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1^st Annual MSU Versus UM Alumni Tailgating Get Together

With warm temperatures and clear skies, the 1^st annual HWH alumni tailgating party drew a big crowd. Close to 40 Hayo-Went-Ha alums gathered to reminisce about summers past and speculate on the game to come. We all had camp in common but came decked in maize and blue or green and white to show our true colors!

With eager anticipation of the end results, the HWH alumni crowd dispersed into the Big Hole in the Ground or to the closest TV to watch the game. With the game going into a 3^rd overtime, the victory went to the lucky Wolverines 45 – 37. Though the Spartans were great opponents, The Victors was the song to be enjoyed by the 111,000 in attendance!

Thank you to the Austin Family for such great organization of the event and for all those who stopped by to say hello. We look forward to the 2^nd annual alumni tailgating party at MSU next year! Save the date: Saturday, October 1, 2005 in East Lansing – details to follow (as soon as the Spartans lick their wounds, or as some say in the office – just wait for basketball season!).

Quote:

"The nice thing about Hayo-Went-Ha is that nobody is just another name on a mailing list. We are all connected across the generations by the spirit of the camps that you obviously feel, giving us a common bond that makes us smile whenever we think of camp."

Alumni weekend 2005

First Annual Alumni Weekend, 2005

The First Annual YMCA Hayo-Went-Ha Camps Alumni Weekend will take place Friday, August 26, through Sunday, August 28, at both Camp Hayo-Went-Ha and Camp Arbutus Hayo-Went-Ha. Alumni, families, current campers and their families, and all friends of Hayo-Went-Ha Camps are invited to share the Hayo-Went-Ha spirit while enjoying all that the camps have to offer.

Whether you enjoy canoeing, sailing, swimming, craft shop, ropes course, disc golf, or just enjoying the sun at the waterfront, this weekend is the perfect opportunity to connect with your camp friends at your favorite camp.

Friday and Saturday night campfires will give all of us a chance to sing on the shores of Torch Lake and Arbutus Lake. Plus, storytelling and entertainment will take place throughout the weekend. If you would be willing to dust off your guitar, sing a campfire song, tell a favorite ghost story or revive a leaders follies skit, your participation is encouraged, however rusty.

Cabins will be available at both camps to those who sign up earliest. As space will be at a premium, more than one family may be assigned to a cabin. Ample tenting space will be available.

The cost for the entire weekend is only $55.00 per adult that includes five meals (Friday dinner through Sunday brunch), lodging and all activities. Children ages 3 – 12 enjoy the weekend for $40.00 per child.

During the Saturday evening’s dinner at Camp Hayo-Went-Ha we will officially induct Emil Haugen and Dr. John Rodger in to the Hall of Fame (see accompanying article).

Sign up now for Alumni Weekend 2005 at YMCA Hayo-Went-Ha Camps, Friday, August 26, through Sunday, August 28. If you have any questions, please feel free to call us on our toll free number: (877) 547-5915 or email us at hwh@hayowentha.org.

Calling all HWH Camps Staff, Campers and Alumni

Since 1904, our YMCA Hayo-Went-Ha Camps alumni have spread out around the globe! Alumni live, travel and work in some of the most amazing areas of the world – including going to work each day over looking beautiful Torch Lake and Arbutus Lake!

We are opening a contest to all alumni, staff and campers to send us photos of where in the world Hayo-Went-Ha people can be found! Send us a photo of yourself with a HWH Camps t-shirt or sweater on with a well-known landmark or world location in the background. Send it to Dave or Amanda at hwh@hayowentha.org with your name and location description and we will add it to the web site for all to see.

Check here to view current entries.

HWH Welcomes New Outdoor Education/Retreats Director

The Camp Hayo-Went-Ha family has grown a little larger! David Yuhaus has joined HWH as the new Outdoor Education and Retreats Director. David and his family, wife Jessica and son David, come to Hayo-Went-Ha from Northern Illinois. David has spent the last five years with Northern Illinois University's Lorado Taft Field Campus as the Assistant Environmental Education Coordinator. David also spent five years at YMCA Camp Thunderbird in South Carolina.

