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SPECTACLE South Shore YMCA Camp Burgess & Hayward 75 Stowe Rd., Sandwich, MA 02563 Campburgessandhayward.com
THE CAMP BURGESS & HAYWARD FRIENDS AND ALUMNI NEWSLETTER ● FALL, 2014
IN THIS ISSUE A Case for Camp “Take Note” Alumni News Future Campers From our Camp Directors Out and About on Camp Upcoming Events Staff Spotlight Around the South Shore Y
ENJOY THIS ISSUE? Feel free to share this newsletter with anyone who you think may enjoy its contents.
A CASE FOR CAMP
SUBMISSIONS, COMMENTS, IDEAS?
BY MEGHAN HILL, DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT At its best, Camp brings about a physiological manifestation of personal growth and integrity. While immersed in Camp culture, children are routinely inspired through authentic experiences of actionable kindness and burgeoning friendships, to make their community – and the world – a better place.
Email camp@ssymca.org
This is the time of year our staff is celebrating the successes of the summer, deconstructing our processes and regrouping for the year ahead, unyielding in our commitment to provide exceptional outdoor experiences for all. Once sweater weather arrives, I begin to receive phone calls from parents wanting to ensure their child’s space at Camp next year, and often eager to share their reflections on their child’s prior Camp Burgess & Hayward experience. This is one of the ways in which I am able to celebrate the successes of our Camp, by listening to – and revealing – the tremendous stories of impact that I am privileged to have told to me. Continues next page 1
“A Case for Camp,” continued from front page
This month, I had a heartening conversation with a mother, who chose to relay her family’s Camp story to me. Her son had attended Burgess this past summer upon the recommendation of a friend, and had “a magical time… the time of his life.” She said it was the first time “he was able to just be a kid, in a very long time.” She depicted the struggles he’d encountered in school, the bullying he’d endured, and went on to portray some of the more personal family issues they had been trying to cope with together throughout the past year. She said, a formerly “happy-go-lucky boy,” her son had begun show signs of depression, and a defeatist attitude. But, when she collected him from Camp, she said she picked up, “a completely different child.” She said he had “reclaimed his optimistic spirit,” and went on to marvel at the fact that his Camp experience translated to the start of the school year, where his teachers noticed he had re-emerged a confident and compassionate leader amongst his peers. When she questioned her son about the dramatic change, he attributed the transformation to Camp. “I can’t explain it,” he said. “It happened at Camp.” This boy’s enriched spirit is emblematic of the leadership qualities and character attributes that are infused in our programming, and in my mind, is the ultimate case for Camp.
“TAKE NOTE” ALUMNI NEWS CAMP HAYWARD BORN AND CAMP HAYWARD BRED For me, it's always a bittersweet experience to bring my kids to Camp Hayward and Camp Burgess. My Son Ethan (12) has been going to Camp Burgess for 6 years, and my daughter Eliza Belle (10), returned to Camp Hayward this year, for her fourth year. The reason I always feel so excited for them is because I went to and worked at Camp Hayward for many, many years beginning at age 8 myself. I stayed in the same cabins my daughter has and will stay in, I ate and sang my way through every meal at the same Ellis Hall (same big giant wood table still there), had dances with the Burgess boys on the tennis courts and had crazy memories of Cabin activities, swimming and boating at Spectacle Pond and color Olympics. I remember gimp, tetherball by the flagpole, capture the flag, the chapel in the woods near Maid Marion Cabin. Although it was over 35 years since I was a camper at Hayward, it continues to hold a special place in my life. I would even say it's one of the most important experiences that shaped who I am as a person, mother, friend, traveler and outdoor adventurer. I still love to camp, hike and wear a headlamp at any opportunity. I love the sound of the wind through open windows and rain on the roof. Hayward has changed a whole lot since I was there. Tousaunt Hall is all new, the arts building sits beautifully above the water and there are all sorts of new songs and old songs that have been twisted into modern versions but the feel is still exactly the same. The friendships, the fresh air, the beautiful waterfront and most importantly,
