Stand Up Paddle Boards

Stand up paddle boards are all the rage- all the cool camps have them. I have wanted to buy them for several years, but they have not been in our budget.

Last summer, I was walking around camp with a parent/board member/donor and I happened to mention my dream of paddle boards. Except that for some reason, I had a difficult time with the word paddle boards. I kept saying paddle boats. I didn't realize I was saying paddle boats, but in several conversations since then, I have made the same mistake over and over.

And so, the next day, when he excitedly called me and told me that he ordered 4 brand new paddle boats and they would be there within the week, I learned a very expensive lesson. $10,000 is how much he spent on paddle boats- that could have bought a LOT of paddle boards!

The kids have really enjoyed the paddle boats, so it's not the end of the world, but paddle boards continued to be my dream.

In early July, two of our washing machines died. Within 24 hours, I had seven offers to purchase new machines. We ended up with three new machines. I responded to the other offers letting them know we had the machines, but if they were still interested in sponsoring something, would they be willing to buy a paddle board. I found paddle boards for about the same price as washers (around $400).

Several people responded to my email and I was on my way to my dream! And then I got an email from a board member telling me that he loves paddle boards and that if I could get 7 sponsored, he would buy me 7!

I love a good challenge!

I had all 7 sponsored within 24 hours.

'N' connected me with someone who works for a company that sells them who was able to sell me paddle boards at cost, so I got them for $250 each! It left me enough for new lifejackets as well! I was nervous that I wouldn't be able to get them in time, but they were delivered yesterday, which means we can use them for the last 2 weeks of camp!

And the best part of all was that today, my mom was at camp and so I actually got to go out and play with the new paddle boards! There were about 9 of us and we all got together, assembled the paddle boards and took them out on the lake. The water was super warm, the sun was shining, the lake was like glass and it was PERFECT. It was SO fun to be able to go out on the lake and just play.

Paddle boards for the win!!