Frost Valley Life Newsletter, Spring 2021: Thank You Edition

REBUILD STRONGER TOGETHER

Frost Valley Life Thank You Edition | SPRING 2021 FROST VALLEY YMCA

| www.frostvalley.org

| 845-985-2291

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

REBUILD STRONGER

CHAIRMAN Catherine M. Harvey

FROM THE DESK OF JERRY HUNCOSKY CEO | Frost Valley YMCA

PRESIDENT Kate Lewis VICE PRESIDENT David B. Bieler TREASURER David B. Bieler SECRETARY Jerold W. Dorfman, Esq. AUDIT CHAIR Peter Andruszkiewicz DEVELOPMENT CHAIR William E. Baker COT CHAIR Professor Al Filreis FINANCE CHAIR David B. Bieler PEL CHAIR John S. Butler, Esq. YUSA & GOVERNMENT RELATIONS CHAIR Professor Joshua A. Tucker YMCA AFFAIRS COMMITTEE CHAIR James S. Vaughan CEO & ASST. SECRETARY Jerry Huncosky TRUSTEES Scott Cantone, Esq. Mahtab Foroughi, Esq. Robert B. Haines, Chairman Emeritus Dr. Frederick J. Kaskel Michael D. Ketcham Andrew F. Kremer John McCabe Amy F. Melican, Esq.

In the year since the COVID-19 pandemic began, Frost Valley, like many other non-profits, has been dealt a devastating financial blow created by the fallout from this global pandemic.

In last autumn’s Frost Valley Life: Emergency Edition, we explained the devastating effect this has had on our finances, and most significantly on our ability to serve the school children, campers, and families who come to Frost Valley to experience all that we have to offer. Today, it’s my pleasure to announce that while our rescue is not yet guaranteed, Frost Valley is well positioned to remain open and operating for many years to come.

Thank you to each and every person who supported Frost Valley by making a financial contribution, hosting a fundraiser on our behalf, and sharing wonderful words of encouragement along the way! This would not be possible without you, and the enormous outpouring of financial support from our entire Frost Valley Community, and through the ingenuity and determination of our Trustees, Alumni, Staff, and Camper Parents—everyone who holds Frost Valley dear to their hearts. You, and so many others who share your spirit, recognize the genuine value in the programs we provide to all who pass beneath the archway sign at the entrance to Frost Valley; a beacon that welcomes all.

The following pages in this special Thank You Edition of Frost Valley Life serve as a tribute to the mission and values of Frost Valley and every one who took it upon themselves to take up the mantle of our call to help rescue Frost Valley. I am deeply honored to announce that, together, more than $4.2M was raised from all campaigns to keep our beloved Frost Valley operating during this long season of uncertainty. That is a breathtaking testament to the love and affection, which you and others have for Frost Valley. You have my eternal and heartfelt thanks for answering our call.

As we cautiously move toward summer 2021, we are planning - with great care and careful judgment - all of the elements that will enable us to safely bring our campers back to Frost Valley for the summer experience they missed last year; one which they always anticipate with boundless excitement and enthusiasm. Indeed, given all the challenges our kids and teens have faced these last many months, the Frost Valley experience is needed now more than ever.

I’m also excited to share with you the many ways in which Frost Valley continues to serve the needs of our community through these difficult times. Responding to recent events, we have been challenged to reimagine existing programs, use our expertise to innovate new programs, and use our resources to support our Frost Valley community. Finally, staying true to our mission, we will continue to offer financial assistance for those children and teens who might not otherwise be able to experience Frost Valley this summer.

Together, we will rebuild stronger!

Sincerely,

Robert Messick John O’Brien Judith L. Pasnik

Jerry Huncosky

Peter E. Sundman James S. Vaughan Mary T. Wheeler Carol Wright, PhD Professor Almaz Zelleke, PhD

MISSION

Barbara Spitz

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.

