Camp Echo Monthly Alumni E-News January 21, 2003 Back issues are archived at The Camp Echo E-List is now at 557 members. Spread the word! If you want to be removed from this list, reply and let me know. ***** Next issue: "around" February 24 ***** Table of Contents ----------------- Camp Echo Website Reunions What's Happening in Fremont? What's Happening in Evanston? Alumni Opportunities at Echo in 2003 Project SOAR Benefit January 25th Donations Sought Top Ten Song List - Last Chance Spring Alumni Event Alumni Notes Andy Hammerman Dan Turek Announcements Apartment Available in Lincoln Square, Chicago Adult Fitness Director Job at McGaw YMCA Where Did Rob & Louie Go For Their Winter Vacation? Lost Alumni Camp Echo Website ----------------- The Camp Echo webiste is chock full of fun stuff. Check out the history pages; the calendar page; and the memories page. We've recently added sunset photos and winter photos. We're still working on a way for alumni to connect with each other. I've got a long-term solution up my sleeve -- please be patient. Reunions -------- We had a terrific Staff Reunion at Prairie Moon in Evanston. Around 70 staff members from 2002 attended. Rob Johnston drove down from Fremont with Laurie, Tony, and Elizabeth Marshall; Amanda Sullivan came up from southern Indiana; James Kinney was in from Seattle; and Bob Ettinger was in from Massachusetts. People cut their vacations short or delayed a day to attend! The Alumni Reunion, also held at Prairie Moon, was a blast, with, perhaps, nearly 100 in attendance. Lots of folks from the 90s; some -- including Joey Butler and Dan Turek -- from the 80s; Gil Hoel (60s) made a late appearance. Attendance pretty much reflected the makeup of this E-list -- we will be working hard to add more names from the 50s thru the 80s in the next year. On a sad note, Tom Fischl's father-in-law died two days before Christmas. Tom and Amy could not make the reunion; they send everyone their best. Tom is at . What's Happening in Fremont? ---------------------------- Rob Johnston recently called me to say that the new sinks and countertops for Kybos North and Way North had arrived, and they are beautiful. What's going on? Well, we're working hard during this off season to improve the Kybos. Previous E-newsletters mentioned the painting of the floors in all the Kybos and the plumbing and trim in Kybo East. We'll also be replacing the stalls in the older half of Kybo North, and upgrading the water delivery system in Kybo Way North (new mixing valves). We're also replacing all door latches that aren't in top shape. Other items on the docket include welding/repair of ten of the aluminum canoes, construction of a replacement cabinet for the water ski area, and a start on the project to refurbish a third war canoe. We'll get an update from Rob Johnston in February. What's Happening in Evanston? ----------------------------- On Saturday I received the 100th staff appication for 2003. Yes, that's right, 100. The desire to return is stronger than ever and we're planning an even better summer than last year. James Kinney will return to run Main Camp again, assisted by Jordan Shea. Laura Gageby will return as Wrangler; Flo and Laurie will be cooking; and Lauren Teichner will be managing an arts and photography curriculum. The Teen/Trip Staff will be nailed down soon and we'll move on to the other Main Camp leadership staff and the Senior Counselors. Meanwhile, mail-in registration for campers opened on January 6th. For the first time ever, we took registrations from returning campers from 2001 or 2002 only in the first wave. Spots are filling steadily, including our new Pathfinder, Explorer, and Voyager programs. We have 14 Adventure trips scheduled, and we are well on the way to having them all booked. Mail-in Registration for new campers (McGaw Y members) opens Monday, January 27th and for non-members Monday, February 17th. I'll be attending two Camp Fairs for parents and children this coming weekend -- Saturday at Summer Fare in Northbrook and Sunday at Summer Adventure in Chicago The following week we have slide shows for parents and children in Wilmette, Northbrook, Evanston, Winnetka, and Glenview. Next month I'll be doing Staff Recruitment Fairs at Western Illinois University, Indiana University, Central Michigan University, Lansing Community College, and Michigan State. With so many returning candidates we'll be looking to fill only a few key positions by that time. Speaking of key positions ... Alumni Opportunities at Echo 2003 --------------------------------- There are many ways that alumni can work or volunteer at camp this coming summer. For some jobs, you only need to take a long weekend or a handful of days off -- Family Camp and 5th Session come to mind. If you are "between jobs" there are support staff openings that offer a chance for an extended stay at camp. Even something as simple as helping at a bus departure (two hours on a Sunday morning) would allow you to reconnect, and help us too. Don't be shy -- and don't wait too long! Email me now and let's start thinking of a way to get you back at camp. Meanwhile -- mark your calendars for the Adult Alumni Weekend at Echo September 12-13-14. Details will appear in future newsletters. Of course, many alumni will be returning for one or more of our four Family Camps; for adults who want some time for themselves we have Hobby/Craft Weekend May 