SUMMER 2021 IN REVIEW
“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times” – A Tale of Two Cities
With apologies to Charles Dickens, in some ways this summarizes the 2021 camp season. It was so wonderful to have campers and staff back on our properties after the 2020 pandemic-related shutdown. To hear the singing in the dining halls and watch cabin groups head out on the trips
was incredible. To see kids emerge from isolation and build and renew friendships was so gratifying.
But, at the same time, we struggled with staffing shortages, COVID-modified programming, supply chain issues, and other challenges that made operating camp difficult. We’re so grateful for the perseverance and dedication of our staff teams, and for the understanding and support we received from our entire camp community. It was – to invoke an overused phrase – a perfect storm.
In the end, however, we did more than just survive. We gave our campers the summer experience that they so desperately needed. And our families were grateful! Here are some comments from our end-of-summer surveys:
“Being there without mom or dad, making decisions on her own and the friends she’s made over the years. Camp is such a great thing for kids! I’m so happy my daughter has had and will continue to have this opportunity!”
“Camp was important to the developmental and social growth of my son this summer, particularly given the challenges of life as a teen under COVID.”
“Isle Royale is such a coming-of-age trip; it was needed more than ever coming out of the pandemic shut down. Thank you for making it happen!”
“We were thrilled that camp was able to hold the same high standards during a crazy COVID year as every other year. We were pleased with the way that you handled the pandemic and followed through with your protocols. Our son had a wonderful time and met many new friends.”
“Camp changed her life this summer and after such a long year it was a welcome change. It was his first sleepaway camp experience. And he was nervous and did get homesick but also had a great time, made new friends, and tried new things. He was so proud of himself!”
“Cheers to everyone who puts on such a wonderful experience for the children! THANK YOU!”
CONGRATS TO OUR SURVEY WINNERS!
More than 230 families completed our 2021 Summer Camps Parent Survey and, in the process, made themselves eligible for the drawing for a $250 discount on 2022 camp tuition. We’re pleased to announce the winners of our drawing:
- Watts Family – Chicago, Illinois
- Carr Family – Grosse Pointe Farms, Michigan
Congratulations to these two families – and thanks to everyone who completed the survey. Your feedback is valuable and will help us to make the camp experience even better next summer.
NEW TRUSTEES!
John Kelley has actually rejoined the board after a brief
hiatus. John lives in Ann Arbor and works within the technology
field, where he has a proven track record of developing high functioning
teams. An HWH alumnus who spent seven summers at camp, John’s family also has a cabin on Torch Lake.
Christine Holter attended Camp Arbutus as a camper, CIT and counselor during its time as a privately-owned camp. She credits camp with developing her ongoing love of nature. Chris lives in Florida and worked for many years for Marriott International focusing on business development in Latin
America. She now owns her own consulting firm.
Katie Sulau is an Arbutus Hayo-Went-Ha alumna who spent fourteen summers on the shores of Arbutus Lake. As a staff member she initiated the “Farm to Camp” program to help teach campers about sustainable living. Katie lives in Traverse City and works as a consultant for organizations in such areas as capacity-building and strategic planning.
John, Chris, and Katie have hit the ground running, as all three have volunteered to serve on our strategic planning task force. We’re grateful for their interest, their talents, and their commitment to our camps.
TORCH LAKE TRANSITION
Tim McKendrick, our Camp Hayo-Went-Ha Director, has left his position as of October 1, 2021. During Tim’s tenure with the State YMCA, he saw the organization and the camp through some challenging times, including the onset of a global pandemic, the closure of our two camps and their eventual re-opening, and our safe and successful operation during the 2021 summer
season. Tim’s hard work and efforts are appreciated, and we wish him well in all future endeavors.
YMCA CEO Dave DeLuca will step in on an interim basis to ensure that planning and preparations for the 2022 camping season proceed appropriately. Dave will also begin the nationwide recruitment process for our next Camp Hayo-Went-Ha Director, and we anticipate having the new person in place by early 2022.
Any questions regarding this transition should be directed to Dave DeLuca at:
ddeluca@hayowentha.org
WE’RE LOOKING FOR OUR NEXT CAMP DIRECTOR!
As noted in the article above, we’ve got an opening at our Torch Lake site for a new camp director. Those interested in learning more about this opportunity should reach out to Dave DeLuca.
The successful candidate will possess a minimum of five years of administrative experience in a resident camp setting, a solid track record in youth development work, and the ability to develop a strong, positive camp culture. We’re looking for a team player who can collaborate and communicate effectively. Prior Hayo-Went-Ha involvement is a plus.
This opportunity will be advertised within YMCA and American Camp Association job boards. An aggressive outreach effort will be undertaken to ensure that we have a deep and experienced talent pool. It is anticipated that finalist interviews will take place in early December and that our
new Hayo-Went-Ha Director will be on-site by mid-January. The HWH Camp Director listing has recently been posted on the YMCA Online Vacancy List:
https://www.ymca.org/get-involved/careers/opportunities/open-positions/9899
FAMILY CAMP AT TORCH LAKE
Just as with the summer camp program, our Torch Lake Family
Camp was not able to happen in 2020. And – just as with summer camp – family camp roared back to life in 2021! More than 25 families (130 people total) returned to experience a week at camp and to renew friendships… some dating back more than forty years. The weather was AMAZING – the best of the entire summer! Not a drop of rain fell during the six-day program.
Our families enjoyed delicious meals, fun activities (lots of pickleball!) and a healthy amount of R & R!
Special thanks and recognition to Theresa Corcoran who reprised her role as Family Camp Director!
Some folks have already reached out to the camp office regarding 2022 Family Camp. We’re going to hold off until January before making any arrangements or addressing cabin requests for next summer. Your patience is appreciated.
AMERICORPS AT CAMP!
This fall we are fortunate to have an AmeriCorps group at Torch Lake. The five-member team arrived in mid-September and is taking on such projects as renovations to the Fire Tower Trail and drainage improvements along the disc golf course. The group consists of a Team Leader, Community Relations Representative, Project Outreach Liaison, Vehicle/Safety/Tools Officer, and the Service Learning Initiator.
Roberto, Bonnie, Connor, Chan and Nick are flexible, dedicated, motivated and hardworking. They have expressed just how much they’re enjoying their time in northern Michigan. They’ll be with us through early November.
VISITOR POLICY
Both our camps now lie quiet and (mostly) empty as we are not hosting groups and schools this fall. There’s still a staff presence at each camp as we continue with maintenance work, and begin the planning and preparations for next summer.
We often encounter visitors at camp – usually alumni who happen to be in the area and yearn to see their old camp, and many tourists are still visiting in the area for the fall colors and local events. While we’re grateful for the loyalty and interest shown by our former campers and staff members, we ask that all visitors stop at the Main Office. As you can perhaps imagine, there are all sorts of safety and security considerations with having unforeseen visitors at camp.
Our Visitor Policy is still in effect. When no camps are in session:
- Any visitor (local area residents, alumni or other groups of visitors), must check in at the Camp Office upon arrival.
- The visitor(s) must sign the visitor log. Vehicles are to be left in the office
parking lot. - If a camp staff member is not available to escort the group, a Visitor badge must be visibly worn while touring camp.
- Once the visit is completed, the visitor(s) should return to the office to check out.
Both sites are posted with “NO HUNTING” signs throughout the property. No facilities or cabins are currently being rented. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation.