Local Boy's Hard Work Funds Summer Camp Dream

Neighbors and friends unite to help Gabriel achieve his summer camp dream through community chores.

Del Aire, CA – When 12-year-old Del Aire resident Gabriel Callan attended the Catalina Island Marine Institute (CIMI) for a three-day camp to learn about the marine life of Catalina Island in 2018, he was hooked. “When he came back, he was just beaming,” said his mom, Melody Star Callan.

“He was telling me that he wanted to go to summer camp there, and I’ve always been one where I try to support his dreams, ambitions, and goals.”

“I had so much fun,” Gabriel said. “I’ve always had a special connection with the ocean, and my family calls me a fish because I’m in the water so much. That’s what made me want to go to camp.”

However, when Melody researched the cost of the camp, she found that the $4,500 price tag was more than she could afford.

“I was like, ‘Alright - it’s out of our price range, so we have to come up with a solution,’” she said.

Initially, Melody posted a plea on her local Facebook mom group, South Bay (LA) Mommies, explaining her situation. The challenge was that to register for the camp, a large part of the balance had to be paid as soon as the time-sensitive registration opened in August. Fortunately, Gabriel received a partial scholarship for the camp due to his enthusiasm during his first experience. However, as a single mother on long-term disability, Melody still couldn’t afford the remaining costs.

Determined to pay his way to camp, Gabriel came up with a solution of his own. He began helping his neighbors by walking dogs, weeding gardens, selling lemonade, assisting with organization, and collecting recycling. The community rallied around him, with a neighbor helping him create a flyer to distribute throughout the neighborhood.

“We had a huge community come behind us and support us,” Melody said. “He ended up earning a big chunk of money. You always see a lot of negative stuff on social media, so I want to let people know how appreciative we truly are.”

One neighbor who played a crucial role in Gabriel’s fundraising efforts was Karen Cohen.

“I got this flyer that they were leaving in everybody’s door saying he wanted to go to summer camp, and he earned the money and was doing recycling and odd jobs,” Cohen explained. “At the time, I had just been diagnosed with cancer and was going through a lot of Gatorade. I thought, ‘Well, we recycle everything; let’s see what I can do.’ So, I called him up and asked what else he did, and he said he walked dogs, so we worked it around his school schedule.”

Cohen's support did not stop there; Gabriel has since developed a close relationship with her and now babysits her newest dog. “I think it’s great because it was his idea,” she said. “He did his due diligence, and we try to find things for him to do because I know he’s trying to save up the money, and I think that’s fabulous.”

“He’s learned so much,” Cohen said, adding that Gabriel has expressed a desire to eventually get scuba certified. “It’s fabulous for a kid to do that. Most kids can’t afford that. If you want something bad enough, work for it.”

Andrew Wiens, the Director of Development for Guided Discoveries Inc., which operates the camp, noticed Gabriel’s enthusiasm right away.

“Gabriel is like a super fan,” Wiens said. “He came to our school year program and talked his mom into going to the summer camp, too.”

CIMI, known as an Outdoor Science School, provides STEM-based outdoor science programs for 4th through 12th-grade students. Located at Toyon Bay and Fox Landing on Catalina Island, the camp offers both overnight and day programs designed to educate students about marine life and the world around them in a safe and fun environment. Activities include squid dissection, sailing, kiting, snorkeling adventures, and other science-centered experiences.

“It’s pretty amazing,” Wiens said. “We served our millionth kid this school year. We’ve been around for 47 years, and each year we have about 30,000 kids in our island programs.”

Although the camp attracts students from all over the world, Wiens acknowledged that it can be expensive.

“When Gabriel’s mom found out what it costs, he started hustling to pay for it himself,” Wiens said.

In response to this year’s camp fundraising, Gabriel wrote a heartfelt letter to thank his neighbors:

“Dear Community, Neighbors, and Friends,
Thank you, everyone, for the things that you have done to help me go to camp. I have been able to go to camp for two years now, and I am very grateful for everything you all have done for me. At camp, I get to be myself and have the time of my life. My first year at camp, I got to do snorkeling, sailing, ocean adventures, campfire cooking, and marine biology. I made some of the best friends when I went to camp this year. Many of the instructors at camp I have great connections with. Being able to see them again this year was amazing. My first year at camp, I learned how to church clap and loved it. My second year, I heard ‘Hot to Go’ (it’s really catchy) and ‘A Man After Midnight’ (from the ‘80s). I have fallen in love with camp. I told my mom if she was there, I could live there forever. Camp is like a second glove. Thank you for everything you guys have done for me. If you have any jobs I can do, please contact my mom.
Thank you,
Gabriel”

When asked about his future aspirations, Gabriel said, “I want to be an actor or a pilot, or maybe do something with the ocean.”

“As a mother, seeing him go and seeing the pictures—he’s just beaming with excitement and energy,” Melody said “He’s ultimately so excited and thrilled to be there.”

For Wiens, Gabriel embodies the type of kid he wants at the camp. 

“He’s a great kid,” Wiens said. “Everyone knows who he is—he’s like the little mayor. He hustles, is respectful, and brings the spirit of making it fun for others, not just himself. He adds to the experience for everyone there.”

Melody emphasized the significance of Gabriel’s personal investment in attending camp.

“Part of it is that he has that personal investment, knowing he’s earned it. It’s not just given to him and taken for granted. He recognizes it’s a blessing to be there.”

“Thank you from the bottom of my heart,” Gabriel said. “’Cause it’s really brought a lot of joy to my mom and myself, and it’s just made me very happy to have something to look forward to every summer.”