NCJW GOES TO CAMP FOR YCS CAMP VISITING DAY

On a perfect summer day, July 5th, six women representing NCJW BCS climbed on a van to go to Hardwick, NY, anticipating a wonderful day at camp. We were not disappointed. The camp, at Happiness Is Camping, serves 105 children from various Youth Consultation Service (YCS) residential treatment facilities including Holley Center and Kilbarchan, two of our supported community services.  The staff and residents of these centers spend an amazing two weeks together.

We had an opportunity to tour the camp and watch as the children were encouraged to gain new skills and build self-confidence, doing a variety of activities including rock wall climbing, pole climbing and swimming. The staff work one on one and you can see by the children’s faces how much they enjoy each activity.

NCJW BCS volunteers did arts and crafts with the campers, including sand painting, tattooing and hair coloring.

Richard Mingoia, President and CEO of YCS and a past Hannah G. Solomon award recipient, joined us at lunch and thanked us for the important role NCJW BCS plays in keeping YCS vibrant.

The NCJW members all look forward to returning to camp next summer and hope many of you will join us. Beth Grossman summed our day up perfectly.  “The camp visit reminded me that children are so accepting of any love and attention that they get and they will give it back double and triple.” The day was a gift to us.

Any questions:  contact Sue Azaria Kanrich alkan117@yahoo.com , 201-926-6070.

Pictured: NCJW members and friends visiting camp.

L-R: Hyla Epstein, Phyllis Burman, Sue Kanrich, Beth Grossman, Phyllis Betancourt and Joan Cooper.

Our group with Richard Mingoia