greetings FrOM tHe DireCtOr

Wapsie survived a wet year! Summer 2010 was a good year a little more wet than normal but that didn’t dampen our spirits.

Wet weather was a frequent visitor throughout the summer. But most activities, thankfully, were largely unaffected with the exception of canoeing which was canceled a few times due to dangerously high river levels. The path to Riflery was muddy or under water much of the summer so we spent much of the time at an alternative site using BB guns.

The biggest challenge from weather came during week nine. Friday afternoon, when we should normally play Mission Impossible, the rain would not let up! We waited watched and hoped but it was not to be. So after the dance and an indoor closing wish stick campfire Program Director Jaymie McGrath devised a plan to play Mission Impossible Saturday morning. So at 6:30am staff went around and woke up campers and announced that it was time to GO to Mission Impossible. We played a memorable Saturday morning game and the campers were still able to experience Mission Impossible.

In April we had some other weather that produced hail at camp that damaged many roofs at Camp. So early this summer we replaced them. Next time you are here, enjoy the nice, new roofs that keep everyone safe and dry.

Last April was the Cedar Rapids Metro YMCA’s third annual TrivYa night. This Strong Kids Campaign fundraiser is a very fun event. A group of camp friends and alumni put a team together and did quite well. We were even in the lead except for one very tough round landed us in 5th place. If you love a fun night with friends with a little trivia thrown in, I encourage you to check it out.

As always we had great staff at Wapsie. This year’s crew was made up of 66% returning staff with 92% having grown up at YMCA Camp Wapsie. This is great commitment and the cornerstone to what keeps Wapsie traditions alive and creates a very strong program year after year. I want to thank all the staff for their efforts this past summer for coming back and for helping us successfully renew our ACA (American Camp Association) Accreditation.

Now it is time to be working on our fall programs and start planning for next year. As early as it sounds, we are already in the planning stages for summer 2011. See you then! -Paul Denowski

rebranDing You will notice a new look to the Wapsie newsletter. It is a part of national effort from the YMCA of the USA to create one voice for YMCAs across the nation. This change has come after much research and effort and we are so excited to be rolling it out.

Keep watching for more new looks in everything from Y materials to t-shirts in the near future. It is a good time to get re-acquainted with the purpose behind all we do.

green grant interpretive trail Wapsie staff submitted and was awarded a Rockwell green communities grant to install interpretive signage along a trail at camp that interprets our local habitats and the flora and fauna at Wapsie. Whether you visit camp for a program through your school or are taking a casual walk around camp as part of a retreat checkout this trail and learn a few interesting facts. There are also over a dozen trees that have been identified with signage.

YMCa CaMp Wapsie

2174 Wapsie Y rd

Coggon, ia 52218

Fall 2010

www.campwapsie.org

a newsletter for those who love YMCa Camp Wapsie

DisCOverWapsie

DisCOver Wapsie | a newsletter for those who love YMCa Camp Wapsie

Wapsie Wear WeDnesDaYsWe are starting something new this fall. Thanks to an idea given to us by LITs, CITs, and staff, we want everyone to wear their Camp Wapsie gear the last Wednesday of every month. No matter where you are, whether it is at school, work (if your boss is ok with it) or just running around the city. We will see you in your Wapsie Wear Wednesday, October 27th!

trailblazers/trailMatesThe Trailblazer program is similar to the Adventure Guide programs although the activities and outings are geared for older children. For parents with children in 4th through 7th grade the opportunity continues with more advanced, independent activities in the Trailblazers/Trailmates Program. It is a great opportunity to discover new activities and experience together, (e.g., over-night campouts at Camp Wapsie, sporting events, horseback riding, parent/child night outs, etc.) once a month throughout the school year.

For more information contact YMCA Camp Wapsie 435-2577 or by e-mail: enger@crmetroymca.org or Andrew Smith at andrew@mariontrailguides.org Register at any Cedar Rapids or Marion YMCAs.

aDventure guiDes anD trailblazers YMCA Adventure Guides, the focus is on the parent’s role as a guide in a child’s life. Adventure Guides is designed for a parent and their child in Alternative Kindergarten through 3rd grade. The Circle is the program’s basic group unit, providing a structure, a sense of community, and support for all group activities. Adventure Guides (parents) and Explorers (children) meet in their small Circles and participate in Nation Expedition adventures (e.g., overnight campouts at Camp Wapsie, Pinewood Derby Races, sporting events, etc.) once a month throughout the school year.For more information on the Guide Program, please contact Carl Clore at (319) 294-9069, or by e-mail to cclore@gmail.com or YMCA Camp Wapsie at 435-2577 or by e-mail to enger@crmetroymca.org. Register at any Cedar Rapids or Marion YMCA.

