Black Pond Post
YMCA Camp Woodstock
February 2015
Caring. Honesty. Respect. Responsibility.


A Life Well-Lived After Camp Woodstock
 

In the January issue of Black Pond Post, Executive Director Tony Gronski described summer camp as a training ground for life.  And it is.  Periodically, we will feature the stories of some extraordinary young people and their lives well-lived after Camp Woodstock.  In October, Emily Roberts told her story.  This month, Conley Cummings tells his. 

 

Conley Cummings grew up in Simsbury, CT and attended Camp Woodstock for thirteen years - first as a camper, then as a counselor.  He progressed through the ranks with rigorous training and hard work to become a Leader in Training, Counselor in Training, Junior Counselor, Senior Counselor, Unit 3 Leader (campers ages 13 to 15) and Unit 2 Leader (campers ages 11 and 12) and finally the Program Director.  Conley graduated from Endicott College in Beverly, MA in May 2014 with a bachelor's degree in elementary education and a certificate in moderate special needs.  Today, he is a teacher at FUTURES, a school for students diagnosed with autism.

 

Conley, how did you first become involved in teaching?

 

My sixth grade teacher, Mr. Brush, had a great impact on my desire to teach.  He used to tell us, "We don't have fun in school!"  In reality, however, he made school fun and I loved going to his classroom every day.  This is the first time in my life I can remember thinking, "I want to do what he does." 

 

I went to college knowing that I wanted to teach.  I took some special education and applied behavior analysis courses and one in particular - a course that focused on methods and results with children diagnosed with autism at young ages being treated to lead totally typical lives - inspired me.  I wrote my senior thesis on technology as an effective communication and teaching tool.  Individuals with autism generally process better through pictures and images rather than through words.  Devices like computers and iPads allow individuals to express themselves and their needs through pictorial representations.  There are quite a few speech apps that nonverbal children can use to communicate.  My thesis increased my curiosity about the types of apps that exist and how they can be improved. 

 

What is the work you doing at FUTURES?

 

I am a one-to-one instructor at FUTURES.  All of our students - there are about 50 students at FUTURES, ages 5 to 19 years - work on individualized education and behavior plans that help them best learn and develop daily living and educational skills.  I work alongside and am part of a team of other one-to-one instructors, behavior analysts, occupational therapists, speech therapists and special education instructors that provides our kids with the skills and support they need.

 

Why do you do what you do?

 

I love teaching and helping others - this has always been a part of who I am.  When I began learning more about autism and the therapies and technologies, I knew I wanted to teach and support children in developing the skills necessary to successfully integrate into their community. 

 

Connecting with my students and seeing their progress each day provides a sense of purpose. I admire the students and families I work with in so many ways. Having an opportunity to provide structure, support, and hope is very fulfilling.

 

Rise and shine! 4th of July morning, 2014.  Sirens, horns, and bells from the Bungay Fire Brigade fire truck and Conley, aided by a bullhorn, wake up campers to begin Independence Day celebrations and traditions!  


 

What has surprised you the most about your experience as a teacher of students diagnosed with autism?

 

While this has not so much been a surprise to me, what I greatly admire is just how brilliant my students are. I am amazed every day by their abilities to take in the world around them, to problem solve, and to demonstrate the astounding intelligence that they hold - intelligence that cannot always be perceived at first glance.  Seeing their intelligence in action on a daily basis is beautiful.

 

It's important to know that people are not autistic and that autism is not something that defines their being. Individuals are diagnosed with autism; they are unique, intelligent, and inspired human beings. 

 

Has this experience changed you?

 

This is my first full-time, year-round job and I have definitely been on the receiving end of and open to tons and tons of new experiences.  I am very excited and full of ideas about my future in the educational world.  In the bubble of college, it can sometimes be easy to lose sight of why you started down a certain path.  Being in an environment like FUTURES - including my students and my professional colleagues, as well as our mission and educational philosophy -- has ignited a lot of ideas about my future plans, including where I want to go with graduate school and what I want to study, and my career path.

