Building Strong. Together: Frost Valley YMCA's 2015-2016 Annual Report

BUILDING STRONG.

TOGETHER

2015-2016

Annual Report

FROST VALLEY YMCA

FROM OUR PRESIDENT & CEO “More than the sum of our parts,” a saying that never rings truer than in the laudable mission to enhance the lives of others.

And often clichés don’t do justice to the task, certainly not the magnificent group effort that goes into serving over 41,000 children and family members in a year.

The smiling faces that make up the picturesque scene shown on the cover are but a small fraction of the people who make Frost Valley what many people call their, “home away from home.”

Or simply, “home.”

Here on camp, we are blessed with hard working, dedicated staff. The caring individuals who bring their expertise to Frost Valley, many of whom have relocated to live here, do more than keep Frost Valley running day in and day out – they commit their creativity and mastery to changing lives, truly incorporating our mission to serve all in everything we do.

It often seems that we learn more from the children who come here than we could ever teach them. They remind us to look at the world with child-like wonder, to never stop asking questions, to lose ourselves in the simple act of playing outside. The families that visit us show us the importance of slowing down, spending quality time with one another, honoring tradition, and making new memories. Our teambuilding groups demonstrate new ways of solving problems and overcoming obstacles, lessons from which we all benefit as a society.

The list of people who make Frost Valley what it is today and what it has been for over 100 years is certainly endless; however, perhaps the most crucial group of individuals is our kind and caring donors, who ensure we forever keep to our mission to serve all. During the 2015-2016 fiscal year, our donors helped provide outdoor recreational and educational experiences to more children, groups and families than ever before in our history.

The generosity, compassion, and kindness of those who give their time, talent, and treasure to Frost Valley can never fully be measured. The stories within these pages are only a glimpse of the individuals who – together – build strong values that continue for generations.

From all of us at Frost Valley YMCA, thank you for contributing an indelible mark on the lives of our community.

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JIM VAUGHAN

JERRY HUNCOSKY

PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD, Frost Valley YMCA

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, Frost Valley YMCA

OUR MISSION 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.

OUR VALUES Caring • Community • Diversity Honesty • Inclusiveness • Respect Responsibility • Stewardship

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2015-2016 Annual Report | Frost Valley YMCA

THE GIFT OF TIME TOGETHER

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Sometimes the most tragic events can bring loved ones together in beautiful ways: families reconnect, grief is shared, and hope is renewed. But when schedules are busy and relatives live far away, holding on to these connections becomes increasingly difficult.

A year after tragedy struck the family of longtime Frost Valley guest Deborah Hicks, she found the perfect opportunity to bring her loved ones together from across thousands of miles that separate them: for a week of bonding and healing at Summer Family Camp.

“My grandchildren lost their father to a car accident in July of 2014, and they wanted to spend time with their father’s family in Nigeria,” Deborah says. “So my two older grandsons have started attending school there, but they were home for about a month last summer. We never get to come together as one. Frost Valley gave us a chance to reconnect in a familiar, loving environment.”

This was her grandsons’ fourth visit to Frost Valley, but Deborah first started attending Family Camp with her children when they were young. “I had very little money to spend on nonessential things like vacation, but the programming was perfect for us, and we found the environment so welcoming. We came back year after year. We really needed this week each

year to pause and regroup as a family — and especially this past summer. Family Camp gave us the opportunity to remember the things that are important to us.”

Deborah’s family reconnected with other guests they’ve met throughout the years. But perhaps most importantly, they made time for new, happy memories. Deborah and her daughters made crafts, while the boys went hiking and played near Biscuit Brook.

“All year long, we run and rush to do the things that are required of us — work, school, appointments. We all lead such busy lives, and the children have so many pressures on them during the school year,” she says. “At Family Camp, we get to turn off the outside world for a week. We eat meals together. For me, it’s a time to think about the past year and reflect on my life since the previous summer.”

Without Family Camp, Deborah’s busy family might not have had the opportunity to come together in such a stress-free, nurturing environment – something all families deserve, but especially during times of grief and tragedy. Our kind and caring donors make this possible for families like Deborah’s.

“This past year has been a difficult one for our family and we would not have been able to attend without financial aid,” she says. “Family camp is a time not only to get together, but to really be present together. There is no substitute for the gift of time.”

814 guests and campers took classes in our Healthy Home Kitchen

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Family Camp gave us the opportunity to remember the things that are important to us.

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2015-2016 Annual Report | Frost Valley YMCA

A SAFE SPACE

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Bonding with others to form shared experiences. Discovering the ways we are similar. Celebrating the ways we are different. Spending time in nature while appreciating the complexity of the night sky, the simplicity of a mountain breeze, and the sensation of leaves crunching underfoot.

