PINES TO PALMS
YMCA OVERNIGHT CAMPS
MARSTON | SURF | RAINTREE ymca.org/camps P 760 765 0642 Volume 1 Issue 6 Summer 2019
A newsletter for Alumni & Friends of YMCA OVERNIGHT CAMPS - MARSTON | SURF | RAINTREE
DINING HALL DONE RIGHT At the dedication of the spectacular new dining hall at Marston, YMCA CEO Baron Herdelin-Doherty noted, “Not only are we celebrating a wonderful new dining hall, we’re recognizing that it’s a building ‘done right’”. Over a hundred guests, donors and alumni gathered on Saturday, June 15th, to cut the ribbon on this distinctive addition to YMCA Camp Marston. I told the crowd that day, if the old Gilmore Dining Hall lasted 90 years, this one will last a century and serve over one million happy campers. The new hall comfortably seats over 300 campers and an additional 100 on the outdoor dining deck. Special consideration was given to acoustics, there are five bathrooms, modern audio-visual capabilities and the indooroutdoor fireplaces add charm. The theme of the new hall honors the Julian Gold Rush of 1869 with historic pictures and a Marston Mine facade, circa 1921, our founding year. Special thanks were given to Dann Mallec, Rick Engineering; Drew Hubbell, Architect; CREW Builders, General Contractor; Simon Hansen, Zayanne Thompson and the camp facilities staff – John, Brian, Dusty, Danny and Dale. Donor Molly Schulz spoke at the event, opening by reciting the Raggers Creed, honoring her father Dan McKinney, a proud White Ragger. Other major donors included Cargill
Philanthropies, Mark Foster and the Foster Advised Fund at the San Diego Foundation and the County of San Diego Neighborhood Reinvestment Program. Many of our “Buy A Brick” donors also attended, seeing their $250, $500 or $1000+ stones installed on the courtyard wall. We’re still selling stones where you can share a quote and honor your history with camp, simply go to www.ymca.org/brick to order yours. The other recent alumni event celebrated Raintree Ranch’s 50th Anniversary. Over 200 alumni and friends braved the conditions on a 49-degree day in May to share memories and life-long friendships. The warm fellowship more than made up for the chill as we welcomed back so many alum, including former Raintree-1’s Biff Buchan and Shawn Coner, and furthest traveler Hannah MacDonald from Scotland. We were honored to have Valentine Hoy speak, sharing how Raintree was acquired in 1969. Val was joined by Raintree’s inaugural director Jeff Wohler and first season staff member Greg Herreman. Special thanks to current Raintree Program Director Shari Walls for orchestrating the event with pony rides, live music, excellent food, commemorative tie-dye shirts and more. As the motto goes, and certainly in evidence that day, “Raintree Ranch, come for the horses, stay for the people!”.
PINES TO PALMS | MARSTON | SURF | RAINTREE
YMCA CAMP MARSTON NEW DINING HALL DEDICATION CEREMONY
BRICKBY BRICK
WE BUILT A NEW DINING HALL! Be a part of Camp Marston history!
As you know, we built a new, larger, amazing dining hall. The new dining hall added 80 dining spaces, a large outdoor deck, courtyard and new views to the east through three large dormer/windows. 2
Would you like to be a part of this transformational project? We’re setting aside an area of the outdoor courtyard for special personalized bricks, which you can participate in. Here’s a chance to contribute and memorialize your family name, positive message, or even add a short quote.
GIVING LEVELS $250
4” x 8” Brick
$500
8” x 8” Brick
x 12” Brick $1,000 12” LEAD SPONSOR
PINES TO PALMS | MARSTON | SURF | RAINTREE
50TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION AT YMCA RAINTREE RANCH
STAY CONNECTED It’s never been easier to keep in touch with camp news, camp friends, and find out about all the alumni events happening throughout the year! Find us on Facebook Follow us on Instagram & YouTube
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PINES TO PALMS | MARSTON | SURF | RAINTREE
ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT
Tom Madeyski once told me, “Relationships are the most important thing - and everything that we do at the Y reinforces that”. That sentence of wisdom sums up my time at Raintree Ranch much better than anything I could write myself. As a staff, you go into every summer thinking about the impact that you are going to make on the kids whose parents have entrusted them in your care. What no first year counselor can ever comprehend is just how much those children will impact YOU. The same is true of Coordinators with their Staff & Campers, Directors with Staff and Families, and Executives with everything in-between. I was so honored to be invited to the Raintree 50th anniversary, and thankful for the opportunity to see that the Camp Spirit is still so strong. So long as campers continue to have safe place to be encouraged to be themselves up in the hills of Julian the magic of Raintree Ranch is sure to last 50 more. During my time at Raintree my favorite thing was always to see the candles get lit on the final night of camp - when the only light we could see was from the 4 candles representing the Y Core Values. After we would all light our own candles we’d watch the light expand farther, cutting through the darkness. As we formed a triangle we’d begin to see the faces of our camp family, who were only silhouettes just moments ago. This is the way that the Camp Spirit is passed on. If each of us chooses to share just a little of ourselves with others, the light keeps moving out and enlightening others.
50TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION at YMCA CAMP SURF SAVE THE DATE:
Saturday, November 2, 2019 • 4pm - 9pm
www.ymca.org/surf50 Questions? Steve Morris | smorris@ymca.org | P 619 423 5850
What a tremendous amount of light Raintree Ranch has brought to me and so many others! Bring those summers right back to me please, Bif Buchan (Raintree Ranch Alumni) Vice President of Youth Development YMCA OF ROCK RIVER VALLEY
OUR MISSION : The YMCA of San Diego County is dedicated to improving the quality of human life and to helping all people realize their fullest potential as children of God through the development of the spirit, mind, and body.
If you haven’t already registered as a Camp Alumni please do so at our NEW webpage: www.ymca.org/camps/camp-alumni