Elena’s Story: Breaking Out of Her Shell and Shining Bright
Fusion Camp provides children with a safe and supportive space to stay happy, healthy, fed, and active during the school holidays. They are a lifeline for many families, enabling parents to work during the holidays who might otherwise struggle to afford alternative childcare. This case study follows Elena, a vibrant 7-year-old, who attended Rowena Fusion Camp during August. Her story demonstrates the transformative impact Fusion Camp has on children’s wellbeing, social development, and confidence.
Sparking Excitement in Small Hearts
Elena joined Fusion Camp for the first time this Summer, encouraged by her mother who wanted her to experience a fun, safe environment where she could play games, explore new activities, and meet other children. From the very first day, Elena’s excitement was clear. She described the camp as “really fun” and eagerly looked forward to each day.
Outside of camp, Elena is naturally active, usually spending about two hours a day playing games such as tag and hide-and-seek with friends, attending dance and gymnastics classes, and enjoying outdoor play. Without structured activities like Fusion Camp, much of her free time might have been spent indoors watching YouTube or playing on her iPad. Fusion Camp offered the perfect combination of physical activity, creativity, and social engagement that kept her energised and fully engaged throughout the week.
From Shy to Shining
Elena arrived at camp feeling a little shy, but she quickly came out of her shell. Within hours, she was laughing, playing, and forming connections with other children. Over the week, she built strong friendships, particularly with Aria and Matilda. Reflecting on her experience, Elena said, “Camp has made me feel really happy because I’ve made lots of friends, and there’s loads of sports equipment to play with which makes me happy.”
Her favourite activities highlighted both her competitive spirit and her creativity. She thrived in dodgeball, enjoying the teamwork and the chance to score points for her team, proudly stating, “I think I’m really good at it.”
She also loved designing Active Fusion badges, enjoying the wide range of colours and the opportunity to express herself artistically. Arts and crafts sparked her imagination, especially making paper aeroplanes, which even inspired the idea of opening a tiny shop to sell her creations.
Learning, Growing and Trying New Things
Throughout the week, Elena gained new skills and built confidence. Dodgeball sometimes tested her resilience, as she would occasionally feel upset when hit, but she always bounced back and gave her best effort. She embraced new sports such as bench ball, demonstrating excellent listening skills and curiosity that allowed her to pick up new games quickly. Reflecting on her experience, Elena said, “All the sports have taught me to always try my best because it makes me feel good.”
Her coaches played a crucial role in making her feel welcome and supported. She spoke warmly of Coach Anya and Coach Nathan, praising their humour, encouragement, and ability to make every activity enjoyable and easy to understand. Their guidance helped Elena feel included, confident, and ready to take on challenges from the very first day.
Elena began camp feeling unsure, but over the course of the week, she became increasingly confident and engaged. She enthusiastically participated in games and activities, showed curiosity and resilience when learning new skills, and embraced every challenge with a positive attitude. By the end of Fusion Camp, she had transformed into a happy, motivated, and confident participant, excited to return in the future.
Play, Friendship and Lifelong Benefits
Elena’s story demonstrates the wider impact of Fusion Camps beyond fun and games. She engaged in regular physical activity, developed teamwork and social skills, gained resilience, and explored her creativity. Importantly, she left camp feeling proud of her achievements, happy with her new friendships, and excited for the next experience.
Reflecting on her time at camp, Elena said, “Everyone is really kind,” and expressed her enthusiasm for returning, saying, “I would definitely come back. I’d be so excited and ready to make new friends and play more games.”
Beyond the individual benefits, Fusion Camps provide a crucial support system for families, giving parents peace of mind that their children are safe, active, and cared for during the school holidays. For children like Elena, the camp fosters growth, confidence, and wellbeing in a supportive environment, while also enabling parents to continue working without worry.
Keeping Children Active and Healthy
Elena’s journey demonstrates the incredible impact that a single week of Fusion Camp can have on a child’s confidence, wellbeing, and physical development. Opportunities like these would not be possible without generous support from funders, such as Doncaster Council through their Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) Programme.
Funding plays a vital role in ensuring that local children, particularly those who might otherwise spend their holidays inactive or isolated, have access to safe, structured, and engaging activities. It allows Fusion Camps to provide a wide variety of sports, games and enrichment opportunities, all delivered by skilled coaches who can nurture personal growth alongside physical development.
By supporting initiatives like Fusion Camps, funders help children stay active, build friendships, and develop essential life skills. These experiences not only improve physical health but also enhance mental wellbeing, resilience, and self-confidence.
You can read more stories like Elena’s here.