VALUES

Gail Ryan

Caring Community Diversity Honesty Inclusiveness Respect Responsibility Stewardship

KATE LEWIS NAMED BOARD OF TRUSTEES PRESIDENT AND NEW BOARD OFFICERS ELECTED

Frost Valley YMCA is pleased to announce that Kate Lewis, a proud alumna, camper parent and Trustee, has been elected President of the Board. With a career in media spanning 25 years, Lewis is currently Chief Content Officer at Hearst Magazines, one of the world’s largest publishers of monthly magazines, with more than 300 international editions and 25 plus U.S. brands in print and digital, including “Harper’s Bazaar,” “Cosmopolitan,” and “Esquire.” Kate is a recipient of the Matrix Award from New York Women in Communications in 2019. Kate has also been named to Advertising Age’s Women to Watch list, was inducted to MIN’s Digital Hall of Fame, and was named one of FOLIO’s Top Women in Media.

Frost Valley is also pleased to announce the appointment of the following board officers: Vice Chairman Catherine Harvey of the Victoria Foundation; Vice President Elect,

Treasurer, and Finance Chair Dave Bieler, founder of DBB Solutions, an IT consultancy to the private equity industry; Secretary Jerry Dorfman, Esq. semi-retired New York general practice attorney; Audit Chair Peter Andruskiewicz, retired health insurance CEO; Development Chair William Baker, of JP Morgan Chase; COT Chair Al Filreis, professor of English at the University of Pennsylvania; PEL Chair John Butler, Esq. attorney and director of research for Fair and Just Prosecution; YUSA & Government Relations Chair Joshua Tucker, professor of politics at New York University; YMCA Affairs Committee Chair James S. Vaughan, and Assistant Secretary Jerry Huncosky, chief executive officer of Frost Valley YMCA. “Frost Valley is grateful for the vast wealth of knowledge, expertise, and enthusiasm Kate Lewis and all the executive officers bring to our Board of Trustees,” says Jerry Huncosky, CEO of Frost Valley.

“The trustees play a vital role in fundraising and furthering the mission of Frost Valley.”

REMEMBERING TED HILTON It is with sadness that we share with you the passing of long-time Frost Valley Board of Trustee and dear friend Ted Hilton. Ted began his tenure on the Board in 1972 and faithfully served as a Trustee for an incredible 49 years!

Ted, who was inducted into Frost Valley’s Hall of Fame in 2018, credited his longevity on the Board to simply finding something he loves to do and sticking with it, though his history paints a clearer picture of his drive and dedication. His illustrious career as both a principal of the West Side Elementary School in Cold Spring Harbor, New York for 40 years and the Director of Deer Hill Camp for boys in New Hampshire for 52 years were a testament to his abiding commitment to fostering positive child development.

As an elementary school principal of West Side Elementary School, Ted was instrumental in bringing his school’s 8th grade class to Frost Valley for its Environmental Education Program. When 8th grade was moved to the high school, Ted safeguarded the trips by advocating that trips to Frost Valley occur during the 6th grade. Because of his efforts, the 6th graders were able to continue visiting Frost Valley for many years.

“Without Ted, Frost Valley could not have evolved into the year-round facility it is today, making it the flagship YMCA in the world,” says Jerry Huncosky, CEO of Frost Valley YMCA. “Ted always championed the Environmental Education Program and was hugely instrumental in advocating for its expansion and enhancement. His humble wisdom and generous spirit will be dearly missed.”

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YEAR END CAMPAIGN UPDATE

THANK YOU TO OUR GENEROUS DONORS!

YEAR END CAMPAIGN $730,000 RAISED! Through the continuing and unprecedented generosity of our donors, Frost Valley has surpassed its Year End goal and raised more than $730,000 in the year end campaign, alone.

Our thanks to the many trustees, alumni, group leaders, parents and staff who made donations, or who supported Frost Valley by running their own fundraising campaigns, including: setting up online fundraising pages, hosting virtual runs, creating Simpsons portraits, underwriting benches around camp, hosting trivia nights, and more.

The mission and promise of Frost Valley endures because during this unprecedented crisis, you opened your heart

Simpsons-style illustration by Frost Valley alumna, KC Johnson.

and committed to our rescue and ongoing recovery.

Thank you for using your time, talent, and creativity to help ensure Frost Valley can continue to serve future generations of school children, campers, and guests.

After this deeply challenging year, Frost Valley prepares to welcome back our spring visitors and summer campers with programs and activities that are the perfect antidote to the apprehension and distress of the COVID-19 crisis. We couldn’t have done it without the support of every single one of you, who took up the call to save our organization because a world without Frost Valley is unimaginable.

Alumna, Megan Lawrence-Ribas, who organized a Virtual Run for Frost Valley.

Alumnus, Alex Draper, who hosted monthly virtual trivia games.

THANK YOU AGAIN FOR HELPING SAVE FROST VALLEY Recently, we learned that three YMCA camps operating under the YMCA of Greater New York were shutting down. While we are deeply saddened to hear about the closing of Camps Talcott, McAlister, and Greenkill, it is a stark reminder to count our blessings and acknowledge to you that Frost Valley YMCA has been able to remain open thanks to your commitment and passion for this very special place.

We had been working diligently with the staff and Board of Camps Talcott, McAlister, and Greenkill over the past

months, trying to help these camps remain open. Although our collective efforts were not enough, Frost Valley is reserving spots in our summer 2022 Overnight Camp for some of the campers displaced by these events.

It is thanks to the generosity of our Frost Valley family that we have not suffered the same fate of these beautiful camps, each of which has been forced by financial hardship to close its doors. Even as we are saddened for the campers and alums from these camps, we are deeply grateful for your extraordinary support.

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WHY I GIVE

MESSAGES FROM OUR DONORS

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I’m donating because every child deserves a camp experience, and especially one at Frost Valley. Thanks for all you do to make that possible!

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- Hannah Raskin-Gross

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My family and I are honored to be part of the Frost Valley Family and look forward to making more memories and continuing to do our part in reaching the goals needed to support continued growth.

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- Cumbo Family

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Frost Valley made me who I am today. I want that opportunity to continue for the next generations!

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My daughter loved her many years at Frost Valley as a camper, then CiT, then counselor and then as part of the leadership team. The camp is a gem to be treasured for future children and families to experience.

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- Carole Livingston

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My 24-year-old daughter grew up in NYC going to Frost Valley! Such great memories for her and she was wearing her Frost Valley hoodie this weekend around the house that she got so many years ago from the canteen.

So many children this Summer will definitely need a healthy outdoor escape like Frost Valley!

- Dawn T Watkins

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For all of us challenged by 2020, especially campers and staff who find Frost Valley the hopeful, restorative place it’s always been.

We’re with you!

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We are happy to contribute to all the good work Frost Valley does year in and year out. Our daughters loved their summers as campers and counselors; their experiences formed the basis of the young women they have become.

- Rachel Nadelman

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Now more than ever, Frost Valley will have an important role to play in the lives of our children as they bounce back from the isolation, anxiety and displacement of this horrible year. The idea that they, and all children, might not have had a place like Frost Valley to come back to on the other side is unfathomable, when they need it most.

- Kate Lewis

- Kelly E Wormeli

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- William Dunnell/Rachel Shatz

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Frost Valley helped to make me into the person I am today, and I have lifelong friends from my summers there.

- Nancy Engle

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For over 30 years Frost Valley YMCA has given us lasting friendships with many of the family campers that continue today.

- Francis V. Budney

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So the future campers can have the experience that I had, and my two children Lisa and Eric Colton had.

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- Hope Ettinger

A CAMP FOR ALL

ONE 2019 CAMPER’S “COME AS YOU ARE” EXPERIENCE The fate of a four-year tradition hinged on the success of just twelve days of summer. If ten-year-old Jack didn’t have a good first experience with Overnight Camp, his mother Meghan Peterson worried their yearly trips to Frost Valley for Summer Family Camp might come to an end.

“About a month before we were set to send Jack to camp my husband John asked me, ‘Meghan, are you prepared if he comes home early from camp, he might not want to go back as a family either?’ and it was very nerve wracking,” she recalls.

However, Meghan was determined to do everything in her power to prepare Jack for camp.

“Jack’ sensory processing difficulties can sometimes lead to anxiety and his anxiety can lead to meltdown behavior if not handled properly. I didn’t want it to affect either him or the counselors,” explains Meghan.

Having a long and beloved history with Frost Valley as a former camper and counselor herself, Meghan wanted her son to get the most out of his camp experience. “If there is anything I can give Jack in life to expand his horizons and show him options that he has in life, or for him to discover what his talents are then I just want to give him that,” Meghan tenderly reveals.

Before Jack’s arrival, Meghan had several conversations with camp staff.

“She did a great job coaching us and her knowledge of Frost Valley was so helpful,” says Nick Lomauro, Director of Camp Wawayanda (the younger half of camp). “She was able to reach out and

express the needs and strengths of her son and that helped me figure out which counselor would be great match for him.”

The big day finally arrived and with some trepidation, Meghan and her husband checked Jack in for Session One. Later that night, nagging questions like “Did he get enough to eat?” and “Did he make any friends yet?” kept her awake so she emailed Nick. To her pleasant surprise, Nick responded promptly the next morning and set her mind at ease. Several times throughout the session she was able to reach out whenever she had questions, and was delighted to receive not just straight-to-the-point answers, but real insights into what Jack’s life at camp was like.

Nick’s emails included anecdotes like, “I just bumped into Jack as I was making my rounds around camp. He and his buddy, Bharat were brainstorming different ways to rescue their bunkmate’s Frisbee that was stuck about 30 feet up in a tree. They were giggling about the different strategies.”

Meghan also felt great relief seeing photos of Jack on SmugMug (a password protected site for parents).

While looking through photos one day she saw photos of her son’s village playing Geronimo. For a moment she panicked, knowing he wouldn’t like certain aspects of the game like being touched with a pool noodle, but as she continued to look through the photo album she saw photos of Jack happily playing nearby on the jungle gym with a few other campers.

“Jack is a super easy-going kid,” Nick describes. “He just needed a little bit of extra space and time to recharge and some of the structured activities didn’t work for him and that’s okay because we just want kids to be themselves at camp.”

“Since returning from camp I’ve noticed that he’s much more patient with his little brother,” Meghan describes. “I think it was probably from being around campers of all different ages at camp and also seeing the staff members who are college-age acting in a calm and respectful way. I think it rubbed off on him and it shows in how he interacts with his younger brother. It’s also been a much easier process having him do his basic chores like putting his clothes in the hamper, brushing his teeth, and getting ready for bed at night.

“The Jack that came home to us after twelve days at Frost Valley was calm, content, and at peace with himself,” she continued. “At Frost Valley, Jack was able to just be Jack, and that was exactly what he needed.”

According to the CDC, even before the coronavirus struck, anxiety and depression were on the rise in this generation of children. With the isolation and upheaval caused by the pandemic, it has become an even larger issue for our children, our families, and our communities. Frost Valley has always provided an environment where children can be themselves, and in recent years we have received funding for mental health coaches to support our campers. See page 8 for more information on our grant-sponsored Inclusion Project.

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HITTING THE RESET BUTTON

ONE FAMILY FINDS PEACE & JUBILATION AMIDST THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC

Peace isn’t something that’s been easy to come by during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Social isolation and stress related to the COVID era has taken a heavy toll on everyone, including families who spend days on end inside in front of screens working or attending school online.

Monique Perlmutter, like so many, longed to find a way to get away, but with her travel plans to Universal Studios and her trip to go glamping in Utah both cancelled due to travel restrictions, she searched for a place her family could escape to that was closer to her home in Hoboken, NJ. That’s when she found Frost Valley.

“We’re fairly conservative in our COVID practices so I won’t get on a plane,” says Monique. “We can’t travel outside of the contiguous states because my daughter Shoshanna is in school in person part-time and would have to quarantine upon our return, forcing her to miss school.