the independence from home that every child should be lucky enough to experience. When my friends tell me they don't think their child can handle overnight camp, I remind them with a chuckle that it's them that can't handle it. Their children would have the best time of their lives. I am in regular contact with my best friends from Hayward. Our Hayward crew actually goes to Burgess each fall for a Women's Wellness Weekend, where we exercise, laugh, dance, build campfires, and support each other as friends. When I return to the amphitheater at camp, I can't help but to shed a tear. First because I'm so happy that my children are so fortunate to experience the joys of camps and also, because I'm honestly sad that I'm too old to unpack myself into Lost River Cabin for just one more stress free summer!!!! I remember singing fireside at the close of every session "And the seasons, they go round and round and the painted ponies, go up and down, we're captured on a carousel of time, we can't return we can only look behind from where we came and go round and round and round in the circle game.” So true... As I dig out the trunks, plastic ones, not the wooden one I used to lug around, I am reliving every fun moment of my camp life as my children get to do the same. It is always a perfect start to summer. Camp Hayward Born and Camp Hayward Bred, Sue Elkins Walker, Hayward Alumna and mother of campers, Ethan and Eliza 2
“TAKE NOTE” ALUMNI NEWS Camp Burgess & Hayward alumni are thriving in a multitude of industries and are influenced through camp to become the individuals that they are today. We are proud to be a part of this transformation. Alumni Taylor MacKinnon Howell shares her story with us about how camp shaped her and the lessons that she took away from her days at Camp Hayward...
Taylor MacKinnon Howell is a communications strategist with advertising agency, public relations agency, venture capital, technology, political, commercial real-estate development and marketing experience. She is the founder of HTM Communications, a boutique Boston marketing and communications agency. How would you describe your final days at Burgess & Hayward? All of my prior fear disappeared as time went on and I was so upset to be leaving. I wanted to stay longer! I learned so many things including how to be independent and problem solve on my own. I made so many wonderful friends and was sad to see them go. Who are you today and in what ways, if any, do you feel Camp Burgess & Hayward has shaped you?
What does Camp Burgess & Hayward mean to you? To me, the camps represent tradition, family and lifelong friendships. I still keep in contact with many of my old friends from my days at camp even though it has been 10 years. Who is Camp Burgess & Hayward for? Camp Burgess & Hayward is for any kid looking to expand their horizons beyond their hometowns and the school year. What led you to make the decision to go to summer camp? I felt that every summer I would do the same thing by taking a tennis lessons or a swim lesson but would be stuck in the same place since school wasn’t in session. I was becoming restless and jumped at the opportunity to do something a little out of my comfort zone. How would you describe your first days at Burgess & Hayward? The first days were difficult. I had never been away from home for more than a sleepover and so it was very strange being with new people in an unfamiliar place for so long. I wasn’t sure if I had made the right decision.
Prior to the camps, I was very dependent on my parents and was pretty painfully shy. Camp forced me to expand my social skills and push me out of my comfort zone. Knowing basically no one at the camp was the best thing that could have happened to me because it stretched me as a person in so many ways. I think that is one of the reasons I decided to pursue a career in communications. Camp stretched my communication skills and inspired me to do more. Do you have any advice for first time campers? I would recommend going alone and not going with any friends. This will push you to shake things up and make new friends, which will only benefit you in the long run. Someday when you go to college, you will be put in the same situation and it helps to have these skills. If you do have a friend going with you, I would recommend not staying in the same cabin.
WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU! Email your Alumni updates and favorite Camp stories to campalumni@ssymca.org
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“TAKE NOTE� ALUMNI NEWS I have not been to camp (minus a visit here and there) in 5 summers, and I would still confidently tell you that many of the most important people in my life are camp pals. My camp relationships are so strong because we share a sense of adventure, a long history, a sense of understanding, genuine care, respect, responsibility, honesty...wait, that sounds familiar. Just as I felt when I was at camp, around my Burgess Hayward friends, I can truly be myself. We can go for years at a time without seeing each other, and every time we're together, it feels comfortable like we've never been apart. Another great perk to making camp friends (especially as staff) is that I know I have a place to stay all around the world. I've visited camp friends in many different cities, states and country, and I've had a plethora of camp pals come stay with me. Recently, my fellow -JC-and-co-CIT-director-turned-boyfriend and I took a trip with some former camp pals. She and I were campers together and remained friends through our staff and senior staff years, and the boys were co -counselors many years ago. Their opposing team-M+P-leadersummer romance led them to a happy married life in Scotland as the proud parents of a very fluffy rabbit named Simon. The four of us, longing for that summer adventure we are so used to, took a vacation to Italy where we strolled the canals of Venice, ate one too many slices of pizza, and learned some history in Rome. We had an absolute blast, and I chalk that up to how well we all traveled together. We had all shared space with one another before in cabins, learned to share responsibility for sweeping the apartment we stayed in and cleaning up after meals, and we all knew how to compromise on activities- all skills that I credit to our experiences at camp. I cannot wait to do this for many years to come (maybe we'll be taking vacations while our future kids are away at camp)!
Jenny has been involved in camp, in many capacities, for several years. She was a camper, CIT, JC, Counselor, CIT Director, an occasional OE instructor, a member of the Alumni Council, and the Reunion Chair. Jenny works in higher education and event management and is currently employed at Northeastern University. She lives in the heart of downtown Boston with former Burgess Boy, Jeff Patrick, and their dog, Tippi. She covets Cape trips in the summer and tries to swing by camp as often as possible!
Jennifer Muschinske
SENTIMENTAL SOUNDBITE
Me and some of my future CITS when they were Pathfinders
"For me, one of the most meaningful takeaways from Camp is watching the girls that I was a counselor for grow up into accomplished, beautiful, smart young women. While it makes me feel old that campers I had at 9 years old are now starting college, it's so exciting to have been able to watch them grow up. The CITs I had as CIT Director are now resource staff, some have even been CIT Directors themselves. I feel lucky to have maintained contact with many of this wonderful young women (and men as CIT director) and I hope that I have been as influential on their lives as they have been on mine." Jennifer Muschinske 4
FUTURE CAMPERS! WE’D LIKE TO WELCOME A RECENT
FROM OUR CAMP DIRECTORS BORN AND BRED AT CAMP HAYWARD by Jessie Williams, Camp Hayward Director Every day Camp Hayward is making the world a better place. We start with great female role models, who set out to help mold confident, creative girls. This is not an
ADDITION TO THE
easy mission with the cultural norms and media facing young women. Every day we
BURGESS & HAYWARD
try to communicate a few important ideas to our campers.
FAMILY
1. It’s not about being perfect. No one is perfect and the pursuit of perfection is a dangerous one. There are far better ways to spend your time then worrying about how you look. We challenge our staff, CITs, and campers to be the best versions of who they are: more caring, more daring.
2. It’s a good thing when there are problems. Camp is a safe environment to learn how to push through difficult situations. It is gift to have to confront issues, to develop communication and empathy. Learning this at a young age is empowering, many adults are not there yet.
3. Never let anyone affect how you feel about yourself. To love yourself as you are is the greatest gift. The confidence and bravery of self-acceptance is our goal. Let negative comments, tweets, or looks wash away. This doesn’t end when you drive out of camp, it’s a lifelong lesson.
BRUAR Euan Oswald and Korina Magni are pleased to introduce a new member to the camp family, James Bruar Oswald! Euan, a former Burgess Staff member, and Korina, an Adventure Trips Leader, met during the 2011 Outdoor Education season. They married in Arizona in 2012 and have recently settled into a new home in Seattle, Washington. Korina continues to work for the YMCA and Euan is working for the Seattle Science Center. Although they love the active lifestyle and scenery of Seattle, nothing can beat the cape! Born on March 18th and weighing in at 7lbs 5oz, Bruar can't wait for summer 2022!
