PINES TO PALMS
YMCA OVERNIGHT CAMPS
MARSTON | SURF | RAINTREE ymca.org/camps P 760 765 0642 Volume 1 Issue 5 Spring 2019
A newsletter for Alumni & Friends of YMCA OVERNIGHT CAMPS - MARSTON | SURF | RAINTREE
The snow kept falling. . . and when we woke up on the morning of February 19th, more than 16 inches of the white stuff had transformed Camps Marston and Raintree Ranch into a winter wonderland. For me, this was the second largest snowfall I’d seen in 29 years. Several weekend groups and lots of 6th Grade School Camp kids enjoyed an amazing time making snowmen, throwing snowballs, sledding and taking in the stunning beauty. Then, on Valentine’s Day in the middle of “I Love Camp” month, the rains and snow combined to fill Lake Jessop. In fact, for the first time since the 1980’s, we saw the lake level go up so high, so quickly, that water started flowing over the emergency/ secondary spillway. My spirits are always lifted with the full lake, knowing it brings fishing, canoeing, raft-building and stand-up paddle-boarding, along with that chorus of spring
peepers and summer bullfrogs. We’ll be stocking fish in the next few weeks, consider bringing your pole on your next visit. Saturday, June 15th is shaping up to be a wonderful day at Marston. On this, our annual Alumni Day, we’re dedicating the new Dining Hall into service. The ceremony starts at 11:30 (we promise to make it short) followed by lunch and camp tours. The Camp History & Archive Center will also be open that day, thanks to the efforts of Ed Greaves and Terry Bucknum. Be sure to drop by and perhaps find pictures of your younger self from back-in-the-day. I hope to see many of you at Marston in June, for now always remember, “camp is camp and it’s all good!” By Tom Madeyski District Executive
PINES TO PALMS | MARSTON | SURF | RAINTREE
YMCA CAMP MARSTON NEW DINING HALL DEDICATION CEREMONY
SAVE THE DATE: Saturday, June 15th, 2019 • 11:30am-2pm Please join us for the official grand opening and dedication of the new Camp Marston Dining Hall! We’re inviting our benevolent donors, board members, and cherished former staff to enjoy the brand new facility. After the ceremony we’ll provide lunch and offer tours of camp to see all the improvements as well as time to reminisce and fellowship. We hope to see you there as we embark on Marston’s 98th Summer Season!
RSVP @
www.ymca.org/MarstonDiningHall For more info contact Steve Morris smorris@ymca.org | P 619 423 5850
BRICKBY BRICK
LET’S BUILD A NEW DINING HALL! Be a part of Camp Marston history! As you know, we are building a new, larger, amazing dining hall. The new dining hall will add 80 dining spaces, a large outdoor deck, courtyard and new views to the east through three large dormer/windows.
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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
SAVE THE DATE: Memorial Day May 27, 2019 | 12pm-3pm FAMILY FRIENDLY ANNIVERSARY PARTY • Organic Tacos - Mr. Manitas Taco Bar • Live Music - The Sea Monks • Pony Rides • Tye-Dye Station • Raffle • Silent Auction • Yard Games • Social Time
MORE INFO:
www.ymca.org/raintree50 Questions?: Shari Walls | swalls@ymca.org | P 760 765 0642
WHO SHOULD ATTEND?
Alumni, board members, campers, parents, Raintreee vendors & staff
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
We’re social.
f
You Tube
@ymcacampmarston @ymcaraintreeranch @ymcacampsurf
and of course there’s always....
www.ymca.org/camps/camp-alumni
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PINES TO PALMS | MARSTON | SURF | RAINTREE
TEEN REUNION On the first weekend in April, we had over 20 teens from Camp Surf, Marston and Raintree Ranch join us for a reunion at YMCA Camp Surf. It was a time of rekindling friendships, building new ones, catching some waves, sharing ideas, and leaving an inspiring mark on camp.
Sunday morning was a time of impact as we asked our teens to voice their thoughts and ideas for camp - improvements, their passions for camp, and why they return year after year. We also invited each teen to leave their mark on camp by painting their favorite inspirational quote on the arts and crafts wall.
We started our Saturday with laughs and fun on the front field playing games and getting to know each other better. Next was a tie dye party with bandanas and t-shirts ending up with amazing and unique designs, as well as some on our hands and legs! After a delicious lunch we hit the beach, enjoying the sunshine and surf. For dinner we had a cookout with everyone making their own Chocolate-Cake-in-an-Orange dessert that we cooked over coals. Finally, we wrapped our day up with a walk down to the pier and soaked in a beautiful sunset along the way.
We look forward to more teen contributions this year and to be a part of the meaningful work we do. Thank you camp families, campers and staff, we couldn’t shine as bright without you. See you all this summer!
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.
Chelsey Ayers Program Director | Summer Overnight & Day Camp YMCA Camp Surf
UPCOMING 2019 EVENTS: Raintree Ranch 50th Anniversary Celebration - May 27th, 2019 Camp Marston Alumni Day and Dining Hall Dedication – June 15th, 2019 Family Fun Day - May 5th, 2019 Camp Surf 50th Anniversary Celebration – November 1-3rd, 2019 We hope to see you at one of these events or hear from you soon!
If you haven’t already registered as a Camp Alumni please do so at our NEW webpage: www.ymca.org/camps/camp-alumni