Mac Hall Ribbon Cutting
On July 29 we celebrated the generosity of the McCracken family and their part in our latest capital improvements: MAC HALL!
“The Rec Hall” was how I knew it as a camper in the 80s--where we had the Thursday night camp dance, the canteen where we bought popcorn and soda, the craft shop where we made lanyards, ashtrays (!) and leather bookmarks.
In the 90s through the early 00s, each section was gradually turned into a “cabin” to host our growing camper population. We first named the cabins X, Y, Z, and 1, eventually adjusting to 97,98,99, and 1.
As camp director I knew we needed to replace those temporary cabins with new ones and “reclaim” the much-needed indoor program space I enjoyed as a child. Every camp director needs amazing dedicated donors like the families who made this plan a reality over the past three years. I feel so lucky!!
Dave and Mike McCracken wanted to honor the memory of their dad--their dad who led by example in YMCA board service and was dedicated to making sure kids got to enjoy camp like he did. Dave said his dad would tell stories of swimming in the creek (in the 1940s, before the camp pool was built). Dave knows now that his dad’s goal in making sure his own kids (and many others!) got to experience camp wasn’t just so they could have fun. He appreciated and advocated for the character-building experiences that happen at camp, many of which are “disguised” as fun!
So it is fitting that we dedicated the Rec Hall, as “MAC HALL”--with the hope that camp generations of the future will get to grow in spirit, mind, body, and friendship in this historic space.
Our Camp Ernst Junior Board chair, Abby, shared her thoughts at the ribbon cutting:
***As a member of the junior board for the past two years, I have been able to see first hand how our fundraisers have not only had a positive impact on the campers receiving scholarships, but also the camp community as a whole. And as a counselor, I know how impactful how even a single week at camp can be for most kids. This rec hall will provide yet another opportunity for campers to form forever friendships with their cabinmates, and also teach them skills they can apply for the rest of their lives, such as learning how to share at the legos table or how to be a good sport when playing foursquare. The addition of the new rec hall to Camp Ernst will give campers a chance to still have a ton of fun with their friends and counselors, even if it is raining or just too hot to play out in the sun. Because of the thoughtful generosity of the McCracken family and so many others, campers at Camp Ernst will wake up each morning excited to head to the rec hall to learn a new game and meet new friends, adding to the countless list of memories made at YMCA Camp Ernst each summer.***
With Grateful Ernstlove,
eli
P.S. There’s still time to get in on our last order of bricks! Here is the link! Deadline: Sept 1.