Helping Each Other Shine, Frost Valley Life Newsletter, Winter 2017

HELPING EACH

OTHER SHINE

Frost Valley Life Working Together To Make the Whole World Brighter | WINTER 2017 FROST VALLEY YMCA | frostvalley.org

HELPING EACH OTHER SHINE FROM THE DESK OF JERRY HUNCOSKY CEO | Frost Valley YMCA As another winter melts away and we transition from one cherished season to the next, all of us here at Frost Valley YMCA are looking forward to a wonderful spring. This past winter was fantastic for cross-country skiing, snow tubing, snowshoe hikes and more, which allowed for countless opportunities of growth for the children and families who joined us. Skiing along the Neversink River is more than just a healthy workout – it’s a lifelong memory shared among families, a boost of confidence for school children here on field trips, and a chance for all of us to become captivated by the glistening scenery.

However, even before the first snowflakes fell, our fall got off to a very special start. As you’ll read within these pages, we kicked off the school year with an event that allowed dozens of fellow camp leaders from all over the world to come together and celebrate both our diversity as well as our many commonalities that bond

us. I encourage you to read more about the International Camp Directors Conference and the exciting impact it had on a new camp in Kosovo: YMCA Camp Moronica.

Also in this issue of Frost Valley Life, you’ll read about the many ways the children, families, and groups who come here experience opportunities that strengthen them. We’ve always felt a special tenderness for two small words in our mission statement: “for all.” As you know, the special experiences that take place here are fortified by the commitment of our donors, staff, and volunteers to welcome every individual who wants to have a signature Frost Valley experience.

None of this would be possible without the support of individuals by whom I am humbled each and every day.

To all of our donors and volunteers: thank you for helping children and families shine.

Jerry Huncosky

FALL & WINTER 2016 September CORE VALUES IN ACTION

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Frost Valley embarks on a new way to embrace our 8 core values and put them into practice in our daily lives. Throughout the school year, we are celebrating a different core value every month and highlighting the ways our campers bring the core values home.

Visit frostvalley.org/ blog to learn more!

October INTERNATIONAL CAMP CONFERENCE Frost Valley YMCA hosts the first International Camp Directors Conference, bringing together over 100 attendees from 27 countries as far as China, Armenia, Peru, India and France, to develop, strengthen, and expand global camp exchanges and Y-to-Y partnerships.

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

YMCA CAMPS FOR GLOBAL GOOD

LEADERS FROM AROUND THE WORLD ATTEND CONFERENCE On October 10, 2016, over 100 attendees including CEOs and Executive Directors from 27 countries as far as China, Armenia, Peru, India and France arrived at Frost Valley YMCA. The influx of global guests at camp was for the three-day International Camp Directors Conference, an event that Frost Valley was honored to host. The conference brought together YMCA camp directors, CEOs, and camp leaders, all-working to deepen global YMCA camp collaboration.

The YMCA leaders worked to develop, strengthen and expand global camp exchanges and Y-to-Y partnerships; enhance international YMCA camp leadership, programs and sustainability strategies; and increase philanthropic support for YMCA camps in the U.S. and around the world.

are. There is a lot of excitement in other countries, and we are happy to host this meeting of the minds.”

Most notably, the conference featured a live, silent auction of items donated by participants to benefit the construction of the first resident camp in the country of Kosovo. This is uniquely special, as over 60% of the population in Kosovo is under 35 years old. Therefore, the country has a great need for youth development.

Due to their enthusiasm and generosity, the group raised nearly $17,000 for this cause.

To accomplish this, participants engaged in panel presentations, workshops, and networking opportunities.

“I feel so inspired and motivated as I leave the conference. The highlight was the fundraiser for YMCA Camp Moronica, the first overnight camp in Kosovo. This conference pushed that project forward, and because of it, hundreds of thousands of children in Kosovo will benefit,” said Dorina Lluka, CEO of YMCA Kosovo.

“We are honored that Frost Valley was asked to host the International Camp Directors Conference this year,” says Jerry Huncosky, Frost Valley CEO. “The children attending Frost Valley YMCA have the same experiences and play just like the children in Germany or Ukraine, so it is exciting to be able to bridge that gap. We have an opportunity to enhance overnight camping around the world by getting people to talk about what their concerns

After the conference, international participants organized in small groups visited 17 YMCA camps with the purpose of learning more about camp management and programs, and to foster relationships. Delta Air Lines, International Exchange of North America (aka 3 Adventures) and Camp Counselors USA joined Frost Valley YMCA by generously providing sponsorship support to the conference.

November HEALTHY LIVING RETREAT In partnership with the New Jersey Partnership for Healthy Kids, Frost Valley hosts the Healthy Living Family Retreat, teaching families from New Jersey how to cook healthy meals, grow their own food, and develop a plan to get more physically active at home.