Here’s to another great summer of girl power!
ANOTHER CLASSIC BURGESS SUMMER by Asa Gallagher, Camp Burgess Director Another classic Burgess summer has passed. We wrapped up the season over on the Hayward side with the wonderful campers, staff and volunteers of the “Friendship Home”, an organization based out of Norwell, MA that provides a wide range of enrichment services for individuals with developmental disabilities and their families. It continues to be one of our favorite weeks of the summer. And after some rest and vacation with my family, I am back at the office getting ready for another year as Burgess Director. This was indeed a “classic” Burgess summer, one for the ages. Our staff went above and beyond to turn a traditional overnight camping experience into something truly unique...
Read the full blog post, here. 5
OUT AND ABOUT ON CAMP AT THE FARM, IT’S GOOD TO GROW Cape Cod Times Columnist Rachael Devaney, reflects on her childhood, as she speaks with Farm Director Tara Laidlaw and Associate Executive Director Joe O’Keefe, about the important role experiential learning plays in the Burgess Farm’s programming.
When my family moved to Centerville in 1986, one of the first things my father did to the property was build a vegetable garden. As kids, one of our weekend chores was to pull weeds, fertilize the soil, plant seeds and harvest the vegetables when they were ready. Sometimes we would sell them from a stand we set up in the front yard, but more often the produce made its way
2015
UK
ALUMNI REUNIONS LONDON EDINBURGH
to our dinner table. While I wasn't a huge fan of dirty fingernails and digging up worms along with potatoes, it taught me a tremendous amount about being self-sufficient in a world where American families are severely dependent on supermarket chains and department stores for produce. Read the entire article, here
LET’S RALLY FRIENDS AND ALUMNI OF EVERY GENERATION FOR TWO EVENINGS OF CELEBRATION, AS WE PAY TRIBUTE TO CAMP’S HISTORY AND ENVISION ITS FUTURE, TOGETHER!
LONDON 1.15.15 EDINBURGH 1.17.15 CLICK ON THE FLAG TO REGISTER! SKI & SNOWBOARD ADVENTURE February 15-20, 2015 — $730 The best way to spend February vacation is on the White Mountains with friends! We visit four mountains, while still finding time to snow tube, ice skate and have a blast! We reside & cook delicious meals in the cozy White Mountains Hostel in Conway. Drop-off & pick-up is from the Emilson YMCA in Hanover. This program is open to ages 13-17. Visit our Year-Round Programs page for more information! 6
OUT AND ABOUT ON CAMP
ANNUAL CAMPAIGN No other organization can impact as many people as powerfully as we do every day. As a branch of the South Shore YMCA, Camp Burgess & Hayward is founded upon building healthy, confident, connected members of society through outstanding outdoor experiences. Our programs provide individuals with an engaging and supportive environment that serves to promote the development of leadership skills, hands-on learning, self-expression and an appreciation for the natural world. We have an unwavering commitment to ensure that no family’s financial situation prevents them from being part of the magic of Camp.
We have an extraordinary opportunity to ensure a brighter future for our
We’d like to extend our gratitude to Tim Fry, Burgess alumna, for his generous donation of $1,000 to the Campership Fund, in memory of his father, Maurice Geoffrey Fry. “My father took pride in me and what I did with and for children: as a teacher, as a Lead Practitioner in Education helping teachers improve the quality of their teaching to their students in Abu Dhabi and in my various roles over the years at Camps Burgess and Hayward. There is no doubt in my mind that Camp helped make me become the man I am today and it was my father who encouraged me and helped me financially to attend as one of the first international Counsellors at Burgess for my very first summer in 1982. I returned many times. I have made this donation knowing that more kids will be able to attend and gain from all that Camp Burgess and Hayward can offer.”
campers, but we must take action today, and only your support will make it possible. When you give to Camp Burgess & Hayward, your gift will help young people achieve their potential, empower people of all ages to lead healthier lives, and strengthen the bonds of our Camp community and beyond.
Give today. Please help Camp Burgess & Hayward reach its Community Appeal Goal of $46,000.
We are thrilled to unveil our brand new online giving page! Make a donation or start fundraising now! For more information, contact Meghan Hill, at 508-428-2571, ext. 101. or email mhill@ssymca.org
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AUTUMN CELEBRATION Join us Sunday, October 26th, from 1-5 pm for our Autumn Celebration! Come as a family to enjoy the climbing tower, zip lines, canoeing, pontoon boat rides and a harvest cookout!
UPCOMING EVENTS Autumn Celebration ~ October 26, 1 – 5 pm
There will also be a 2:30 pm tour of Burgess & Hayward, and an overview of our Master Plan which illustrates the future of our Camp.
Open Houses ~ March 29, April 12, May 17, 1 – 4 pm
So many of you have expressed the desire to experience the magic of Camp, alongside your children – you’ve yearned to participate in some of the activities, hoped to explore the interior of some of the cabins, dreamt of uncovering some of the history of the pristine land…well, now’s your chance!
Co-ed April Vacation Camp ~ April 19 – 24
This is a free event, open to all Friends of Camp Burgess & Hayward. RSVP to Meghan Hill at mhill@ssymca.org
Teen Service Weekend ~ May 8 – 10
Annual “First Dip” ~ May 9
Volunteer Day ~ May 9 Family Camp ~ May 23 – 25
Triangle Pond, October, 2014. Photo by Asa Gallagher
We Are The Girls From Hayward Camp
Summer Camp & Teen Adventure Trips ~ June 28 – August 21 Friends & Alumni Reunion ~ July 25 and September 5 – 7, Labor Day Weekend
We are the girls from Hayward camp you hear so much about Cause everybody looks at us whenever we go out. We're noted for our wisdom and the clever things we do Most everybody likes us, we hope you like us too! As we go marching, and the band begins to P-L-A-Y You can hear us shouting: The girls from Hayward camp are on their way RAH, RAH, RAH: Stand up and cheer Hooray! Cheer for good old Hayward For today we raise the green and white above the rest above the rest. And so it's onward to victory We're gonna win in every way We've got the pep We've got the step We've got the good old Hayward waaaaay - HEY!
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AROUND THE SOUTH SHORE Y
SSYMCA ENCHANTED EVENING GALA & AUCTION
Please join us for an evening of live and silent auctions, dinner, dancing and live entertainment to benefit the Y's Germantown Neighborhood Center. The Enchanted Evening Gala & Auction is an annual event to benefit the South Shore YMCA’s Annual Campaign. Guests will enjoy live entertainment, a plated dinner and exclusive raffles. The Enchanted Evening Auction will open for bidding online in October.
STAFF SPOTLIGHT MELISSA BARRY Please welcome Melissa Barry as our year-round Office Manager. Melissa brings over twenty years of marketing, administration and client service experience to this position. As a child, she spent many summers on Cape Cod and was inspired to make it her permanent home. She truly loves the water and enjoys beachcombing with her family and taking day trips to the many beautiful towns and villages that make up the Cape and Islands. Melissa looks forward to getting to know the camper families and creating a positive experience for all.
Saturday, November 1st 6:00pm Lombardo's in Randolph Ticket sales are open now and sponsorship opportunities are available. For more information on the event, or to purchase tickets, please visit our website.
CHECK OUT WHAT’S HAPPENING AT THE OTHER SOUTH SHORE YMCA LOCATIONS, HERE!
GET IN ON THE CAMP CONVERSATION … Melissa, with her family, at Connor’s Farm in Danvers, MA
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