Nino Maccagon served as a staff member at YMCA Camp Sloper for 5 years and continues to volunteer with us today. Nino was the first staff member who was solely dedicated to the maintenance of YMCA Camp Sloper. While there were others before him, much of their time was split between the YMCA and camp.
Nino made an immediate impact on the way camp looked and felt. He is an immensely talented carpenter that put his magic touch on many of the things still standing around camp today including many of the picnic tables, sign holders, fencing, pavilions and countless other things that improved the camp.
He may not know it, but one of the best things Nino ever built is talked about all over the country by other camping professionals. Our Camper of the Day Thrown that sits atop the Amphitheater is a legendary feature and wonderful tool for us here. That chair is used on a daily basis to recognize campers who model the YMCA values of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility.
While his talents lay in carpentry and organization...his true love for Sloper was the lawn. Nino took great pride in making the lawn look the best that it could for the members and campers. For many years, he had a love/hate relationship with our old 1948 Ford tractor. He eventually graduated to the newer John Deere tractor with a flail mower that was better, but still not the right tool for the job. Upon retirement, Nino said that if we ever got a real mower - he would come back and mow the lawn for free. Well, YMCA Camp Sloper got that mower and ever since, Nino has been volunteering to mow the lawn! YMCA Camp Sloper is better looking and better feeling because of the impact that Nino has had and we are pleased to induct Nino Maccagnon into the Sloper Hall of Fame!
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