July 2013

YEA
CREATIVE
BO
NEWSLETTER
NAME
Des Moines Y Camp
1192- 166th Drive, Boone, IA 50036
July 2013- Summer Issue
http://www.y-camp.org/
DEDICATED TO KEEPING ALUMNI IN TOUCH WITH THEIR BELOVED Y CAMP!
IN THIS ISSUE
Summer Time!
Alumni Reunion
Upcoming Alumni Event
Directors Corner
Nesting Bald Eagles
New Things
Alumni Profile
Digital World
SUMMER TIME!
Alumni Updates
Here is what is happening in our program departments:
Summer Camp- Summer is flying by here at Y Camp. Our leaders trained for
two weeks to prepare themselves for the season. So far, we’ve served over
1000 campers in our summer camp programs, including our two weeks of
Camp Hertko Hollow for kids with diabetes. Kids at camp have been reaching
new heights at the climbing wall, creating masterpieces in arts and crafts, and
developing new friendships that will last them for years to come. In addition
to such great experiences, our campers are also learning new skills, playing in
the outdoors and interacting with a diverse group of campers and leaders.
This year, we have leaders from Scotland, England, Denmark, and Poland.
Kids from Iowa, the U.S. and even China and Mexico have joined us for camp
this summer too. We have been lucky to have so many great people, new and
old, here at camp. We are looking forward to the rest of the summer!
Outdoor Education wrapped up in May for the season and is now busy
finalizing fall groups as well as beginning the seasonal naturalist hiring
process. We are thrilled with the nesting bald eagles that are on camp! Read
more about this story on page 4!
DIGITAL OR HARD COPY
NEWSLETTER?
Contact Alumni Coordinator Amy
Joanning by email at
amy.joanning@dmymca.org and
let her know if you’d prefer to
receive the newsletter in digital
or hard copy form.
KEEP US CURRENT!
Please visit http://www.ycamp.org/en/alumni/ and
complete the Alumni and Friends
Contact Form!
1
Summer at Y Camp Continued from page 1
Retreats and Conferences is off to a very busy summer! We have already served over 500 kids between various
day camps and rental groups visiting camp. Y Camp hosted two brand new groups in June, Camp OK and the
Nebraska chapter of Camp Kesem. Camp OK is a Kiwanis sponsored camp that sent 125 kids to camp for a week of
fun and Camp Kesem is a program for children whose parents have cancer. Both groups had great weeks. We are
really looking forward to another great summer at Y Camp!
ANNUAL ALUMNI REUNION
Don’t miss the opportunity to bring your family to visit camp along with other Alumni and Friends!
Join us Sunday, August 4th! Check in begins at 2 p.m. at Chase Lodge. Enjoy
the pool, camp tours by tram ride, introductions and program at the outdoor
stage at 5 p.m. and dinner at 5:30 p.m.!
Come and see all the exciting new things Y Camp has to offer as well as
remembering all your old favorites!
Please RSVP by Wednesday, July 31, 2013 to Amy Joanning by email at
amy.joanning@dmymca.org or by phone at 515.432.7558 x. 228
UPCOMING ALUMNI EVENTS
IOWA VS. IOWA STATE TAILGATE PARTY- SEPTEMBER 14, 2013 IN AMES, IOWA
Are you a football fan? Do you love tailgating? Do you love Y Camp? If you answered yes to any of these questions
we want you and your family to join us for the Iowa vs. Iowa State football game!
Wear your yellow /gold or red /yellow to support your favorite team and your favorite camp!
Spend the day tailgating with fellow Y Camp Alumni and friends! More details to come…
Are you in interested in helping with this Alumni event? Please email amy.joanning@dmymca.org
HIGH TRESTLE TRAIL WALK AND LUNCH- MADRID, IOWA
Last October was our first walk and lunch at the High Trestle Trail. It was
such a success we want to do it again!
Grab your walking shoes and join us this fall with our very own Mike
Havlik as we explore the outdoors via the High Trestle Trail in Madrid.
Watch your email inbox and mailbox for details!
2
DIRECTOR’S CORNER
2-0-1-3 in our Y Camp, No other year the same. Everyone a comrade true, whatever school or fame.
These words are ringing true at Y Camp again this year. Summer 2013 is up and running strong. The
traditions of summer in the valley are continuing even as you read this issue of Yea Bo.
