Frost Valley Life Newsletter, Spring 2019

THE IMPACT OF A NEW PERSPECTIVE

Frost Valley Life Frost Valley YMCA Newsletter | SPRING 2019 FROST VALLEY YMCA

| frostvalley.org

BOARD OF TRUSTEES CHAIRMAN Catherine M. Harvey PRESIDENT James S. Vaughan

NEW PERSPECTIVES

CEO Jerry Huncosky

FROM THE DESK OF JERRY HUNCOSKY CEO | Frost Valley YMCA

TREASURER David B. Bieler

Spring in the Catskills is a time for renewal. Flowers are in bloom, the leaves are green again, and we’re given a new perspective of the world around us. I’m humbled to say that new perspectives are a constant at Frost Valley – no matter the season.

SECRETARY Jerold W. Dorfman, Esq. VICE PRESIDENTS William E. Baker Professor Al Filreis Amy F. Melican, Esq. Robert Messick Peter E. Sundman TRUSTEES Peter Andruszkiewicz John S. Butler, Esq. Mahtab Foroughi, Esq. Dr. R. Mark Ghobrial Robert B. Haines, Chairman Emeritus Ted B. Hilton Dr. Frederick J. Kaskel Michael D. Ketcham Kate Lewis John McCabe John O’Brien Judith L. Pasnik Gail Ryan Barbara Spitz Professor Joshua A. Tucker Mary T. Wheeler ADVISORY COMMITTEE William H. Abbott Andrew Chapman Barton C. English Thomas M. Moriarty Shigeko Woolfalk TRUSTEES EMERITI Thomas W. Berry Hunter Corbin Paul B. Guenther Dr. George J. Hill W. Thomas Margetts

At Frost Valley, these “new perspectives” are then brought back home – to schools, communities, and organizations – where the exponential impact is almost immeasurable. As you’ll read within these pages, each time someone gains a new perspective at Frost Valley, it not only changes their outlook, it also changes the world. In this issue, you’ll meet inspiring individuals like Williams Babalola and Chloe Bland, who’ve used the lessons they learned at Frost Valley to inspire others and create positive change.

Thank you so much for supporting our commitment to provide life-affirming experiences as well as lessons and values that reach more and more people every day.

Jerry Huncosky

PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS June 1, 2017 to May 31, 2018

Group & Family Retreats

19,284

School Trip Participants

16,052

Summer Campers

4,114

Other

343

TOTAL PARTICIPANTS 39,793

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NOTE OF APPRECIATION “My daughter came home from Frost Valley elated. She had this glow on her face like I’ve never seen before. She was so excited to tell me all about her new friends. Being shy by nature, it was amazing to hear stories of her opening up to other campers.

She seemed more confident as she talked about trying the zipline and climbing tower for the first time.

I’ve never seen such exponential growth in one week in all my life. It meant so much to me that we were able to get a camp scholarship to give her this experience.”

- Camper Parent

BLAZING THE TRAIL FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS OF CAMPERS

COUNSELOR IN TRAINING WINS YMCA ALLIANCE YOUTH VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR At the heart of every camp counselor is a desire to shape and mold future generations of campers.

For Counselors in Training (CiTs), teenagers who aspire to become full-time counselors one day, their role means adopting the same mindset.

When Williams Babalola first came to Frost Valley six years ago, he was shy and a bit self-conscious. “I liked to play cards by myself,” says Williams.

“One day my counselor Ben asked to play with me. He pointed out to me how inclusive Frost Valley is and that I could always find people at camp who would accept me for who I am. That gave me the confidence to express myself in front of others. It helped me to be confident in who I am.”

Feeling accepted by his fellow campers and grateful for his camp experience, Williams wanted to give back to Frost Valley. Last summer he applied to become a CiT and was accepted into the program. He spent time showing campers how to compost their food waste, performing cleaning projects around camp, and clearing brush from hiking trails to be more traversable for campers.

As a CiT , Williams also received conflict resolution training, which showed him how to peacefully handle situations that might arise at camp

such as arguments between campers. It’s a skill that he now regularly uses at home with his three younger brothers. “The CiT training helped me to understand just how effective words can be. Now I recognize that it’s my job as the older brother to help them listen to one another so they can understand each other’s point of view.”

