matter what, this camp is something that can never be fully explained, it can only be experienced. My years at camp are ones that I will never forget. And eventually you come to the realization that after awhile, not only do you become a part of camp, but that this camp becomes a part of you, and who you are."

"Of course camp would never be the same without our incredible Mi-A-Kon-Da staff. The counselors are forever welcoming, and encouraging to both old and new campers. Everyone says that camp is that time to escape. It's your time to relax and have fun, be relieved from the every day pressures and responsibilities of life. And it couldn't be more true - I only wish we had 11 months of camp and 1 month of real life. This camp has such a laid back, comforting atmosphere I enjoy all my days here; and will remember them always."

"I am forever grateful to Pam and Dave, for providing this special summer place, which we all wait and look forward to each year. Without your continuous efforts, and hard work none of this would be possible. You keep our beautiful home up and running smoothly. And because of you, I've made so many special memories that I will cherish forever. And so now, as camp comes to a close, I know that one thing is for sure: Good friends are hard to find, definitely harder to leave, but impossible to forget." - Camper

"Every year, we look forward to escaping from our busy city lives to spend a care free month on Birch Island, where we feel comfortable being ourselves. Here, we're surrounded by some of the nicest girls we've ever met and taken care of by the best counselors we could ever hope for. Each year, as we see our island shrink in our view as we head back to the landing, we are taking with us a suitcase of memories. From random moments at activities to skipping around the dining hall, both of us have celebrated over half our birthdays at camp. This is where we've grown up and we couldn't imagine it any other way or with any other people." - Camper

"Mi-A-Kon-Da has always, as long as I can remember, been a huge part of my life. I 've got a few badges, a few pictures, a few t-shirts, but these things are trivial. I've got enough memories to last me a life time." - Camper