Camp UPDATE

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Cabin Signs!

Remember coming to camp and seeing your name on all of the past cabin signs on the walls? We have photo-archived all of them to be put forever into our cabin books. Here is a taste of all of the cabin signs that we archived last weekend! Check out the rest on our facebook page. I hope that these cabin signs dig up some great memories! It's never too late to get back in touch with old friends from camp! Have a good one :)

Earth Services Awards a hit!

Over 80 people were in attendance last night at Camp for the annual earth service awards which recognizes Warren and Washington County teens for the leadership and stewardship for the environment. The winner of the $500 scholarship was Mel Steinberg from Greenwich Schools. Mel conducted a field study that analyzed the effects of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) on eastern red-spotted newts and northern green frogs in the Hudson River. She designed and planned all aspects of the field study, and is planning another study to examine zebra mussels, another invasive species.

We also honored a teacher of the year, Mr. Larry Deso from Corinth Elementary School. Mr. Deso has been a true advocate of exposing his students to the natural world through programs at Chingachgook over the years and was a perfect choice for the award.

Keynote speakers included Assemblywoman Teresa Sayward from the 113^th District, and Neil Woodworth, the Executive Director of the Adirondack Mountain Club.

They're here!

As many of you come to expect this time of year, our outdoor education staff have arrived at Camp, and officially began training for what figures to be the most enjoyable pre-summer season ever. Curious and interested in meeting these fine folks? Then register yourself for one of our many programs that take place between now and the start of summer camp!

Calling all GOLFERS!

On Monday, August 2, the Capital District YMCA will hold its 14th Annual Golf Classic at Wolferts Roost Country Club. As Camp helps plan for the event, we're hoping we can count on as many of you as possible to tee it up on our behalf. So, if you're interested in hitting the links for a good cause or for more information, contact Aimee Bouquet (abousquet@cdymca.org) to reserve your spot in a foursome!

Tune It Up at the 2010 Maintenance Conference

This week Camp hosts our second national conference of the month: The 2010 North American Camp Maintenance Conference. Over 80 professionals hailing from Iowa to Maryland to right here in the Adirondacks are gathering this Tuesday through Thursday to share ideas and learn from one another. These are the essential men and women camps rely on for new projects, facility repairs, and the countless day-to-day functions of running a camp. Below: High 5 inspector Todd fills participants in on ropes initatives standards.

Participants of the Conference attend presentations that range from tutorials on engine repair to discussions about new facility ideas and volunteer recruitment. Camp Consultant Gary Forster and engineer Rick Stryker are the keynote speakers, sharing their many years of experience and wisdom in the field. This conference is an opportunity for networking and a chance to see what's going on in camp maintenance across the country... and not to mention it's a great time!

Above, left to right: Chingachgook Maintenance Director Chris Thompson shows off parts (and materials) of the brand new barn over the climbing tower KYBO during a tour. Presenter and Ace Hardware expert Tom Ogle demonstrates the ins and outs of engine repair on an old mower.

Wait, is Camp really only...

104 Days Away!

Well, that's until Session One starts, staff training is even closer! In just 93 short days (well, not short, they're still 24 hours long) over 100 summer staff will start to show up at Camp to prepare Chingachgook for another epic summer on the lake! What are you looking forward to the most? Me? The lake of course! In addition to counting down the days until Camp starts, I am also counting down the days until I am able to jump off the rope swing for the first time! Maybe it's time to start a quick poll about the summer....yup, it is! Below you can find the entire Camp countdown for the summer!

Session One: 104 Days

Session Two: 118 Days

Session Three: 132 Days

Session Four: 146 Days

Session Five: 153 Days

Session Six: 160 Days