Overcoming obstacles that hold us back.

Finding a greater purpose in life.

These are but a few of the benefits gained by a group teambuilding retreat at Frost Valley. Last year, we hosted over 15,000 people from various groups that experienced these life-changing moments and countless others. Many groups are hard pressed to find an environment where they can genuinely connect with one another and make progress both internally and externally.

However, for groups like Team Rubicon’s Region 2 Leadership Team, a trip to Frost Valley diminishes barriers that delay growth and amity among its members.

Team Rubicon is an organization with similar goals to Frost Valley’s – to provide people with meaningful experiences that build stronger individuals as well as communities.

Team Rubicon does this by offering military veterans opportunities to volunteer as emergency responders, using their training, knowledge, and quick-thinking skills for

natural disaster relief and other crisis situations. Last winter, Frost Valley was honored to host Team Rubicon’s annual Leadership Conference for their Region 2 Leadership Team.

“Many veterans lose their sense of purpose when they leave the military,” says Jon Connors, Team Rubicon’s Region 2 administrator. “For many, it’s hard to fill the void that emerged when they took off the uniform for the last time. Also, some have challenges reintegrating into regular society without all the structure and camaraderie they had while in the service.

We help them regain that sense of purpose by applying the skills they learned while in the military to serve communities in need at home and abroad.”

Although Team Rubicon has about 35,000 active volunteers nationwide, Jon’s regional leadership team consists of 35 people from New York and New Jersey. The group rarely has the chance to convene all at once, which is why Jon saw a great opportunity for a retreat at Frost Valley. He knew they could utilize conference rooms for meetings and participate in instructor-led teambuilding programs that would foster the fellowship and teamwork missing from many of their lives as civilians.

“Our group — which is predominantly type-A personality folks with military backgrounds — benefited so much from the teambuilding activities,” Jon says.

“Our instructor was great; she came to a tough crowd, and by the end, everyone was laughing and having fun. Folks who are not accustomed to engaging in emotional activities really opened up and felt at ease.

Frost Valley fit our needs perfectly.”

While the group left feeling closer to one another and more emotionally grounded, all of us here at Frost Valley simply felt gratitude for these brave men and women. Hosting and providing programming last winter for the individuals who protect our freedom was truly an honor. From all of us here at Frost Valley, thank you to all those who serve to protect our safety and freedom.

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countries represented by nearly 100 summer staff

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Folks who are not accustomed to engaging in emotional activities really opened up and felt at ease.

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2015-2016 Annual Report | Frost Valley YMCA

HEALTHY OPPORTUNITIES FOR ALL

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Whether unhealthy lifestyles are due to financial circumstances, limited access to nutritionally balanced marketplaces, or simply a lack of awareness, many families struggle to provide wholesome, healthful meals for themselves and their children. We all know how difficult it can be for loving families to make time for well-balanced meals, but when financial and geographical barriers exist, the task can seem entirely unmanageable.

Last year, we built our fully equipped Teaching Kitchen with such families in mind. This year, we partnered with the New Jersey Alliance of YMCAs and the NJ Partnership for Healthy Kids to embark on a project that would give parents and their children a chance to come together and discover solutions for the very real obstacles that prevent them from attaining healthier lifestyles.

Last fall, Frost Valley hosted our very first Family Retreat for Healthy Living — to educate, motivate, and empower families.

We welcomed over 80 participants from the New Jersey cities of Trenton, Camden, New Brunswick, Vineland, and Newark who, thanks to our kind and caring donors, received scholarships to participate in this new program.

These families experienced a safe space to talk openly and share with one another about what makes healthy living difficult, why it isn’t nearly as easy or as simple

18 bushels of kale 98 pounds of green beans 118 quarts of raspberries

and much, much more were harvested at our Educational Farm in summer 2015.

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as it seems. One participant said, “That was the best part. Hearing that other families had the same problems. I needed to know we weren’t alone – that I wasn’t a bad parent.”

Armed with a joint mission to overcome these hurdles, they headed to the greenhouse, where parents and children learned how to create inexpensive, small-space gardens that could grow inside urban apartments. Parents found simple joys in sharing friendly competition with their children by increasing their daily physical activity using the pedometers they received to reach their daily goal of 10,000 steps each. Together, they participated in cooking classes at our Teaching Kitchen to uncover ways that nutritious meals could also be quick, inexpensive, and delicious. The group also shared with one another a variety of healthy substitutes that they discovered they could use in their favorite family recipes.

