MORNING DIP

 

Alumni News 

 

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YMCA Camps
Alumni Feature     WWWW
Wonderful Wabanaki Women's Weekend
A group of 10 camp alumnae women gathered at Wabanaki  for the weekend of May 26-28.   All are former campers or staff on Beausoleil Island  in the 1960's and some also spent a year or two at the 'new' site on lake Vernon in the early 70's.  Although 'the rock' of Georgian Bay feels  like our  bond it's really the shared experiences that tie us together - memories of red canoes, great adventures, personal achievements, leadership opportunities - the 'coming of age'.
  
Director Woody and the pre-camp staff treated us extremely well , fed us far too well and we simply relaxed  'lakeside' for the weekend. Going back to camp for a weekend is like putting on a comfy old sweater.  We were happy to be able to support the current dining hall building project and hope to visit again in 2017.  
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Alumni Generational Family The McKee Family
The McKee Family    
As our alumni group continues to grow, we uncover once-forgotten pieces of information, and (never forgotten!) members of our past, and we become more aware of our camps' history that spans multiple generations with many families.

We'd love to hear from you if you have a lengthy or storied past with our camps!

Here's a picture that shows some of my family's history:  that's me and my dad Norm McKee, former camp director and K-W YMCA CEO, and my son, Nick, who is a current Wabanaki staff member. My daughter Elena is also on staff at Wab.  As well, I met my wife, Paula, who also has a long history with our camps, at Belwood in 1981!
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A Message from VP of K-W YMCA Camping Callum McKee
Callum McKee
What an awesome spring for our Alumni Family events! I'm pleased to report that we had 251 participants, 169 adults/82 children attend events at Belwood, Ki-Wa-Y and Wabanaki.  There is nothing better than seeing the happy faces and often even screams of delight as alumni get out of their cars and start looking around and recognizing familiar (slightly older) faces!

If you have missed these fantastic events this year, no worries, just mark your calendars for next spring!  We have been doing this every year since 2006, so the numbers are continuously growing each year!  Click Past Events to see alumni event pictures and who attended.

In addition to our alumni days, there has been lots of action at the camps, with the regular stream of school and group visitors, and, of course, our ongoing projects: 

At Belwood: the pool is almost ready for swimmers, and the cabin interiors are progressing as well! (thanks both to Amatol and Bacchanal for their work at Belwood!)

At Wab: preparation is underway for the dining hall addition!
 
At Ki-Wa-Y: the greenhouse and garden are ready for some experimental planting, and thanks again to Amatol, for the new boating dock!

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From the Archives Beausoleil Island
Wabanaki 1963 Out tripping Manual     
Hey Wabanaki alumni, remember all those awesome trips from Beausoleil Island? Check out (thanks John Schmitt!) this out trips manual, prepared by Pete & Doug Montgomery, of 1963 out trips .

Reminisce as you read about the lakes, shorelines, bays, channels, points, portages, inlets, beaver dams, falls, rivers, islands, chutes, railways, pullovers, peninsulas, and bridges.  And really, what's with Santa Village?

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From the Archives   Bernie Burnett
Ki-Wa-Y 1984 Camp Committee Meeting Minutes 
Often in the camping office, we look into the archives to see what was happening in years gone by, to help us understand how we have gotten where we are today.  Discoloured, dog-eared minutes from past camp meetings often amuse us, and make us want to share.  Check out these Minutes from Camp Ki-Wa-Y, June 11, 1984.

p.s. wonder if Bernie's 6 pound small-mouth bass catch is still legendary?!

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From the Archives Belwood Staff 1972
Belwood 1972 Staff Record
1972, like so many years at camp, had a very special group of staff.

Check out who they were and what they were up to on the waterfront, gunnel bobbing, gunnel padding and setting an inner tube record!

 
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Camp Trivia
From the Archives
Introducing:  Online Camp Trivia 
We have compiled multiple decades of Trivia Quizzes for Belwood,
Ki-Wa-Y & Wabanaki. Have some fun and test your knowledge of your camp, challenge yourself or challenge your camp friends. You may be surprised what you can remember, and learn!

p.s. if you have a trivia question that is relevant and you think other alumni would like to see it, please drop us a line at campalumni@ckwymca.ca.
   
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KW Y Facebook Page Facebook, Twitter & Our YMCA Camp Alumni Website
Have you found us on Facebook , Twitter & our Camp Alumni Website?
 
Now that we have found you, we do not want to lose you, so please
keep your Alumni Profile updated with us so we can keep you in the loop.

Please forward this newsletter to other camp folk and help them reconnect too!  

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Give the Gift of Camp - The Camp Fund Camp Fund
Together, we will ensure the tradition of Camping is the same
enriching experience for future generations of Belwood, Ki-Wa-Y & Wabanaki campers and staff as experienced in days gone past. Your donation to the Camp Fund is the gift that will continue to give year
after year after year. We know as an adult, you "get" why camp is so important to the development of children and youth, and how the traditions and experiences enhance their lives.   Here's your opportunity to pay it forward, Invest Now!

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Help Support your Camp! Support your Camp
Camp...just the word prompts an instant smile along with a whirlwind of youthful memories. For those who have been touched by the experience, it's that special place where new skills were learned, independence was discovered, and lifelong friendships began. As you recall and cherish your own memories, you will be pleased to know that the benefits of a summer camp experience continue to be as significant today as during days gone past. Thank you to the many camp alumni members, their families and friends who continue to support K-W YMCA Camping.

To learn more about the exciting projects underway at your camp, and to donate, please click the links below.

          Belwood                                             Ki-Wa-Y                                           Wabanaki
  
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Help Support our YMCA! Support our YMCA  
Your donation to the YMCA supports our ability to be a centre of community where potential grows, everyone belongs and health goals are achieved every day.

For more information and to donate, click here

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"Day is done. Gone the sun. From the lake, from the hills, from the sky. 

All is well, safely rest, God is nigh."

 

K-W YMCA Camping - Morning Dip - June 2016

 

 

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