We also really needed somewhere we could go to that is largely outdoors. Frost Valley was a great option because it’s only two-and-a-half hours away. I also loved that there were so many outdoor activities like cross-country skiing, hiking, and snowshoeing. That’s what drew me to Frost Valley.

“Our initial plan was to do only outdoor activities,” Monique continues. “Knowing what the COVID practices were going to be ahead of time and knowing we were going to be fairly isolated and socially distanced from other families, especially staying in Lakeview lodge without shared accommodations, made me feel better.”

Feeling a bit more comfortable, Monique hesitantly signed up for indoor activities like needle felting and ceramics.

“Even with COVID being a concern, I felt really safe,” says Monique. “Everyone was respecting distancing, indoor spaces had good ventilation, and the protocols were enforced.”

Though for the most part people were following the guidelines, Monique did notice a few occasions when other guests became lax in their COVID-19 prevention efforts. She brought her concerns to the attention of the staff members running the programs and was pleasantly surprised how attentive they were to her concerns.

“The staff encouraged me and empowered me to tell them what would make me more comfortable. They quickly reminded the other guests to pull up their masks or use the hand sanitizer that was provided. They treated me like gold. At every point in our stay, the staff were great. It was always service with a smile,” she happily describes.

With her concerns put to rest, Monique was able to relax and enjoy the snow-filled wonderland with her daughter. Having grown up in Canada, Frost Valley gave her the opportunity to share her love of skiing with Shoshanna for the very first time. It gave her great joy hearing her daughter squeal with delight on her first sled-ride, watching her making snow angels, and seeing her fall completely in love with cross-country skiing. Monique and Shoshanna returned for a second winter weekend largely for the cross country-skiing.

“We’re now hooked as a family, and I even went out and bought skis,” Monique says.

Monique has plans to return again in May and is making Frost Valley a family tradition. “It was so nice to feel normal again,” Monique describes with relief. “It was wonderful to be so physically exhausted from a day full of outdoor adventures that you just fall right to sleep at night.

“I felt like a kid again while I was there. When we went sledding, skied, did arts and crafts, and went hiking it took us away from everything and I didn’t once think about COVID or work or school or being cooped up in the house. All of that was gone for those three days.

My daughter was almost in tears when we left.

She said, ‘I don’t want to leave!’” “I would go every weekend if I could. It was so refreshing. It was a complete reset.”

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FROST VALLEY ADAPTS TO CONTINUE SERVING

INTERVIEW WITH VICKY EDDINGS, ASSOCIATE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Q How has Frost Valley

adapted to continue to serve the needs of the community during the COVID-19 pandemic?

A “Initially we began looking at many ways to serve our community, some of which included expanding our farm and produce operations to donate the surplus and serving more meals through our meal delivery program. We are very fortunate to have chosen the right people to work at Frost Valley and it was their creativity and extreme hard work that led us to opening as a family vacation rental site for the summer, hosting day camp for six weeks, and running family camp with meals and limited programs by the end of the summer. In the fall we shifted to running our Outdoor and Virtual Learning Center (OVLC) on-site to provide education, outdoor recreation, and socialization for school children who needed support.

“Now we are full steam ahead, running family and small group retreats many weekends, booking school groups to return in May, and planning to run both a summer day and overnight camp this summer. We had to be persistent and stay focused on providing respite for families and a safe place for children to connect with other kids. We had to keep checking in with both our local and broader community to understand what their needs were and keep asking how we could help.”

Q How has Frost Valley used its mission to evaluate and drive new programming or adapt existing programs?

A “Frost Valley’s mission has been at the core of everything we do, and it’s been more essential than ever that we know who we are and stay true to that during this pandemic. When I looked at keywords like education, recreation, core values and serving all, we made sure that as we reinvented ourselves, that these remained our foundation. We tried many methods of outreach, some virtual in addition to the in-person programs we hosted. We also put a focus on mental health with our Tokyo Partnership Director offering online mental health workshops. Through it all, we made sure to offer

scholarships to our day campers, family groups, and OVLC families to ensure that we continued to serve people who may not otherwise have the ability to participate.”