His experience as a CiT has even influenced his career path. “I want to pursue a degree in psychology and although I don’t know exactly what I want to do yet, I do know that I want a career where I can work with children and help them resolve conflicts,” says Williams.

Williams regularly volunteers in his community. He helps at his church, going in on Saturdays to clean for Sunday service. In school, he’s part of Garden State Scholars, a program that serves youth through academic support and scholarships for college. As part of the group, Williams recently went to a food bank in Hillside, NJ to distribute food.

He also helps teachers at his school with grading papers, cleaning up the classroom, and other tasks.

“My mom always told me, ‘If you see someone who needs help, you should help them’ and that has become my life’s mantra,” Williams explains.

Williams was recently honored for his volunteerism at the New Jersey

Williams Babalola, Frost Valley YMCA CiT, is presented the NJ YMCA State Alliance Youth Volunteer of the Year award by Darrin Anderson, Executive Director of the NJ YMCA State Alliance.

YMCA State Alliance’s 18th Annual Recognition Celebration on October 15, 2018, where he received the NJ YMCA State Alliance Youth Volunteer of the Year award. Frost Valley YMCA nominated him for this honorable award for all he has contributed to our community.

“The thing I’m most proud of is the time I’ve spent at Frost Valley,” says Williams. “Even when I wasn’t a CiT, there was always something about camp that encouraged me to do more. It’s thanks to Frost Valley that I am who I am today.”

Role models like Williams blaze the trail for other campers who want to become CiTs. Williams is living proof that being a great leader is not about being the best, but rather bringing out the best in others.

REMEMBERING A DEAR FRIEND JUNE BLUM, 1936-2019

We regret to share that on January 5, 2019, our cherished friend, June Blum passed away. “June was a huge fan of Frost Valley,” said CEO Jerry Huncosky. “She loved hearing about Frost Valley, the children, and the dialysis program.” June’s son, Eric Blum, a former volunteer and staff member, bequeathed a significant gift upon his passing that allowed for the

establishment of the Blum House in 2015. At the building’s ribbon cutting, June spoke about how much Frost Valley meant to Eric.

That evening, summer camp staff and board members alike gathered around June to hear stories about Eric. Always thinking of others, June was sure to urge the staff to take care of themselves during the long

June Blum with daughter Gayle, CEO Jerry Huncosky and Steve Blum at the Blum House Ribbon Cutting Ceremony on June 6, 2015

days of summer and to use the Blum House as a respite from their hard work. We will long remember June for her thoughtful spirit and kindness. frostvalley.org | 2

BRIDGING THE OPPORTUNITY GAP

CASE STUDY BRINGS FROST VALLEY INTO THE CLASSROOM AND BEYOND When Chloe Bland was just a bright-eyed middle schooler visiting on a class trip, she couldn’t fathom that the lessons she learned at Frost Valley would one day transform generations of future leaders.

Gap.” Part of the curriculum of her Psychology of Racism course includes calling attention to the opportunity gap created by some institutional practices.

Many years later, Dr. Chloe Bland returned to Frost Valley for the American Conference on Diversity’s Common Ground Institute, which was held at East Valley Ranch. The conference solidified her admiration for Frost Valley and inspired her to send her children to camp here.

“When I discovered Frost Valley’s tiered pricing structure, I just went wild!” Chloe exclaims. “I had never before encountered any other real-life example of how society can break down these types of opportunity barriers. It was eye opening. This was the absolute perfect example that I could use to show my students that bridging these opportunity gaps is possible. I also use it to inspire them to build new bridges of their own in the future.”

“Finding a camp that was not only going to reflect diversity in their camp population, but also in their values was my number one priority,” says Chloe. Now that her children Jacob and Maddy have attended Overnight Camp for several years, she has noticed how camp has given them a new perspective of the world.

Chloe’s daughter Maddelyn with her camp counselor, Shiba

involve making fun of a classmate because she says the counselors at Frost Valley wouldn’t approve. I see firsthand—even if they don’t yet— how Frost Valley has become their moral compass.”

Inspired by both Frost Valley’s commitment to Diversity, and its Chloe has dedicated her life to tiered pricing structure for Overnight teaching her children and her college “My son would say, ‘No offense, Mom, but Camp, which allows people to students how to embrace diversity camp is really my home away from home, voluntarily pay the tuition level and create equal opportunities for where I can be my best self,’” explains Chloe. they can afford, Chloe wrote a case everyone. As excited as she was to “But I see more going on in my children’s study for the Psychology of Racism write the case study for her class, lives when they come home from camp.” class she teaches at the College of there is a deeper meaning behind it.

Saint Elizabeth in Morristown, NJ. Chloe explains. “I really wanted this Chloe continues, “I see the values that The paper is entitled, “Frost Valley case study to be my gift to they learn at Frost Valley permeate YMCA: A Case Study in the Structural Frost Valley and the world!” throughout their lives. I see it in the Alteration of the Opportunity thought-provoking books my son chooses to read. I see it in the way To read the full case study “Frost Valley YMCA: A Case Study in the Structural my daughter refuses to take part in Alteration of the Opportunity Camp, go to frostvalley.org/case-study text conversations with friends that

FALL/WINTER

October 2018

60TH ANNIVERSARY ALUMNI REUNION Over 150 Frost Valley alumni gather on the weekend of October 26-29, 2018 to celebrate 60 years since Camp Wawayanda moved to the Catskills from NJ. Alumni play favorite camp games, take tours of the Frost Valley Castle, and bid on memorabilia in both silent and live auctions.

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October 26-29, 2018 KOSOVO SIGNS PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT WITH FROST VALLEY Kosovo’s President and National Board sign an official Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Frost Valley YMCA. This is a meaningful step forward as Kosovo works to develop the country’s first summer camp for children.

WHAT’S NEW IN THE VALLEY FROST VALLEY’S SOLAR PROJECT IS COMPLETE!

Frost Valley’s solar project is complete!

All of our 672 newly installed contracted bifacial solar panels are now connected to the electrical grid. Frost Valley expects to generate about 35% of its electricity from these solar panels, which capture direct energy from the top of the panel as well as indirect solar energy reflected off the ground into the back of the panel. This moves Frost Valley closer to achieving our five-year strategic goal of reducing our overall carbon footprint by 25%. Money saved on Frost Valley’s electric bill through the use of the panels will be reinvested into future energy efficiency initiatives throughout camp.

THE FARM WELCOMES A LIVESTOCK GUARDIAN

Wendy is a Great Pyrenees dog who is being trained to live in harmony with all the animals at the Farm and protect them from any predators. A priority of her training is learning that the livestock are her family and that she needs to protect them. Therefore, she has limited interaction with people outside of her handlers at the Farm. Though Wendy is still a puppy and it will take many more months of training before she can work on her own, she has already become an important part of our Farm family!

December 7, 2018 HOLIDAY COMMUNITY DINNER On December 7, 2018, Frost Valley YMCA welcome over 260 members of the local community to a free Holiday Community Dinner. Families enjoy quality time together sharing a holiday feast, decorating cookies, and making special winter-themed crafts. Local vendors generously donate the plentiful and tasty food. Frost Valley and Chartwells Dining Service staff volunteer their time to make it a memorable event for everyone.

MAKER’S LAB IS EXPECTED TO OPEN FOR CAMP 2019!

Frost Valley has added a Maker’s Lab to Program Village. The Maker’s Lab will offer campers and guests the opportunity to participate in a variety of STEM based activities. It will encourage creative, independent play through an Imagination Playground™, a system of foam blocks, as well as an illumination station. Guests will have the chance to apply STEM principles to LEGO® activities, and future plans include offering a robotics class.

FROST VALLEY WILL SEND FORMER CiTS TO YMCA175 IN LONDON THIS SUMMER

This year marks the 175th anniversary of the YMCA’s founding this August in London, England (the birthplace of the Y). Frost Valley will select a group of outstanding former CiTs to attend YMCA175—a global celebration and gathering of more than 5,000 young leaders (ages 16-35) in London this summer. The former CiTs, accompanied by Frost Valley staff, will connect with other youth representatives from Ys across the world to address current social challenges affecting young people.

NEW PROGRAMS ADDED FOR SUMMER 2019!

Since many of our 2018 adventure trips were waiting-list-only, Frost Valley has added seven new trips for summer 2019. They include: Adirondack High Peaks, Main AT Adventure, Adirondack Trail Builders, Catskill Farm Tour, and three women’s leadership trips. A new horse program has also been added, entitled: “Horse Trails.” This program will take equestrians and horses out onto the trail for an unforgettable backpacking trip!

January 2019 VICTORIA FOUNDATION GRANT HELPS SEND KIDS TO CAMP For the 2019 summer camp season, Victoria Foundation generously awards $75,000 to Frost Valley to provide financial assistance for 136 children to obtain developmental skills from a Frost Valley experience. For almost 50 years, the Victoria Foundation in Newark, New Jersey, has granted funds to Frost Valley to support the cost of camp for children of families in Newark. frostvalley.org | 4

MY FROST VALLEY

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Frost Valley is responsible for creating three generations of lovely, joyful, insightful women Nel, Kate and Olivia.

WORDS FROM OUR DONORS

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Frost Valley, where every person can become their best selves.

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- Florence Lewis

- Lisa Heilman

I’m so happy to contribute.

We love Frosty Valley. Julia is a counselor now, and Ellie went to camp for the first time last summer!

My wife was a longtime camper, and we recently discovered the fun of family camp with the kids. Love this place!

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My niece and nephew loved their time at Frost Valley where they made lots of friends and lots of memories!

Attending Frost Valley as campers and working there as counselors absolutely changed the lives of my sisters and I. We are more compassionate human beings and more confident women because of our experiences there. Not to mention the lifelong friends we made along the way. Our mom always says the best thing she ever did was send us to camp (even though I was the one who asked to go). Frost Valley Forever!

- Debra Perry

- Rebecca Bloom

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- Kim Cheney

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I am awe-inspired by Frost Valley.

It has changed my life, and now my children’s. You have touched more lives than one can count and for that, we shall all be forever grateful.

Frost Valley holds my heart and soul over Lake Cole and Big Tree on misty mornings and dark, cold nights.

WINTER

January 2019 HEPA GRANT HELPS RESURFACE HARD COURTS Frost Valley receives a HEPA (Healthy Eating and Physical Activity) Grant for $12,800 to resurface its hard courts.

Thanks to this grant, campers and guests will have an enhanced experience during basketball and other activities.

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- Mike Solomon

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- Helen Cornman

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I spent nine incredible summers at Frost Valley starting in Pokey, right on up to being a counselor. Every child deserves the opportunity to go to camp and I look forward to the day my son is old enough to attend!

- Alison Perry

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January 28-30, 2019 NORTHEAST YMCA CAMPING CONFERENCE Frost Valley hosts the Northeast YMCA Camping Conference for the 7th year, which brings over 250 professionals together to learn, share best practices, and network. Engaging campers, increasing character outcomes, and enhancing infrastructure and professional development are some of the topics that ensure Y Camps continue to set the gold standard for the industry.

THE ROAD TO SUCCESS BEGINS AT CAMP

ONE MAN’S JOURNEY FROM CAMPER TO SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS

For many campers, attending Frost Valley can be a pivotal moment in their lives. For one former camper, his experience at Frost Valley set him on a path towards a successful career in education, where he positively influences countless lives.

When he was growing up in Newark, NJ, Roger León began attending Overnight Camp at Frost Valley through the Newark Partnership program. The program identifies campers through community-based organizations who could benefit from camp but might not be able to attend without financial assistance.

Over the course of many summers at Frost Valley, Roger went from camper to Counselor in Training (CiT), to Junior Counselor, and then Counselor in the Mainstreaming at Camp (MAC) program, working with campers who have developmental disabilities. This gave him a new perspective on the many different ways that people learn and inspired him to pursue a career in education.

At camp, Roger learned all about group dynamics, the importance of teamwork, and how to mobilize people. These were lessons that would serve him well as a teacher. Roger duplicated some of Frost Valley’s activities in his work with children in elementary and high school.

“Some team activities at Frost Valley are cross-sectional by age, which is immensely meaningful,” Roger explains. “This is something that doesn’t happen at most schools because activities are usually restricted by grade-level.

On field days I created teams consisting of

K-8th grade students. It encouraged the 8th graders to care about their younger cohorts.

It also made younger kids see themselves as valuable to the older ones.”

Roger’s camp experience also taught him the importance of immersing children in new environments. It exposed him to campers and staff of all faiths, cultures, and socio-economic backgrounds, which enhanced his perception of the world.

“That is the true value of camp—taking a diverse group of young people out of their environment and putting them in a cabin to work together and have fun in outdoor activities together,” says Roger.

