YMCA camp to celebrate 50 years this summer

The Lewis Day Camp facility located on Missing Link Road opens in June with several hundred local children ready to make use of the 52-acre property. YMCA organizers are crafting plans for a fun-filled event to commemorate its gold anniversary on Aug. 7
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YMCA camp to celebrate 50 years this summer By Chris Garofolo | May 23, 2014 Photo by: Chris Garofolo Steve and Sue Fortier of the Meeting Waters YMCA are preparing for their 50th consecutive summer at the Lewis Day Camp. SPRINGFIELD — The Meeting Waters YMCA summer camp will celebrate its 50th consecutive year next month. As it has every summer for the last half-century, the Lewis Day Camp facility located on Missing Link Road opens in June with several hundred local children ready to make use of the 52-acre property. YMCA organizers are crafting plans for a fun-filled event to commemorate its gold anniversary on Aug. 7. “We’ll use that as an opportunity to have a celebration,” said Steve Fortier, executive director of the Meeting Waters YMCA. He and his wife Sue Fortier, the camp director, have worked together on site since the autumn of 1998. “For me, it’s a great getaway. I enjoy coming out here personally in this amazing environment,” he added. “We’ll have longtime supporters come out, that will be a chance for us to thank them for their support ... it will be a chance to thank the people who helped us thrive for 50 years here at the camp.” On “Family Nights," parents, grandparents, siblings and friends are invited to share camp projects and activities. While the first one is slated for Thursday, July 17, the Aug. 7 event will have a more festive tone. “Traditions are a really important part of camp, any camp. When you consider 50 years, I think keeping those traditions are really important and some have been around forever,” Sue Fortier said. The Fortiers spoke to the Eagle Times on a rainy Thursday morning at the camp surrounded by photographs, outdoor gear and a painted refrigerator covered in little pieces of artwork created by former counselors. More than 12,000 children have participated in the summer camp program since its inauguration. It is one of the only regional camps licensed as a school-age child care program. Bus services is offered to the camp from nine Twin State communities at no additional cost and each camper is eligible daily for a free, healthy lunch. “It’s long, it’s tiring and it’s the greatest job you’ll ever love,” said Sue Fortier. “Aside from the beautiful environment — getting out of the office and not having to sit behind a desk — being active keeps you young for sure.” Initially the day camp was held in North Westminster and relocated to Saxtons River for several years. After purchasing land owned by the Bryant family, the camp moved to its current location in 1987. The Lewis Camp borders the Black River and the Springfield Town Forest, making it an ideal location for hiking or water activities. “I think that the location is great because it allows us to pull kids from all over the place, not just Springfield. We actually have kids from about 32 communities,” said Sue Fortier, who has been recognized within the YMCA movement as one of the best camp directors. “It really makes it available to a huge population area, but also the natural beauty. It really keeps with the needs of today’s kids who, I feel with all the technology and the time spent inside, don’t get as much time out in nature,” she continued. “This allows us to continue that really important tradition of camp, but it becomes so much more important and valuable.” The camp runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekdays beginning June 23. Two open houses at the camp will take place from 5 to 7 p.m. on Monday, June 9 and again on Thursday, June 19. As part of the 50th straight year of providing summertime activities for children, the Fortiers are asking any former board members, counselors and campers to send them photographs, essays or stories about their experiences. They will all be shared during the Aug. 7 ceremony. • For more information about the camp or to learn how to assist financially, interested residents may contact YMCA officials at (802) 463-4769 or via email at info@meetingwatersymca.org.