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Friday, June 29, 2012

Thanks to the supporters of YMCA Camp Wa Wa Segowea!



Camp has started and soon (next week) we’ll be posting one blog per week, with a wrap-up of the previous week.   We’ll have pictures, more pictures and even more pictures that happened during the week and possibly the weekend as well!

Enrollment has increased over last year, but there’s still time to register your child for camp this summer!  Simply give Camp Director Kat Fitzpatrick a call at 413-229-9110 or send her an email to kfitzpatrick@cdymca.org.  There’s scholarship money available for those that qualify.   This scholarship money has been raised throughout the year including from our biggest fundraiser, the Annual Wa Wa Wally Waddle that took place in May.  It’s because of major sponsors of the Waddle like CAYA Restaurant in Staatsburg, NY, and Finnish Solutions in Poughkeepsie, NY that children can experience the wonder of nature at camp.  Campers have the opportunity to make new friends, learn to paddle a canoe or shoot a bow and arrow for the first time.

CAYA Restaurant is located in the Hudson Valley and is worth the trip!  It arguably has the best views of the Hudson Valley and the food is just as good!  It’s open for Dinner from 4pm on Monday thru Friday and Weekends start at noon.  Its’ café is open for lunch every day.   On Friday’s they have “Fish Fry Friday” with house battered fresh haddock.  Sounds delicious!

CAYA Restaurant on 5371 Albany Post Road in Staatsburg, NY.  See their menu on their website- www.cayarestaurant.com and visit them on Facebook-  http://www.facebook.com/pages/CAYA-Restaurant/101248576671165   Tell them Camp Wa Wa Segowea sent you!

More supporters of the Wally Waddle and Camp Segowea are:

Mid-Hudson Oral Surgeons                                         http://www.midhudsonoralsurgeons.com/
Molloy Pharmacy                                                         http://www.molloypharmacy.com/
Zimmer Brothers                                                         http://www.zimmerbrothers.com/
Finnish Solutions                              http://finnishsolutionsconstruction.com/services.html                           
Soul Dog Restaurant                                                 http://www.souldog.biz/
Tubby's Bathroom Resurfacing                                 845-473-1571
Mid-Hudson Road Runners Club                                 http://www.mhrrc.org/
Morris Associates Engineering Consultants, PLLC http://www.morrisengineers.com/
BabyCakes Cafe                                                         http://babycakescafe.com/
Roadkill Racing                                                         http://roadkillracing.com/
Cold Moon Farm B&B                                                 http://www.coldmoonfarm.com/

We strongly urge you visit and support them as well!

Some pictures were taken before kids got there this past Sunday and thought we would share.  Enjoy!

                                        Shooting the staff picture was a little tough this year!


Which position to have them in?



Do we just show their feet?



Standing on the raft?




                                                  It was decided Camp is all about circles!



George, Laura and Emily setting up the sailboats.


Finishing up painting the Directors cabin!


Looking at camp from a different angle.


The new camp dogs!


Raking out the C Dock needed to get done!


...as well as removing some down trees.



Taking time to pose!


It's the year of the Luna Moth!



Taking in the view.


Hobie needs to be cleaned too!


                                                      Camp Staff or Super heroes?


Thursday, June 21, 2012

June 2012 Work Weekend at YMCA Camp Wa Wa Segowea


Many thanks to the volunteers that came to lend a hand getting camp ready for the summer.  It was a good turnout and quite a bit was accomplished!  Here's some pictures from the weekend.

Can you guess where Sarah and Amy are cleaning?


The new GaGa pit is complete!


Putting together the new PaddleBoard rack.




Katie on Power Washing duty!



Some serious reconstruction of the boat area!




Scuch, Lou & Jackie taking time to pose!


Jim hard at work on the lifejacket rack.




Staff member Laurel back for the summer at Wa Wa!


Laura putting together the Wa Wa Library.



Official testing of the brand new PaddleBoards!






Thanks again for all the help!

Monday, June 18, 2012

Meet the Staff of YMCA Camp Wa Wa Segowea 2012!



The opening of camp is less than a week away and so much is happening at Camp!   Some of the Summer staff has been there a week already, while others are arriving daily.  They're all going through training as well as getting the camp ready for the first day!  They had some help this past couple of days  as our last Work Weekend was held.  It was a great turnout and we got a lot accomplished!  We really want to thank all the volunteers that came out to show their support for enriching children's lives through summer camp.  We also want to thank the staff that stayed at camp (on their day off) to assist in every aspect!   They all cleaned, they raked, they dug, they bulldozed, they scraped, they organized, they painted and they hammered and nailed, all for the sake of keeping that Wa Wa spirit alive.  Camp would not survive without its' volunteers!