“We witnessed one family have a Disney World expression upon arrival, only to realize this was the first time they left their own neighborhood,” says Darrin Anderson, state deputy director of the NJ Partnership for Healthy Kids. Darrin noted that children who were sad to leave behind cell phone service and video games ended up wanting to return for summer camp!

The program would not have been possible without a generous grant from the National Recreation Foundation, ensuring many more Healthy Living Retreats to come.

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I needed to know we weren’t alone.

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2015-2016 Annual Report | Frost Valley YMCA

GROWING TOGETHER AS A TEAM

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At Frost Valley, we see the potential in all children. We believe, when given the chance, a child’s character can shine.

While here on a school trip, a teacher might witness a willingness to learn that they haven’t seen before. A student might become inspired by a classmate who steps up as a leader when no one else would.

A teen might learn to see herself as stronger than she ever thought she was.

When students visit Frost Valley, they have the opportunity to thrive. This is what keeps KIPP TEAM Academy, a college prep school for grades 5-8 in Newark, NJ, returning each year. TEAM Academy has the same philosophy about a child’s potential as we do – that it’s always there; sometimes it just needs the right environment to flourish.

Founded in 2002, TEAM Academy was built on the premise that together, everyone achieves more, a premise we can appreciate and are honored to be a part of.

“This trip has become one of the traditions our students look forward to year after year for a variety of reasons,” says Jesica Broadnax, a social worker and former teacher. “Frost Valley has become an exciting opportunity for our students to bond with each other and their teachers. It’s also provided our students with the opportunity to see firsthand what they have discussed in science classes.”

At Frost Valley, classroom lessons come to life as students experience a variety of field lessons. Rather than identifying wildlife tracks from a text book, they can follow them through the snow on our hiking trails.

Students can do more than read about animal winter survival skills – they can try them for themselves by burrowing in the snow to experience its insulating properties.

Jesica says, “We want our students to not only succeed academically but also become leaders in their own communities.

Frost Valley has exposed our students to an environment that is completely different from what they see in Newark.

Even the amount of snow, the greenery, and the absence of TVs and cell phone service have been new experiences for our students.”

While they’re here, TEAM Academy students are active and engaged participants. After they leave, they take with them the lessons and skills they gained, and apply them at school and home. They work toward building better relationships with peers and teachers.

They discover that they are capable of doing so much more than they realized.

“After the Frost Valley visit, students who have struggled in school exhibit leadership skills: they work together, support each other, and are responsible in ways that they haven’t had the opportunity to be while at school,” Jesica explains. “The experiences our kids have while at Frost Valley support TEAM Academy’s goal of building future leaders.”

AiT 8% Farm Leaders

18%

74% CiT

95 leadership program participants

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The experiences our kids have while at Frost Valley support TEAM Academy’s goal of building future leaders.

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2015-2016 Annual Report | Frost Valley YMCA

ADVENTURES OUTSIDE AND INWARD

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After Adventure Trip camper Jack’s family suffered a traumatic financial setback, they found themselves suddenly leaving home and moving from place to place, a stressful ordeal for anyone, especially a 14-year-old boy who felt as though he couldn’t, or shouldn’t, talk to friends about it.

Hoping to ease the strain on her son and give him a chance to be a teenager with normal teenage worries and experiences, Jack’s mother, Sandra, applied for a campership to send him to Frost Valley.

Thanks to our kind and caring donors, Jack was able to sign up for the Maine Coast Adventure Trip, but when he boarded the bus headed toward Maine, he felt nervous that he didn’t know anyone else there.

Yet after just a few days, the group of campers built a bond so strong that he decided to face his fear of opening up to others about the struggles he faced at home. “A couple of days later, during one of the devotional sessions, I mentioned my family’s economic situation. And I felt really comfortable talking openly, which actually helped relieve some of the stress that I felt every day,” Jack says.

“I learned that it’s okay to talk about my fears and worries because it’s better to share with others who are there for me. Camp taught me

that there are amazing people in the world who are going to support me in my journey through life, who will be there for me when I need them, regardless of how long I have known them.”

Without the generosity of donors who support camperships that give kids the opportunity to go to camp, Jack would not have been able to experience this life-changing summer. But our donors give so much more than a life changing experience for the person who receives the campership – they give a ripple effect that has the power to influence countless others.

“I learned so much at Frost Valley,” Jack says, “and I hope that in the future I can help others learn these important lessons, to help them live better and happier lives.”

Jack isn’t alone in that desire to give back.

