EXPERIENCE MORE. ACHIEVE MORE. - Razor...
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The reopening of YMCA Camp Cullen was a special day for John Duncan, Sr. For the past few years, Duncan has worked diligently with many others to raise the funds to reopen the camp after a disastrous fire closed the camp in 2010. He believes all kids should have the opportunity to experience overnight camping. “Camping removes a person from his or her everyday life and literally opens one’s mind to the beauties of nature and the wonders of the world,” he said. “Camp improves one’s athletic skills, social skills and curiosities, while at the same time improving one’s body and soul. Where else can a person meet so many new friends and be exposed to so many new activities in such a relatively short period of time, except through camping?” Duncan, a native Houstonian, has served as a volunteer and leader for the YMCA of Greater Houston for more than 40 years, including raising funds for the original Camp Longtime Donor Praises Camp Cullen’s Reopening Cullen in the 1970s. Duncan also knows that not all families are financially able to send their children to camp. He praises the annual fundraising campaign, which provides financial assistance to families who cannot afford to pay the regular camp fees. “It really gives all of us who worked on the project a warm and fuzzy feeling,” Duncan said. “Through the collective hard work of all the YMCA staff, donors and volunteers, we have made it possible for the YMCA to offer a camping experience. Thousands of children and families can now enjoy this new $24 million facility for years and years to come.” As Duncan looks back on the hard work by volunteers and staff to make the reopening possible, he is proud to call Camp Cullen the “best camp in Texas.” Duncan plans to hold a family reunion at Camp Cullen in the near future. YMCA Camp Cullen has come alive again. The once silent camp is now full of sounds of campers laughing and playing in the woods as they participate in activities, form new friendships and make lifelong memories together. Camper Emma Clint enjoyed Camp Cullen because was able to try new things. “Camp is really fun and extremely interesting,” said Emma, age 12. “I’ve made friends, which is cool, and have never experienced anything like this. It’s a blast.” From archery to the zipline, waterskiing and horseback riding, campers participate in a plethora of activities. They stay in air-conditioned cabins with their friends and eat in a state-of-the- art dining hall each day. Each group of kids is supervised by camp counselors, who also enjoy their time at Camp Cullen. “It’s been a really great experience working at Camp Cullen,” said Luis Silva, a counselor originally from Brazil. “It’s always rewarding to make new friends and change kids’ lives.” Nanci Rutledge, Vice President of Development for the YMCA of Greater Houston, said that once kids come to camp, no matter their family’s socio-economic status, they get to experience a place like no other. “They all come from different walks of life and you get them to camp, and they see each other as equals,” Rutledge said. “It doesn’t matter—they’re all just kids. They are from all over Houston, and get to spend a week at Camp Cullen, where they are inspired and build character. They’re having the time of their lives there.” There Are Sounds of Laughter in the Woods Again “I’ve made friends, which is cool, and have never experienced anything like this. It’s a blast.” - Camper Emma Clint “It really gives all of us who worked on the project a warm and fuzzy feeling.” - John Duncan Rededication and Blessing took place on May 21 John Duncan, Sr., who has been supportive of the YMCA of Greater Houston and Camp Cullen for more than 40 years, speaks at the Rededication and Blessing of YMCA Camp Cullen. Camper friendship bracelet ol. 1, Issue 3 EXPERIENCE MORE. ACHIEVE MORE. YMCA CAMP CULLEN ymcacampcullen.org Special Edition Vol. 1, Issue 3 September 2013
Transcript of EXPERIENCE MORE. ACHIEVE MORE. - Razor...
The reopening of YMCA Camp Cullen was a special day for John Duncan, Sr.
For the past few years, Duncan has worked diligently with many others to raise the funds to reopen the camp after a disastrous fire closed the camp in 2010. He believes all kids should have the opportunity to experience overnight camping.
“Camping removes a person from his or her everyday life and literally opens one’s mind to the beauties of nature and the wonders of the
world,” he said. “Camp improves one’s athletic skills, social skills and curiosities, while at the same time improving one’s body and soul. Where else can a person meet so many new friends and be exposed to so many new activities in such
a relatively short period of time, except through camping?”
Duncan, a native Houstonian, has
served as a volunteer and leader for the YMCA of Greater Houston for more than 40 years, including raising funds for the original Camp
Longtime Donor Praises Camp Cullen’s Reopening
Cullen in the 1970s.
Duncan also knows that not all families are financially able to send their children to camp. He praises the annual fundraising campaign, which provides financial assistance to families who cannot afford to pay the regular camp fees.
“It really gives all of us who worked on the project a warm and fuzzy feeling,” Duncan said. “Through the collective hard work of all the YMCA staff, donors and volunteers, we have made it possible for the YMCA to offer a camping experience. Thousands of children and families can now enjoy this new $24 million facility for years and years to come.”
As Duncan looks back on the hard work by volunteers and staff to make the reopening possible, he is proud to call Camp Cullen the “best camp in Texas.”
Duncan plans to hold a family reunion at Camp Cullen in the near future.
YMCA Camp Cullen has come alive again.The once silent camp is now full of sounds of campers laughing and playing in the woods as they participate in activities, form new friendships and make lifelong memories together.
