Camp Echo Monthly Alumni E-News March 18, 2005 Welcome to all our new subscribers! Sorry it's been so long since our last issue. Contents -------- "Echo in the Round" - Double CD Set International Camp Echo Day March 21, 2005 Jobs at Camp Camp Echo Annual Campaign Alumni Website Adult Alumni Weekend at Echo Family Camp and Adult Weekends Join the "Echo Spirit Team" Alumni Notes - Ben Abels - Dana Aronson - Sue Brewer Bello - Joey Butler's Mom - Greg Chicca and Gil Hoel - Barry Clark - Anne Coats - Herb Engelhard - John and Amy Fischl - Tom Fischl - Ryan Foran - Spencer Harris - Catherine Head - Scott Jaeck - Marci Potter Jasek - Morton Johnson - James Kinney - Alice Krieman - John Kuypers - Stacey Ancell Levitt - Sarah Lloyd-Still Laing - Robbie Lockwood - Ray Mariella, Jr - Sue McKibbin - Connie Robertson Meister - Carolyn Morby - Christie Pollock - John and Jack Ripley - Gail Silverstein - Didi Slavatierra - Greg Soos - Jules Riley Waugh Wish List Song of the Month: WITH A LITTLE HELP FROM MY FRIENDS "Echo in the Round" - Double CD Set ------------------------------------ The "Echo in the Round" CD set is on sale now! The price is $25; proceeds go to the "Send a Kid to Camp" Fund. To date we've sold 76 CDs. We've got plenty more to sell! Laura Gageby, who has worked as our Wrangler for several years wrote, "I wanted to drop you a line to let you know how much I love the Camp Echo CD I purchased at the reunion. The CD has so many of the great camp songs that when I listen to it, it seems to transport me right back to sitting around the campfire. Even though I wasn't fortunate enough to have been at camp with these marvelous performers, the songs capture the Echo spirit that I know and love so well. To me it is a timeless thing. Also, what a wonderful idea to have the proceeds go to the Send A Kid to camp fund. You know how worthy I believe that cause is. Thank you so much for making this a reality!" Read all about the CD and the "Send a Kid to Camp" Fund, and see pictures from the rehearsal and the event, on the Camp Echo website at http://www.ymcacampecho.org/MusicCD International Camp Echo Day March 21, 2005 ------------------------------------------- Alumni all over the world are encouraged to wear their Echo clothing to celebrate International Camp Echo Day on Monday March 21, 2005. The date was chosen by a cabin of 2004 campers. Send us any interesting stories or pictures in late March. Jobs at Camp ------------ We're looking for Health Officers (RN or higher) for certain weeks between June 25 and July 23. If you are interested, or if you know of someone who might be, email Katie Trippi . We're also looking for a Town Run Driver June 4-July 16. Camp Echo Annual Campaign ------------------------- Within a couple weeks you will receive an appeal for the Camp Echo Annual Campaign. Contributed dollars will go directly into the Camp Echo budget. Our Annual Campaign goal for 2005 is $40,000, and we hope to raise $15,000 of that through our mailing to Echo alumni. Unlike a captial campaign which seeks funds for specific new construction or items, the annual campaign helps sustain the program and provide enough fee assistance to honor all requests. When the appeal arrives in the mail, please consider donating at a level that you can renew or increase in years to come. Alumni Website -------------- Our Alumni website is up and running! Look yourself up with "Index by Name" and look for your peers with "Lists by Year." Click here for the site: http://www.ymcacampecho.org/alumni.html Use "Submit My Info" to send us updates and changes. You can email any other member of the list whose name appears as an underlined hyperlink. Their email address is not revealed unless they choose to reply to your message. Adult Alumni Weekend at Echo ---------------------------- Adult (21 years old or older) Alumni are invited to our Adult Alumni Weekend, May 13-15, 2005. Details are on the flyer located at: http://www.ymcacampecho.org/AAWRegForm2005.pdf Family Camp and Adult Weekends ------------------------------ Family Camp is a terrific time for alumni to return to Echo. You can return as a staff member or as a participating family. To apply for staff: http://www.ymcacampecho.org/apply.html To sign up for camp: http://www.ymcacampecho.org/register.html Week 1 (August 14-20) is full. Join us for Memorial Day Weekend, Week 2 (August 21-27), or Labor Day Weekend. To bring back those memories, check out our gallery of family camp photos, thanks to Mike Kelly, Photographer. To see the gallery: http://www.ymcacampecho.org/familyweek.html Alumni are also welcome at our Adult Weekends in September: Women's Wellness, Needlecraft, and Scrapbooking. Click here for info: http://www.ymcacampecho.org/adults.html Join the "Echo Spirit Team" -------------------------- We're looking for volunteers to help at the Echo bus departures and arrivals in Evanston this summer. Give us an hour or two on a Friday or Saturday afternoon, or a Sunday morning. Mingle with the parents and campers and talk about your