Last week I stood singing in the circle at Honor Point and
watched the campers walk back towards their cabins. The
sight is so wonderful, a path of moving candles lighting the
way. The creek comes alive as the campers hold their lit
candle and start the walk back, listening and singing the
closing song. I thought about where those campers will be
next summer, hopefully they will all come back to join us for
another week in the valley. Where will they be in five years or
twenty years from now? Where ever they are, I am confident
they will look back at the summer of 2013 fondly and think of
their time at Y Camp and hopefully draw from some of the life
experiences they gained while here to create the fabric of who
they are.
When was the last time you visited the valley? When was the last time you walked the trail back from Honor
Point by candle light? What else rings loud in your memories of camp? Friendships that were made? Silly
things you did? The sense of independence you felt? The confidence you gained? Or maybe a funny story
of something that happened that only your camp friends truly understand. All of those and more make up
the experiences that create the magic of camp. It is those experiences and memories that bring most of us
back.
Come and join us for the Annual Alumni Reunion August 4th. Share your stories, walk a special trail and
rekindle some of the magic. It’s free and lots of fun. Bring your families and show them around the place
that helped make you who you are, help them understand some of the stories they have heard you share for
years. Meet with other alumni and reconnect with
those special people and places. The pool will be
open; we will have a small program at the stage
followed by a great cook out meal in front of Cownie
Dining Hall. I really hope you can make it.
Also take a look at the Alumni Programs in this Yea
Bo. We would love to reconnect with you and have
your family join us at any of the programs offered. If
you live out of the Des Moines area and would like to
host a Y Camp gathering, please get in touch with
us. If we can get a group of people in your area
together and have an event, we would love to share
photos of it in the next newsletter and may even
send someone from camp to join you.
2-0-1-3 in our Y Camp, No other year the same. Tell us about your year, let’s hear your stories. Come
home to the valley.
Dave “Wooly Bear” Sherry
3
NESTING BALD EAGLES MAKE HISTORY AT Y CAMP
What is it about the bald eagle that stirs such emotion in our hearts? Is it their size, their beauty, their power? For
the first time in Y Camp’s 94 year history bald eagles have nested and
produced young on the Y Camp property.
In January of 2012 a pair of adult eagles were discovered building a nest
just west of the climbing tower by property manager Chris Williams.
Eagles have nested above and below Y Camp the past few years but never
on camp. The nest was later abandoned which sometimes happens with
younger birds. Consider it “playing house” as they may still be too young
to produce young.
In February of this year while touring the horse trails, camp staff observed an eagle flying from the same nest. Later
a telescope was used to observe the nest remotely. Causing birds to leave or flush from the nest is unethical and can
cause the eggs to cool down and die.
As winter gave way to spring, school groups begin to funnel through the
outdoor education program. Every child from April until early May was able
to look into the telescope and see the nest. Some were able to see the
adults and a few lucky souls were able to see the young eagles known as
eaglets. Two turkey-shaped heads could be seen occasionally as they poked
their heads up from the rim of the nest. It was an opportunity to capture
with children one moment in the
success of this once endangered species.
After the trees leafed out it was impossible to see the eagles or even the
nest. The adults were still seen flying into the general area so there was still
hope that the young were alive. If food is plentiful, eagles will raise all of the
young that hatch. If food is scarce the oldest and biggest bird will be the
only one fed. Eagles lay each egg several days apart as a way to insure that
at least one will survive to leave the nest. If one grows stronger and the
other weaker eventually the older bird will kill the younger. This sometimes
is called the Cain and Abel Syndrome. It may sound cruel but this strategy
insures that at least one bird survives. We hadn’t seen our eaglets for six
weeks. There had been storms, these were young inexperienced birds, there was snow in May.
A few weeks ago two juvenile birds were discovered sitting on a branch adjacent to the nest!
They both had survived. They are as big as the adults but have black heads and black tails.
One of the birds has a brown chest. They are unable to fly but are stretching their wings and
shaking off the black flies that are annoying everyone around camp.
What is it about eagles that pull at our heart strings? Hope, survival, perseverance, success,
adversity? Aren’t these the reasons that Y Camp is known as the “Closest Place to Heaven
on Earth”? Time to make a new chapter in the Y Camp history book!
4
NEW THINGS
HOWRY ACRES- DAHL HOUSE
FLOOD WALL
After months of renovations and a 48 hour decorating
marathon by Dena and Bob Howry the Dahl House at
Howry Acres is complete!