December NEW BATHHOUSE After months of building, and thanks to funds provided by the YMCA of the USA Strategic Initiatives Fund and our donors, the bathhouse is officially complete! It is in close proximity to the Trip Center, which makes camp life easier for campers and guests utilizing the bathhouse between their outdoor adventures.

CHAIRMAN Robert B. Haines PRESIDENT James S. Vaughan CEO Jerry Huncosky VICE PRESIDENT Catherine M. Harvey TREASURER John McCabe SECRETARY Jerold W. Dorfman VICE PRESIDENTS William E. Baker Professor Al Filreis Robert Messick Dr. Judith L. Pasnik Peter E. Sundman TRUSTEES David B. Bieler John S. Butler Dr. R. Mark Ghobrial Ted B. Hilton Dr. Frederick J. Kaskel Michael D. Ketcham Kate Lewis Amy F. Melican John O’Brien Cheng Ong Barbara Spitz Professor Joshua A. Tucker Robin Wachenfeld Mary T. Wheeler ADVISORY COMMITTEE William Abbott Mitchell Brock Andrew Chapman Barton English Michael Lahue Thomas Moriarty Shigeko Woolfalk TRUSTEES EMERITI Thomas W. Berry Hunter Corbin Helen M. Geyer Paul B. Guenther Dr. George J. Hill W. Thomas Margetts

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FROST VALLEY EMPLOYEES SHINE BRIGHTLY DOUG WILLIAMS ROOKIE OF THE YEAR The Rookie of the Year Award is given to an employee hired in the last year who has quickly become a valuable member of the Frost Valley community, contributing positively to both the social and professional culture. The 2016 winner, Doug Williams, started at Frost Valley YMCA in June of 2016 as an I.T. Specialist. After growing up with a number of his friends attending Frost Valley, and even visiting on a school trip in elementary school, Doug was excited to discover an open position in his field here. His day is full of technology, as it usually consists of a mix of fixing computer and network-related issues, along with other projects that he is working on for Frost Valley’s network.

Doug’s favorite parts of Frost Valley are the natural environment and the friendly people. He also enjoys learning about the history of his workplace, and especially enjoyed learning about the Frost Valley Castle. When asked why Frost Valley is so important to so many people, Doug says, “I believe that families that participate in activities and go on adventures together become closer and form stronger bonds. It is fantastic that Frost Valley has also helped so many campers go to camp who otherwise would not have had the opportunity through Project 332.”

TOM HOLSAPPLE I AM THIRD AWARD WINNER The “I am Third” award is given in memory of Howard E. Quirk, a generous supporter of Frost Valley through his work as executive director of the Victoria Foundation, as well as a volunteer for many years during his retirement. Howard put himself third, after God and others.

The 2016 Winner of the “I am Third” award, Tom Holsapple, began working at Frost Valley YMCA in March of 2003 and is currently the Chief Operations Officer.

His role is to ensure a positive guest experience, which includes: program delivery, lodging, guest service and dining. Tom’s decision to begin working at Frost Valley was largely due to the diverse people we serve, our remote natural environment, and the unique educational and outdoor recreational programming we provide. “Frost Valley provides an opportunity for people of all ages and backgrounds to learn about the outdoors, each other, and themselves, all in an environment much different than what they are accustomed to. I am proud to be a part of that,” Tom says. He enjoys hearing that families have reunited here, classmates have made new friends, and that campers take home the core values we focus on in all of our programs.

WINTER 2016-2017 December COMMUNITY DINNER

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On December 9, over 250 local community members join us for our Annual Holiday Community Dinner and Gathering. Everyone enjoys a nutritious and delicious dinner, generously donated by Chartwells foodservice, and participates in games, crafts and other fun activities thanks to our staff who volunteer their time for the evening.

January NORTHEAST YMCA CAMP CONFERENCE For the fifth year in a row, Frost Valley hosts the annual Northeast YMCA Camp Conference, which brings nearly 320 professionals in the Y camping movement to learn, grow, and connect.

FROST VALLEY’S FAR-REACHING IMPACT

REPURPOSING LOST & FOUND ITEMS IS CHANGING LIVES IN THE AMAZON We often hear that we will never be able to fully comprehend the scope and reach of all that happens here. This became clear when we learned about the work one of our teacher chaperones is doing with Project Amazonas, a joint Peruvian-American, non-governmental organization dedicated to the welfare of the forest and its people in the Peruvian Amazon.

Donald Dean, the head of education and community relations and Devon Graham, PhD., the president of Project Amazonas and its longtime science director, have been building a school system at the Santa Cruz field station, which consists of a pre-K/ kindergarten, an elementary school, and a secondary school, which total about 100 students. The families live along the Mazan River; most have no electricity or stable source of food except for what they grow and catch from the river. The children paddle their canoes to school up to an hour downriver, and longer upstream.

These children and their families live on the river and in the forest.

They are typically young families with young children looking to save a small income while living off the land. Project Amazonas has built an indelible relationship with the families and they trust the organization to enhance their lives.

also a teacher at Valley Middle School in Oakland, NJ, which brings students on a trip to Frost Valley each year. Before the end of each visit, Frost Valley collects all of the clothes that have been in our lost and found for over a year, and gives them to Donald to bring back to the children he works with in the Amazon.

“The clothes that Donald brings down to Peru get put to very good use. Most families in the area don’t have employment - they are agriculturalists and fishers, and while they aren’t going hungry, they often don’t have access to cash to purchase clothing. So the t-shirts and other clothes that are brought down are most welcomed by the local community,” said Devon, the president of Project Amazonas.

As community and caring are two of Frost Valley’s Core Values, we are humbled to work with such generous people as Donald, and we are grateful to see these values span the globe in unique ways.

You may be asking, what could an organization in the Peruvian Amazon possibly have to do with Frost Valley YMCA? Although Donald plays a large role in Project Amazonas that is not his only job. He is

February AUTISM GRANTS

ELIZABETH KELLOGG STAFF APPRECIATION DINNER Frost Valley staff join together for the annual Elizabeth Kellogg Staff Appreciation Dinner on February 26th. The dinner is to celebrate our staff and colleagues for all that they do throughout the year.

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 generous donor support of this special event.

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Frost Valley receives two generous grants from The Doug Flutie, Jr. Foundation for Autism and the YMCA of the USA, allowing us to continue our twiceyearly Autism Support Weekends. These weekends are designed to provide physical activity, outdoor learning, and social opportunities in a wholesome, healthy atmosphere for families affected by autism spectrum disorder.

February

THREADING THE NEEDLE

WOMEN FROM AROUND THE COUNTRY PARTICIPATE IN A SEWING WEEKEND This year, the retreat took place on an October weekend, where attendees signed up for one of six intensive tracks, designed to take their sewing skills from good to great, which included pattern design and overcoat classes. They learned key techniques and built up their skills in a warm and friendly environment. In addition to classes, the attendees also participated in camp-inspired activities.

The weekend started off with a pajama party in the Castle, where women were encouraged to make their own pajamas to wear to the event.

Jennifer Wiese, a designer, believes that every woman can live a joyful, creative, and confident life. Jennifer works with women from all over the country and wanted to create an annual retreat where all of her clients could come together and spend a weekend socializing and bonding with other adults who share their enthusiasm for sewing; all while embracing the excitement of overnight camp. Camp Workroom Social is not a typical sewing retreat. It’s a new approach to sewing education. At Camp Workroom Social, perfection is not the goal, but learning is.

Workroom Social is a sewing and screen-printing studio located in Brooklyn, New York, with a well-equipped workspace that caters to both experienced and novice makers. The brains and creativity behind the studio, Jennifer, is a summer camp counselor for life and the recipient of the “Spirit of Wewa” award at YMCA Camp Wewa in Apopka, FL, her childhood overnight camp. Creating a reason for adults to sew, make friends, and act like kids again, if only for the weekend, was always a dream of Jennifer’s. When choosing the place, Frost Valley YMCA was on the top of her list, since she married her husband at Frost Valley. After her wedding, Jennifer knew this was the perfect place for her dream of Camp Workroom Social. 2015 was the inaugural year with 75 attendees from around the country and Canada.

Throughout the rest of the 4-day and 3-night weekend, the Camp Workroom Social participants utilized all of the property and activities that Frost Valley has to offer, and participated in everything from cable bridge hikes and yoga classes, to zip-lining and archery.

Like most camp experiences, the weekend concluded with an awards ceremony, celebrating the participants and the work they accomplished.

Frost Valley is delighted to have Jennifer and the Workroom Social team join us to create an overnight camp experience for adults who either want to learn how to sew or improve upon their skills, while also embracing our eight core values that serve as pathways for our guests as they bond with nature and each other.

2016 IN REVIEW

A Look Back at Another Great Year: GROUP & FAMILY RETREAT PARTICIPANTS

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In 2016, Frost Valley welcomed over 20,000 weekend guests including Families, Y-Guides, Schools & Universities, Girl/Boy Scouts, Religious Groups as well as other Non-Profit organizations.

20,342

CAMP PARTICIPANTS

SCHOOL TRIP PARTICIPANTS

Among our various camp programs, Frost Valley provided an unforgettable experience for over 4,000 campers in 2016. These campers participated in traditional sleepaway camp, adventure trips, equestrian camp, farm camp, day camp, camps in conjunction with our Tokyo Partnership, 4,003 and more!