Q How have you been able to create contingency plans for existing programs like Day Camp and Overnight Camp this year?

A “Our contingency planning has been robust. We brought together a group of staff—experts in their own areas to essentially form a “think tank” and, together, posed scenarios. What would camp look like at several different capacity limits? We essentially had to be prepared to run three or four different camps. We had to walk through each step in detail, from lodging to activities to food service, ensuring that the safety of children and staff were the top priority. Then remembering, of course, that camp will always be about fun, relationships, and the lasting memories our campers make.”

Q How is Frost Valley working to create safety protocols in response to the COVID-19 crisis?

A “We constantly have our eye on changing standards and protocols set forth by the Governor, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the Department of Health. We work closely with our local Department of Health on a weekly basis and educate ourselves fully on the CDC standards for public interaction. We revise our safety plans and training constantly to reflect the current infectious disease protocols. We have medical experts review our materials to ensure we have thought of everything. The more we can do outdoors the better, and Frost Valley has the blessing of having over 5,500 acres. The key is tons of planning, preparation, and training so the protocols become second nature.”

Outdoor & Virtual Learning Center participants on a hike to High Falls.

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I AM WHO I AM BECAUSE OF FROST VALLEY

BY SUMMER CAMP ALUMNA DAWN HUEBNER

Everything I know, in one way or another, I learned here: • Create a Master Schedule: some time to work, some time to play, some time to clean your room, some time to rest.

• If the Master Schedule isn’t working, put it aside.

• Most of life happens on the way to wherever you are going.

• Inclusion and fun matter more than winning.

• If you have 85 cents left on your canteen card, you can’t spend $1.20.

• Hugs feel good.

• If a job needs to be done, don’t wait to be asked, don’t wait to be trained, just do it.

• You can look at a day of rain and think, “there goes boating,” or you can look at a day of rain and think, “the field is going to be perfect for Mud Frisbee.”

• It takes a village to raise a child.

• Wellness isn’t about getting rid of the Sugar Daddies at canteen or making the salt shakers harder to find. Wellness is learning that there are choices to be made, and taking care of yourself matters.

• Even shy people can do the Hoola Hop. • Anticipation makes all things better.

• It doesn’t matter if you are from Long Island, Newark, or Japan. We all stand hushed at the sight of a deer. We all get a kick out of tubing. We all like to sing out loud.

• Everyone is a potential teacher, everyone a potential friend.

• Create a ritual around arrivals and departures. Tell some stories. Build a fire. Laugh.

• Live life actively and with purpose.

• If you can’t make it all the way to the top, belay on down and try again tomorrow.

• Every camper is part of a cabin, every cabin is part of a village, every village is part of Frost Valley. We are all part of something infinitely larger than ourselves, embraced by and responsible to the communities in which we live.

• And finally, regardless of how long you have been away, you can always, always come home.

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UPCOMING EVENTS WOMEN’S WELLNESS WEEKEND APRIL 30-MAY 2, 2021

Spend a weekend away in the beautiful Catskills to treat your spirit, mind, and body to better overall wellness!

Get moving with dance classes, nature hikes, and other invigorating classes, or relax with activities like yoga, aromatherapy, and meditation. Explore your creative side with activities like pottery, vision boards, or group drumming. Learn from inspiring instructors who will discuss things like stress management, organic skincare, financial health, and achieving inner balance.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Call: 845-985-2291 ext. 213 Email: reservations@frostvalley.org Visit: www.frostvalley.org/womens-wellness

EAST VALLEY RANCH WEEKENDS MAY 7-9, 2021 MAY 21-23, 2021 MAY 28-31, 2021 Spend time with us at our charming inn-style ranch in the Catskills. We aim to personalize the activity schedule to suit the interests of the guests on-site each day.

Activities can include horseback riding, hiking, arts & crafts, indoor bouldering wall, and tours to our farm to feed the animals and harvest crops!

