Making Dreams Come True
At Camp Echo, we love to make dreams come true for our campers, staff, and families. Some dreams require a bit more creativity and open-mindedness, such as learning how to fly (achieved by taking on our High Ropes Course). Other dreams might be more literal, such as seeing a shooting star for the first time or ringing the Camp Echo bell.

Whatever the dream, helping fulfill dreams brings as much joy to Camp Echo staff as it does the individual whose dream is coming true!

As we prepare for another summer of making dreams come true, we are hoping that members of the Camp Echo community can help some of Camp Echo’s dreams come true. Please take a few minutes to review our donor wish list and see if there is something that you would like to purchase for camp or contribute to camp. It could be purchased new or donated to us if lightly used and in good working shape!

One item of particular interest to us, and of great need, is a used minivan or SUV for use as an additional camp vehicle. These vehicles are critical for running errands into town throughout the summer and occasionally transporting campers or staff. If you (or someone you know) is replacing a car, please consider donating the old car to camp.
Above: Me with my grandmother’s station wagon after it was donated to Camp Echo. My father and I drove it to Fremont, MI from California in time for the start of camp. This station wagon served as Camp Echo’s Town Run vehicle for several years. Which years? Feel free to guess!

Please email me if you are able to help fulfill some Camp Echo wishes! Trust us, it will bring you as much joy as it brings our campers and staff.


Bernard Rocca
Executive Director
Summer 2021 Updates
Open Enrollment Starts Friday
Registration for Youth Camp will re-open on Friday, March 5 at 12 noon central time. At this time registration will be first come, first serve for all sessions until camp starts! The link to register will be on our website on Friday.

We still have spots available including in Traditional Camp for Sessions 1, 2 and 3. For more information about programs that have space, please see our website.

If you have any questions about registration, please let our team know!
Family Camp: Week 2 & Weekend 3 Open!
We are thrilled to have over 100 families registered for Family Camp this summer! We still have space remaining for both Camper Cabins and Peak Cabins during Week 2 (August 23-28) and Weekend 3 (September 10-13).

If you are interested in signing up your family, please register through this Google form!

For more information about Family Camp, please visit our website!
Save the Date: Info Nights
The Camp Echo team will be hosting our information sessions this April and May via Zoom. These will include info sessions about each summer program as well as general sessions about COVID practices for both our on-site programs and adventure trips. We encourage both new and experienced Camp Echo campers and families to join us as we will be sharing information about programmatic changes as well as health and safety.
 
You can find all of the details for these info sessions on our website. We will send emails in advance with Zoom links directly to families. Can’t make it? No problem! We’ll be recording the calls and posting on our website.
COVID Vaccine Update
Last week in partnership with the Evanston Health Department, the McGaw YMCA hosted a vaccination event to offer the first dose of the COVID vaccine to McGaw Y residents and staff. The Echo full-time team is grateful to have received the vaccine during this event.

Additionally, the CDC expanded the definition of "essential workers" to incorporate out-of-school time workers, including camp staff. Camp Echo will be sending additional direct communication to our hired staff with additional information about how to get vaccinated before summer.
McGaw YMCA Day Camp
The McGaw YMCA offers a variety of Day Camp programs in Evanston throughout the summer.

At McGaw summer camps, kids can develop skills, self-confidence, new friendships, and a sense of belonging – all while having tons of fun. From games and sports to arts and crafts to outdoor adventures to science and technology, our day camp experiences offers kids the chance to learn new things and enjoy new adventures.
To ensure everyone’s fun and safety, they’ve adapted our camp programs to meet CDC safety recommendations to help keep kids safe from COVID-19.

Community-wide registration for Day Camp will begin on March 8. For more information, please see the McGaw YMCA Camp Guide.
Camp Echo History
We love using the Camp Echo newsletter as a way to connect with our alumni. Recently, Patty Noren (Maxwell), sent us this photo of staff members from 1946 or 1947.

If you have any old photos or other materials from Camp Echo that you would like to share, please let us know!

Last spring, Katie Trippi hosted several "Echo History" Zoom sessions, many of which can be viewed on our YouTube page.
McGaw YMCA Camp Echo
3782 S. Triangle Trail, Fremont, MI 49412
P 231.924.7076
The Impact of Camp Echo
Camp Echo strives to continue offering the best summer camp experience to all participants, and to make summer camp accessible to every camper and family in the communities we serve. Donations to Camp Echo help with our operating budget and support access to camp for all. Please consider making a donation to help Camp Echo thrive for many years to come. Questions about donating to camp? Contact KTT.

Camp Echo Wish List
Camp Echo has also compiled a specific wish list as we look to rebound from the financial impact of a canceled youth camp summer in 2020. Some items that we were ready to replace or add have been moved down our priority list. This list is an opportunity for friends of Camp Echo to help us in the areas that they are particularly passionate or excited about! Please click here to view the Camp Echo wish list.

To avoid any duplicate purchases, coordinate delivery, and ensure proper recognition, we ask that you let us know if you are purchasing or donating for a specific item by emailing our team!