Why She Runs

Former Camper, Natalee Mitcham, is encouraging others to sign up for Run to Victory. Whether you walk, run, or roll, take a moment to read her personal note below and sign up today!

Victory Junction has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. I first came to camp as a child living with hypoplastic right heart syndrome, and from the moment I arrived, it felt like more than just a place – it felt like home. I spent 14 years as a camper, growing up alongside other kids who understood my experiences in a way the outside world often could not. At Victory Junction, accessibility is not an afterthought, it is the norm and that environment gave me a true sense of belonging and confidence.

Even after aging out in 2022, my connection to Victory Junction never faded. I returned as a cabin counselor for three years, giving back to the same community that helped shape me. I have also volunteered at events like Run to Victory since 2014 and supported the Kyle Petty Charity Ride Across America, continuing to stay involved in every way I can. Coming back is not just about nostalgia, it is about making sure the next generation of campers experience the same joy, independence, and possibility that I did.

I run and support Victory Junction because I have lived its mission. I have seen firsthand how powerful it is for a child to feel included, capable, and free from limitations. This camp shows kids that their conditions do not define them and gives them opportunities they may never have believed possible. Victory Junction changed my life, and continuing to support it allows me to help create that same impact for others. It is more than a camp, it is a place where confidence is built, friendships are formed, and kids are reminded that they truly belong.

Ready to join Natalee this year? Sign up for Run to Victory!

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