And of course it wouldn't be a camp without a camp staff!  We thought it would be a good idea to introduce you to the summer staff and so we asked the incoming staff to answer a couple questions and tell us about themselves.   Here's what we collected, along with a snapshot!

Clifford Clarke, 20, Poughkeepsie, NY

What brings you or brings you back to Wa Wa?   A friend of my mother, Kristen Hendrickson, suggested that I apply so I considered it. After doing a little research into the camp  came to the conclusion that taking on a job as a camp counselor would not only be fun and exciting but beneficial for me to reach my goal of becoming a better leader.
What are you looking forward to at camp?  I look forward to building relationships with my co-workers and taking on the challenge of caring for a group of guys on a weekly basis.
What are you really good at?  I am really good a solving problems and I really enjoy using that ability to help others, especially those I am close to.
Favorite camp food?   S'mores
Best thing to do when it rains?    If it is a light rain, I enjoy taking short walks but if not I would prefer to listen to the rain while I read a good book.
Favorite joke?   I'm more of a riddle man myself. My favorite riddle is one that's answer is a play on words. You a trapped in a room with no windows or doors all the room has are walls, a ceiling and floor. You look to find a way out and as you walk forward you find a mirror and a piece of board. Surly you can you can use these to escape there's no doubt but for my sake please tell me, how did you get out?
Anything else you care to share?    I have always enjoyed playing video games, as a matter of fact, I now plan to start my own business making them.


Connor Sullivan, 20, from and currently living in Porter Corners, NY.

What brings you or brings you back to Wa Wa?   Growing up at the edge of the Adirondacks and spending almost all of my vacation time fishing, canoeing, or hiking in the Adirondacks has given me a love and appreciation of the outdoors.  What brings me specifically to Wa Wa is my interest in an Adventure Sports based career and my recent graduation from SUNY Adirondacks Adventure Sports program.  It is said if you can find a job that lets you do what you love, then you will lead a fuller happier life.  That's my goal.
What are you looking forward to at camp?    I'm looking forward to working with the campers and sharing my enthusiasm for the outdoors with them.
What are you really good at?   I enjoy interactive problem solving games, high ropes courses, and fly fishing.
Favorite camp food?   Pancakes and bacon.
Best thing to do when it rains?   Play games like Risk or Scrabble (I'm a terrible speller though).
Favorite joke?  Can't think of one.  I enjoy funny movies and situational humor.
Anything else?   One of the most important things that I have learned through my Adventure Sports training is to not be afraid of failure.  Failure is a natural part of an active learning activity and should be just seen as part of an overall process and not the final outcome.  Perseverance, adaptability, and participation are what matters.


My name is Delia, I´m from Spain (North Shore, Asturias-Gijon) Eventually I´m living in Gijon working as a swimming coach.


I like everything related with sports, education and environment so I can´t wait to live new experiences working and having fun with kids and all of you guys...
I´m looking forward to have an amazing summer, to learn new things and meet new people.
I´m very confident in the water.  I was a swimmer (I started swimming when I was 2 years old and my last race was just 4 years ago) Also I have experience working as a lifeguard since I was 18 years old- around 6 years and I love to practice surfing, bodyboarding...
My favorite food at camp is pasta and of course chocolate chips cookies.
When its raining, one of my favorites things to do is stay in the water practicing surfing or bodyboarding; and the other thing is stay at home  with my three dogs listen to music or reading a book.
Have a wonderful day guys:))
Aloha,
Delia



Emily Stolt, 21, Born in Lund, Sweden but I'm half American. I now live in Skanör, Sweden.


What brings you or brings you back to Wa Wa?
 I've worked at a different Y camp in Wisconsin for 5 years and I decided this summer maybe I should try something new so I applied to some other Y camps and right from the beginning of my interview with Kat and I knew Wa Wa was the place for me!
What are you looking forward to at camp?    So many things! Camp is the thing I look forward to every year! I'm excited to be the program director, meet all the staff and campers and hopefully play some capture the flag!
What are you really good at?   Hmmm... I've got some pretty good hula hoop tricks down and I can start a camp fire with just one match!
Favorite camp food?   Tacos!!
Best thing to do when it rains?   Dance in the rain!
Favorite joke?   Want to hear a joke about butter? Nah... I butter not tell you... you'll just spread it.



Laura Strong, 29 (will turn 30 second day of actual camp), I am from Auburn, Alabama, and currently am living at Wa Wa for the summer and Chingachagook for the fall.


