Camp Echo Monthly Alumni E-News April 24, 2003 Back issues are archived at The Camp Echo E-List is now at 574 members. Spread the word! If you want to be removed from this list, reply and let me know. ***** Next issue: "around" May 13 ***** Table of Contents ----------------- Help Needed with Outdoor Education Staff Openings Sunfish Delivery Donations Update -- baseball gloves needed What's Happening at Camp? Family Camp Openings Camper Registration Update Alumni Notes -- Joe Claussen in Iraq Announcements Help Needed with Outdoor Eductation ----------------------------------- If you worked "Outdoor Ed" when you were on staff, you know that there's lots of work for a small number of people, especially in early May, before most college students are available. Here's an excellent chance for you to re-involve yourself: Take a few days off from work and come help us with a school group. We are in need of several alumni who can come up to camp on May 7th to help with the NBC Middle School from Montague May 8th and 9th. If this idea intrigues you email me at . Staff Openings -------------- We're very close to being fully staffed for the bulk of the summer sessions. We welcome alumni who want to join us for 5th session (August 10-14) or Family Camp (August 16-22, 23-28, or 29-Sept 1). Just hit the reply button and let me know you are interested! Sunfish Delivery ---------------- Can you take a Sunfish up to camp? It is not on a trailer. It's about 13 feet long and weighs about 175 pounds. It could be tied to a sturdy roof rack. Reply if you are interested in helping out. Donations Update ---------------- An inventory of our sports equipment reveals that we are in need of baseball gloves for right-handed campers; we have plenty for leftys. If you have a glove to donate, drop it off at the YMCA. What's Happening at Camp? ------------------------- Brian McGinn spent a week in early April with Rob Johnston. In spite of the ICE STORM they managed to complete the upgrades of Kybos North and Way North, and to construct additional shelves and cubbys in the Jay Johnson Trip Center. We also have new steps on the Craft Shop, new Swings by the swimming area, and a hand-sanitizing kiosk (stocked with Purell) by the Dining Hall. April 25-26-27 is our High School Work Weekend. We rely on this group of volunteers to rake accumulated leaves and to spread wood chips on the trails. We've got 34 high schoolers signed up, and a fine group of college-age and adult volunteers joining them. May 2-3-4 is our spring Adult Work Weekend. Volunteers will put in all the piers and make final preparations for opening camp. Contact Rob Johnston at for more details. May 8-9 we'll welcome the NBC Middle School from Montague for their annual outdoor education program. This is a large group that will fill almost every cabin. Come help us with this group! Family Camp Openings -------------------- Memorial Day Weekend: 8 camper cabins Family Camp Week 1 (August 16-22): 1 camper cabin, 3 old staff cabins Family Camp Week 2 (August 23-28): 12 openings, all cabin types Labor Day Weekend: 14 openings, all cabin types Also: Hobby/Craft Weekend May 16-18 Adult Alumni Weekened September 12-14 Women's Wellness Weekend September 18-21 Interested persons should call the Program Support Office at the McGaw YMCA, 847-475-7400, then enter extension 287 at the prompt. Camper Registration Update -------------------------- Please help us spread the word to your extended family, neighbors, and friends at work. Here's what's still open at Camp Echo: Boys entering grades 6 & 7 for one week camp June 22-28 Boys entering grades 4 & 5 for one week Pathfinders June 15-21 Boys & girls entering grades 4 & 5 (Pathfinders) for June 29-July 11 Entering 8th grade boys and girls for Trailblazers June 29-July 11 Entering 9th graders for Outpost July 13-26 or July 27-August 8 Entering 10th/11th graders for Isle Royale and Georgian Bay trips Entering 11th/12th graders for the Taste of Southwest Trip LITs (entering grade 11) for Session 1 June 15-28 Interested persons should call the Program Support Office at the McGaw YMCA, 847-475-7400, then enter extension 287 at the prompt. Alumni Notes ------------ John Donohue writes, "Many of you know Joe Claussen who worked at camp in the mid 1990s. One summer he and I shared a cabin of Take-Your- Choice campers for 5th session. Joe had just finished his enlistment in the Army, serving as a member of the Light Infantry. He returned to live and work in Evanston as he pursued his college studies." "After 9/11 Joe re-enlisted in the Army. He's a member of the 101st Airborne, and is currently assigned to the 3rd Infantry Division. Two weeks ago Joe's Mom told me he was in and around Baghdad. She said that when Joe was in Kuwait he drew upon some of his Camp Echo experience to make a Hobo Stove so that he and his squadmates could eat a little better. The other guys call him "Granddad," reminding us how young our soldiers really are." "Any serviceman overseas treasures getting mail at mail-call. Joe's mail address is: SPC Joseph Claussen HHC 1/502 Infantry Scouts Unit 9601445 APO AE 09325-6045 His email address is . However, given his assignment to the Scouts my guess is that he might not be in a position to get access to email." "I hope some of his Echo friends will be able to write to Joe. He was especially interested in herptology up at Echo, and his mother says that he has come across some fascinating lizards in the Middle East." Announcements ------------- Happy Birthday Zenol Moore, who turned 80 on April 23rd! If you know of a responsible person who is able to house-sit for two cats and numerous plants this coming summer, please contact Katie Trippi at . Share The Spirit! -- Rob Grierson Camp Echo Director rg@mcgawymca.org