Whispering Pines February 2021

We have certainly had a busy start to the new year! With very little snow and warmer than usual temperatures, it actually felt more like November than January. Not only have maintenance tasks been completed but also a great deal of planning and preparing for 2021! Yes – we are planning for a summer program at our sites for the 2021 summer! We also have enjoyed welcoming Dave DeLuca, our new CEO to the full-time year-round staff. He spent the first two weeks on the job virtually but we are happy to announce he is now on-site and we can meet in person. (masked and from 6 feet away!)

Is your camper registered for a 2021 summer session? Do you know anyone who needs to know about camp for their child? Registration is open, and we are adding campers on a daily basis. We do need your help to share your camp experience and history with new families and help us recruit for the 2021 season. Reach out to your neighbors, coworkers, friends, and family and let them know the benefits of camp and the amazing programs of HWH Camps.

Preserve Your Past – Protect Our Future

Thank you to all our loyal camp friends during this interesting time. Because of your generosity, HWH Camps inched closer and closer to our $1,000,000 goal by raising as of February 1st, a total of $736,957  (which includes the match). The mission and traditions of HWH Camps endure because you opened your heart and committed to our ongoing recovery plans during this unprecedented crisis. We still have the opportunity to match up to $500,000, and the deadline has been generously extended to June 1st, 2021. Please consider a donation to help us cross the finish line.

With the 2021 summer season less than 150 days away, the Camp Directors are busy recruiting staff for all positions. Do you know someone who can inspire others, be a role model and work hard to preserve the integrity and traditions of our wonderful camps? Please have them reach out to Tim, tmckendrick@hayowentha.org or Amanda amacaluso@hayowentha.org this month for consideration.

Join the Staff!

With such decent weather Richard and his faithful sidekick, volunteer Jake Smith, have completed several projects in January. Specifically, at the Torch Lake site, work has continued at Drury House with some needed repairs to the plumbing. The Old Dining Hall has also had some initial discussion regarding the needed porch repairs. Other projects at the Torch lake site include painting and reorganizing the office. There has been general clean up at the Arbutus Lake site and some continued work on Pill Hill and the trip food room. Both camps have also had all fire prevention equipment serviced and tested. The buses are also heading to the mechanic for their annual DOT service. We are indeed getting ready for the 2021 summer season!

Camp alumni are doing great things all over the country and the world. The O’Connell Family is no exception. The late Connie O’Connell and Nancy have been a family involved at our Camps for over 30 years. With 6 children and 15 grandchildren, and 1 great-grandchild, this family has been Family Camp participants, summer campers, staff members, donors, recruiters, volunteers, and committee members over the years. We appreciate all their past and current support. Today it is son-in-law Fitz Elder we would like to put the spotlight on. He is the Staff Director of the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies. Yes, he planned the inauguration last month, and he shared the stage with presidents past and present, poets, and so many other prominent people. If only he were wearing a camp shirt!