Snapshots of the Seasons: Frost Valley Life Newsletter, Winter 2013

Frost Valley Life Snapshots of the Seasons |

winter 2013

Frost Valley YMCA

Frost Valley YMCA | Frost Valley Life, Winter 2013 | frostvalley.org

a Message from our CEO As I write this letter, we’re experiencing a deep freeze (as is a large portion of the country) and Frost Valley YMCA is living up to its name. A family of snowmen greets visitors as they turn in the drive. Filreis Field is a glittering expanse of snow sculptures.

Lake Cole is perfectly groomed for ice-skating. The snow tube runs are slick and fast, and our cross-country trails take skiers down the Neversink Trail, along Pigeon Creek, and by Devil’s Hole. High Falls is a breathtaking sight, in itself: a cascading wall of ice gleams like crystal, rushing water frozen in motion. Nights of late have been clear, filled with bright stars like snowflakes.

I feel so lucky to live and work in this perfect snow globe and so grateful that, with the support of our donors who believe in the magic of Frost Valley as much as I do, we are able to offer a four-season wonderland to children and families to enjoy.

The freezing temperatures have not deterred our intrepid campers this week. Everywhere I look, students from schools in New York City and New Jersey trudge through the snow in multi-colored hats, parkas, snow pants, and mittens. They sled, ski, skate, build ice sculptures, and learn about fragile eco-systems, the watershed, weather patterns, and natural habitats.

Their bright energy reminds me of the thousands of children who attend camp here in the summer, all of those who visit with their families during family camp, and the ones who come for their winter and spring break holidays. As always, it’s the freedom that Frost Valley affords children to experience the sensations of pure fun and possibility—no matter the season.

It’s an exhilarating natural playground, one that encourages a passion for learning and play, something that most kids don’t have access to these days.

35,000 people — 75% of which were children. Between scholarships and subsidies, we gave over 1.7 million dollars away in financial assistance. Summer camp was home to 3,956 children. 242 of the summer campers received “camperships” greater than 90%. In fact, we granted over $722,000 in scholarships for summer camp. All of this is thanks to you.

On a cold day, it warms my heart to think about the lives that are touched by your generosity. Weekends have been busy lately, too, with family campers experiencing the same joys of wintery pleasures and togetherness. Wish you all were here.

In a sense, you can be, if you join us on Facebook. We post one photo every day that captures the moments that make lasting memories. Join us for breathtaking photos and updates, bringing you here, bringing you back. The ongoing communication on Facebook and on our new website—the sharing of stories and memories—strengthens our community. Frost Valley is a special place, not only because of the splendor of the seasons, but also because of the people who care enough to help us preserve it.

Thank you,

Jerry Huncosky

We had a busy year. It was a banner year, too, with a record number of donations, for which we thank you. Your support makes our work possible. In 2012, we served over

Snapshots of the Seasons 2012 in review January

Lodge Leadership

January

Hurricane Irene clean-up continues along with the building of Leadership Lodge which will replace Pigeon Lodge and house the Counselors-in-Training program NEYCC Conference

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March

Frost Valley YMCA hosts the Northeast YMCA Camp Conference (NEYCC) and is deemed the permanent host location for this annual conference

May

School Programs introduces its new Bullying Prevention Program

East Valley Ranch adds a new horseback riding arena

a New EVR Aren

Hurricane Help

This past year we’ve become increasingly aware of the power of community. The devastation from August 2011’s Hurricane Irene lasted well into 2012. During that time, many of you reached out to help with generous donations of time and money. The young campers who emptied their piggy banks and had bake sales to raise money to help us in our time of need; the students who organized fund drives at their schools; those of you who sent us donations and those who helped with physical labor—all embody the meaning of one of our core values: Community.

Lately, the on-going havoc and devastation from Hurricane Sandy, which hit a wide swath of our Frost Valley community, has found us in a position to gladly give back to our friends who are still struggling.

In the aftermath of Sandy, we were able to invite families whose homes were destroyed to visit us for several weekends of rest and rejuvenation, including free food and lodging. We were able to assist over 100 people by giving them this much needed respite. We also organized teams of Frost Valley employees to go to those neighborhoods in New York and New Jersey that were deeply affected to help with clean-up efforts and the distribution of food, water, and toiletries to those in need.

June

June

The newly constructed Leadership Lodge opens

June Summer Camp opens and hosts 3,956 children throughout the summer months

Program Village construction begins to create homes for pottery, woodworking, and other arts and crafts programs, replacing the old Arts and Crafts building Pottery

July

A new home site for Adventure Trip campers, Trips Village, is built on a plateau overlooking Adventure Village consisting of 6 lean-tos

Board of trustees Chairman R. Fenn Putman President James S. Vaughan CEO Jerry Huncosky Vice Chairman Robert B. Haines Treasurer Peter E. Sundman Secretary Jerold W. Dorfman Vice Presidents Professor Al Filreis Catherine M. Harvey Michael P. Lahue Peter E. Sundman Trustees Bill Baker Dr. R. Mark Ghobrial Ted B. Hilton Dr. Frederick J. Kaskel Jeffrey S. Kaufman James Kellogg Jr. Robert Messick Thomas M. Moriarty John O’Brien Cheng Ong Judith L. Pasnik Robin Wachenfeld Mary T. Wheeler Shigeko Woolfalk Advisory Committee William H. Abbott Mitchell Brock H. Corbin Day Barton C. English Trustees Emeriti Thomas W. Berry Hunter Corbin Helen M. Geyer Co-Director Paul B. Guenther Dr. George J. Hill James C. Kellogg Co-Director W. Thomas Margetts Gerald H. McGinley

Trips Vill age

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Spotlight on the Howard T. Herber Middle School The Howard T. Herber Middle School of Malverne, Long Island, has been bringing 6th grade students to Frost Valley for 42 years. Recently, funding for the annual trip was eliminated due to budget constraints, so the community has organized a Save-the-Frost-Valley-Trip fund to preserve this long-standing and much-loved tradition for future middle school students.

Actor and author Tony Danza, a former Howard T. Herber student and Frost Valley camper, has joined the effort. On March 14th, at Connolly Station in Malverne, Danza will be tending bar to raise money to save the trip. Bob Eddings, Director of Frost Valley YMCA School Programs, will also be in attendance to show our support for the students of Howard T. Herber Middle School—past, present, and future!

New Hope Community New Hope Community, a local organization in nearby Loch Sheldrake, New York, that serves people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, has partnered with Frost Valley’s Environmental Education team to provide opportunities for adults (aged 30 to 60 years) to participate in the wider community and to explore the world around them. Groups from New Hope Community’s Classroom With Out Walls program come to Frost Valley YMCA several times throughout the year to participate in activities such as sports, hiking, arts and crafts, apple-cidering, candle making and castle and raptor center tours. Through this collaboration participants discover their interests, strengths, gifts, and personal goals. New Hope Community’s Classroom With Out Walls program serves individuals with autism, those that are medically frail and those who have dual diagnoses. Our relationship with New Hope Community is an exciting opportunity for us to work with a population that appreciates stepping out of their daily routines and doing things they’d never be able to do at home. Their zest for new experience is contagious and the joy of shared fun is felt by all.

Snapshots of the Seasons 2012 in review July

august

In summer 2012, we provided 51 more children with scholarships than in the previous year.

This is an increase of over $150,000

South Africa wins the annual Summer Camp Olympix Olympix

family Camp

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september

august

Family Campers enjoy a perfect week - a fantastic end to our summer season

Construction begins on a new water tank near the Observatory

new water tank

Spotlight on an Adventure Camper and Lessons Learned During the summer of 2012, Adventure Camper Rori Fararo-Brooks had a life-changing experience. She went on a 2-week Habitat for Humanity home-building expedition with Frost Valley YMCA. As she writes, the trip “made me realize the endless possibilities I have for making my future better. It completely changed my outlook on life and made me want a fresh start. It gave me the courage, the confidence and the drive to make a change in my education.”

That is our goal for our Adventure Trips: to instill our core values in our campers, to encourage them to grow, and to witness transformation.

In Rori’s words: “We carried loads of wood and painted boards. We all loved the feeling that together we were making a change in the lives of people less fortunate. The little free time we had, we made sure to spend outside.

From our 9-mile hike and mountain biking adventure to the rock climbing and swimming in mucky lakes, we made sure to have fun. And trust me, we always had a blast. But beyond the hard work, play time and meals, the mini-family we built became more meaningful to me than anything else.

From the very moment I arrived, everyone made me feel special and appreciated. Everyone was open-minded, kind and non-judgmental.

Everyone had personality and everyone had heart.

The atmosphere and good vibes allowed me to break down all barriers and demolish any insecurity. I was free to shine.”