The flood wall is complete!
Circling the
Cownie
Dining Hall
the wall has
been
stained,
entrances
faced with
stones and it
looks great!
The house has 3 bedrooms, living room, kitchen and
dining area. All prints were photos (mostly
photographed at Y Camp) taken by KK Howry,
daughter of Dena and Bob Howry.
The Dahl House will be available for Y Camp donors
and their families to enjoy a retreat away from home
as well as any full time YMCA staff.
Here are just a few photos of the newly remodeled
and decorated Dahl House…
PLAYGROUND
The playground that Y Camp staff salvaged from
Waukee Elementary a few years ago is complete!
Outdoor Education Program Director Mike Havlik has
worked very hard the last few months rebuilding the
playground.
Above Mike is holding a picture of what the
playground looked like at Waukee and behind him is
the playground at Y-Camp!
Reduce! Reuse! Recycle!
5
ALUMNI PROFILE
Cory L. McClure
Leader years and Positions held: Y-Camp Counselor from 1983-1988. Program Director from 1986-1988.
Occupation: Attorney with Babich, Goldman
Family: wife Jaime, sons Caleb, Noah and Greg and Jaime’s son, Caden
Favorite memories of Camp: Too many to mention. If I start with Ray Pugh it will get too emotional. Looking
back I must say that I was not a “Y-Camper” so I did not know what I was getting into. The first thing Ray said to
me when he visited my school was “Get a haircut.” He didn’t know me but knew my coaches and must have
owed them something fierce. Everything about that first summer is still so vivid to me. Ray was so inspirational,
but while he was larger than life, he was also someone with whom I could confide in and talk. I also remember
Ray ranting and raving (much like my coaches!) and I knew I was going to fit in fine. The other leaders were
amazing. I especially remember the Pughs (and Kirk Hartung—an honorary Pugh!) the Aspengrens, the Prescotts
and Mark Hutchison. These were guys I could look up to and still laugh myself sick with. I also remember my
first cabin (yes an eight year old threw up on me my first night) and the kids I had fun with in the horse barn—
which I had no use working in but where else could Ray stick me? Finally, I remember Family Camp and the
wonderful, beautiful families that came down to camp to enjoy friends and family. I remember meeting Bobby
Blaine and Jo Renee (who I had a crush on) and Kirk (who I did not have a crush on) and all of the wonderful
families who I had heard so much about. Finally, I treasure thinking back to watching Ray and Dodee enjoy the
fruits of their hard work and dedication to a place that will always be so much more to so many people than we
could possibly explain. Family Camp was the chance for Ray and Dodee to shine and, boy, did they ever shine.
Skills developed: I developed empathy for all kinds of kids/ people in all different types of situations that I carry
with me today. Nothing in life is as valuable as working with kids that you know are dying of cancer or was
afflicted with diabetes or Cystic Fibrosis and all they wanted was to be just like any and every other kid. I loved
Ray’s motto “The kids, the kids, the kids!” and he pushed us to make sure we remembered what it was we were
there for. . .
Camp had an influence in your life/success: Virtually everything I enjoy in my life has a direct link to camp
or the mentality I acquired at camp. I prosecuted for 17 years and I know I worked in the child abuse/ neglect
docket because I believed, from camp, that every child—indeed every person—“just needed a week at Y-Camp”
and things would be better. The Spirit of that place invades my very being.
What Camp mean to you: Now, I find camp means more to me than I could ever explain. I have the honor
and privilege to have my oldest son, Caleb, work there. I did not know what to expect. Then, I have been
getting texts and pictures from him and it has meant so much. To think that if he is getting one-tenth of the
experience I received and how much that will mean to him (and me!) I cannot simply put into words. I had the
opportunity to visit camp a couple of weeks ago and to see the leaders and to watch Dave in action was so
reminiscent of my time there. Camp has changed physically, but at its core it is still my Y-Camp.
What are you doing now: I am a partner with the Babich Goldman firm and work mainly in the Family Law
area. I left the Polk County Attorney’s Office after 17 years to join a firm with friends I adore. I enjoy it
immensely and I enjoy my colleagues and support staff more than I could ever have imagined. I also serve on
the Y-Camp Board and try and parent and partner with my wife when I can. I enjoy reading and baseball (more
than I should) and love to hang out with my family.
6
DIGITAL WORLD
FOLLOW Y CAMP ON FACEBOOK!