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give MOre get MOreThis year YMCA Camp Wapsie instituted a new philosophy in our pricing structure. Tiered Pricing gives families the opportunity to pay what they can afford when they come to camp.

We understand different families have different circumstances that affect their ability to pay. We have been subsidizing camp fees as part of our mission for years. With tiered pricing, you can help us improve program and facilities while helping kids in our community experience a high quality camp. Our tiered pricing system in no way influences the experience your child receives! We thank you for helping with the transition!

aluMni COrnerBJ McDuffie moved to Washington DC to work for The Academy for Educational DevelopmentBen Feil and Lindsay Freeman were engaged at camp this spring.Jeremiah Burk and Elizabeth (Liz) Hansen were married this September

Future CaMper annOunCeMentsAdam and Gillian Fink welcomed a future teepee villager Eamon Alan Fink, to their family earlier this year.

DOn’t FOrgetVisit www.crmetroymca.org and check out the alumni section of our website. Click Camp Wapsie, then Alumni. Or email camp@crmetroymca.org and let us know where you are, what you are doing and what’s new in your life. We can also post pictures of you around the world in your Wapsie Wear.

be part OF sOMetHing great

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Libby AdamsHailey AldemanAnthony AlepraCasey AllbeeJohN AllisonRyan AndersonChristian AntonHannah ArnoldMeredith ArpeyIke BarashSara BaronciniAllyson BauerKristina BaurRachel BecklerKiera BenderLogan BlackHunter BlakeLogan BlakeGabrielle BlockMadeline BlockMia BoldtAndrew BravermanJena BrooksTorey BrownVictoria BrownEmily BurtchT Maxwell CampbellGrace CareyLuke CareyRosalind CareyKatherine CarterLogan CarterAbigail CaylorMorgan ChambersAllison ChristopherAaron ClinkenbeardJohn ColganJamie CookEmma CorkeryBreck Coulter Hannah CoyleCarter DanielDylan DavenportMadison DavenportCecilia DeBoeckSam DeyakScott DiekemaScott Diekema

Rylee DuncanKatharine DunnAdison EatonMaxwell EatonSamuel EckSerena EckAndrew EhlerNicholas EklandMax Fennell-

ChametzMatthew FisherKaleb FlonderSadie GarnerJim GeerdesMadeline GerlemanClara GilbertErin GlennJohn Henry GreenTaylor GriderIsaac GunnufsonCarlyn HaasTeah HannafordAlexandria HansenHannah HarlessNicholas HarriottConnor HarrisEmma HartwigEllen HataJohn HataRowan HaverkampGreta HeistadIsaac HeistadAlex HendersonAustin HendersonPatricia HillAndrew HingstRussell HingstClarissa HirdConnor HirdJoseph HoffLydia HoffmanIsabel HoggIsabel Hogg Emily HollingworthCourtney JagielskiSkeeter JasperZachery JohansenJacob Johnson

Joi JohnsonMaxwell JohnsonZachary JohnsonLiam KaboliMegan KannOmar KarimSarah KaufmanLiam KiefferMolly KilkerAlex KleinowAva KlopfensteinBlake KlostermannRian KnappMadyson KoobQuinn KopelmanJay KortemeyerKyler KruppAlan LambertClare LanaghanGrace LarewDaniel LarsonMaxwell LaueElizabeth LeuKristen LeuShelby LillySam LomanBeth LynchElena Lyons-

MacateeEmma Lyons-

Macatee

Charlie MascardoEthan MatthewsGrant MatthewsErin McCainKalen McCainIan McGillicuddyAbigail McGowanMark McKenzieCarter McNuttSawyer McNuttJoey MeusAnna MillerBonnie MorrisonHenry MosherAlyssa MulherinJason MulherinGillian MullinKatherine MumfordKatelyn MurhammerNola MurhammerPaige NamannyNate NelsonThad NelsonHailey NielsenKate NoelLauren O’BrienLily O’BrienShawn O’BrienTyler O’BrienMason OdekirkSe-Eun Oh