This summer was 14-year-old Benjamin’s third summer at Adventure Camp. Although Benjamin knew he was too young to be a counselor-in-training, he still felt the call of leadership, to reach out and help guide less-experienced campers, especially those who felt unsure of what camp could offer. So, his counselors encouraged his resourcefulness by creating opportunities for more responsibility on an Adventure Trip for younger campers.

“Every Adventure Trip I’ve gone on has been filled with kids around my age who have

some skills and maturity, so I thought it would be a good challenge to help guide a younger group of hikers who don’t have many outdoor skills,” Benjamin says. “It was more of a challenge, but I learned how to lead. Some of the younger campers were always asking where they’re going next, when they’re eating next, or what are they doing after this, and it was a great opportunity to teach them how to slow down and have some time to reflect in the moment. Every Adventure Trip is a chance to grow and learn a little about yourself, and I wanted them to realize that.”

While meaningful camp experiences like Benjamin’s are inspiring in their own right, what really makes summer camp so invaluable is its ability to transform a person in their daily lives and to spread all they’ve learned at camp throughout the rest of their communities.

Benjamin continued to develop his leadership skills back home. “I’ve learned a lot about myself during the three years I’ve been at Frost Valley,” he says. “We’re all here for new experiences, and for me, camp is about trying new things, taking on leadership roles, and showing initiative. I can be who I want to be, and camp brings me closer to who I want to be.”

60 miles of trails hiked by of our Adventure Village campers in 2015.

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I learned that it’s okay to talk about my fears and worries because it’s better to share with others who are there for me.

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2015-2016 Annual Report | Frost Valley YMCA

IT TAKES A VILLAGE

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One sunny day last summer, a nine year-old girl dressed in a pink shirt, jeans, cowboy boots, and a beaded-horse headband stood near our red barn on Main Camp. Her name is Caroline, and on that day, she looked tiny beside a horse much larger than she is as she brushed its coat to a healthy shine.

It’s the horse she was assigned to ride and care for during her two weeks in Mustang Village, a girls-only equestrian camp on Frost Valley’s Main Camp.

Last summer, Caroline took her grooming responsibility seriously, not only because horses need a certain amount of care to remain healthy and happy, but also because she knows how good it feels to show kindness and compassion, something she experienced firsthand here at camp.

That was Caroline’s second summer at Mustang Village, and by the time the session ended, she felt as though she fit right in with her group of budding equestrians. Her first year, however, didn’t start out as easily; she wasn’t used to being away from home, and she didn’t know anyone when camp started. But soon enough, veteran campers reached out to her and welcomed her with open arms, an act of inclusiveness that inspired her to do the same the next summer.

“Last year was my first time at sleep-away camp and I was one of the youngest girls in Mustang,” she says. “But the other girls showed me around and helped me make friends. The older girls made sure I had fun and didn’t feel left out. So this year, I wanted to do the same and make sure the new girls had fun just like I did.”

Caroline eagerly stepped up to help out whenever she felt she could lend a hand.

“The younger girls lose stuff a lot, and it takes them longer to get ready, so I tried to help them with packing their bags for the day and making their beds,” she says.

“Another girl was sad because she didn’t have many friends, so I started playing with her and helped to cheer her up.”

When we spoke to her on that warm summer day as Caroline brushed her horse, she said she understood that taking care of others – not just our four-legged friends – can be the most rewarding experience of all. Thanks to the lessons she’s learned in Mustang Village, caring comes naturally to her. She even finds meaning in seemingly mundane barn chores. “One day, I’d like to be a counselor,” she says, smiling, “because then I get to keep coming back to Frost Valley and I can continue to care for others.”

165 children attended summer camp through our Newark Partnerships in 2015 thanks to our kind and caring donors.

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One day, I’d like to be a counselor, because then I get to keep coming back to Frost Valley and I can continue to care for others.

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2015-2016 Annual Report | Frost Valley YMCA

TAPPING INTO TEAMWORK

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All athletes yearn for the opportunity to live out their dreams: to cross the finish line, summit a mountain peak, or achieve a personal-best record. Overcoming such great challenges can be invigorating, or even life changing. That’s why, thanks to the Adventure Team Challenge NY event, held at Frost Valley last year, competitors of various abilities had the chance to achieve their goals, regardless of their physical or developmental differences.

number of daily challenges, from learning to interact with others; to living with paralysis, post-traumatic stress, traumatic brain injuries, and loss of limbs; to simply finding employment and a place to live.”

The Adventure Team Challenge, run by World TEAM Sports, brought together people of diverse backgrounds and abilities to participate in personally rewarding and physically demanding feats.