Please go and ‘like’ our page!
In July we hit 1000 LIKES!!!
Tell your family, friends, co-workers, and neighbors.
Help us continue to increase our ‘likes’ and bring
more people to the closest place to heaven on earth!
If you haven’t already please visit our page at
http://www.facebook.com/DesMoinesY Camp and
click the ‘LIKE’ button.
CHECK OUT OUR
YOUTUBE SITE…
Want to see what is happening at Y Camp? Are you
missing summer camp?
Eli Jackson (staff 2008- 2010) started Camp Coulee,
extended summer program to help students with
emotional and behavioral problems, three years ago.
Eli has worked for at the Family and Children’s Center
for 4½ years. He supervises the center’s residential
treatment program for youths with behavioral
difficulties. The camp started because the La Crosse
School District
wanted an
extended
summer
program to
help students
with emotional
and behavioral
problems.
Read more
about Eli’s work
by clicking the link below:
http://lacrossetribune.com/news/local/mondayprofile-eli-jackson-is-one-dedicated-camp-couleecamper/article_c89f42e0-a581-11e2-9bca001a4bcf887a.html
Check out all the great videos on our YouTube site.
This site is updated daily during the summer.
http://www.youtube.com/dmycamp
ALUMNI UPDATES
Brian Hartung (staff 2010) and wife Rose welcomed
their first baby, Pearl, on May 31st making Kirk and Jo
Renee Hartung grandparents for the 3rd time and
making Dodee Pugh a great grandmother for the 9th
time!
Way to go Eli! We’re all very proud of you. Keep up
the great work!
Adam Hartung (staff 2003) and Katie Thielen were
married on July
13, 2013 and
enjoyed a
honeymoon in
Jamaica.
Congratulations
Adam and
Katie!
Vi Skow (Family Camp) and John Dykes Sr. were
married on December 12,
2012.
They are enjoying each
others company and
looking forward to living
happily ever after!
Congratulations Vi and
John!
Pictured is Pearl with their dog Duke.
Congratulations to the Hartung/Pugh family!
7
ALUMNI UPDATES
BJ Murray (staff 2003- 2012) started his first
summer as Executive Director at YMCA Camp
Piomingo in Brandenburg, KY and they made their
annual campaign goal before summer hit (which is
the first time that has happened in years, maybe
ever)! The Murrays love Kentucky. They still miss
their Y Camp family but developing a new one in
Kentucky and have joined a church.
Dot and Randy Johnston (Family Camp) have
relocated to Charlotte, NC from Dallas, TX during this
past year. Their son Patrick is enjoying his second
summer as a Y Camp leader while Erin attended in
July for her second year as a VIP. The Johnstons are
all planning to attend Family Camp and look forward
to their own reunion of having all of them in one place
for the only time this summer.
The big circle in the photo is Camp Piomingo’s Gong,
and has been there since 1938. The Gong is how
they announce meals and time changes by ringing it
(hitting it with a sledge hammer). It often gets
painted by campers for Productive Pranks such as this
one was to get it decorated for the beginning of
summer.
We look forward to seeing you all this summer!
We are happy to hear you are all doing well in your
new adventure!
April Sauls (staff 2007- 2010) graduated from Iowa
State University of Science and Technology on
Saturday May 11th. April received a bachelors Degree
in Political Science with a minor in Spanish. She
moves to Spain on September 24th to begin teaching
English at CEIP Juan Valera (an elementary school) in
Cabra, Cordoba. April will be keeping an online blog
where people can follow along on my new adventure.
The web address to her blog is
www.aprilinandalucia.blogspot.com
The Fath Family (Family Camp) went on an epic
vacation to Venice, Cinque
Terre town of Montorosso,
Florence, Siena and then
Rome. They did planes,
trains, busses and
automobiles! Ate, walked,
and drank wine.
Everything from kayaks on
the Mediterranean to
cathedral tours to gondola
rides to Vatican tour and
ruins galore.
What an amazing adventure for the Fath family!
Way to go April! We can’t wait to hear about all your
exciting new adventures!
8
ALUMNI UPDATES
John Pugh (staff 2007) and wife Justine moved to
the Chicagoland area where John is working as the
Corporate Partnership Manager for the Arlington
International Racecourse in Arlington Heights, IL.
Justine is
currently job
searching but has
a few strong
leads. They are
excited to be
closer to Justine’s
family and will try
to get back for a
couple days of
Family Camp!