experience at camp. Help with the distribution of bus passes and loading/unloading luggage. To join the "Echo Spirit Team" hit reply and let me know you can help. Alumni Notes (compiled by Katie Trippi, Echo Alumni Contact) ------------ To date we have had more than 60 people update their alumni records through the website. We are continuing to search out folks who we have lost touch with and we are encouraging everyone to join our email list so they can receive these almost-monthly alumni blasts. If you are in touch with your Echo friends but they have not received a post card or an email from us, please let us know who they are and how to contact them. We have over 5,400 names but only 4,000 valid postal addresses and only 1,200 working emails. -- Ben Abels was a camper in the early 80s. Ben was lost in the Tsunami on December 26; he was on the resort island of Phi Phi. His remains were finally identified in Thailand on March 2 and returned home for a private burial on March 8 in Rosehill Cemetary in Chicago. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his parents Bob and Hope and his brother David. A memorial website is located at http://www.benabels.com/ -- Dana Aronson was the assistant Wrangler in 1988. She wrote, "I have not returned to Echo since I left there in 1988, but I would LOVE to visit!" Dana, come by for a visit, or register your family for Family Camp! -- Sue Brewer Bello was a Senior Counselor at Girls' Camp in 1970 and 71. She found the Echo website through friends from camp. She wrote, "As far as Echo memories go, I'll have to think about this ... many moons ago ... I loved the little red kayaks out on the lake. I still kayak the Idaho rivers. I remember a great river trip and a horsback overnighter in a big storm. It was good times with good friends." -- Joey Butler's Mom ran into John Donohue at the FAAM pancake breakfast here in Evanston. She provided Joey's current email address and let us know that he is married to a lovely young lady by the name of Dana. You can contact Joey though the Echo website by clicking on his name in the listing. Joey, send us your memories and bring Dana to camp! -- Greg Chicca, camper from 1972, wrote "I barely made the cut into Outpost in the summer of 1972. My one and only summer at Camp Echo changed the course of my entire life! The responsibility at Outpost to cook, cut wood, construct things from nature shaped me. The two canoe trips down the Pine River turned me into an avid canoe/kayaker. Sitting around a nightly campfire with Gil Hoel, singing the songs of the times are still on a cassette I made one night. The friends I attended Echo with can't believe I still have that tape of us all singing war protest songs. I still know all the words by heart. Gil Hoel was an incredible role model and I'd love to see him again. I was disappointed he did not attend the reunion held 10 years or so ago at Ravinia. Please have him give me a call sometime." The Alumni Elf forwarded this message straight to Gil and he replied: "Thanks for passing this along. It means a lot to me to hear such comments. I do remember Greg. It always startles me when I realize the potential impact we have on others in our everyday actions. A good reminder to consider each human encounter as holy." -- Barry Clark was a camper in 1943, 1945, 1946 and 1947. He was a Junior Counselor with Dick Fischl, ran the Trading Post, ran the craft shop, and opened and closed camp from 1948 thru 1955. He returned to Family Camp in 1965 and 1966. He wrote that he still sees Ken Thiel at Rotary meetings in Deerfield and Northbrook. -- Anne Coats was a camper from 1987 thru 1994 and was on the staff from 1995 thru 1997. She wrote, "So many sotires and cherished memories. So many people I still think about to this day. There could never be enough room to put it all down." -- Herb Engelhard wrote, "Sorry we missed the reunion. My wife Bonny and I started going to Family Camp over 40 years ago with the Tramels and the Fischls. Bill Tramel, Dick Fischl, and I were members of the Jefferson Club at the Y and still continue to see a number of the men (and their wives) who were members of that club. That was over 55 years ago! Camp Echo Family Camp was a wonderful place for our family and I think led to all of their strong Christian background. They all loved Camp Echo and a number of our grandchildren have attended camp. Two of them did so last summer, so the Spirit continues! One of our grown children told me the other day that when things get tough and he is not feeling tip top, the wonderful memories of Camp Echo help to pull him through. They all sing, "I want to wake up in the morning at deal old Camp Echo." It is wonderful to see the traditions continue and the Echo Spirit all over the world." -- John Fischl, staff member from 1974-1977, forwarded this picture, sent to him by his daughter Amy, who attends Augustana College. The picture is of an unusually hilarious billboard in Bloomington, Illinois, that was hit by some high winds. A certain Camp Echo song comes