Fall 2023
Hello Fellow Mohawkers,
The leaves on the swamp maples are just now hitting their peak, as we bid farewell to a remarkable summer – one that will go down in memory as one of the best. We enjoyed every two-week session filled to capacity, and our exceptional staff truly shone as the stars of the season. Their dedication and positive attitudes made this summer truly memorable, and I am hopeful that we will see many of them return in 2024.
Our Assistant Director, Mikayla Hartman, took the lead on staff training and set the tone for the summer. In her first year with this role, she instilled a culture of commitment and goal-driven focus, and ensured the staff had fun in the process.
Looking ahead, our enrollments for the 2024 season are already at 60%, and we are on track for yet another full summer. As usual, the July sessions are in high demand. We are optimistic that as they fill, the early and late sessions will reach capacity with the remaining camper demand.
Reflecting on the summer, we had numerous memorable highlights, including our Mohawk Murder Mystery night, where campers strolled around with champagne glasses and mocktails while engaging with various characters. The Matchstick Film company joined us for five days to create our first promotional video since 2012. Our alumni graced us with their presence twice to sing with our campers, an experience both groups cherished. We also enjoyed fantastic evenings at Campchella, 4th of July festivities, and the mesmerizing Meteor shower night. Among these, Dutch Auction night holds a special place in my heart.
After the summer camp season, we quickly transitioned into hosting weekend groups, including Alumni Weekend, Mother-Daughter Weekend, and Women's Wellness. Each of these events saw remarkable participation and memorable moments. Notably, we had five additional alumni join the Spirit Society, Mother-Daughter Weekend welcomed the largest turnout ever, and the Women's Wellness group were absolute troopers with the freezing temps and driving rain, as they continued to smile and enjoy every minute.
Our attention now shifts towards Pumpkin Fest, preparations for the upcoming summer of 2024, and vital capital improvements. I am delighted to report that our significant project to bury utility lines and install an active security gate was completed just in time for Opening Day. Camp now boasts a winterized office and an unobstructed view of our stunning surroundings, free from the worries of overhead wires.
Our next major endeavor is the construction of the Jawak Shower House. As outlined in our Master Site Plan, we’ll be constructing two shower houses to expand our shower facilities from 10 to 30, ensuring that every camper can shower in the evening after a full day of camp activities. We are days away from breaking ground on this project, with the goal of having it ready for the upcoming summer season.
As we move forward, my excitement grows for the coming months, during which we will continue to prioritize and enhance the overall camper experience.
May the spirit last a lifetime,
Patrick Marchand, CEO
YMCA Camp Mohawk
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