 

How did Camp Woodstock help shape you and your life? 

 

Camp Woodstock - a place that nurtures acceptance of all - continually fostered my abilities to work with children.  I am so thankful for the values instilled in me about community, caring, honesty, respect and responsibility - values that drive me in so much of what I do.  I learned to embrace my mistakes and seek out opportunities to learn from and connect with others.  The people, atmosphere, and experience of Camp Woodstock helped me develop a belief in myself and the self-confidence and ability to put myself out there, as well as positivity in the face of adversity, to be where I am today.

Camp Woodstock campers, counselors, and staff - decked out in red, white, and blue - on board and all around the fire truck.


 

Camp Woodstock provides this level of support and development to all our campers, staff, and community members. Sign your child up today!


I <3 Camp Woodstock

 

Do you have a special Valentine you'd like to honor by making a gift to Camp Woodstock's Strong Kids Campaign?

 

Since its founding in 1922, Camp Woodstock has made a difference in the lives of tens of thousands children: children who came to Camp Woodstock as campers, some of whom became counselors and staff, and some of whom become parents and grandparents of new generations of campers.  In this incredible cycle of life, what has remained constant is the transformative power of the Camp Woodstock experience.  As one mother wrote to us last summer, "You have changed my kids' lives!"

 

The world in which this generation of children is growing up and navigating their way is increasingly complex and ever-changing.  Why Camp Woodstock matters is as important today as ever - and we want every child to have a Camp Woodstock experience. 

 



 

This is what Camp Woodstock's Annual Campaign is all about.  Last summer, more than 1,000 children attended Summer Camp.  Just over 10% of these campers received financial assistance.  That means without the support of people like you - people who know and love Camp Woodstock - more than 100 children would not have had experienced the transformative power of Camp Woodstock. 

 

I came to camp first when I was 8 years old. I returned every summer from then on for 13 years, working my way from Leader-In-Training at 15 to Senior Counselor to Program Director.  Today, I am honored to serve on Camp Woodstock's Board of Advisers.  By day, I am a high school math teacher.  In both my personal and professional life, I am grateful for all that Camp Woodstock gave me - not just the memories and life-long friendships, but the lessons of hard work, cooperation, and leadership.

 

There are two convenient ways to honor your special Valentine and support Camp Woodstock's Annual Campaign:

  • Click here and be sure to choose YMCA Camp Woodstock as the branch to receive your gift.
  • Mail a check made payable to YMCA Camp Woodstock, 42 Camp Road, Woodstock Valley, CT 06282. 

 

Why do I and so many others love Camp Woodstock?  We asked our Board of Advisors to tell us the one word they would use to describe why they love Camp Woodstock.  Here's what they said:




From Camp Woodstock's heart to yours, this is our Valentine to you!  Many thanks in advance for your generosity.
Together we can change lives.

 

Emily Kubena,
Annual Campaign Chair.

 


Woodstock by the Numbers
 

$50 - The discount you'll receive on your registration for Spring Break if you bring a new friend, that's never been to Woodstock, to Spring Break Camp!

Mix up your Spring Break routine! From Sunday, April 12th to Thursday, April 16th, come to the Pines of Woodstock with Woodstock friends old and new, take a few off-site field trips to Bigelow Hollow and more, and have your best Spring Break yet! 
 

 

8'- The length of the longest bunk at Camp Woodstock! This past summer one of the members of our maintenance staff was Uzo. Uzo is from Nigeria and he's more than 7 feet tall! Several members of our Board of Advisers built a bunk so Uzo could be comfortable and get a good night's sleep after a long day! In addition to working hard to keep Camp looking beautiful, Uzo loved interacting with campers. He quickly became a celebrity and gave a powerful presentation in which he told the story of his life experiences. 

 


 

Is there a Woodstock by the Numbers you're curious about - or one you'd like to share?  Let us hear from you! 
Write to us at will.jones@ghymca.org