to mind ... http://www.ymcacampecho.org/temporary/AugieBillboard.jpg -- Tom Fischl, staff member in the early 80s, is closing his store, Ofischl Sports at 1506 Sherman Avenue in Evanston, to merge with National Award Services at a site outside downtown Evanston. Tom is positive about the company's future, in which he will handle back-office operations. All of his current employees will be absorbed into the new work force. -- Ryan Foran was a camper from 1982 thru 1989 and on the staff from 1990 thru 1997. He wrote, "Camp was absolutely the greatest time of my life. Keep up the spirit!!!" Ryan, we hope to see you back at camp soon. -- Spencer Harris was a camper in the 40s and a high school classmate of John Donohue's. He visited Echo this summer and wrote, "Hi Rob! Thanks for the tour of Camp Echo. It has the same feel and touch of the 40s. I loved just the way it has retained its outdoor emphasis. This is not a game-boy or computer camp! I did finally find and talk with Lou Simpson. I found him in the San Diego area. When I visit my bother, Wesley Harris, (camper, counselor, sailing coach and waterfront director) in San Diego I will call Lou to see if our schedules can synchronize for lunch. I did describe to him my Camp Echo visit. He remembered he had been a camper in the 1940s." -- We wrote to Al Head to find out where all of his siblings had landed and to get updates on all of them who had attended Echo as campers and staff members over the years. I was rewarded by a personal visit from his sister Catherine Head who appeared in my office doorway at the Y one January afternoon. Catherine had been in my Junior Tri Hi Y club, Burnett club in the late 70's and I promise you she has not changed a bit. I would have recognized her anywhere. She has moved back to Evanston with her husband and two daughters and is enjoying all that this community has to offer. We agreed that while Evanston was a great place to grow up, it is even a better place to raise your children. Catherine and family are thinking seriously about coming to Family Camp at Echo this summer. It was so much fun to catch up with her, thank you, Al! -- Scott Jaeck was a camper from 1964-1967. He wrote, "I have so many wonderful memories from my years as a camper. I havew friends to this day that I met at camp. I still remember all the songs, waiter duty, cabin challenges ... everything!" -- Marci Potter Jasek of the Potter Lodge Potters was a counselor in Potter Lodge in 1970. She wrote the following to Bill Geiger, "Hi Bill, this is Marci Pottter (now Jasek) now living in Colorado. Didi Salvetiera just sent me your email address and I thought I'd send you a note. Just a little bit about my life now: Married in 1973 - still married to the same guy! Two kids - Dan now 25 - computer engineer and Michelle now 21 - going to school for a business degree. We live in the foothills southwest of Denver - just love the area - I came out to Denver for College and never left. I am an accountant in the Budget Department of Jefferson County Public Schools. I found the Echo website right before Christmas and immediately ordered 3 of the CD's. One for me, one for my sister and one for Didi. I love listening to it . It really brings back great memories. Camp and everything associated with it had such a great influence on my life - I feel so lucky to have gone there. I even have an old 8X10 black and white aerial photograph of camp on the wall in my bedroom. It was probably from the 50s or so as the old cabins are still there. I always wanted to take my husband and kids to Family Camp but it never worked out. (One problem was that the schools out here start around the 2nd or 3rd week in August.) Maybe when my kids are married and have kids, all of us could come back (and stay in Potter Lodge). That would be a dream. Say 'Hi' to anyone there that might remember me. I wish I was close enough to actually come see you. All my best, Marci" -- Morton Johnson was traced through his daughter Laura and son-in-law, Scott Mitchell. Mort wrote, "Scott forwarded your email. I am Laura's Dad. I moved from Evanston in 1999. I attended Echo as a camper about 1949, 1950, or 1951. I think I only went for two years as a camper. That was a long time ago." Thanks for staying in touch, Mort! -- James Kinney, camper and staff member through the 1990s and Main Camp Director in 2002 and 2003, has just begun a hike of the Appalachian Trail from Georgia to Maine. To participate in his great adventure, you can follow his online journal: www.trailjournals.com/jameskinney -- Alice Krieman wrote, "Great newsletter and fun to read. Are there ever memories of Women's Wellness submitted? I only went to one when I was President of the YMCA Board, but it was a lovely, bonding experience." -- John Kuypers, camper and staff member over the years spanning 1979 to 1989, is the Teen & Camping Services Director for YMCA Camp Abnaki, a branch of the YMCA of Burlington, Vermont. He wrote in February to tell us about a public referendum on March 1 that would create a