17-18, and a revival of Women's Wellness Weekend September 18-21. Project SOAR Benefit: "Make a Sure Bet on a Child's Life" -------------------- January 25, 2003 in the Sebring-Lewis Center of the McGaw YMCA. Project SOAR is the McGaw YMCA's mentoring program. Currently over 60 children are matched with caring adults -- Northwestern University students or volunteers from the community -- at no cost to the family. Mentees receive a free YMCA membership as well. Project SOAR is supported by grants, individual donations, and McGaw YMCA operating revenue. Proceeds from the benefit will help support the annual Project SOAR weekend at Camp Echo in May, and provide fee assistance for mentees to attend Echo in the summer. More information is at . The invitation is at . Donations Sought ---------------- - darkroom equipment - 35mm cameras - P or PG VHS movies for the bus rides to and from camp - a candy vending machine for the staff lounge - 6 pair youth or trainer water skiis - 8 four-man tents - 6 camping/cooking stoves - 2 kayaks - 2 canoes - 2 computers, Pentium II 500 MHz or better - 8 walkie-talkies and a base station Top Ten Song List - Last Chance ----------------- Several groups of alumni have talked about putting together a CD of "camp songs". Knowing that we may eventually have a number of different performers and singers, we're going to kick off this project by having you, the alumni, vote for your Top Ten Camp Echo songs. Chuck Heisinger has volunteered to collect your votes, tablulate them, and research the recording rights for the top twenty or so. Send your Top Ten list to: and use the subject line "Top Ten". (Don't hit reply to send a song list!) Spring Alumni Event ------------------- If you have a suggestion for an Echo Alumni event we could have here in the Chicago area on April 4 or 5, let me know. Rock-a-Bowl? Alumni Notes -- Send 'em in! Tell us what you're doing!* ------------ Andy Hammerman writes, "The Black Sheep Inn was mentioned in an Ecotourism Article in the Chicago Tribunes Travel section this past Sunday, January 12th. Here is a link to the article. I thought that maybe some Camp Echo people had seen it, and if not, I would at least share it with them. All the best, Andy" http://www.chicagotribune.com/travel/chi-0301120528jan12,1,5894384.story Dan Turek writes, "Rob ... it was great to see you at the reunion ... I had a wonderful time ... definitely worth the 11 1/2 hour jaunt ... can't wait to do it again next year. On the return trip, I stopped in Goshen, Indiana and had a visit with long time staffer Jeff Petersen ... we watched hours of camp video circa 1985. There was plenty of footage of you including a wonderful rendition of the snap, crackle, pop jingle. Remember? Watching the videos inspired me to drop in on another all time great, Jeff Campbell. I spent the next night at his house in Cleveland. Even though we hadn't seen each other in some sixteen years, it was like we'd never been apart (except for my alarming weight gain!) I left his house with an important message for all staff who remember him ... it's available as an MPEG at: http://homepage.mac.com/danielturek/iMovieTheater6.html Keep in touch and keep the faith, Dannnnnnnnnnn Turek" * wedding plans, travel, new jobs, camp memories, whatever! Announcements ------------- >From Noah Mickey-Colman : Charming apartment in the heart of Lincoln Square. 1 bedroom, 1 bath, living room, dining room, walk in closets, tons of storage space, gorgeous hardwood floors throughout and wood detailing. It is quite spacious, bright and close to movies, brown line, Old Town, library and parks. $750 a month, starting Feb 1. Questions, interested please call 773.426.8107 or email me at the above address. >From Christopher Hart : The McGaw YMCA in Evanston is seeking an Adult Fitness Director. We are opening a new 12,000 sq. foot Fitness Center at the end of January, 2003 to be equipped with 54 new Life Fitness cardio and strength pieces, cardio theater and updated FitLinxx systems. Includes new Hammer Strength weight area. Leading a team of dynamic professionals, the Director will design and guide fitness programming inclusive of personal training services, wellness classes, and rehabilitation services for our membership of over 9,000 as well as a diverse urban community that includes two major hospitals. Responsible for supervision of our Fitness Specialists, personal trainers, and direct service instructors. Seeking Masters Degree in Exercise Physiology, Community Health Administration or related field. Experience in personal training management, cardiac rehab and minimum 2 years management experience in general fitness facility. Competitive salary & benefits and paid 12% retirement plan. Send resume to Christopher Hart at above email before January 31, 2003. Where Did Rob & Louie Go For Their Winter Vacation? --------------------------------------------------- Go to http://www.wjmk.com, then click on Photo Gallery. Look for Rob & Louie (Linda) in the five Huatulco sets. Lost Alumni - (email bounces) ----------- Megan Burke is not at meganburke@aol.com Jerry Courtney is not at jlccamp@aol.com Elisabeth Traum is not at elisabeth_traum@hotmail.com Craig Peterson is not at cmp6@mindspring.com Sean "Stretch" Waeny is not at stretch_01@hotmail.com Sarah Christmas is not at skinnypuppy00@hotmail.com Share The Spirit! -- Rob Grierson Camp Echo Director rg@mcgawymca.org