After spending two weeks at a different overnight camp this summer, Alton Central School rising 8th grader Izayiah came home with a clear decision.
“It was not good for him at all,” his grandmother, Lisa, shared. “He just said, ‘I don’t want to go back. I’ll do two weeks at Camp Sno-Mo instead.’”
It wasn’t a surprise. Easterseals New Hampshire’s Camp Sno-Mo had already proven to be a place where Izayiah felt not only supported but truly celebrated. Attending for the first time in 2024, he quickly fell in love with the counselors, activities, and the camp’s overall welcoming atmosphere. This year, he was ready for more—and the camp was ready for him.
The moment they pulled into camp for the first session in mid-July, Lisa knew they had made the right choice. “His three favorite counselors were hanging over the porch railing, yelling, ‘Izayiah’s here! Izayiah’s here!’ and whistling and cheering,” she said. “He just had the biggest smile on his face. He goes, ‘Oh, my friends are here.’ He was so excited.”
That excitement never let up. During the first of what would be two sessions he’d spend at camp, he was reunited with the same roommate he had the year before—a fellow camper he had grown close to. In the second week, Camp Director Chris arranged to pair Izayiah with a friend from school. “It just happened to be someone he knew, and they were so happy to be in the same room together,” Lisa said.
Izayiah spent two weeks riding horses, launching rockets, and even created a custom leather knife sheath. He also fished in the conservation pond, practiced archery, played chess, and took part in a rifle target shooting session. “He was constantly on the go,” Lisa shared.
Evenings were filled with themed fun, including “Family Night,” when all the campers came together for games and outdoor activities.
That family atmosphere defined every part of Izayiah’s experience. He introduced himself to all the new campers while reconnecting with others from last year.
At the end of his stay, Izayiah was even honored with a “Coolest Camper” certificate, presented by his counselor, Thapelo, whom he had also reconnected with from the previous summer. “There’s nothing bad that I can say about the place,” Lisa said. “The counselors, the staff—they are amazing. It’s more like a family than a camp.”
Learn more about Camp Sno-Mo by visiting eastersealsnh.org/camping.