new community YMCA in an old factory building on Burlington's waterfront. Sadly, the referendum failed in the vote, 4743 to 2693. Read more at http://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/specialnews/moran/ -- Stacey Ancell Levitt was a Girls' Camp camper in the 1970s. She is the second Tri High Y Burnett Club member I have been lucky enough to re-connect with this month. She wrote to Rob Grierson, Camp Director with a very common alumni question. "Hi I was a camper at Echo many years ago (1970s), I now live in Grand Rapids, MI and have children of my own. I was wondering if Camp Echo takes children who don't live in the Evanston area. If so, are there very many such campers?" The answer is that we take kids from all over the country and inter- nationally. Many are the children and grandchildren of Echo Alums who want to give their own children the experiences they remember growing at Echo. Some campers who are not from the Evanston area are dropped off by car at camp and some of them arrange to stay in Evanston for a day or so before and after camp to ride the bus with everyone else. Either way, sending the next generation to experience the joys and feel the spirit of Echo is a great way to re-live your childhood through your children. I highly recommend it. -- Sarah Lloyd-Still Laing, staff member throughout the 1990s, sent us this picture of her and her baby boy Julian: http://www.ymcacampecho.org/temporary/Sarah_and_Julia.jpg -- Rob Lockwood wrote to update his sister Lauren's information. Lauren is married and goes by Lauren Consiglio. "I hope everything is going well. Med school is keeping me busy. Suerte, Rob Lockwood" Visit soon, Rob, and maybe you'll do a stint as the Camp Echo Health Officer some day. -- Ray Mariella, Jr was on staff in the late 1950s. He is now the Director of the Center for Micro- and Nanotechnology at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in Livermore, California. Ray sent me some pictures he took of the YMCA building when he visited Evanston recently. Ray wrote, "I can't tell you how many times, in my youth, that I gazed at that "Maple/Grove" street sign as I went in and out of the side entrance with the bike rack nearby. The last image was taken from the elevated station at Davis Street, showing the roof of the "Y" building." Thanks for sharing the images and memories! http://www.ymcacampecho.org/temporary/YMCA1.jpg http://www.ymcacampecho.org/temporary/YMCA2.jpg -- Sue McKibbin was sent an email asking for contact information for her kids who had been campers and served on the staff. Sue wrote, "We were Family Campers in 1963, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1967 and 1968. Then we bought a farm in Wisconsin and jokingly called it "Echo West." We returned to Family Camp in 1980 with just two boys most years. John Donohue taught me how to sail and I remember earning an award for the "most original use of sailing equipment" or using a piece of camp equipment most originally ... all because I sailed into the swimming float!! Doesn't everybody???? I also said that, while all the faces at camp were new, everybody was the same. Family Damp is filled with the most special people in the world. The mind is such a terrible thing to lose. Andy told me what years he was on staff and I have forgotten. I think though that it was probably 1974 and 1975 or 1973 or 1974. He can let you know for sure. Julie was never on staff and only went to camp one year as a camper. I have forgotten to ask Rob, but he worked with Rob Johnston for years, probably the same years as Dan Turek. I think he was part of that story about taking two days to get back to camp after a day off in Muskegon that was in the last Alumni news. Dan was only on staff as a CIT for a year or so in the mid eighties, at least as I remember. While we were in the Phoenix area for Christmas our son and his wife invited Earl and Kay Currier and John and Clare Kinsey, Family Campers from long ago, over to their home for dinner. WHAT FUN! We talked about Family Camp of course and you would have loved it as we burst into "I want to wake up in the morning" -- And sang it all the way through without missing a word!" -- Connie Roberson Meister was a Girls' Camp camper in 1970, an Outpost camper in 1971 and on staff from 1972 thru 1976 when she was Program Director. She came to Family Camp several years in the 90s with Paul Fischl and his family. She wrote to update us on her sister Carrie Robertson Meyer. Carrie is married with a 4 year old son and after hearing about all the fun the Meister/Fischl crew had a family camp, Carrie is hoping to talk her husband into trying it one summer soon. Connie wrote, "We wish we could return. Once the kids hit high school their athletic activities began before Family Camp so we were tied to home. All 5 of us miss Echo and will return if we can find a way! Say 'Hello' to all our friends from Echo!" -- Carolyn Morby has been a tremendous resource for tracking down folks who worked for her in the late 60s and early 70s. She