Seeds of Inspiration, Frost Valley Life Newsletter, Summer 2015

SEEDS OF

INSPIRATION

Frost Valley Life Turning Hope into Reality | SUMMER 2015 FROST VALLEY YMCA

| frostvalley.org

TURNING HOPES INTO REALITY FROM THE DESK OF JERRY HUNCOSKY CEO | Frost Valley YMCA

Each spring, the snow covering our fields melts away and before long we’re treated to a stunning green landscape.

Guests and campers adore sights like the cherry blossoms at the Friendship House and the wildflowers along Biscuit Brook, but something we don’t see is the subtle change that takes place to create such iconic Frost Valley scenery.

Just as the seeds we plant in our greenhouse quietly and unceremoniously grow into a variety of flowers, herbs, fruits, and vegetables, every child or family comes here brimming with unlimited potential that blossoms in remarkable ways.

Campers arrive each summer hoping to make new friends, but the reality they encounter here is so much more than they could have imagined. Their new friends turn out to be from all over the world, with a wide range of abilities and stories to tell. Families come to Frost Valley for a weekend, hoping to take some time to unwind from their busy lives. But they receive something far more long lasting: stronger bonds with one another through unplugging and engaging in wholesome, outdoor activities – together. Just as a plant cannot grow without sunshine, none of these life-changing opportunities would be possible without the generous support of kind and caring individuals like you.

All it takes is a seed of inspiration to turn hope into reality. This philosophy is what makes you so important to us. You understand our mission to serve all. You know that no family or child deserves to go without the transformative, vital experiences they gain here when they immerse themselves in the natural world. Through your support, I know you recognize: one person is all it takes to make a difference in someone’s life.

Thank you for being that person. You’ve made a meaningful difference in the lives of the children and families who, without you, would not be able to turn their hopes into reality.

Jerry Huncosky

WINTER/SPRING 2015 January 13-16

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Tenth graders from the United Nations International School visit us for three days of environmental education - with a new twist this year! The students performed an “energy audit.” Students used a variety of technological equipment to test our water and electric usage throughout camp, while also learning how they can perform their own energy audit in their homes to help create a more sustainable future for all.

January 26

Frost Valley hosts the annual Northeast YMCA Camp Conference for the 4th consecutive year, bringing 316 Y-camp professionals together for three days of learning, networking, and strengthening our cause.

SERVICE PROJECT GOES A LONG WAY AN EAGLE SCOUT AT FROST VALLEY

For many Frost Valley campers, a beloved part of their summer experience is participating in a guided hike to High Falls, our majestic, resident waterfall. Along the way, children often learn they are capable of great feats, and in the end, they’re rewarded with the wonderful sight and sounds of a rushing waterfall and gentle brook.

In the past, only a few campers at a time have been able to spend a night camping near this special landmark under the shelter of a lean-to, just up the trail and above the waterfall. But now, thanks to 17-year-old Sam Hilde we have a second lean-to, and combined, the two can house an entire cabin of summer campers.

Sam is a Boy Scout who is on the road to becoming an Eagle Scout. To do so, he is required to earn 21 merit badges as well as complete a service project. As a third-generation Frost Valley camper, he decided to complete his project — the new lean-to — at the place he’s visited nearly every year of his life.

“I have a passion for helping people, and becoming an Eagle Scout will help me help others, while showing that I have leadership skills — so I was excited to do a service project,” Sam explains. “The purpose of choosing to make a lean-to at Frost Valley was to help more kids enjoy being outdoors. Having the lean-to lets kids feel more open to the idea of camping and spending time outside.”

Sam worked with Frost Valley’s Director of Operations, Tom Holsapple, to come up with a design plan.

From there, Sam created an online fundraising page, which he shared through his church, school, scout troop, and family friends. He raised about $2,000 in just one month, exceeding his own expectations.

“It felt incredible to raise that much money for my Eagle Scout project,” he says. “After fundraising, I organized a team of workers and Frost Valley ordered the materials. There was some back-and-forth through the process, and I ended up learning a lot more than I expected about management, leadership, and communication — skills that are so important in life.”

