HARLINGEN — Though he is one of the youngest campers, Eric Eckstein of Indianapolis is perhaps the only boy to pay for his own summer adventure.
This 11-year-old has painted mailboxes for two years to earn enough money to attend Marine Military Academy Summer Camp.
When Eric first learned about MMA Summer Camp via the Internet, he knew he needed a job to pay for it.
He noticed many of the mailboxes on his street looked drab gray instead of shiny black, so he decided to start a mailbox painting service.
He created a simple flier that read: “My name is Eric Eckstein. I live at … I would like an opportunity to paint your mailbox so I can go to military summer camp. The price is $25. You can reach me at …”
He began leaving fliers at mailboxes that were begging for paint, and the customers began calling.
Eric has painted about 150 mailboxes so far. He spends nearly two hours per mailbox because he first sands down the box and post before he neatly brushes on the black paint. His effort to do the job correctly has paid off.
“I charge $25 for most mailboxes, but I also get tips. I once got tipped $100,” he said.
Eric does not regret working and saving his money for MMA Summer Camp.
“It’s everything I thought it would be … just a little bit harder,” he said.
He enjoys all the activities, but his favorite events so far are the tower, confidence course and obstacle course.
“I like the tower because I like rappelling and ziplining. I have my own ropes at home,” Eric said.
“I like the confidence course because I like the climbing and jumping and upper body workout; and I like the obstacle course because I like getting over all the bars and poles.”
Eric, who will start the sixth grade in the fall, would like to attend MMA Summer Camp again. When this camper returns home, he will continue his mailbox painting business so he can generate income.
Though he has the makings of an entrepreneur, Eric already has other career goals. He plans to become a fireman and paramedic after he graduates high school.
He will continue to volunteer his Friday nights at the Moral Township Volunteer Fire Department.