Most of the competitors who participated in this event had little previous experience with outdoor sports, but Frost Valley’s inclusive environment provided a nurturing and supportive way for them to expand their horizons. Here, participants could safely swim and play sports in the waters of Lake Cole, cycle along scenic paths, and trek nearby Slide Mountain, as parents and families watched their loved ones transcend obstacles.

“Athletes who attend our events include individuals who are developmentally disabled, as well as those who were injured in accidents, through illness, or from serving in war and conflicts,” says Richard Rhinehart, Director of Communications for World TEAM Sports. “They face a

“The Challenge greatly improves the lives of these individuals. Participating in an event like this allowed them the opportunity to meet and make friends facing similar challenges in life, and each person gained a valuable outdoor experience,” says Richard.

385 hours of community service were performed by teens during our Adventure Service Trips in 2015.

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Participating in an event like this allowed them the opportunity to meet and make friends facing similar challenges in life.

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2015-2016 Annual Report | Frost Valley YMCA

AN OPPORTUNITY FOR COMMUNITY

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It’s a chance to check up on our neighbors, make sure they’ve gone to doctors appointments, or just to say ‘hi.’”

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222,000 nutritious meals served to our campers and guests in the Thomas Dining Hall in Summer 2015.

One of the best things about a community is the way its members look out for one another. Many of us know the simple, yet unforgettable, joy that comes from receiving a warm casserole after experiencing a hardship. Or looking out your window to see that your next-door neighbor shoveled your driveway after a snowstorm. Or the rewarding feeling of helping an elderly neighbor carry groceries from their car.

These meals come at no cost to the families and are delivered to their door if they aren’t able to pick them up from the freezer at the Denning Town Hall. If a resident of Denning needs assistance with food, they simply fill out a brief form that goes to the Town Hall, and Frost Valley prepares the food, none of which would be possible without the help of many compassionate individuals working together.

Here in Claryville, NY, which you probably know is a sleepy mountain hamlet nestled in the town of Denning in the Catskill Mountains, walking next door to help a neighbor with the groceries is often impossible. Although we cherish our rural remoteness, many houses can be over a mile from one another, which can sometimes be a barrier to the kind of neighborly assistance seen in the suburbs and cities.

All of the people assisting the program do so because they want to help out their neighbors – one such person is Pauline Leverich, who volunteers her time to deliver these meals to nine homes each week.

Whether it’s due to financial circumstances, lack of transportation, or health issues, we know that many homes in our community – just as in any community – struggle to provide warm, nutritious meals. When you can’t simply walk over to your next-door neighbor’s house for a cup of milk and the grocery store is up to 45 minutes away, the effects on a family’s health and well-being can be devastating.

Frost Valley, along with several compassionate community members, knew we had to do something. We decided that if Frost Valley can provide meals for over 41,000 guests each year, surely we can provide for our community members.

Together with town supervisor David Brooks; Town Clerk Joy Montforte; and Councilmen Mike Dean, Paul Schoonmaker, Kevin Smith, and Greg Vurckio, we began preparing frozen dinners for families (114 meals per week) this past January.

She says, “I’ve heard the meals are really delicious – everyone loves the lasagna.

They get really excited when they see me come to the door with Frost Valley’s lasagna!”

“It’s just an excellent program. We’re all so glad to have it,” says Pauline, who used to work for the Office of the Aging in the Adirondacks. “It not only provides meals to people who might not have much food, but it’s a chance to check up on our neighbors, make sure they’ve gone to doctors appointments, or just to say ‘hi.’”

Pauline says she delivers meals to a diverse group of people – homes with small children, elderly individuals living alone, people who don’t have cars and can’t get to the grocery store, or people who are severely ill. Pauline loves seeing the smiles on the recipients’ faces when she comes to the door with a delivery of food.

When we thanked Pauline for volunteering her time to help our community, she said that for her, dropping off the meals is just about being a good neighbor.

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2015-2016 Annual Report | Frost Valley YMCA

A STORY OF TRANSFORMATION

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Gloria was terrified to go to camp. She worried that her anxiety and sensory processing issues would get the better of her and that she would have to leave early.

But even if she stayed, what if she didn’t fit in? What if it was just like school, where she often had to be separated from the group and often got left out from social experiences?

Over the past year Gloria had struggled to manage her many differences, which included a pervasive sense of anxiety and difficulty with sensory processing. Prior to her experience at Frost Valley, Gloria had never completed a full year at school.

The fluorescent lights; the overwhelming concert of classroom chatter, chalk scrapes, and pencil scratching; the daily burden of navigating middle school social nuances – she was overwhelmed. She felt as if she didn’t belong.