Once all the materials arrived, Sam visited Frost Valley to build the lean-to with the guidance of experienced maintenance staff. This summer, not only does Sam plan to finalize his Eagle Scout status, but he’ll also return to Frost Valley to volunteer during camp to see the impact of his gift firsthand.

“I love working with kids — Cub Scouts, at church, and at Frost Valley,” he says. “And I love how Frost Valley provides outdoor experiences to kids who wouldn’t otherwise have them. I think more people should give camping a try, and I hope kids see this project as an opportunity to spend more time outside.”

January 31

February 16

Thanks to a generous grant from the National Recreation Foundation, we are able to continue our wellness curriculum for our campers and guests where they can learn to cook healthy recipes, make positive lifestyle changes, grow their own food, and enjoy healthy treats from our new snack truck.

BOARD OF TRUSTEES CHAIRMAN Robert B. Haines PRESIDENT James S. Vaughan CEO Jerry Huncosky VICE CHAIRMAN Catherine M. Harvey TREASURER Peter E. Sundman SECRETARY Jerold W. Dorfman VICE PRESIDENTS William E. Baker Professor Al Filreis Robert Messick 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 Robert Lomauro John McCabe Amy F. Melican John O’Brien Cheng Ong Barbara Spitz Robin Wachenfeld Mary T. Wheeler ADVISORY COMMITTEE William H. Abbott Mitchell Brock Andrew Chapman H. Corbin Day Barton C. English Jeffrey S. Kaufman James Kellogg, Jr. Michael P. Lahue Thomas M. Moriarty Shigeko Woolfalk TRUSTEES EMERITI Thomas W. Berry Hunter Corbin Helen M. Geyer Co-Director

President’s Week Family Camp once again offers families the chance to get away from their busy lives and enjoy activities like cross-country skiing, snow tubing, snowshoe hiking, and ice skating, while making lifelong memories during their children’s school break.

Paul B. Guenther Dr. George J. Hill James C. Kellogg Co-Director

W. Thomas Margetts Gerald H. McGinley

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RETURNING TO THE VALLEY AND GIVING BACK ALUMNI VOLUNTEER WEEKEND This past February, nearly 25 Frost Valley alumni visited for our annual Alumni Volunteer Weekend, during which they provided assistance and continuing education to our year-round Program Instructors (PIs).

While some alumni helped out with programs, others offered hands-on lessons and trainings covering a variety of topics, from environmental education — such as snow science and stream dynamics — to best practices for working with guests who have autism. The classes provided a great opportunity for our PIs to learn from experts in their fields, so that they can give visiting children and families an even better Frost Valley experience. For alumni, it was a chance to give back to Frost Valley while enjoying a winter retreat with their families.

CALLING ALL ALUMNI: WE HOPE TO SEE YOU SOON! We have another opportunity for alumni to visit Frost Valley during our 2015 Alumni Reunion Weekend, which takes place over Labor Day Weekend, September 4-7. Guests will reunite with old friends, enjoy cherished camp traditions, and get to explore what’s new here in the Valley! We’ll have a full weekend of programs for you and your family to choose from, including guided hikes, Ultimate Sicko Ball, songs and vespers around a campfire, ziplining, hayrides, and much more.

We’ll also auction off coveted prizes and services, and all proceeds will go towards sending kids to camp. (To donate an item or service for the auction, contact Director of Annual Giving & Alumni Relations Matthew Johns at MJohns@FrostValley.org or call 845-985-2291 x258.)

Lodging is limited, so be sure to register your family soon! Email Reservations@FrostValley.org or call 845-985-2291 x450 to learn more and reserve your spot.

WINTER/SPRING 2015 March 8

March 30 Another spring break day camp kicks off a week of wholesome and traditional camp programming to provide local children an engaging and growth-filled way to spend their school break.

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Employees of the renowned Rainforest Alliance, whose mission is to conserve biodiversity and ensure sustainable livelihoods, join us for a shared learning retreat complete with workshops, presentations, and teambuilding activities.

April 15 Frost Valley YMCA receives Silver Tier Certification from Hospitality Green’s “Green Concierge Program” for our commitment to and advancements in environmentally sustainable practices.