helped to locate Sue Brewer, Robin Goddard Poulus, and several others. If she doesn't know where they are, she knows someone who is still in touch with them. Thanks again, Matt, for your incredible memory. -- Christie Pollock has also been a great resource in Fremont for finding former University of Utah grads. She seems to have brought a bunch of them to the Girls' Camp staff in the early 70s. Thanks for your help, Christie! -- John Ripley was a camper in 1949 or 1950. His son, Jack Ripley, was a camper for three years 1983, 1984, and 1985. John wrote, "Just one more warm fuzzy Camp Echo note: I called Jack this morning to verify his information for the alumni database. I guess I should not have been surprised when he provided 15 minutes of instant memories. Without hesitation and almost without taking a breath, he talked on and on about his experiences, including remembering exactly when he was there and the names of his cabins - Triangle, Point, Outpost - he stayed in all three times. I am having al ittle more trouble with my own Echo memories. From our home in Glenview, I went to Camp Echo just once for 2 weeks but I can't remember exactly when I did so. I was pretty young (3rd or 4th grade, 8 or 9 years old). I can still remember four of my cabin mates - Merz and Juergens from Wilmette and Stenstrom and Carlson (first names forgotten) who lived on Hartrey Street not far from where we would live on Lincoln many years later. My counselor's name was Atkins. How about that!!! (Now if my short-term memory were only that good.)" Upon further prodding, John remembered Don Merz and Dick Juergens who I found subsequently in the New Trier High School Alumni Directory. We are still looking for a counselor named Atkins and two kids from Evanston named Carlson and Stenstrom. John and his wife are planning to stop in and visit camp while traveling this summer. We are looking forward to seeing them and showing them around. -- Gail Silverstein was a camper in 1986, 87, and 88, then a counselor from 1989 to 1994 (except 1991). Gail wrote, "Every summer, I end up with the feeling that I should be somewhere where I'm not: Camp Echo! While I try to still sing songs to help me get to that place again, it doesn't fill that void I feel. Camp represents a place where I feel the depth of what it means to be alive!" -- Didi Slavatierra was a camper in the 1960s and an Outpost counselor with Christie Pollock in 1972. She ran the Trading Post and Craft Shop in 1974. Didi wrote, "Wow! So happy to have found this site! Echo was such a big part of my youth! Every summer broght new challenges, friendships, advnetures, and memories. I still cherish the many friends I have because of Echo. So glad it is going strong and that the Echo Sprit lives on for future generations." -- Greg Soos On the Echo staff from 1993 thru 1997 and sent us his alumni update at the beginning of the new year. He is teaching middle school math and science in Ohio. He is married to Mary and has one daughter. He is looking forward to visiting camp soon. Greg wrote, "I miss all of you! Hopefully I'll be in town soon to see y'all. Please drop me a line if you can." -- Julie Riley Waugh responded to an email I sent looking for her brother Steven. Julie wrote, "Sorry it took so long to get back to you. We were in NJ for all of the holidays. I am still teaching 4th and 5th grade at the Center for Inquiry in Columbia, SC. Charles has his own home inspection business and is the best stay at home dad south of the Mason Dixon line. Maeve is 21 months old and is a scream ... our second is on the way in June. My brother Steve is getting married in August. He is still in the restaurant world. Great to hear from you Julie! Wish List --------- Sailboats appropriate to our needs. Please contact John Donohue if you or anyone you know has a sailboat to donate. Song of the Month: WITH A LITTLE HELP FROM MY FRIENDS ----------------- (Lennon/McCartney 1967) What would you think if I sang out of tune, Would you stand up and walk out on me. Lend me your ears and I'll sing you a song, And I'll try not to sing out of key. I get by with a little help from my friends, I get high with a little help from my friends, Going to try with a little help from my friends. What do I do when my love is away. (does it worry you to be alone) How do I feel by the end of the day (are you sad because you're on your own) No I get by with a little help from my friends, Do you need anybody, I need somebody to love. Could it be anybody I want somebody to love. Would you believe in a love at first sight, Yes I'm certain that it happens all the time. What do you see when you turn out the light, I can't tell you, but I know it's mine. Oh I get by with a little help from my friends, Do you need anybody, I just need someone to love, Could it be anybody, I want somebody to love. I get by with a little help from my friends, Yes I get by with a little help from my friends, With a little help from my friends Show The Spirit! -- Rob Grierson Camp Echo Director rg@mcgawymca.org