SETTING A COURSE FOR LONG-TERM STABILITY 1990–1999

SETTING A COURSE FOR LONG-TERM STABILITY 1990–1999

PEOPLE

In the early 1990’s, important personnel hires and key events set YMCA Camp Surf on a course of expansion in both programs and facilities. In 1990, Val Hoy was the Camping Board Chair, and he hired Tom Madeyski as the new Executive Director of Resident Camping. Tom came from YMCA Camp Jewel, considered one of the top YMCA camps in the country at that time. He brought his experience in camp programming, marketing and administration of overnight programs to San Diego. Tom’s enthusiastic leadership style and sound financial management were cornerstones for the changes to come over the next three decades.

Dick Mason hired Zayanne Gardner as the seasonal summer director for YMCA Camp Surf in 1990. She continued to work summers through grad school and developed the Coastal Marine Studies program, the beginning of outdoor education at YMCA Camp Surf. Tom hired her in 1993 as the Outdoor Education Director at Camp Marston/Raintree Ranch. Zayanne continued to support beach programs during summers and returned to YMCA Camp Surf full time in 1999 as the Summer & Outdoor Education Director.

In 1991, Dan “Dano” Gutowski and his friend Brad Russell rode their bicycles from New York to California and were promptly hired by Dick Mason. Dano and Brad served several years under Dick, developing and growing Group Services, Coastal Marine Studies, and Peer Counseling & Leadership Development. Dano started his endless summer in 1991 as the Group Services Coordinator, eventually becoming the Groups Director, then Senior Program Director. When Dick Mason stepped down in 1995, Dano took over as the YMCA Camp Surf Director. Dano continued to grow yearround programs and facilities, and then left his position in 1997 to pursue a career in higher education, ultimately becoming the Administrative Services Supervisor for Miramar College.

Mark Thompson was also hired by Dick Mason in 1993. Mark hitchhiked down the west coast from Canada with a strong background in aquatics and a goal to learn how to surf. As an international staff member Mark’s first assignment was to help build Waterman Village on main camp, just south of the archery range. During his first summer Mark was an Ocean Lifeguard, Beachcomber counselor and bus driver (things were a bit different back then)! Mark headed up to Camp Marston and worked as an Instructor then Coordinator for Outdoor Education and Group Services programs. He spent the summer of 1995 as the YMCA Camp Surf waterfront director and established a new level of professionalism with radio communication, a waterfront manual, Imperial Beach lifeguard service mutual aid agreement, and a week long rookie training. Less than four years after his arrival, Mark became the YMCA Camp Surf Director when Dan Gutowski stepped down in 1997.

PLACE

In the absence of maintenance staff, Dick worked with Sheriff Doug Walters to implement a work release program. Throughout the 1990s, thousands of people earned community-service hours at YMCA Camp Surf. Dano maximized the work release program, accomplishing numerous facility improvements. The pirate/ shipwreck theme was started, and projects included the crows’ nest, first dining deck sunshade, and staff room upgrades.

The achievements by key staff were coupled with a monumental event that solidified the future of camp. In 1994, under the leadership of Camp Board Members Jeff Wohler, Ron Rouse and Jim Eischen, along with the support of California Senators Diane Feinstein, Barbara Boxer, Congressmen Brian Bilbray, and the San Diego Board of Supervisors, legislation from the United States Congress authorized up to a 50-year lease for the operation of YMCA Camp Surf on Navy property. The same individuals worked on the language, and a 50-year lease was signed in 1998. This lease provided the stability needed to raise funds and execute a long-term master plan. Mark Thompson created a new plan in 1998, expanding the vision developed by Dick Mason 10 years earlier. The first major construction in 10 years occurred in 1999 with the completion of the camp director’s house near the Carnation Ave. entrance. This was the first of many projects to come, made possible by the new long term lease.

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PROGRAMS

Group Services became the fastest growing program at all three camps and demonstrated the potential of YMCA Camp Surf as a year-round facility.

The program developed because of Dano’s entrepreneurial mindset and included services ranging from basic camp site rentals, equipment rentals, a la carte programming, and meal options. Allinclusive program packages were also developed. Dano implemented bulk mailing and targeted marketing for a variety of scouts, youth groups, and YMCA Indian Guides throughout California, Arizona and Nevada. The result was thousands of new participants each year.

Several pilot programs were launched at YMCA Camp Surf by Dick and Dano in the 90s. They included Environmental Service Corp, Peer Counseling & Leadership Development, after school Skateboard and Surfing Clubs, and Mission Projects to support orphanages and the YMCA in Tijuana. Outdoor Education was implemented in 1992 by Zayanne Gardner and in 1999 Mark Thompson started summer day camp. Outdoor Education, Leadership Development and Day Camp continue to this day at YMCA Camp Surf.

When Mark Thompson took the helm in 1997, he capitalized on the demand Dano and Dick had created for YMCA Camp Surf programs. Group Services moved from a la carte to full service programming and summer overnight camp moved from 8 to 9 weeks. Zayanne used her experience and connections to build Outdoor Education at Camp Marston and then at YMCA Camp Surf when she returned in 1999. Program quality and a strong reputation allowed for gradual price increases that provided desperately needed funding for facility improvements and equipment purchases.

YMCA Camp Surf was on the map! The new programs, marketing, and operational growth were recognized by the YMCA of San Diego County corporate office, and YMCA Camp Surf won the Program Excellence award in 1997 for the Teen Peer Counseling & Leadership Training Program, and again in 1998 for Mission Projects. In 1999 staff recognition also became a larger part of the YMCA Camp Surf culture with the Counselor of the Week aka “COW” awarded. This was given each summer session to a program staff member that exemplified the YMCA core values of caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility and had also gone above and beyond in serving campers. Natalie Corrall, who was just starting a 17-year journey on the YMCA Camp Surf staff team, received the very first COW award.