Gloria and her family decided to try homeschooling for 8th Grade. Though better in some ways, she then felt isolated and eventually depressed. “It took an emotional and physical toll, not only on her but on the entire family,” said Gloria’s mother, Desiree. So, she decided to research overnight camps, where she hoped Gloria might be able to make friends.

“There are a lot of camps in the area, but few that actually scale their rates to accommodate families of all income brackets. Frost Valley was very supportive,” said Desiree. Though Gloria was scared, she was determined to give it a try. “She loves playing outside and when I told her about the hiking trails, boating, climbing tower, her eyes lit up. Exploring the outdoors is one of the few things she feels confident doing.”

In July 2015 Gloria was welcomed into Sacky Village in Camp Henry Hird, and from day one she felt like she belonged.

Her mother was thrilled to hear the feedback from staff.

“She was able to negotiate the early mornings, her personal self-care, her cabin chores and responsibilities. She made friends easily and she even adapted well to the shared living spaces, which had been a big worry for her,” said Desiree.

Our dedicated staff watched Gloria blossom over the next two weeks.

“Not only did she thrive, she took it upon herself to ensure that other campers thrived,” explains one of her counselors. “I was especially proud to

see how welcoming she was of our MAC campers.” In partnership with the Young Adult Institute, MAC, which stands for Mainstreaming at Camp, is a program for campers with developmental disabilities that integrates campers into the general population of camp in a way that enhances the entire camp culture and morale.

After summer camp was over, Gloria decided she was ready to try attending school again. She felt that camp had helped her develop new tools to manage her differences and challenges, and she was determined to make it through the entire school year.

In 9th Grade, for the first time ever, Gloria completed an entire year at school.

“I believe those two weeks at Frost Valley boosted her confidence enormously and helped her discover ways to work through some of her biggest challenges,” said Desiree. “It wasn’t easy, but whenever she was feeling discouraged I would remind her of all the fun she would have next summer at Frost Valley. That always picked her up. ”

20 first-time campers experienced the magic of summer camp through the YMCA of the USA Resident Camp Access Grant.

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I believe those two weeks at Frost Valley boosted her confidence enormously and helped her discover ways to work through some of her biggest challenges.

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2015-2016 Annual Report | Frost Valley YMCA

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HALL OF FAME In 2008, to commemorate Frost Valley YMCA’s 50th year in the Catskills, the Board of Trustees resolved to begin a tradition of recognizing the outstanding individuals who have been instrumental in service and leadership to our organization. The following individuals have been inducted into our Hall of Fame for their contributions to the founding, continued success, and legacy of Frost Valley.

PAST HONOREES

2015 HALL OF FAME HONOREES

2008

Carl & Marie Hess

D. Halbe Brown Woodruff J. “Woody” English Eva Gottscho

2009 Helen Geyer James C. Kellogg

2010 Walter T. Margetts

Henry Hird

2011 Jane Brown Tatsuo & Emiko Honma Charles Scott

2012 R. Fenn Putman Dr. Jerome Wolff

2013

Robert Ohaus

Paul B. Guenther David King Howard Quirk

2014 Clara Hasbrouck John Ketcham Frank Ketcham Dr. Ira Greifer

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2015-2016 Annual Report | Frost Valley YMCA

PROGRAM PARTNERS ALLIANCE OF NEW YORK STATE YMCAS The Alliance of New York State YMCAs is comprised of 45 independent Ys and more than 120 YMCA branches across the empire state. Making up an extraordinary group of dedicated nonprofits working together to strengthen the communities of NY. BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF NEWARK This partnership provides opportunities for Newark youth to experience Frost Valley YMCA camp, empowering them to succeed and excel.

LA CASA DE DON PEDRO La Casa de Don Pedro is a community development corporation offering comprehensive social services to Newark and surrounding areas, with particular expertise in serving the Latino community.

CHARTWELLS Chartwells is an educational dining service partnering with Frost Valley to promote the goal of providing tasty, wholesome food for every camper and guest.

EASTERN & WESTERN SUFFOLK AND NASSAU COUNTY BOCES The Boards of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES) provide shared educational programs and services to school districts within the state, including partnering with Frost Valley to bring environmental education programs to a variety of school districts.

NEW JERSEY PARTNERSHIP FOR HEALTHY KIDS New Jersey Partnership for Healthy Kids is a statewide program of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation with technical assistance and direction provided by the New Jersey YMCA State Alliance. The goal of the program is to convene, connect and empower community partnerships across the state to implement environmental and policy changing strategies that prevent childhood obesity.

NEW JERSEY YMCA STATE ALLIANCE The New Jersey YMCA State Alliance is comprised of dozens of corporate YMCA associations and nearly 80 branches from across the garden state. Together, New Jersey YMCAs work together to strengthen the foundations of community to better serve the people of New Jersey.

