YMCA Camp Cullen December Newsletter

ymcacampcullen.org

Vol. 1, Issue 2

December 2012

Camp Cullen to Welcome First Group of Campers Since Fire After over two years of renovations, Camp Cullen is set to welcome its first group of campers in the new year.

On January 18, about 70 boys and girls and 50 dads from the Lake Houston YMCA are signed up to stay the weekend as part of the Y Guides and Princesses program. Clark Baker, CEO of YMCA of Greater Houston, is

Love of Camping Inspires Donation When Terry Rathert looks back on all the good times he’s spent with his kids, Y Guides and Princesses (formerly known as Indian Guides), comes to mind. He spent many years camping with his daughter, Tara-Leigh, and son, Travis.

“In many ways it brought us closer together,” said Terry, executive vice president and chief financial officer at the Newfield Exploration Company.

Terry grew closer to his kids as he spent time with them turning over leaves, finding bugs and doing scavenger hunts in the woods.

Besides the Rathert family’s love of camping, Tara-Leigh and Terry’s wife, Ginger, are passionate about riding horses. As a family, they have devoted many years toward their passion for horses.

After hearing about the fire that closed down Camp Cullen, Terry and Ginger made a generous donation of $750,000. Part of this donation has kept the herd of 35 horses healthy, and has prevented them from being separated from each other during the camp’s renovation.

proud to see Camp Cullen rise from the ashes of the July 2010 fire that closed down the camp, and once again, bring joy to families in the Houston area.

“It is so wonderful to have the camp open again,” said Clark Baker, CEO of YMCA of Greater Houston. “I want to See FIRST GROUP on PAGE 2

Cool Facts About

Camp Cullen • Number of children hosted each summer: 3,024 • Leaders-to-camper ratio: 1 to 6 • Number of acres: 530

Terry Rathert’s donation will support Camp Cullen’s horses, the shooting sport range and archery range.

“It’s a lot easier to have a group of horses that have been together and learned together,” Terry said.

“Starting from scratch could put some of the kids at risk. We didn’t want to see the equine family at Camp Cullen be dispersed because there weren’t funds to take care of them through that period. We wanted to make sure they stayed together until we were able to provide camping for kids again.”

In addition, his donation will support the rebuilding of the archery range and shooting sport range. Terry hopes his see RATHERT on PAGE 2

• Animals commonly seen there: deer, squirrels, frogs, box turtles

A Note from the Camping Services Executive I would like to personally thank each of the donors for making the dream of a new YMCA Camp Cullen a reality.

Camps should be filled with the sounds of children laughing, having fun, being surprised and exploring new areas.

Thank you for making Camp Cullen such a special place for children to learn and grow.

Len Masengale

RATHERT continued

FIRST GROUP continued

donation will allow children to benefit by developing new skills and exploring all that nature has to offer just like his own kids did growing up.

Terry understands the value in having camping develop children’s character and create lifelong memories.

thank our incredible staff for all the hard work they have put into making it better than ever before. We want our campers to have an even more enriching experience and make lifelong memories there.”

“Hopefully they’ll learn how to swim or get in a canoe, go down to the lakeside and find frogs, snakes, lizards, turn over leaves,” he said. “I want kids to experience the outdoors.”

and the new dining hall,” Rozema said.

“They get to be the first ones to break it in.”

Rozema is also excited for the kids, get to take a break from video games and develop their interpersonal skills in the outdoors.

Paul Rozema, Lake Houston YMCA’s youth development coordinator, is looking forward to campers trying out the brand new facilities.

“It’s actually pretty exciting for them to be able to try out the new cabins

“They get to spend time with not only their dads, but make friends with other kids in the program,” Rozema said. “It opens them up socially. That’s pretty important.”

CAMP CULLEN

Funds Raised & Pledged to Date $264,675

$300,000

Endowment Fund YMCA Staff Total Corporate/Foundation Donations Camping Services Board

$3,292,968

YMCA Association Board Individual Donations

$4,809,500

CAMPAIGN TOTAL $3,050,000 $702,160

Funds raised $12,419,303 Fire Insurance & + $4,000,000 Camp Pine Tree Sale Total raised $16,419,303

New Camp Cullen Staff Bios Aaron Whitacre

Youth Development Director Aaron studied geology and secondary education at Texas A&M University and has six years of camp experience ranging from counselor to director.

He hopes to instill in children his own love and fascination for the outdoors and to teach kids to appreciate the simple joys of being in the woods with friends.

“I’m looking forward to working with kids and teaching them new things, helping them find confidence, and learn to appreciate the simple and beautiful world around them.”

Julie Mangum

Kristie Chrisley

Julie majored in animal science with a concentration in animal health management from Sul Ross State University. In the past, she has volunteered as a horse wrangler at YMCA Camp Flaming Arrow.

Christie earned a degree in agribusiness at Sam Houston State University, has two years of experience with the retreats program at Camp Cho-Yeh.

Equestrian Director

Julie ancitipates spending her summer days with the children and horses in the beautiful piney woods that Camp Cullen offers.

“I want to give every child a chance to be a horseman. That moment will be in their memories for a lifetime.”

Guest Services Coordinator

She is excited for the children to see the stars at night, the fireflies and the different types of wildlife at Camp Cullen.

“They may see things here that change their career path or their attitude towards other people. It can do nothing but have positive impacts on these campers lives.”

CAMP CULLEN CONSTRUCTION UPDATE

CABIN INTERIOR

CABIN GROUP

CABIN

DINING HALL INTERIOR

BUNK BED IN CABIN

DINING HALL BACK PORCH VIEW

DINING HALL INTERIOR

Equestrian Center Preview Anne Bennett Office Director

As office director, Anne wants to ensure parents that their children are safe and will have lots of fun at to Camp Cullen.

AERIAL VIEW “We want to make sure that the kids have an enjoyable experience and that parents send them back year after year.”

She can’t wait for Camp Cullen to reopen again and see the kids learning and seeking new adventures.

“I am excited to see Camp Cullen come alive again with the sound of children singing, laughing and enjoying all that we offer.”

FRONT VIEW

Camp Cullen has a long history of providing horse specialty camps, and this summer will be no different. However, we are in process of securing funds to build a brand new Equestrian Center. With the acquisition of another $1.5 million (for a total of $2.5 million), the Equestrian Center could open by summer 2013.

The Equestrian Center will: u l l e nCamp Cullen’s 40-year Continue • Allow for a fully developed C a m p • C 2 March 2012 Center of horse camp horsemanship program with E q u e s t r i a nheritage additional events and riding • Teach riders and handlers how to styles build skills such as self-confidence, strength, flexibility, responsibility, • Support 60 to 70 horses patience and empathy for 336 campers each week

Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage

PAID

Houston, TX Permit No. 2456

YMCA OF THE GREATER HOUSTON AREA P.O. Box 3007 Houston, Texas 77253-3007

Map of the New YMCA Camp Cullen

Visit the website at ymcacampcullen.org

About the Y The YMCA’s mission is to put Judeo-Christian principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind and body for all. Everyone is welcome. With a focus on developing the potential of kids, improving individual health and well-being, and giving back and supporting our neighbors, your involvement will bring about meaningful change not just within yourself, but in your community, too. ymcahouston.org YMCA Mission: To put Judeo-Christian principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind and body for all. Everyone is welcome.

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