Camper Emma Clint enjoyed Camp Cullen because was able to try new things.
“Camp is really fun and extremely interesting,” said Emma, age 12. “I’ve made friends, which is cool, and have never experienced anything like this. It’s a blast.”
From archery to the zipline, waterskiing and horseback riding, campers participate
in a plethora of activities.
They stay in air-conditioned cabins with their friends and eat in a state-of-the-
art dining hall each day.
Each group of kids is supervised by camp counselors, who also enjoy their time at Camp Cullen.
“It’s been a really great experience working at Camp Cullen,” said Luis Silva, a counselor originally from Brazil. “It’s always rewarding to make new friends and change kids’ lives.”
Nanci Rutledge, Vice President of Development for the YMCA of Greater Houston, said that once kids come to camp, no matter their family’s socio-economic status, they get to experience a
place like no other.
“They all come from different walks of life and you get them to camp, and they see each other as equals,” Rutledge said. “It doesn’t matter—they’re all just kids.
They are from all over Houston, and get to spend a week at Camp Cullen, where they are inspired and build character. They’re having the time of their lives there.”
There Are Sounds of Laughter in the Woods Again
“I’ve made friends, which is cool, and have never experienced anything like this. It’s a blast.” - Camper Emma Clint
“It really gives all of us who worked on the project a warm and fuzzy feeling.”
- John Duncan
Rededication and Blessing took place on May 21
John Duncan, Sr., who has been supportive of the YMCA of Greater Houston and Camp Cullen for more than 40 years, speaks at the Rededication and Blessing of YMCA Camp Cullen.
Camper friendship bracelet
Vol. 1, Issue 3
EXPERIENCE MORE. ACHIEVE MORE.YMCA CAMP CULLEN
ymcacampcullen.orgSpecial Edition Vol. 1, Issue 3 September 2013
Snapshots from the YMCA Camp
Thomas Brown Kenzie Peterson and Joel Harmon Betty and Tom O’Connor Howard Tellepsen, YMCA Board Chair
Charlie Reed and Pam Stanton Nicholas, Byrd and Leslie Larberg Mike Tabert, Dennis Clark and Mary Pappas
YMCA Camping Services Board Members Ed Allday Tommy Parker, Ed Jones, John “Scott” Arnoldy, Mike Logan, Beth Shea and Nanci Rutledge
Ashley, 11, became her “best self” after a week at YMCA Camp Cullen.
Initially, she was unable to attend camp because she had just lost her mother to a terminal illness.
However, thanks to caring donors, Ashley received financial assistance to attend Camp Cullen.
The week at camp enriched her life dramatically and helped her gain self-confidence.
“I loved every part of camp,” Ashley said. “I felt so loved.”
The counselors and her cabin mates quickly became her family. Through making new friends
and doing fun activities, she felt a sense of normalcy and belonging again.
Ashley was also thrilled to celebrate her birthday while there.
Her time at camp served as a springboard to move forward with her life.
Ashley’s scholarship to camp was one of the greatest gifts that she has ever received, and she is thankful for the generous donors who made it possible.
Feeling Loved at Camp
Cullen Blessing and Rededication
Arts and Sciences Center
The vision for Phase 2 of YMCA Camp Cullen is to develop and encourage the next generation of scientists, educators, engineers, artists and thinkers. Exposing campers to science, technology, engineering and math, as well as arts programs, will inspire them to explore these areas in their homes and schools.
The Arts and Sciences Center will: • Have a stage for full-scale
theater productions
• Include four classrooms to explore theater, opera, ballet, drawing and painting
• Create collaboration opportunities with organizations such as Theatre Under the Stars, the Children’s Museum of Houston and the Houston Grand Opera
John and Nan Willett Ed Randall IV and Ed Randall III stand next to the Randall Family Flagpole dedicated in their family name.
Clark Baker, President and CEO of YMCA of Greater Houston
Bob, Dick and David Weekley Louis and Lynne Paine John and Brenda Duncan Beth Shea and Ed Jones
John “Scott” Arnoldy, Ed Randall IV and Ed Randall III Willis Johnson and Troy Derouen
Lille T. and Beth Robertson
On May 21, YMCA Camp Cullen reopened. To say it was a special day would be an understatement.
For more than two and a half years, the YMCA of Greater Houston was unable to offer overnight camping. Camp Cullen wasn’t entirely quiet during this time– bulldozers, hammers and dump trucks filled the air as construction ensued. After its completion, camp became an even more exceptional place.
And now, you can hear all of the usual Camp Cullen sounds – children laughing, splashing water, crickets chirping and, of course, prayers of thanks for people like you.
Thank you for your generous gifts to Camp Cullen to ensure campers can return to an even better camp that will continue to enrich the lives of thousands of children from all walks of life.
Thank You
YMCA OF THE GREATER HOUSTON AREA P.O. Box 3007Houston, Texas 77253-3007
Non-Profit Org.U.S. Postage
PAIDHouston, TX
Permit No. 2456
About the Y The YMCA’s mission is to put Judeo-Christian principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind and body for all. Everyone is welcome.
text YMCAHouston to 41411
ymcahouston.org
YMCA CAMP CULLEN
