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McGaw YMCA Camp Echo Alumni News: November, 2015
 
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In This Issue
Camp Director's News
2016 Echo Calendar
Alumni Gatherings
Holiday Alumni Reunion
Your Camp Echo Story
Billy Newton
November 2015 Alumni News
Quick Links:


 

  
Greetings from Evanston
Camp Echo's full-time staff team has reassembled in Evanston to dream and prepare for the summer of 2016. This month brings the opening of the 2016 Staff Application (November 2) and the start of registration for returning campers and their siblings (November 17). Visit the Camp Echo Website to accomplish either of these tasks. We have big plans for facility improvements, program enhancements, and alumni engagement which will make 2016 Camp Echo's finest year yet! 

We have ambitious hopes and plans for facility improvements. Enhancements to seven of our traditional camper cabins upgrades are underway and projects in development include a boardwalk and seating area at the waterfront, a new water ski pier with boat lifts, a welcome center with centralized offices for administrative staff, improvements to KYBO EAST and KYBO WEST, and enhancements to the main entrance of camp. The progress of these projects varies from early stages of planning to shovel-ready.

Engaging our adult alumni in more impactful and meaningful ways is high on our list of priorities. Many of you have shared a desire for more opportunities to connect with other Camp Echo Alums while keeping abreast of the current happenings at our beloved camp. Our initial efforts will be focused on the vast network of alums in the Chicago area where we will begin Third Thursday Echo Alumni Events and Gatherings. On the third Thursday of every month we will gather at a local restaurant or bar. Because of the social nature of these events, we ask that those who attend be at least 21 years of age. These events are designed to be fun and informative and our goal is to build relationships and strengthen your connections to Camp Echo. Our first of these alumni gatherings will be on Thursday, November 19 at 7:00PM at Temperance Brewing Company in Evanston. Please RSVP to Katie Trippi if you plan to attend.

Finally, we would love to see you at our annual Camp Echo Alumni Reunion and Fundraiser on Saturday, December 26, 7:00 PM at Prairie Moon in Evanston. 

Spirit - Mind - Body,

Bernard "Nardo" Rocca
Camp Echo Branch Executive Director
 
The Perfect Holiday Gift:
Camp Echo 2016 Wall Calendar
 
How many days until camp? What are the words to the Camp Echo song? Is today Monday? Well I should say!
The 2016 Camp Echo calendar is a beautiful 12-month  collection of Camp Echo images and traditions.

The Camp Echo calendar is a perfect holiday gift for campers, staff, alumni, and everyone else that has that has ever felt the Echo Spirit. Calendars are $15 and can be purchased online or in-person at the McGaw YMCA.

              
Third Thursday Alumni Gatherings

Starting this month!
Join us on the third Thursday of each month for an Echo networking event designed to engage and connect our alums. You must be 21 years old to attend. Location will change each month, but event will always begin at 7:00 pm.

Please RSVP to Katie Trippi in advance of attending, though last-minute arrivals are always welcome!

When:   Thursday, November 19, 2015

Where:  Temperance Brewing Company
              2000 Dempster St
              Evanston, IL 60202

Time:     7:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Future Dates and Venues:

Thursday, December 17, 2015
Sheffields, in Lakeview, Chicago 

Thursday, January 21, 2016: 
Bangers & Lace, Evanston

Thursday, February 18, 2016:
Home Run Inn, Lakeview, Chicago 

Thursday, March 17, 2016
Smylie Brothers Bewery, Evanston

Thursday, April 21, 2016
Justins, Wrigleyville, Chicago

Thursday, May 19, 2016
Prairie Moon, Evanston
13th  Annual Camp Echo Alumni Reunion


Fundraiser and Friend Raiser for Camp Echo alums at
Prairie Moon
1502 Sherman Ave
Evanston, 60201

Saturday, December 26, 2015
7:00 pm - 10:00pm
Heavy Appetizers and Cash Bar
You must be 21 to attend

Requested donation at the door is $20 per person to benefit our Send-A-Kid-To-Camp Fund. 


Contact   Katie Trippi  to RSVP or  for more information.
What is your Camp Echo Story ?
Camp Echo has been collecting Camp Echo stories for the past 2 years now! Please watch Echo Alum, Josh Gilbert's (Camper 80s, Staff 90s, current Family Camper) story above and follow this link to watch more stories on our YouTube Channel.

We would love you to share your Camp Echo story p lease  contact Gavin  if your interested in sharing your story.
Billy Newton runs Chicago Marathon in Memory of his Dad, Dennis Newton, and raises money for Camp Echo with his run. 

Billy Newton and his cousin Christian De Oliveira

When Dennis Newton passed away suddenly last spring his family chose to honor his memory by setting up the Dennis Newton Memorial Scholarship Fund at the McGaw YMCA. The Newton family has requested that the money generated by the endowment fund be used to send families who otherwise could not afford it and who have recently experienced a loss to Camp Echo Family Camp. 

Billy Newton (Camper 90s) chose to honor his father's memory by soliciting friends and family to sponsor him in the 2015 Bank of America Chicago Marathon, he raised $4456.00 for the Dennis Newton Memorial Scholarship Fund and finished the race in 3:03:05. 

Camp Echo has applied to be a sanctioned charity for the Chicago Marathon so that next year we can field a team of runners who will raise money for the Dennis Newton Memorial Scholarship Fund. If you are interested in joining our marathon team or in making a contribution to the Fund please contact Katie Trippi

This Month's Alumni News
Closing Campfire, Burning Triangle in the Background

Alumni News for November 2015
 

Eliza Gilford Fox (Family Camper 80s,& 90s, Camper 90s & 00s, Staff 00s)

Meghan Gordon Koons (Family Camper 80s, 90s, Camper 90s, Staff 00s, Work Weekend volunteers)

Kate Jones and Evan Howell (Campers 90s, Staff 00s, current Family Campers)

Nate Plotkin (Camper 90s, Staff 00s)

Gavin Watson (Staff 10s) and 
Stacey Chrisman Watson (Staff 10s)

We'd love to hear from you!  Send us your Camp Echo Stories, Memories, and News.

May the Echo Spirit be with you always,
 
MCGAW YMCA CAMP ECHO
Alumni and Development Director
1000 Grove St
Evanston, IL 60201
847-475-7400