His exposure to a diverse camp community, coupled with personal character development and teambuilding, inspired Roger to pursue excellence in his career. He became Principal, then Assistant Superintendent, and was recently appointed Superintendent of Newark Public Schools. Roger has been recognized as a frontline leader in education reform.

Roger credits his camp experience saying, “It was not just the training I received as a Counselor but also the lessons I learned as a camper, striving to be a valuable member of the group, that made me a better person.”

Frost Valley helps each camper get the most out of their experience. “Life, like camp, is what you make it,” Roger reflects. “That’s what the Frost Valley staff taught us.”

February 24, 2019

YOU’RE INVITED! MOTHER’S WEEKEND May 10-12, 2019 Treat mom (or yourself!) to a relaxing mini-vacation.

Enjoy stretch and meditation classes, guided nature hikes, arts and crafts, delicious meals, and much more! Moms stay at NO CHARGE with at least one full-paying guest.

LIVESTRONG® AT THE YMCA WEEKENDS May 10-12, 2019 June 7-9, 2019 These retreats for cancer survivors and their families are designed to help build a firm path to wellness as well as connect with others who have shared a similar journey. FREE to cancer survivors (once each year). Friends and families stay at a reduced rate.

MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND May 24-27, 2019 Kick off summer at Frost Valley YMCA - the perfect place to welcome the warmer months with outdoor activities for the whole family!

VISIT ANY WEEKEND

SEPT 1 - JUNE 15 ELIZABETH KELLOGG STAFF APPRECIATION DINNER Frost Valley staff join together for the 14th Annual Elizabeth Kellogg Staff Appreciation Dinner on February 24. The dinner is held to celebrate our entire staff for their professional excellence and dedication to our campers and guests. Five Elizabeth Kellogg Award winners and one D. Halbe Brown Employee of the Year Award winner will each take trips to destinations of their choosing thanks to support from a generous donor.

Your family and loved ones are invited to join us nearly every weekend during the school year for an enriching and memorable weekend retreat during any weekend that fits your schedule.

We can’t wait to see you and your family here in the Valley! frostvalley.org | 6

FROST VALLEY YMCA 2000 Frost Valley Road Claryville, NY 12725

TEL (845) 985-2291 EMAIL info@frostvalley.org WEB frostvalley.org/donate facebook.com/frostvalleyymca

LEAVE A LEGACY THROUGH THE NEVERSINK SOCIETY & PLANNED GIVING The Neversink Society honors individuals who wish to leave a lasting legacy. By making a planned gift, you can ensure that the mission of Frost Valley continues for future generations.

In addition to potential tax benefits derived from making a gift to Frost Valley YMCA through the Neversink Society, you will receive invitations to Neversink Society events and the Annual Meeting. Your name will be listed in our Annual Report and on plaques displayed at Frost Valley.

Making a planned “What we charitable gift have done for usually requires ourselves alone dies the assistance of with us; what we have done for others and a knowledgeable the world remains advisor such as an and is immortal.” attorney, financial - Albert Pike planner or CPA to help structure the gift. Once you complete your estate plans, please contact Mania Boyder, Chief Development Officer at Frost Valley to formalize your membership in the Neversink Society. Mania can be reached at mboyder@frostvalley.org and 845-985-2291 ext. 296.

Gifts to Frost Valley YMCA through the Neversink Society may include: • Bequests in Wills & Livings Trusts • Gifts of Real Estate • New or Existing Life Insurance Policies • IRA Gifts During Life or at Death • Securities, Such as Stocks, Bonds & Mutual Funds • Tangible Personal Property • Charitable Gift Annuity • Charitable Remainder Trust • Charitable Lead Trust

FROST VALLEY YMCA MISSION STATEMENT: Frost Valley YMCA is a values-driven organization that fosters youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility through outdoor educational and recreational programs for all.

Frost Valley YMCA is a not-for-profit 501(c)3 organization. To help us give the gift of camp to children and families, please contact our Development Office at 845-985-2291 or email development@frostvalley.org. To donate online go to www.frostvalley.org/donate Find information on New York State charities by calling the Attorney General’s Office at 1-800-771-7755 or visit www.CharitiesNYS.com Let us know if you prefer to receive Frost Valley Life via an online link sent to your email address.

Please email us your request to info@frostvalley.org.