A Message From Raiya Vitela
There is something powerful about watching a camper look up at a mountain and realize they are capable of reaching the top. That moment changes everything.
This year I return to UCLA UniCamp as part of WALL, Wilderness Adventures in Leadership and Learning, where I guide campers through backpacking, climbing, and leadership experiences in the mountains.
After my own spinal fusion surgery, I learned what it means to rebuild strength from the inside out. My titanium spine became a reminder of resilience, and now I help my campers build that same unbreakable mindset.
Many of these campers come from communities in Los Angeles where opportunities like this are rare. Through UniCamp, they gain confidence, courage, and a belief that they can overcome anything.
As I continue my journey toward becoming an orthopedic surgeon in the military medicine pathway, I carry the same purpose into everything I do- helping others discover their strength and never give up.
Your support makes this possible by giving these kids full meals, the peace of nature, and lifelong friendships that remind them of their worth.
Thank you for being part of this mission and helping bring these campers to the mountains.
In Support of UCLA UniCamp
UCLA UniCamp is the official student charity of the University of California, Los Angeles. UniCamp operates as an independently funded non-profit organization linking the University with the community. Each year, UniCamp inspires nearly 1,000 children from underserved families to envision brighter futures by sending them, along with 400 student volunteers, to its residential outdoor summer camp.