We wish you guys all the best!
Mike Schaumburg (Family Camp) was recently
inducted to the Iowa Senior
Olympics Hall of Fame!
Mike has earned 148 medals
including 94 gold, 34 sliver
and 20 bronze during his
career.
What amazing
accomplishments!
Congratulations!
David and Jen Strege (Family Camper) continued
their winning ways at National Volleyball
Tournaments.
Jen played on a Women’s 40s team that took second.
David played on Men’s 50 and 55 teams that both
won Gold. Blaine Labs (Bob Blaine- Family Camper)
provided support for both of these Men’s teams.
They both will now go to Torino Italy this summer to
play in the World Master Games.
Marty Forth (staff 1998- 2001) while working at Y
Camp celebrated and embraced his Canadian roots.
He remembers many, many times that when the
dining hall was “taken over” with staff and campers
chanting USA when he was going up to speak, and
one time a gang of them (Megan, Layne and Sarah)
shaved USA into his head – after he lost some
competition that he’s sure was fixed! (Marty has
pictures too) One summer he gave all of the camp
staff boxes of Kraft Dinner, as the Canucks call it,
with personal messages from him thanking them for
another great summer. While Marty still calls Canada
his home, he has come to live and build his family in
the United States – and that started at the Y Camp.
A year after moving to New York City to work for the
NY Association of the YMCA, Mary met his now
husband
Patrick. In
2006 they were
married in
Canada where
Marty is from
(which was
attended by Y
Camp alumni),
and in 2010
welcomed their
now three year
old son. For
the 16 years
that Marty has
been living in
the US
annually he
has to renew
his visa allowing him to stay and work in the country.
Marty is constantly reminded that it could at any point
be denied and would not be able to easily return. But
thanks to the Supreme Courts overturning of the
Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), his legal marriage
will finally be recognized federally, allowing him to get
a green card and eventually citizenship. This
seemingly small change strengthens and secures his
family. To celebrate this historic event Patrick,
Grayson and Marty went down, with thousands of
other New Yorkers, to the Stonewall Inn where the
modern gay rights movement started in 1969. They
love living history!
Thanks for sharing, Marty! Best wishes to you and
your family!
9
Madi Short (staff 2008- 2012) accepted the position of Summer Camp and Community Development Director in
late April at the Sioux YMCA on the Cheyenne River
Reservation in South Dakota.
The Sioux YMCA is the only YMCA on any Indian reservation
in the country. They serve over 16 communities in an area
the size of Connecticut.
Madi is excited to start my first summer as a camp director
this summer at Camp Leslie Marrowbone. She has met
some great kids so far and is having a ton of fun getting to
know everyone!
We are proud of you Madi and hope you’re having a
wonderful summer in South Dakota!
Holly Rexroat (staff 1989- 1990 and Family Camp)
has finally achieved the end of her college career after
being in school for 19 long years with completing her
Masters Degree in Special Education in May.
Congratulations! Way to go Holly!
Nicolette (Rasmussen) Jenkins (staff 2009) graduated Magna Cum Laude from
Grand View University in May with a degree in English and Secondary Education.
Nicolette and husband Jake are also expecting their first child in December!
Congratulations Nicolette and Jake!
Courtney, Mary & Loren Holland (Family Camp) will miss Family Camp this year
as they will be home in Texas awaiting the arrival of their twin girls!
Looking forward to seeing you all next summer for Family Camp! Best of luck!
John Mathew (camper 1967-1971, leader 1972-1976, past board member) is leaving his position as CEO of Wick
Communications when his successor is located and in place. John plans to continue working in the industry going
forward.
We wish you all the best John!
Stephanie (Adams) Taylor (staff 2003- 2006) was runner up the Henry/Stark County fast pitch small business
competition in April with her online continuing education service "my health academy"
http://www.myhealthacademyusa.com
Recently Stephanie’s husband's company Gaming Goat opened up new stores in Oak Park, Mchenry and
Mundelein, Illinois. There are already three other Gaming Goat locations in Elgin, Schaumburg and Crystal Lake,
Illinois. Soon to open will be a location on site at Pheasant Run Resort in St. Charles, Illinois. The Gaming Goat
sells high end board games and trading card games (Magic the Gathering, Yugioh, Pokemon) as well as hosts
tournaments. Check it out at http://www.thegaminggoat.com
Congratulations on your business ventures!
10