GROWING IN SUSTAINABILITY

FROST VALLEY RECEIVES SILVER TIER CERTIFICATION Each year, Frost Valley YMCA increases its commitment to sustainable living by putting new eco-friendly practices into action, and by offering Environmental Education lessons to students, families, and campers. Our goal is to commit to sustainability as an organization, while encouraging children and families to do the same through year-round educational programs.

And others have taken notice: In April, Frost Valley was awarded Hospitality Green’s “Green Concierge: Silver Tier Certification” during the second annual Green Tourism Conference. This is the second-highest honor in the Green Concierge Project conceived by Hospitality Green, a New York-based consulting firm specializing in environmental and operations consulting services. The Green Tourism Conference, at which Frost Valley’s CEO Jerry Huncosky was the keynote speaker, aims to promote eco-tourism throughout the Catskill and Pocono Mountain Regions.

lifestyle) teaches steps that individuals of all ages can take in their daily lives to nurture an eco-conscious lifestyle. The weekend program included seminars, guided hikes, greenhouse tours, natural craft projects, massage therapy, and yoga. Plans are already underway for next year’s event.

Our commitment to sustainability is not only an efficient way to cut down on costs and our own carbon footprint, but also a fantastic opportunity to educate all 38,000 people who come here about how they can implement similar practices in their homes - creating an exponential impact on our planet. For instance, we use all LED and CFL light bulbs (with motion sensors in low traffic areas) to reduce energy usage. In an effort to reduce pollution, we use Green Seal-certified, nontoxic cleaning products; serve local food whenever possible; and each year, we adopt a substantial stretch of Claryville and Frost Valley Roads to maintain litter control during our roadside cleanup. Through numerous other practices, our core value of Stewardship is present in all that we do here.

More information about Frost Valley YMCA’s sustainable practices can be found online at FrostValley.org.

Frost Valley was originally awarded Bronze Tier certification in 2011, and has graduated to Silver Tier thanks to diligent efforts in composting, saving energy, recycling, forest protection, water conservation, and hands-on educational programs such as Frost Valley’s first Roots of E.A.R.T.H. Retreat. This three-day event took place April 10-12 with a focus on spreading awareness and knowledge about maintaining a sustainable life. Roots of E.A.R.T.H. (Environmental Awareness & Resources Towards a Healthy

April 20

May 23 The Bear Grylls Survival Academy 24-Hour Family Course begins another season of parent-child wilderness excursions through which they’ll learn to test their courage and gain new skills here in the Catskill Mountains.

Young adults participating in AmeriCorps join us for three weeks to volunteer their time, helping to enhance our land, community, and programs.

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Frost Valley staff gather along 17 miles of local roads to clear trash and debris within the local community during our annual “Spring Roadside Cleanup.”

May 17

LOCAL CHILDREN BLOSSOM IN SPRING SPRING BREAK DAY CAMP

Although the last gasps of winter persisted longer than expected, a little snow on the ground certainly didn’t stop Frost Valley YMCA’s Spring Break Day Camp, which took place March 30-April 3. Dozens of children from the local community enjoyed a week of nature hikes, climbing, sports, games, arts and crafts, lessons in Frost Valley’s Healthy Home Teaching Kitchen, and a visit to the Frost Valley Farm, where they could see, pet, and learn about baby animals.

For campers, this mid-year Day Camp is a fun way to spend a refreshing break from sitting at a school desk all day. But for hardworking families in the local community, Day Camp can be a necessary service, especially when child-care options are limited, day cares may be closed, and very few places are available for children ages four-15 to enjoy time outdoors in a fun, safe, and nurturing environment. Frost Valley’s staff members are trained to ensure that each activity is also a learning experience — a means to explore, discover, build confidence, and make friends.

On the final day of Spring Break Day Camp, for instance, campers participated in an exciting egg hunt in Geyer Hall. Campers divided into age groups and collected plastic eggs in festive paper bags they crafted the previous day. This culminating camp activity was a clear testament to how Day Camp places an emphasis on achievement, relationship building, and belonging in each program and activity.

When a young camper became upset because he wasn’t tall enough

to reach a hidden egg, the other tiny campers gathered around to cheer him up, some offering their own eggs, until he was back to running and laughing with the rest of them. The older campers were competitive, but still playful and courteous, demonstrating leadership and teamwork skills and even developing strategies to hunt more efficiently.