Seung-Ok OhMary OlesbergMichael OlesbergShelby OlsonTaylor PajunenBen ParkerJacob ParkerJack ParmleyLauren ParmleyLily PersaudLucas PetscheJohn PopeNicholas RaleyKarly RausLydia RhombergSadie RhombergKate RossCaroline RossbergerGrace RutherfordKayla RutherfordMickale SadeckyTrinity SadeckyRebecca SandhuEli SarantakosEli ScottBen SeilerMeldia SharpeAndrew ShawAmelia ShawverKenna ShortFreddy Smith

Ryan SmithSarah SmithParker SteffenDerek StegerAna StranglerLindy StranglerKayla StreevyFrederick StumboAutumn SvobodaDelaney ThomaNathan ThomasEthan TrepkaAustin TrumbullLogan TrumbullLayC TuckerDane VanAntwerpIsabella VenturaKai WalbergLizzie WalshHunter WamreNolan WangsnessErin WeathersJaycie WeathersDevon WeberJoseph WelchCecilia White-BaerLia WieckowskiRachel WilcoxPeyton Wolrab

Every year Wapsie volunteers raise money for our Strong Kids Scholarship program and this ear we have had 156 kids apply for financial assistance and we have been able to offer more than $27,000 in Financial Assistance. We would like to thank all the campers who donated money to this great cause.

DisCOver Wapsie | a newsletter for those who love YMCa Camp Wapsie

The counselors were so nice, cool, helpful and full of energy. I know that the counselors are a big reason for the success of Camp Wapsie and all the fun activities to keep the kids entertained.

This was a very good first time experience for my daughter. Thanks to your enthusiastic staff!

We are very appreciative that the Y can offer financial assistance to make camp affordable. We sing your praises every chance we get.

pete’s pOintsI would like to welcome Mandy Dougherty to the Wapsie staff. Camp is looking great for the is fall camping season with new roofs and new lodge windows and doors. It looks like we are ready for the fall groups. I would like to thank all the volunteers over the last year who make camp a magical place for kids. Stop out and see what is going on.

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WisH listWe are in need of the following items…

Mini Van or Larger passenger vehicle i.e. SuburbanChest Freezer Laminating machinePortable TV VCR Cart Arts & Crafts supplies (Yarn, paint)Yard and hand tools: Shovel, rakes etc. Gas powered utility vehicle w/ dump box Yard Tractor or Skid LoaderLumber Ice MachineWheel barrelsYard WagonsPower AugerWeed EatersWood splitterLaddersVacuumsStorage RacksEnclosed trailerSickle bar mower (PTO)Generator (1 kilowatt)8x10 storage shed Several truckloads of Gravel and wood chipsMaterials to build pole shed. Pressure washerLeaf BlowerOutdoor lighting for basketball and volleyball courts

Please contact the camp office at (319) 435-2577 to arrange delivery or pick up prior to making your (501.c3) donation.

volunteer assistance with these projectsTracking down camp alumni Wood splitting and cuttingServe as a nurse for a week of summer Repairing arrows and fishing polesMapping of campAssist with office projects/ mailingsJoin our Fundraising effortsJoin our advisory committeePaint buildings

Let us know if you would like to help with these or other projects at Wapsie.

remember camp in your year end giving and future giving! Your tax deduction can help brighten the camp experience for campers!

125 Years OF YMCa CaMpingThe first YMCA camps were small, consisting of a cluster of tents, lined up near a lake, a continuous campfire and a flagpole. Led by a YMCA director and aided by volunteer male leaders, the camps were regimented programs that included training the boys in character, good health habits and respect for each other. YMCA’s used the camping experience to nurture young people’s values and leadership skills. Over the years the camps expanded to include a wide variety of programming, serve males and females of many ages, abilities and incomes.

On July 14th alumni joined current campers and staff as Wapsie joined camps across the country singing songs and telling stories around the campfire that evening to celebrate the 125th Anniversary. We are proud to be a part of this milestone and our long heritage of YMCA Camping. Wapsie is the seconded oldest accredited camp in Iowa.

Wapsie like many YMCA camp camps has expanded our programming opportunities to include a wide variety of programs for youth, families and groups who participate in retreats and camping programs throughout the entire year.

spreaD tHe WOrD

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DisCOver Wapsie | a newsletter for those who love YMCa Camp Wapsie

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Wapsie special camps are open to boys and girls in 1st -10th grades. Summer staff return to supervise campers and lead seasonal camp activities such as archery, canoeing, arts & crafts, games, climbing tower, zipline, campfires, and much more fun! The camp store will be open for snacks. Campers may bring up to $5 for snacks, more if they want to check out souvenirs! (Cash-only basis; no store accounts)

Halloween Camp 2010 10 a.m Saturday, October 23 through 1:30 p.m Sunday, October 24 Cost: $62

Winter Camp 2010 10am Tuesday, December 28 through Thursday, 1:30 pm December 30 Special activities include sledding, ice skating, winter activities (weather permitting) and hot chocolate. Cost: $85/child

Spring Fling 2011 10am Saturday, April 2, 2010 through 1:30pm Sunday April 3, 2010 Cost: $62/child

Sign up for all three and save $25! Last summers LIT and CIT’s can sign up for ½ price. Please note on top right corner of Registration form.