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PARTNERING COMMUNITY CENTERS (PCCI) PCCI is a program that bridges communities and builds relationships through educational and cultural enrichment for children in the Greater Newark Area.

PREP FOR PREP Prep for Prep is an independent school educating leaders and preparing them for the future with a clear sense of social responsibility.

ROAD SCHOLAR® Road Scholar® is an organization providing extraordinary learning adventures for people 55 and over.

RUTH GOTTSCHO KIDNEY FOUNDATION & THE CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL AT MONTEFIORE These partnerships allow children with kidney disease to attend summer camp at Frost Valley with professional medical support.

TOKYO YMCA Our partnership with Tokyo YMCA is a program for Japanese international families in the U.S. on temporary work transfer, providing them the opportunity to join together for language and cultural immersion at camp.

USAIMMERSION USAImmersion is a local not-for-profit organization offering fellowships to attend Frost Valley YMCA Day Camp for free to those families interested in participating in their international cultural immersion program.

WATERSHED AGRICULTURAL COUNCIL (WAC) WAC works with farm and forest landowners in the NYC Watershed region by partnering with Frost Valley to run and maintain Frost Valley’s model forest.

YOUNG ADULT INSTITUTE YAI is an organization creating hope and opportunity for people with developmental and learning disabilities through a wide variety of programs, including the Frost Valley experience of “Mainstreaming at Camp.”

RESEARCH PARTNERS EPA: CASTNET (THE CLEAN AIR STATUS AND TRENDS NETWORK) Provides long-term monitoring of air quality in rural areas to determine trends in regional atmospheric nitrogen, sulfur, and ozone concentrations and deposition fluxes of sulfur and nitrogen pollutants in order to evaluate the effectiveness of national and regional air pollution control programs INSTITUTE OF ECOSYSTEM STUDIES Studies Frost Valley’s Model Forest and offering public education and outreach NADP (NATIONAL ATMOSPHERIC DEPOSITION PROGRAM) Monitors the Mercury Deposition Network, the Nation Trends Network, and the Ammonia Monitoring Network to provide data on the amounts, trends, and geographic distributions of acids, nutrients, and base cations in precipitation NEW YORK CITY DEP RONDOUT/NEVERSINK STREAM PROGRAM Bank Erosion Hazard Index (BEHI) surveys erosion sites along Biscuit Brook and both branches of the Neversink U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY Monitors gage station, Biscuit Brook and Neversink Watershed Research, studying forest nutrients WATERSHED AGRICULTURE COUNCIL Monitors Frost Valley’s Model Forest

ANNUAL GIVING Our kind and caring community of donors who support Frost Valley YMCA’s Annual Giving Campaign is crucial to the life-changing experiences that take place here throughout the winter, spring, summer, and fall. Ensuring that all children and families can participate in our programs, the generous support of donors like you provides financial assistance to individuals who otherwise would not have such life-enhancing opportunities. Without this loyal commitment to our mission, thousands would miss out on the joy of exploring the wilderness, laughing with friends in a cabin, or making memories around a campfire.

Project 332 – Are You In? Join us! Visit project332.org to learn more.

CAPITAL CAMPAIGNS As a dynamic and growing organization, we regularly upgrade our facilities to meet the needs of our guests. Capital campaigns invite members of the Frost Valley community to help us grow by funding new building projects such as the recently completed Bud Cox Trip Center, made possible with contributions from individual donors, foundations, and the YMCA of the USA Strategic Initiatives Fund.

ENDOWMENT Endowment funds are vital to endurance and longevity of a non-profit organization. Gifts to our endowment can take many forms. Whether it is an outright gift or a planned bequest, a restricted contribution or unrestricted, donors who commit to our endowment fund help ensure that Frost Valley continues to fulfill its mission well into the future. Individuals are recognized for their legacy gifts by becoming members of the Neversink Society.