What brings you or brings you back to Wa Wa?   I worked at Chingachagook last fall and fell in love with the northeast. I have only worked at camps in the southeast for the summer and the heat is oppressive! This will be a different opportunity for me.
What are you looking forward to at camp?  Everything! Camp as a whole is amazing!
What are you really good at?  Bringing a smile to peoples face and turning anything into a craft!
Favorite camp food?  PANCAKES!!!!
Best thing to do when it rains?  Curl up with a good book or challenge someone to a game of go fish.
Favorite joke?   What animal do you not want to play cards with?
A cheetah...
Anything else?   I love sharing the magic of camp with everyone not only the campers but also my fellow employees.



My name is Laurel, I'm 19, and I'm from Rochester, New York. It's really up in the air where I'll be living next summer (which is kind of exciting!) but hopefully I will know soon.


What brings you or brings you back to Wa Wa?   I grew up at Wa Wa and am really excited to be returning as a counselor. I love working with children and youth and I'm really passionate about youth development. The experience of going to camp is really unique and different from what most people do every day. Wa Wa is such a great place to really connect with young people and help them have a great experience they will never forget.
What are you looking forward to at camp?   Arts and Crafts, camp songs, and meeting lots of amazing people. I'm also hoping to brush up on my Ultimate Frisbee skills.
What are you really good at?   Making things! Food, art, music, hats, bubbles... I love to be creative and do things with a little bit of flair.
Favorite camp food?   Is this a trick question?
Best thing to do when it rains?  Pillow polo! Or arts and crafts on the porch.
Favorite joke?  What does a nosy pepper do?
Gets jalapeno business!
Anything else you care to share?    I'm hoping to get lots of chances to play my ukulele and guitar.


Luke Riccio, 18, Bethlehem NY

What brings you or brings you back to Wa Wa?    First time here.
What are you looking forward to at camp?  Learning how to handle a variety of scenarios involving kids and exercising creative control
What are you really good at?   Rock climbing, cooking, stocking shelves
Favorite camp food?   make your own sub (very time consuming)
Best thing to do when it rains?   Music music music  and complain
Anything else you care to share?  I'm a 46r and plan on hiking all 46 again in the winter. after retirement i want to open up an alternative high school.



My name is Mandy Grover and I am 26 and 5/6ths. I am from Cleveland,Ohio.

I just arrived at Wa Wa YAY!! I am going to be at Wa Wa because Kat Fitzpatrick is the best and it sounded like a great place to spend the summer.
I am looking forward to the paddle boards and sneaking up to other people on the paddle boards then pushing them off.
I am really good at making sweet friendship bracelets and rainbow chip cookies.
My favorite camp food is coffee and pizza.My favorite thing to do when it rains is paddle around in a boat and watch the rain hit the water.
My favorite joke is: Whats funny about safety?
NOTHING!








My name is Marcos I´m from Asturias, located in the beautiful North Shore of Spain.

I´m living in Spain now, just came back from Hawaii where I worked at a YMCA camp for 2 years
I love teaching sports to kids and have fun with them...
I´m looking forward to meet wonderful people, have fun and learn new things
I´ve been surfing for over 15 years, so is one of the things I feel more confident...
Being in the ocean, swimming, fishing...
I´ve been a lifeguard in different fields (open waters, swimming clubs, indoor pools...) for the last 7 years
My favorite food at camp is any kind of fruit...
Surfing is the best thing to do when it rains...no doubt :)
I´m very excited about meeting you all, have a nice week
See u soon.






Patty Calnan RN
Born and raised just outside Boston, Ma


What brings you or brings you back to Wa Wa? Returning to Wa Wa because of all its kidfastic fun times.
Favorite camp food?  Love anything the Mad Chef dreams up! YUM
What are you looking forward to at camp?  Seeing my old friends and meeting my new ones.
Best thing to do when it rains?   Love to read and nap in the rain
Favorite things to do at camp are swim across the lake, laugh with all you guys, camp fires and camp songs.



Sarah Rose Gilson, 22. Originally from sunny Fort Lauderdale, FL, and its where I'm living now!

