The Wa Wa Wally Waddle is happening again!

Friends of Segowea is proudly presenting the 2nd Annual Wa Wa Wally Waddle coming up in May!

What is the Wa Wa Wally Waddle you ask?

I'm glad you asked! It's a 5K Run and Walk that is a fundraiser for scholarships to help children attend camp this summer. What other questions do you have?

When is it happening? It takes place Sunday May 15th, with registration for the race taking place from 7:30 am - 9:30 am. The race begins at 10 am, but there's the kids run at 9:30 am and new this year- the Rugby Field Rush taking place at 9:45 am.

Where is it taking place? The run happens at Vassar Farms in Poughkeepsie, like last year. But this year it's an improved course layout with more events and more pies!

Why have the race? It's a fundraiser for scholarships for kids to attend camp and it's put on by the Friends of Segowea and run by the Mid-Hudson Road Runners Club. The more money raised, the more kids go to camp!

I'd like to participate, but I'm "not in shape"/ "only run if someone's chasing me"/ "can't remember the last time I was in a race".

That's okay! Organizer Josh Perks has put together a 12 week training plan anyone can follow! It starts off easy enough, mixing running with a lot more of walking. As the weeks go by, you're increasing your running. Before you know it, you're running for 30 minutes straight and ready to race! See his whole plan at- http://www.friendsofsegowea.org/?page_id=131

I'm ready now. Where do I sign up? Register online here- http://friendsofsegowea.org/waddle/

Can't make it to the race but still want to help send kids to Camp Segowea? Make a $15 donation through our Wa Wa Away's program. Go to- http://friendsofsegowea.org/waddle/index.php

We hope to see you on May 15th!

Sending a child to Camp Wa Wa Segowea

According to the American Camping Association, millions of children attend one of 12,000 camps in the US every year. They attend for many reasons; to learn life skills, gain self-confidence, self esteem and social skills, just to name a few. That's very true right here at Camp Wa Wa Segowea as we welcome all children from diverse socio-economic, cultural and religious backgrounds. At Camp Segowea, campers learn to be active and productive members of a family, a community and the world. Registration for the summer of 2011 is happening right now online at www.segowea.org. The summer begins starting June 26th and runs weekly sessions up to the last day of camp of August 26th. There are discounts for YMCA members and financial aid is available for those who demonstrate a financial need. You can access a scholarship application here - http://www.cdymca.org/Libraries/Chingachgook_Documents/Scholarship_app_2011.sflb.ashx and can also find the application on the Camp Wa Wa Segowea website.

So where does this scholarship money come from? The YMCA is currently in full swing in the Reach Out for Youth campaign for the month of February. Every dollar raised will help send a child to Camp Wa Wa Segowea. You can help make a difference in a child's life!

Consider a pledge to the campaign by sending a check directly to YMCA Camp Wa Wa Segowea or by contacting the office with a pledge at 518-656-9462 or segowea@cdymca.org. You can also send an email to me and I'll help.

Colin Powell, former Secretary of State General and Founding Chair of America's Promise- The Alliance For Youth said "Camping is a great opportunity for young people. It teaches them a little about themselves. It teaches them how to get along with other people – both other young people as well as adults. It teaches them self-reliance." And Film Director, Francis Ford Coppola said "If I have to be remembered for something, I want it remembered that I really liked children and was a good camp counselor."

Won't you consider helping a child have a Camp Segowea experience?

Meet the New Camp Wa Wa Segowea Camp Director!

The CDYMCA and Smith Park would like to welcome the new Camp Wa Wa Segowea Director, Kat Fitzpatrick!

Kat is from Waialua, Hawaii and has a strong background in YMCA Camping and non-profit, community centered programming. She is enthusiastic on outdoor education and once ran her own summer camp! She has been employed at several YMCA camps, most recently in California and Hawaii. She is no stranger to the East Coast as well, teaching and working in administration at a school in Saratoga, New York. She has a genuine fondness for the outdoors, leading many Adventure Trips the last three years. The video on this blog post is a short introduction to Kat, and she welcomes all correspondence from past, present and future Campers, camp alumni and Friends of Segowea! Her Camp email should be set up soon, but in the meantime, she can be reached at katadventures@gmail.com.

Welcome Kat!

Also- You can register online for camp for the summer of 2011 now! Simply go to http://www.cdymca.org/locations/CampWaWaSegowea/Home.aspx. While you're there, take a look around at the newly revamped Camp Segowea website. 133 days till the first day of camp!

It's time to register for Camp Wa Wa Segowea!

The dates are in! The sessions are set. Sign up now!

The 2011 Camping season begins just a few months away and now is a great time to register for the weeks you'll be attending! Session # 1 begins in late June and the season ends in late August with Session # 9. Register now for your first choice! Simply register online at www.segowea.org and start counting down the days!

Peg Smith, Chief Executive Officer for the American Camping Association (ACA) says camp serves as the solution to many of the gaps in our current education system - teaching values such as self-esteem, teamwork and caring.

All campers at Camp Segowea participate actively in a community where they are accepted for who they are, receive guidance and support learning new skills and develop healthy, supportive relationships with other campers and counselors.

What is your child doing this summer? Sign them up today and know it's the best value of any overnight camp in the Northeast! Tell your neighbors. Share with your friends. Let everyone know about Camp Wa Wa Segowea! Register online at www.segowea.org or download the registration form and fax or mail it in. It will be Summer before you know it!

A time for catching frogs.

Staying on the log the longest.

Setting the record for most people on a bench.

Watching the wildlife, while they watch you.

Or simply enjoying the view from the porch.

Register now!

The answers to Guess the Cabin (in previous posts) are as follows:

From the post dated January 23rd-

1) Pawnee 2) Yukon 3) Arapaho 4) Navajo

From the post dated January 28th-

1) Mohicans 2) Cayuga 3) Yurok 4) Apache

From the post dated February 3rd-

1) Oneida 2) Seneca 3) Ticon

and the older picture featured Seneca, Yurok and Navajo

Thanks to those who played!

Guess the cabin at Camp Wa Wa Segowea, Part 3 (Final)

It's the final 3 cabins in "Guess that cabin"! Take a look and see which cabin you think it is. Take a guess and put your answers in the comments below.

1) Just a couple pictures of this cabin, but a clue is it's been a boys and a girls cabin!

2) This cabin hasn't changed much through the years. And that tree is still there!

3) And finally, the easiest cabin to recognize? Hint- it's the smallest!

And as an added bonus, a picture of the cabins from 1933. Bonus points if you can correctly name the cabins in this picture!

Look for the answers to "Guess the Cabin" in the next post. Also in the next post, it's registration time for the summer! We'll take you through the registration process step by step.

But in the mean time, you can also do it yourself and sign up today! Go to http://www.cdymca.org/locations/WaWaSegowea.aspx/ (Look for Register on-line) or register directly-

https://chingachgook.campintouch.com/v2/camper/application/app0.aspx