Camp Fixel

My name is Abigail Fixel. I am a Jacksonville-native college freshman at Barnard College of Columbia University. Camp Fixel formed as my Bat Mitzvah project and has become my passion. I wanted to become directly involved in the community by bringing a theatre camp to a community that needed it. At the age of twelve, I founded Camp Fixel, a 501c(3) nonprofit and free two-week musical theater camp for elementary aged children in the Jacksonville area. For the past six summers, I have directed, produced, and organized the camp for children who otherwise would not have the opportunity to attend a summer camp.

Camp Fixel exists because of what I love about theater: its power to grant voice. The benefits of theatre are incomparable and I see them firsthand. On day one, campers walk in shyly. Two weeks later, the growth is nearly unbelievable! Campers arrive singing the show’s songs, excited to get onto the stage and work with their new friends. When costumes are added, the show finally comes together: campers have their lines and cues memorized and itch to showcase their hard work.

The benefits of performing go far beyond opening night. Through theatre, Camp Fixel helps campers gain confidence, teamwork, and leadership skills, become more outspoken, time management skills, responsibility, and improve school performance.

Campers are recommended by social workers with the Jacksonville Housing Authority and are from the urban core of Jacksonville and are mostly from military families, families living close to or below the poverty line, and/or are children in foster care. Campers are provided with breakfast, hot lunch, and two snacks daily. At the end of camp, the kids put on a free full musical theater performance for their friends, families, and guardians. Princess Whatsername, Twinderella, and Kokonut Island are productions performed in recent years.

Twinderella the Musical is the story of Cinderella and her twin brother, Bob, who lives in the same kingdom and has his own wicked stepfamily. Neither twin is aware the other exists. Bob dreams of going to Prince Percy’s baseball game, while Cinderella dreams of going to Princess Petunia’s birthday ball. When the two siblings disappear at midnight, the whole kingdom erupts into chaos and begins the search to find the foot that fits the glass slipper and the foot that fits the muddy cleat.

Princess Whatsername is a musical about a princess who wakes up and doesn’t remember who she is. As she searches the forest, trying to find out her true identity, she comes into contact with many iconic characters. She meets Cinderella and her Fairy Godmother, the Seven Dwarves, Goldilocks, and Snow White, along with many more. She meets princes and princess’, villains and heroes, and three bears. Throughout her journey, she learns many life lessons.

In 2022, my campers put on a wonderful production of Dorothy in Wonderland The Musical! They explored the story of Dorothy and her friends who don't make it home - instead, a tornado takes them off to wonderland where they meet characters like Alice, the Caterpillar, the Queen of Hearts, and the Mad Hatter on their journey to reunite.

The most challenging part of Camp Fixel is fundraising. Each year, $5000 minimum is needed to make camp a success! The funds are needed for food, scripts, royalties for the musical, costumes, props, set pieces, office supplies, camp shirts, games, professional help with the DVD recording and sound booth, the facility rental, and more. All staff are volunteers.

My website has pictures and articles and will give you a better sense of camp. I appreciate your consideration to help fund Camp Fixel in any way possible. Without financial help, Camp Fixe would not be a possibility. Please don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any questions.

Below is my contact information if you have any questions.

Thank you,

Abigail Fixel

Camp Fixel: https://campfixel.wixsite.com/website

Camper Testimonials: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCV9UODzxhI3QZ1VggyVF4tw

Email: [email redacted]