What brings you or brings you back to Wa Wa?
I know someone who is working at Wa Wa and it just sounded ideal, so they helped me get in touch with Kat. I love camp and have worked with children a ton, so I'm stoked to spend a summer in the Berkshires at Camp Wa Wa.
What are you looking forward to at camp?    I'm really looking forward to being a lifeguard - I've always wanted to get certified. More generally, I'm excited to just push myself, and do things that I usually don't do/sports and activities I'm not very skilled at. This summer will be a new experience in many ways!
What are you really good at?   I'm a pretty good writer. In school, I was chosen to partake in a small writing workshop, and last semester I worked as a reporter for a local newspaper. I'm also a good swimmer.
Favorite camp food?  Macaroni and cheese!
Best thing to do when it rains?   Ooh - tough one. Probably stay inside and play acting games like charades, balderdash, catchphrase or celebrity!
Favorite joke?   Ah! So many! I love to laugh.
First thing that comes to mind: "Why does chuck norris' calendar skip april 1? Cause no one screws with chuck norris."   Those jokes always rock. I also love political satire, so basically anything out of jon stewarts mouth.
Anything else you care to share?    I love to travel and experience new things. I just graduated from college and am excited to spend a fun summer at Camp Wa Wa - a last hurrah before real life sets in. I can't wait to just get to camp and immerse myself in the environment - I'm sure it will be an amazing summer!



William Whitney, I am originally from Lexington, MA and now live to Burlington, MA however I am moving to San Antonio, Tx at the end of the summer.

What brings you or brings you back to Wa Wa?   What brings me to Wa Wa is the love for camp and the amazing atmosphere Wa Wa has. All the staff I have met at Wa Wa and the scenery is just amazing so I am looking forward to being there for the summer.
 What are you looking forward to at camp?   I am looking forward to making lots of new lifelong staff friends, being a role model to the campers, and being able to share my knowledge and love for the water with others while keeping the environment safe, and maybe leading some overnight trips around the pond.
What are you really good at?   I am very good at anything that has to do with the water: Sailing, swimming, scuba diving, motor boating, and so much more.
Favorite camp food?   My favorite camp food is S'mores.
Best thing to do when it rains?   I love swimming in the rain if it is not thunder and lighting if it is thunder and lighting gathering inside around a fire place and sharing stories.
Favorite joke?
I don't know any jokes but I do have a few favorite quotes.
"Life beats down and crushes the soul and reminds you that you have one." - Stella Adler
"When love and skill work together, expect a masterpiece." - John Ruskin
"The time is always right to do what is right." MLK JR.
"Human progress is neither automatic nor inevitable... Every step toward the goal of justice requires sacrifice, suffering, and struggle; the tireless exertions and passionate concern of dedicated individuals." MLK jr.
"We must learn to live together as brothers or perish together as fools." MLK jr.
"Ever person must decide whether to walk in the light of creative altruism or in the darkness of destructive selfishness. This is the judgement. Life's most persistent and urgent question is, what are you doing for others?" MLK jr.
"I believe the unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word in reality." MLK JR
"Love is the only force capable of transforming an enemy to a friend." MLK jr.
'The quality, not the longevity, of one's life is what is important." MLK jr.
"Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the staircase." MLK Jr.
"The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy." MLK Jr.
Anything else you care to share?
Thats it.


Kat Fitzpatrick, 45, born in Virginia but grew up mostly on Maui.

What brings you or brings you back to Wa Wa?   Destiny.
What are you looking forward to at camp?  Seeing the magic of Wa Wa change the lives of campers and staff right before my eyes.
What are you really good at?  Paddling outrigger (Hawaiian) canoes.
Favorite camp food?  Roast chicken and mashed potatoes
Best thing to do when it rains?   Watch it come down!
Favorite joke?   What's red and smells like blue paint?
(Red paint)
Anything else?  We are all on a hero's journey: home-adventure-return, and there will be adventures!









There are a few other staff members that will be there this summer, but we couldn't be in touch with them.  We will post their responses and snapshots when we receive them!

Some more typical questions we hear from parents-

What does my child not bring to camp? 
Please do not bring unnecessary or valuable items to camp. Campers are not permitted to bring ipods, cd players, cell phones, video cameras, aerosol cans, blow dryers, curling irons, valuable jewelry or food.

Will you provide laundry service?
Camp does not provide regular laundry services for campers.  We will provide laundry service for special circumstances (bedwetting, etc).  We will also provide laundry services for campers staying consecutive sessions at Camp.

What happens in a case of emergency medical situation?
Emergency medical care is provided by Fairview Hospital in Great Barrington, Ma. Non emergency care is provided by CHP (Community Health Partners or the Community Health Center at Fairview Hospital on a fee-for-service basis.  The parent is financially responsible for any medical costs incurred by the child while at Wa Wa Segowea. Costs are charged to the family insurance plan or billed to the parent.

Does my child need spending money at camp?
There is no need for spending money at camp. We strongly request that summer campers do not bring any money.

We're almost ready for camp!