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Call: 845-985-2291 ext. 348 Email: info@eastvalleyranch.org Visit: https://bit.ly/EVRweekends

FAMILY WEEKENDS AT MAIN CAMP MAY 14-16, 2021 MAY 21-23, 2021 As the days get longer and warmer, Spring is an excellent time to bring your family on a weekend to Frost Valley to soak in the restorative power of nature. Enjoy the fresh Catskill Mountain air on a self-guided hike through the forest or visit our stunning 50-foot waterfall. Let Frost Valley staff lead your family in engaging programs for all ages including favorites such as archery, rock climbing, guided hikes, and arts and crafts.

Explore new hobbies like woodworking or pottery in our specialty studios or learn to play the Ukulele. Recharge with natural facials, stretch and meditation class, or stargazing. Spend quality, screen-free time with your family on the basketball courts or playing board games in your lodge. There’s something for everyone in the Valley!

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Call: 845-985-2291 ext. 213 Email: reservations@frostvalley.org Visit: www.frostvalley.org/family-weekends

MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND MAY 28-31, 2021

Kick-off summer with an all-inclusive four days and three nights at Frost Valley YMCA – the perfect place to welcome the warmer months with outdoor activities for the whole family!

Programs may include hiking, archery, canoeing, arts & crafts and more. Spend the weekend relaxing with natural facials, stretch and meditation classes, and stargazing at the observatory!

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Call: 845-985-2291 ext. 213 Email: reservations@frostvalley.org Visit: www.frostvalley.org/memorial-day

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MOVING OUR MISSION FORWARD DIG COMMITTEE PURSUES INCLUSION AND DIVERSITY

BOARD ANTI-RACISM TASK FORCE ESTABLISHED

Our Diversity, Inclusion, and Global Innovation (DIG) Committee has crafted a board-approved DIG statement that will guide our efforts moving forward: “Frost Valley YMCA strives to be a place where all people belong, where our ongoing work increases inclusion and diversity, where equity is evident in our decisions and actions, and where all are respected. We do this to ensure that all people have the opportunity to reach their full potential with dignity.”

In addition to its essential anti-racism messaging, the statement’s central objective is to create conditions that in order to create a camp community with unfettered access, free of judgment and bias.

Our Board of Trustees has formally established and assembled the Frost Valley Antiracism Task Force. While membership will continue to expand, the task force currently includes: Task Force Chair Gail Morris Ryan, John Butler Esq., Carol Wright PhD, and Professor Almaz Zelleke. The goal of the Frost Valley Antiracism Task Force is to enhance our trustees’ knowledge and awareness of the intersection of race, privilege, and the Frost Valley experience.

CAMP INCLUSION PROJECT BRINGS MENTAL HEALTH COACHES TO CAMP Thanks to funding through the YMCA of the USA’s Camp Inclusion Project, Frost Valley will once again employ mental health coaches to support our 2021 campers and staff. The presence of these coaches this year in particular, will enable Frost Valley to offer these essential services during a time when many of our campers and staff have experienced emotional upheaval and increasing levels of stress.

LEAVE A LEGACY THROUGH THE NEVERSINK SOCIETY The Neversink Society honors individuals who wish to leave a lasting legacy by making a planned gift that will help ensure that the mission of Frost Valley is available for future generations of children and young people.

life insurance policy “What we that is typically have done for accessed through ourselves alone dies the online with us; what we have done for others and tools provided the world remains by financial and is immortal.” institutions and - Albert Pike brokerage houses.

Though it is common for legacy donors to make formal bequests by way of wills and trusts, legacy donors are also reminded that Frost Valley YMCA may be included as a percentage beneficiary on an existing IRA or other retirement asset or

Once you complete your estate plans, please contact Daniel Bohan, Director of Major & Individual Giving at Frost Valley to formalize your membership in the Neversink Society. Dan can be reached at dbohan@frostvalley.org and 845-985-2291 ext. 293.

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 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

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FROST VALLEY YMCA 2000 Frost Valley Road, Claryville, NY 12725 TEL (845) 985-2291 EMAIL info@frostvalley.org WEB www.frostvalley.org