In 2016, Frost Valley was home to school trips from all across New York, New Jersey & Connecticut, creating a once in a lifetime experience for over 15,000 students.

15,679

KEEPING THE FROST VALLEY SPIRIT ALIVE

ONE WOMAN’S DECISION TO BE PART OF THE NEVERSINK SOCIETY Eileen Bradley has a busy and demanding life. As the Vice President of the Bath Division of JLA Home, Inc., a company based out of China that designs, manufactures, and supplies home furnishings, her job often takes her all around the world on a regular basis. However, unlike many people traveling abroad for business, Eileen does not find herself sitting in her hotel room alone during downtime. Instead, she uses that time to catch up with Frost Valley friends, far and wide, who live in the areas she is working. She spends time in Hong Kong with one of her campers from her time as a counselor; spends the holidays in Bangkok with another camper and their family, who are like a second family to her now; visits old camp friends in Arizona; and the list continues. “Frost Valley is everywhere,” Eileen said. “The world became very small after building relationships at camp.”

Eileen began her tenure at Frost Valley in the Counselor in Training (CiT) program during her summers as a teenager. She enjoyed her time at summer camp so much that she worked her way up, becoming the Village Chief of Camp Tacoma, the Arts and Crafts Director, and an Adventure Trip Leader – guiding a trip around Lake Champlain.

After graduating from Moore College of Art and Design in Philadelphia, she decided to spend one last summer working at Frost Valley, and then went on a trip to Europe to visit former counselors in Wales, Ireland, Denmark, and Switzerland with her best camp friend Jennifer DeMelle-Grant whom she

met at Frost Valley at the age of 16.

Most of these international relationships continue today.

Although Eileen has not been able to come back to Frost Valley often since that last summer, her life remains concentrated on the amazing memories and lifelong friends that she made during her time here. This is why she made the decision to be a part of the Neversink Society, a group of generous people who have confirmed their long-term commitment to the mission of Frost Valley by planning a gift bequest in their will.

“Frost Valley has made an impact in many different communities. When children can break away from a situation that is so difficult and come to Frost Valley- it’s a life changing thing!” she said. Eileen does not have children and when she began to prepare her end-of-life plans, she remembered her father teaching her to consider where her legacy was better left in life. She was adamant that Frost Valley was going to be a part of it, because according to her, donating to a camp that makes such a difference in the lives of so many children seems so much more meaningful than giving money to people in her life that she already knows will be successful.

To Eileen, she is simply passing her love of Frost Valley on to the next generation, ensuring that the spirit stays alive. “I do not have nieces or nephews. Instead, I have Frost Valley campers”.

UPCOMING EVENTS Y GUIDE ALUMNI WEEKEND April 21-23, 2017 Set aside this special time to be with your children.

Build a lifetime of trust and connection.

VOLUNTEER WORK WEEKENDS April 21-23, 2017 Spend the weekend at Frost Valley giving back to the camp you love.

MOTHER’S WEEKEND May 12-14, 2017 Treat mom (or yourself) to a relaxing retreat. We take care of everything so moms can relax and rejuvenate. *Moms stay FREE with one full-paying guest.

AUTISM SUPPORT WEEKEND June 16-18, 2017 Watch your child develop relationships and build confidence while trying new things.

FATHER’S WEEKEND June 16-18, 2017 Discover the joys of nature with your family and celebrate all that dad does for you. *Dads stay FREE with one full-paying guest.

VISIT ANY WEEKEND September - June 2016 FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE & SUBSIDIES School Subsidies $783,950

2016 Program Participants:

40,336

Summer Camp Scholarships $798,463 Group & Family Program Scholarships $438,009

39%

39% 22%

2,020,422

$

awarded in financial assistance

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 nearly any weekend that fits your schedule.

We can’t wait to see you and your family here in the Valley!

Book a stay today! Call: 845-985-2291 ext. 450 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

DO YOU HAVE WHAT IT TAKES?

BEAR GRYLLS SURVIVAL ACADEMY SUMMER CAMP July 16-28, 2017 Over the past three years, hundreds of people of various ages have experienced the adventure of a lifetime with the Bear Grylls Survival Academy adventure courses.

This program has been so influential on all who have participated, that Frost Valley is now offering a two-week Bear Grylls Teen Survival Camp for returning campers only. This new two-week program will include higher climbs, more in-depth challenges, and a three- day extended overnight survival trek. Due to its increased intensity, this new program is exclusive to previous Bear Grylls campers. The program gives campers a deeper appreciation for nature, while teaching leadership skills and building strong character by allowing youngsters to overcome challenges within a supportive community.

For more information, contact 845-985-2291 or email registrar@frostvalley.org

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 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.