Founder's Story

Melissa Cullen, Founder and President

I grew up understanding what it meant to go without food, without encouragement, without a sense of future or hope. But I also know the power of being given a chance.

As a child, I had the life-changing opportunity to attend Morgan Memorial Fresh Air Camps. What began as a nervous, uncertain experience for a 7-year-old soon became a transformative journey. Camp was more than just fun—it was educational, social, and deeply empowering. I gained life skills I wouldn’t have learned elsewhere. By age 15, I became a Counselor-in-Training, eventually working my way up to Program Director. Summer after summer, I returned—not just because I loved camping, but because it had reshaped my life.

That experience became the inspiration behind Shore Adventure Centers.

For decades, I’ve dedicated my life to working with children and underserved communities—from owning daycare centers in Warwick, RI to mentoring high school students with special needs. I’ve also volunteered with women’s groups, supported elderly individuals, and continuously advocated for spaces where everyone feels safe, included, and inspired.