February 20, 2010, we lost one of our most uplifting spirits, Natalie Kate Bolin. While returning from a swim meet, a car accident took Natalie’s life. She was a long-time OSHY swimmer, but her loss was felt far beyond the swimmers of the OSHY team. In her kind and gentle way Natalie had connected with swimmers from all over Wisconsin. Her positive, upbeat, appreciative personality had produced friendships everywhere, far more than anyone realized.
One of Natalie’s favorite things to do was spend a week every summer with her teammates at camp in Ely, MN, living simply, letting go of the burdens of the modern world, swimming, running, kayaking, hiking, exploring, and most importantly spending time with friends. In the days after the accident, striving to keep her spirit alive, we settled on the idea of providing this same camp opportunity that she loved so much to swimmers from around the state and country as a way of connecting people and nurturing friendships. NKB Camp was born.
Every summer, 10 and counting, since Natalie’s passing, we have brought 20-30 high school age swimmers along with 8-12 leaders to Ely, MN for what is a life changing experience for all. We spend the week in constant motion with swimming, hiking, kayaking, running, and service projects, but the real impact of the week comes from the time that we spend together talking about and living with a positive mindset, inclusive of all, and appreciating each day – like Natalie did.
The hundreds of people that have participated in NKB Camp have all done so 100% free of charge. Since its inception NKB Camp has been funded through the Natalie Kate Bolin Memorial Fund. Please consider contributing to continue making this opportunity available to future generations of young people…. keeping Natalie’s spirit alive.