My two children found the experience overwhelming and wonderful. The program offers them an opportunity we wouldn't have been able to provide otherwise. They also were excited to be recognized as special because they are military children. I plan to be involved as much as possible in the future.
It is wonderful to see an organization such as this to give back to the military community. My oldest son participate in the The little Warriors Surf camp and he had a wonderful time! The staff of Freedom Is Not Free and surf instructors were all great and my son could not stop talking about how much fun he had, i.e, making new friends, learning to surf, and just having fun! As if that wasn't enough, he was given his own surf board! This fun filled day could not have happened without the support and generosity of Freedom Is Not Free! Thank you again for your support!
I can tell you that the camp has been over for about 2 weeks and it is still the topic of conversation in my household, my children's peer group and extracurricular events along with discussion with strangers surrounding questions like "what have you girls done this summer." They had an absolute BLAST and meeting other kids that can relate to their loss is undeniably valuable. Jay Kopelman has a huge plate when it comes to seeking and helping families that are suffering with loss, the prospect of loss and the efforts of active duty families but he is up to the challenge. I have full confidence in Freedom Is Not Free and have taken every opportunity to share this event and previous conversations on direction and goals with Jay... I thank you, from the deepest part of my heart, for all of the time and attention you have offered my family. Big THANKS to Surf Diva for the instruction and the Shores Hotel for their participation in helping to sponsor this event.
My son participated in the Little Warriors Surf Camp this August (2009) and had an amazing experience. He learned how to surf, met some new friends, and received an incredible surfboard to take home with him so that he can continue to practice what he learned. This camp was very special because my husband has always wanted to teach him to surf, but due to his 4 deployments to Iraq and upcoming deployment to Afghanistan, as well as the prep work required to go, little time was left to teach our son to surf. Now when my husband has some free time the 2 of them can sneak away to surf if only for an hour. The instructors were wonderful as well as all the prep work that went into preparing the camp. I was always well informed of any information needed for the camp and quick responses were always given to all of my questions. We feel very blessed to have had this experience!
Freedom Is Not Free is amazing!!!!My children had the opportunity to attend the Little Warriors Surf Camp and I could not believe how wonderful it was until we attended. My spouse is currently in the Army and we live in San Bernardino County in Southern California and was informed of this organization through our Batallion FRG Leader. After reading about the camp I was so excited to sign my 13 and 10 year old girls up but I thought for sure that we would be turned away because of our location. (It has happened in the past from other camps), that did not happen. I called and my girls were instantly signed up and ready to go to the camp, that was it. The day of the camp we were greeted and provided with everything my girls needed for that day. My husband and I left so my girls could give their full attention to the instructors rather than us and we would come back later in the day. Upon leaving at the end of the camp I had noiced that my girls had not only gained surfing skills but relationships with the instructors or the camp!!!! We were all so happy that we were going to leave with another positive story to add to our memories and right before we left they asked for the kids to stay for a brief moment and that is when they provided the kids who attended the camp SURF BOARDS!!!!!!!!My family was very overwhelmed that I had to let the people that we know about this amazing opportunity that we had been apart of. Thank you so so so much for giving families like us the opportunity to take part in your camp and to bring light to our day. Thank you!!!!!!!!!!Redlands CA....
We were a last minute addition to Freedom Is Not Free's Surf Camp for kids in LaJolla, CA. My son Christopher is 9 and was able to attend the last day of camp with 6 other kids in our neighborhood. We live aboard Marine Corps Base, Camp Pendleton and in our neighborhood half of the dads are deployed. It makes for a long summer so having the opportunity to take the kids to this surf camp was not only a treat for the kids but the moms as well. The instructors from Surf Diva were fabulous and I was stunned at the amount of goodies given out to the kids to take home (t-shirts, stickers, wax, sunblock, and a surfboard!) In these times it is easy for businesses to say no to such events so I was very happy Freedom Is Not Free was able to attain such great support. We are on our 5th deployment in 10 years and support for military families has waned these last couple years... it was such a nice surprise to see there are still people out there who have not forgotten the sacrifices of not only our service people, but the sacrifices of our children as well. The kids had such a fantastic time and my son has not stopped bugging me to get him back out to the beach here on base to get to surfing again... God knows, if he has to bug me about something, let it be surfing!
This was a wonderful event for our two daughters, ages 10 and 12; they are the ones that see their daddy deploy and work long hours for our beloved country; this was a great opportunity for them to do something so fun and sooo Southern California! The idea that an organization is thinking of the children of military members is extraordinary; for in fact they are the ones that pick up their lives and move around the world too. I applaud this organization and can't thank you enough for the memory of a lifetime!
This was a wonderful opportunity for my son. The program was well organized and upbeat. My son cant wait fr his dad to return to show him how he can surf now. The camp was well worth the drive.
FANTASTIC!!!! My children have participated in programs for the last three years and this year I was able to volunteer with Little Warriors Surf Camp. It was amazing to see all the children thrilled at the experience of surfing some may have never had this opportunity if it had not been provided. I look forward to volunteering for furture events and assisting fellow military families.
My son won an essay contest and he and my daughter participated in the Little Warriors Surf Camp in La Jolla, CA. My husband has been deployed a lot and I haven't been the best "sports mom," but this camp built their confidence and they had FUN!!! It was a wonderful event and a great organization. I cannot thank them for everything.
My son attended the Little Warriors Surf Camp in La Jolla this summer and had a blast. He was thrilled to learn how to surf and so excited to be given his own board that we ended up staying after so he could surf a little bit more. His only criticism was the lunch, which he didn't really care for, and that some of the other kids who attended that day "weren't very nice" (his words).