Hi. I’m Leah Mesches, and I am the founder of the Champions Educational Foundation. I have worked in the camp world full-time since 2006, and found my home here at Camp Champions in 2009. But camp has always been a part of who I am. I attended day camp starting at 4 years old. I later spent my summers at a sleep-away camp as a camper, and then as a counselor and leadership member. I loved the experience. It helped me develop through a challenging phase of my life, and it also sustained me throughout the school year, even when things were great.

The residential camping industry has offered me the opportunity to focus on youth development. Over the past 11 years I have held leadership positions with two nationally acclaimed residential camps, one in the northeast and one in the Texas Hill Country. I have thoroughly enjoyed working with kids and their families, celebrating highs and nurturing lows. At one time I even dreamed of owning my own camp, but for now I am happy to focus on bringing the joys of camp to as many children as possible.

What we do is great, but it ISN’T ENOUGH.

In general, campers are a relatively privileged lot. I was fortunate to be one, but equally fortunate that my parents taught me, at an early age, the difference between a “privilege” and an “entitlement.” At Camp Champions in Marble Falls, I am proud of the $200,000+ we give out in scholarships each summer. I am proud of our active involvement in the Team 22 project, a program in collaboration with Pat and Emmitt Smith Charities, which provides extraordinary growth opportunities to underserved youth; however, we can do more.

Our new 501( c)(3) is focused on continuing to help our current camp families who have hit hard times, and to providing this life altering “privilege” to underserved youth, because we want to make things tangibly better for them and to have just a small role in making the world a better place through the camp experience.

We have already secured an incredibly generous starting contribution from an anonymous donor of $100,000. But any amount will make a difference.

We would love for you to help us change the world, one camper at a time. Contact us at for more information. 

To be a Champion is our aim!