Register with check, VISA or MasterCard. Campers are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. If you have any questions, please call (319) 435-2577. Registration deadline is four days prior to the start of special camps. Any cancellations after four days prior to the event will forfeit half the registration fee.

Mail registration with payment in full to: YMCA Camp Wapsie, 2174 Wapsie Y Road, Coggon, Iowa 52218 or visit www.crmetroymca.org for online registration.

Cut here. Keep top for your records.

2010-2011 YMCa Camp Wapsie special Camps registration FormPlease check preference: [ ] Halloween Camp 10 [ ] Winter Camp 10 [ ] Spring Fling 11

Camper’s Name________________________________________________________________ Male_____ Female______Address_________________________________________________ City_________________________________ State___________ Zip_____________________ Birthdate _____/_____/_____ Grade___________ Age_____________Home phone________________________ Work Phone ________________________ Cell ____________________________________Y Member? Yes No Attended Summer Camp 2010? Yes NoParent/Guardian Name ________________________________________________________________________________________________Parent/Guardian Email Address: ____________________________________________________________________________________Emergency Contact______________________________________________ Phone______________________________________One Cabin Mate Request: _______________________________ (Person must also request you and be in same grade.)

I give permission for my son/daughter to participate and play in YMCA Youth programs. In doing so, I agree to release the YMCA staff and volunteers from any responsibilities in case of injury. I understand that if a serious injury or illness develops, medical or hospital care will be given, and I will be notified. However, if it is impossible to contact me, I give my permission for emergency treatment, x-rays, or surgery as recommended by the attending physician and/or child’s physician.

Health Insurance Co. & No._____________________________________________________________________________________________Signature of Parent/Guardian____________________________________________________ Date_______________________Payment option (please circle): Check Visa MasterCard

Account #:________________________________________________________ Exp. Date_______/_______ (required)Amount $___________________________Card Holder Name (please print): ______________________________________________________________________

Signature: _____________________________________________________________________________________________________ You may photocopy this form or get additional copies from our website www. crmetroymca.org. Newsletters are also available at any Cedar Rapids/Marion YMCA.

special Camps 2010-2011speCial CaMps registratiOn FOrM

DisCOver Wapsie | a newsletter for those who love YMCa Camp Wapsie

YMCa CaMp Wapsie2174 Wapsie Y rd Coggon, ia 52218October 2010www.campwapsie.org camp@crmetroymca.org

a newsletter for those who love YMCa Camp Wapsie

upCOMing Wapsie CalenDarOct 22 Haunted Trail at CampOct 23-24 Halloween CampDec 28-30 Winter CampFeb 19-Mar 12 Candy SalesApr 2-3 Spring FlingMay 13-15 Mother Daughter

Campout

Jun 12-Aug 13 Summer Camp 2011

NONPROFITORGANIZATIONU.S. POSTAGE

paiDCITY, STATE

PERMIT NO.150

We’re Here tO HelpDuane Arnold Energy, Rockwell Collins and Alliant Energy adopted YMCA Camp Wapsie this spring for the United Way Day of Caring. Staff from these businesses enjoyed a day of volunteering at Wapsie, planted our camp garden, cut and split firewood, sandbagged a retaining wall, built picnic tables and repaired arrows. We truly appreciate all the efforts from these and all our volunteers that help prepare camp to be our best for the campers.

We would like to thank all of the nurses who donated a week of their summer to help keep kids safe and healthy at camp: Waukima Berg, Stephanie Horning, Kelly Polley, Melinda Myers, Angie Ulferts, Jann Baustian and Cyndie Homewood.

Several Wapsie alumni donated their time at camp to share their expe-rience with the campers this summer to help make camp a success this year: Andrew Buller, Abbi Mason Marshall, Jeni Arbuckle, Parker and Tyler Thirnbeck. We truly appreciate all the effort these folks shared giving Wapsie a hand. Thank you Volunteers!

aDDress serviCe reQuesteD