YCS CAMP VISITING DAY WAS GLORIOUS

On a sunny day in June, seven NCJW BCS volunteers traveled by van to this year’s 2-week sleep-away YCS Summer Camp on 145 glorious acres in Hardwick, NJ. We were warmly welcomed by our hosts, Ruthie Harper, YCS’s Vice President of Development, and Fran Spiegel, Assistant Vice President of Development, together with some members of staff and some campers.   We heard that this year there were 125 YCS happy campers and 68 staff at this fabulous luxury camp. The facilities included a swimming pool, rope climbing, sparkling lake for swimming and fishing, a zip-line, crafts, and a full program of daily activities organized by the wonderfully caring, dedicated, professional YCS staff. On site, the camp has a fully equipped medical center.

We enjoyed spending time with a group of campers while they created some amazing sand art, after which we were invited to join everyone for a sumptuous al fresco barbecue lunch of burgers, hot dogs and all the trimmings. One young boy at lunch told us “I love fishing the best but maybe the zip-line is my favorite.” Later on, Ruthie and Fran recruited us to serve dessert of ice cream with lashings of toppings to all the youngsters (and us).

This year’s camp is dedicated to the memory of Richard Mingoia, the late President and CEO of YCS, who died a few months ago.  YCS youngsters competed to design this year’s camp t-shirt with “r m” logo on the sleeve.

Following Camp Visiting Day, we received this message from Fran:  “YCS received very lovely and generous donations from Edith Goldman, Elizabeth Halverstam and Susan Kanrich for YCS Summer Camp! Thank you and have a lovely 4th of July, Fran.”

NOTE:  YCS (Youth Consultation Service) is a state-wide organization which provides services to hundreds of NJ children with special needs who cannot live at home and are housed in YCS group homes.  NCJW BCS provides volunteers and funding for special programs to YCS Holley Child Care Center for emotionally and/or physically abused children, as well as to Kilbarchan, a residential treatment center for adolescents.  For information on volunteering, please contact Ilene Wechter at 201-871-4885 or ilene5656@gmail.com.

Click images to enlarge

L-R: Sue Kanrich, Carole Benson, Linda Walden, Edith Goldman, Phyllis Palley, Phyllis Betancourt, Elizabeth Halverstam