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Neringa is a Lithuanian cultural camp in Vermont, founded by the Sisters of the Immaculate Conception in 1969. This summer Neringa will celebrate 50 years serving thousands of children and families in various camp sessions with the mission to foster understanding and love for Lithuanian heritage, teach Christian values in the Roman Catholic tradition, and provide for positive character development.
For many years the Kazickas Family Foundation has been a proud supporter of camp Neringa that goes by the motto "Every Camper Deserves to Camp!". Foundation's $10,000 grant helped to provide summer fun experience at Neringa to 24 campers.
As camp Neringa directors and their team prepare for special summer in Vermont, they would like to share their accomplishments, challenges and gratitude:
"Your generous grant helped to offset our expenses in accepting campers whose families were unable to afford the camp fees. The financial assistance allowed families who value and cherish their Lithuanian heritage, but who experience financial struggles, to not forsake providing a Lithuanian experience at Neringa to their children. While some children who attend Camp Neringa may speak Lithuanian and others may not, all children who camp are of Lithuanian heritage. Certain children come from families that originally emigrated from Lithuania at the turn of the 20th Century, some are from families displaced by the Second World War, and some are children of immigrants from the independent Lithuania. Neringa is also proud to have campers who currently live in Lithuania. Regardless of their personal background, all of the children have families that truly value their Lithuanian heritage.
The new membership-based model of Neringa is in its third year and we are very pleased with the new model. Every year we gain more committed members who attend the annual meeting, elect the Board of Directors and take more ownership of the Neringa mission. Members not only include the foundational participation of the Sisters’ and the stability of long-standing Neringa supporters, but also the new energy of young alumni. They are committed to reaching out to other alumni, providing weekend functions and programs, and thus maintaining their involvement with Neringa. Older alumni are initiating new weekend programs, which in turn allows for adults to return to their cherished site and be rejuvenated. In fact, several traditional events have grown into intergenerational experiences (i.e., the Iškyla/Walk-a-Thon, Winter Šventė/Celebration, Counselor Retreat, etc.).
We are very glad that the Kazickas family is part of our Neringa community. Together we can continue Neringa’s mission of fostering Lithuanian Heritage, Christian values, and personal development. Your generous support is very much appreciated and valued. The whole Neringa community sends you AČIŪ! AČIŪ! AČIŪ!"
Camp Neringa is also inviting all to the Lithuanian Summer Festival on July 21, 2019 in Putnam, CT. Invitation bellow
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