Spring Break Day Camp was a great opportunity to see Frost Valley’s values-based lessons put into action, and a fun way to keep students learning while out of school.

WINTER/SPRING 2015 May 31

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During a reception in honor of donors who supported Frost Valley in memory of our beloved friend and former trustee Fenn Putman, CEO Jerry Huncosky presents the Putman family with the Y of the USA Honor Roll Award. This award posthumously recognizes Fenn for helping to advance the Y through cumulative, lifetime contributions of over $100,000.

June 6 The Blum House officially opens with a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for all donors who supported the project, along with close friends and family of 2013 Volunteer of the Year, Eric Blum (1964-2013).

A HOME AWAY FROM HOME FOR STAFF THE BLUM HOUSE

As a former volunteer, nurse, and avid supporter of Frost Valley, Eric Blum saw firsthand how much heart the entire Frost Valley staff pours into their work. With this in mind, he had a vision to create a place for hard-working Frost Valley employees to relax, communicate with family back home, and enjoy games and conversation during downtime. As a member of Frost Valley’s Neversink Society, when Eric passed away in June 2013, he left behind a significant donation specifically for the purpose of creating a building for staff to call their own. Frost Valley also received many generous gifts in Eric’s memory that helped fund this project.

On Saturday, June 6, more than 60 of Eric’s friends and family members joined Frost Valley staff and board members to celebrate the completion of the new Blum House during a very special Ribbon Cutting Ceremony.

The opening of the building, as well as Eric’s legacy, were celebrated during the ceremony, at which guests shared memories and stories about his life and his impact on Frost Valley. Eric’s mother, June, shared the pride she felt for a son who, despite illness, always lent a helping hand to those in need.

His siblings, Gayle and Steve, told funny memories from Eric’s childhood. Frost Valley’s Director of Camping Services, Dan Weir, recalled what it was like to have Eric as a colleague and as a friend. Finally, June Blum stood underneath the Blum House sign and used oversized scissors to cut a shiny red ribbon, officially opening the building for a reception with tours. Frost Valley employees and friends of Eric were eager to utilize the new space and held an inaugural barbecue that evening.

The new building features a game room, a common room, a dining area, lockers, and Internet access so that staff members can stay in touch with loved ones via video chat and e-mail. A time capsule containing photos and mementos donated by Eric’s family and friends, as well as Frost Valley documents, was placed within the building’s walls and is to be opened 25 years from now in the year 2040.

Frost Valley YMCA wishes to express many thanks to all who donated and helped build the new Blum House.

June 22

June 29 Day camp starts its first session of summer 2015, including Frost Valley’s brand new Farm Day Camp, which takes place at our educational farm and gives local children the chance to grow fresh fruits and veggies, care for livestock, and harvest their produce for healthy meals.

Session one of traditional overnight camp, equestrian camp, adventure trips, and farm camp kicks off another summer of values, memories, and lifelong friends.

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Frost Valley receives the Autism Speaks Baker Summer Camp Scholarship Award, a generous grant that benefits day campers on the autism spectrum who otherwise would not be able to attend camp. This grant allows these campers to join inclusive programming alongside their peers in a safe, nurturing environment.

June 28

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

DISCOVERY, UNDERSTANDING & ACTION!

HALF A CENTURY OF SERVING THE YMCA IN JAPAN AND THE UNITED STATES The Tokyo-Frost Valley YMCA partnership provides a home base for Japanese families to take respite from the stresses of life in a foreign country. Through this partnership, Japanese children build strong identities as global citizens with friendships that span cultures and continents. This wonderful program would not be possible without the guidance and support of Tatsuo Honma, who founded the partnership in 1979 with his wife, Emiko. Mr. Honma, who was the Executive Director of the partnership for 18 years until his retirement in 1997, saw great potential in this collaboration from the very start and embraced it as his life’s work. His YMCA story is an inspiring tale of service, cultural awareness, and leadership, and his life’s work can be read about in the recently published book, “Tatsuo & Emiko: Discovery, Understanding and Action — Half a century of servicing the YMCA in Japan and the United States” (available for purchase at Amazon.com).

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.