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41,093 TOTAL PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS IMPACT AROUND THE GLOBE 1000+ guests/ campers 500-999 100-499 50-99 10-49 0-9

SUMMER CAMPERS Traditional Sleepaway Campers 1,649 Day Campers

1,052

GROUP & FAMILY RETREAT PARTICIPANTS School/University Students

4,993

Tokyo Summer Campers

346

Family Members

4,649

Adventure Campers

252

Girl Scouts

2,553

Equestrian Campers

247

Y Adventure Guides

2,452

Farm Campers

208

Guests from Non-Profit Organizations

2,291

MAC Program Campers

133

Other

1,690

95

Boy Scouts

884

Kidney Campers

31

Religious Group Members

678

BGSA Campers

28

Natural Resources Members

129

SUMMER CAMP SCHOLARSHIPS

Leadership Programs

PROGRAM

CAMPERS

SCHOLARSHIPS

Adventure Camp

24

$34,766

Overnight Camp

255

$281,867

Farm Camp

22

$25,297

East Valley Ranch

23

$39,246

Mustang Village

11

$14,536

Tokyo Newark Partnership

6

School Trip Participants

116

School Break Camp Participants

15

School-Age Child Care Participants

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE & SUBSIDIES

44% School Subsidies & Scholarships

$7,600

167

$265,530

Kidney Program

31

$61,380

Day Camp

99

$24,777

$895,661

TOTALS

638

$754,999

$754,999 $369,487

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16,602

38% Summer Camp Scholarships

18% Group & Family Program Scholarships

2015-2016 Annual Report | Frost Valley YMCA

FINANCIALS

On June 1, 2015, the Board of Trustees voted to change to a June-May fiscal year, as opposed to the calendar year we formerly followed. The information below is representative of the period from June 1, 2015 to May 31, 2016. If you are interested in our financial information for the interim period between January and May 2015, please email info@frostvalley.org.

Revenue 2015-16 2014 Summer Programs

4,444,931

4,151,661

School Programs

2,561,663

2,427,235

Group/Family Retreats & Teambuilding

2,781,317

2,488,360

Tokyo Partnership

691,530

737,770

Other

874,961

810,781

1,420,196

1,467,169

467,000

525,126

Contributions Investment Income Total Revenue

13,241,598

12,608,102

Expenses Salaries & Wages

4,904,242

4,770,605

Taxes & Benefits

1,434,211

1,382,052

Food Services

2,047,459

1,996,456

Supplies & Equipment

955,653

863,685

Professional Services & Fees

489,601

425,545

Occupancy/Insurance & R/M

1,491,381

1,528,926

Printing & Promotion

421,243

170,081

Miscellaneous

764,243

773,477

Financing Costs

211,211

215,486

Total Expenses

12,719,244

12,126,313

2015-16 2014

Operating Surplus/(Deficit) before depreciation

522,354

481,789

Depreciation

1,006,167

990,674

Increase (decrease) in Net Assets From Operations

(483,813)

(508,885)

102,458

304,789

(381,355)

(204,096)

Total Changes In Temporarily Restricted Net Assets

(219,400)

(87,524)

Total Changes In Permanently Restricted Net Assets

(429,517)

382,734

(1,030,272)

91,114

Non Operating Items Total Change In Unrestricted Net Assets

Decrease in Net Assets

The 2015-2016 Financial Information Provided Is Unaudited.

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2015-2016 Annual Report | Frost Valley YMCA

STAFF AWARDS ELIZABETH KELLOGG AWARD WINNERS Kristopher Duffy, Group & Family Retreats Coordinator Nicki Macy, Director of East Valley Ranch Rhonda McNamara, Store Manager Sara Munoz, Graphic Designer Nancy West, Housekeeping Team Leader

D. HALBE BROWN AWARD WINNER John Anglin, Chef Manager

ROOKIE OF THE YEAR Hanna Vorisek, Reservations Manager

I AM THIRD AWARD WINNER Dan Weir, Director of Camping Services

VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR Stan Marciniak

Kristopher Duffy, John Anglin, Nancy West, Rhonda McNamara, Sara Munoz, Nicki Macy

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2015-2016 BOARD OF TRUSTEES CHAIRMAN

VICE PRESIDENTS

ADVISORY COMMITTEE

Robert B. Haines

William E. Baker Professor Al Filreis Robert Messick Judith L. Pasnik Peter E. Sundman

William H. Abbott Mitchell Brock Andrew Chapman Barton C. English Michael P. Lahue Thomas M. Moriarty Shigeko Woolfalk

PRESIDENT James S. Vaughan

CEO Jerry Huncosky

TRUSTEES

VICE CHAIRMAN

David B. Bieler John S. Butler Dr. R. Mark Ghobrial Ted B. Hilton Dr. Frederick J. Kaskel Michael D. Ketcham Robert Lomauro Amy F. Melican John O’Brien Cheng Ong Barbara Spitz Professor Joshua A. Tucker Robin Wachenfeld Mary T. Wheeler

Catherine M. Harvey

TREASURER John McCabe

SECRETARY Jerold W. Dorfman

TRUSTEES EMERITI Thomas W. Berry Hunter Corbin Helen M. Geyer, Director Paul B. Guenther Dr. George J. Hill W. Thomas Margetts

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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