September/ October

Halbe Brown - Frost Valley’s Executive Director for 35 years - passes away September 13th. A memorial service is held at Frost Valley in October. Donations to the Halbe Brown Memorial Fund will be used for upkeep of Memorial Island and the grounds of Ketcham Chapel

n Halbe Brow

october

Hurricane Sand y

Hurricane Sandy devastates the tri-state area where much of our community lives.

Frost Valley employees volunteer their time to help areas that were hit by the storm

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Young Newark Leader During summer camp, children are asked to evaluate themselves on how well they put into practice the values they learn here at Frost Valley YMCA. This past summer, a number of Newark Partnership campers were recognized for exhibiting Frost Valley’s 8 core values in action.

comfortable during their first few nights away from home.

Responsibility: He cleaned up the dining hall and his cabin.

Community: He encouraged his team to work together to cross the cable bridge.

Stewardship: He was very interested in learning about composting and put what he learned into practice.

This summer, Carlos M. set a record, modeling every single one of our core values, over and over, all session long!

A natural leader and a great example for his cabin mates, Carlos really understood what camp is all about.

While he was here, he demonstrated:

Honesty: He notified counselors about conflicts in the village.

Caring: He comforted homesick campers, making them feel

Diversity: He befriended MAC campers around the campfire and Tokyo Partnership campers at the lake.

Inclusiveness: He made sure everyone was included in ultimate sicko ball and other games.

Respect: He listened to his counselors and always did as he was told.

The Newark Partnership is made possible by funding from The Victoria Foundation and The Prudential Foundation/United Way of Essex and West Hudson Summer Learning Initiative and our partnerships with the Boys and Girls Club of Newark, the Link Community School, PCCI, and La Casa de Don Pedro which help us to bring 135 children from Newark to Frost Valley every year.

2012 Scholarships Summer Program

Campers

Scholarships

195 144 22 5 19 34 16 19 89 543

$219,902.00 $237,320.00 $117,300.00 $8,725.00 $20,548.00 $40,237.90 $24,326.00 $30,456.00 $24,068.50 $722,883.40

Resident Camp Newark Partnerships Kidney Camp Hearts in the Valley Farm Camp Adventure Camp Equestrian East Valley Ranch Day Camp totals

Snapshots of the Seasons 2012 in review november

Frost Valley offers meals, showers and respite to 25 families affected by Hurricane Sandy

family weekend

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december

Over the course of the year School Programs partnered with 198 schools to bring over 13,000 students to Frost Valley

december

In 2012 we raised over $875,000 in Annual Support.

Summer Cam pers Climbing Tower

Frost Valley YMCA 2000 Frost Valley Road Claryville, NY 12725

TEL (845) 985-2291 EMAIL info@frostvalley.org WEB frostvalley.org

facebook.com/frostvalleyymca

The magic of camp Some of my best childhood memories involve Frost Valley YMCA. When my brother and I were young my mother was a single working parent.

Chris Vescio She didn’t want us Alumni & to spend summers Camper Parent hanging around the neighborhood getting into trouble. So she sent us to camp for a month every summer.

It was by no means an easy expense for her to handle but she knew it was in our best interests. And what a tremendous decision it turned out to be! I still carry the same

principles and lessons that I learned at camp. Respect for myself, for others, and for the environment. The Frost Valley model seems so simple, yet it accomplishes and instills so much in young people. It develops true self-confidence in kids and helps them conquer childhood fears.

Now I send my daughters to Frost Valley. I do it for different reasons but ultimately for the same end goal. There is something about this place that is magical. Kids instantly get excited when they arrive. I see the same joy in their eyes that I felt as a child. It is also why my wife and I support the Stewards of the Valley monthly giving program. To think that we could help bring this experience to a child who could not otherwise afford it means a great deal to us. Monthly giving is so easy and so rewarding when you can see the direct benefit of your donation.

I hope you and your family will consider joining us as Stewards of the Valley monthly donors.

Christopher C. Vescio Alumni & Camper Parent

Scan the QR code to learn more about becoming a Steward of the Valley frostvalley.org/stewardsofthevalley

Frost Valley YMCA is a not-for-profit 501(c)3 organization whose mission is to put Judeo/Christian principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind and body for all. We raise funds throughout the year for camperships that cover the costs of camp for children who would not otherwise be able to attend. To help us give the gift of camp to children, families and students, please contact our Development Office at 845-985-2291 or email development@frostvalley.org. To donate online go to www.frostvalley.org/donate 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 and sign up for the e-newsletter!