What is The Camping Impact?
Our Mission
The Camping Impact Co. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that works to build a network of peer and professional support, resources, and funding to help those seeking access to safe and legal reproductive healthcare across the U.S.
This initiative was created following the Jan 24th, 2022 overturning of Roe v. Wade, which effectively stripped nationwide protections for bodily autonomy, gave State governments power over an individual’s reproductive choice, as well as made access more difficult, costly, and dangerous depending on where you reside.
The Founder
Dezarae Marie House was born and raised in a close-knit neighborhood on the west side of Madison, WI. The youngest of 6 children, she had to find her voice quickly so that it wouldn’t be lost amongst her older siblings. She has always had a passion for helping people and standing up for what’s right, a drive fully credited to her inspiring mother, Janet House, who was the community organizer for over 20 years at the Lussier Community Education Center. Dezarae has been a social activist from a young age, working for her community through fundraising for youth events and activities, grant writing, program coordination, and volunteering with the elderly and developmentally disabled.
After the Roe V. Wade ruling, she created a Facebook group for women in Wisconsin, in hopes of making connections with others in the next state over, Illinois, and helping coordinate medical travel between the two. The group grew within a matter of days, reaching over 8k members. People needed help all over the U.S., not just in Wisconsin – and so, the mission grew. Dezarae has coordinated over 100 rides for people where abortion isn’t accessible, raising funds for those who just can’t afford to travel to get the healthcare they deserved.
The Team
Dr. Marlene Merritt
With 31 years in the health field, Dr. Marlene is committed to women’s rights and bodily autonomy.
Fayth Nelson
Fayth Nelson I’ve been a CNA for the last 3 years. I’m happy to be apart of this organization and help women around the United States. Health care is not an option and shouldn’t be treated as such, the camping impact allows me to help those that need it.
Megan Harris, MEd
Megan Harris, MEd is committed to the reproductive rights and autonomy of all people. She is currently pursuing a Masters in Public Health in support of equity and social justice across all sectors of healthcare.
Devie Richards, BA
I’m committed that every woman feel supported and safe in her choice and bodily autonomy, so that no woman EVER will experience coat hangers in back alleys again.
Got a problem with what we do?
We operate strictly within all legal State and Federal pathways in order to support any individual able to provide medical consent, so they may access abortion wherever and however it is legal for them to do so. We do not encourage or facilitate any action that would put safety at risk. We do not dispense any medications.
It is a well-studied and heavily documented fact that restricting access hurts and costs more lives than it purports to save, while legalized and accessible abortion services lowers negative outcomes (health, socioeconomic, et al). We will not engage in ad nauseam debate over right vs. wrong, when life begins or whose life / rights matter more. We will not weigh a person’s need for help against someone else’s sincerely held beliefs or personal opinions.
Put simply, we hold that reproductive choice is tied to the inviolable right to bodily autonomy, and we do not believe anyone has the right to effectively force another person to carry or give birth, especially with disregard to their overall wellbeing, due to preference given for the unborn.