Welcome to Hayo-Went-Ha!

Winter Polar Bear - watch video!

Embrace the winter! Easy enough to say but last weekend several brave souls jumped into Torch Lake and can now say they are true winter polar bears! Caitlin Owens, Callie Wright, Hadley Robinson and Kristen Maufort who all worked with Oxford Adventure group last weekend and showed their true hard core camp spirit!

Watch Caitlin and Callie's leap off the pier into the iceburg covered waters of Torch Lake!

October Harvest Days

Field trip fun for 1st & 2nd Grade!

Forest in the Fall, Pioneer Cooking, Native American games and crafts.

Betsy Alles named CEO of the State YMCA of Michigan

After an extensive national search, Betsy Alles has been named CEO and executive director of the State YMCA of Michigan in Central Lake, MI. The announcement was made by Ann Parker, president of the YMCA’s board of directors.

“With assistance from the YMCA of the USA, we launched an extensive search for the ideal candidate to lead this new era for the State YMCA of Michigan,” said Parker, COO of the Small Business Association of Michigan located in Lansing. The YMCA of the USA is the national resource office for America’s 2,663 YMCAs.

“The search committee ultimately selected the individual we believe has the professionalism, knowledge of the communities we serve throughout the state, and a powerful vision to elevate the YMCA to the next level of service to young people and families,” said Parker. Alles has been executive director of The Chamber of Manitowoc County in Manitowoc, WI for the past three years. In addition to previous experience with the YMCA of Metropolitan Lansing, she was formerly development director for the Michigan Land Use Institute in Traverse City, MI.

“The board of trustees is committed to supporting the development of new strategic initiatives for the YMCA and looks forward to working with Betsy and the outstanding staff,” added Parker.

“Our desire is to reach out to more young people and provide them with skills and experiences to become healthy, caring and productive adults ,” said Parker “and we believe Betsy, together with her YMCA team, will accomplish this – and much more.”

“I am truly honored to lead the State YMCA of Michigan, and I look forward to collaborating with all volunteers and participants to identify all the ways we can continue to build upon past successes and develop new transformational experiences for youth and families,” said Alles.

Alles currently resides in Wisconsin with her husband, Eric Pekrul, and has two adult children. She will begin her duties with the State YMCA of Michigan on April 14, 2008.

The State YMCA of Michigan currently serves more than 10,000 people through programs at its four branches: YMCA Camp Hayo-Went-Ha in Central Lake, MI; YMCA Camp Arbutus Hayo-Went-Ha in Traverse City; MI; Michigan Youth in Government in Quincy, MI; and YMCA of Northern Michigan in Petoskey, MI. All four State YMCA of Michigan branches are dedicated to building strong kids, strong families and strong communities.

Whispering Pines Spring 2008 edition

Read the latest Whispering Pines Alumni newsletter right here!

Spring 2008 edition

5th Annual Alumni MSU v UM tailgate event

A good time was had by all at the 5^th annual Hayo Went Ha Camps UM-MSU tailgate. 60 to 70 alumni, staff, campers and friends gathered at the tailgates of Bruce and Jackie Cook and Charley and Betsy Glerum to renew friendships and make merry. Long underwear and winter jackets were the order of the day. The rain held off, but the Spartans did not, winning in the Big House for the first time since 1990.

Thanks for coming out everyone and enjoying the fun in Ann Arbor. Make your plans for next year in East Lansing.

Thank you Jim and Louise Austin for organizing a great event!

Click here for more photos!

Camp Days Dear

Camp Arbutus Hayo-Went-Ha finally had a professional recording crew come to Trailside Lodge and record some of your favourite camp songs.

Put your name in stone - HWH

Sample paver stone

Put your name in stone and support Camp Hayo-Went-Ha. The camp will be installing a paver stone walkway into the Kresge Lodge. By making a contribution to the Second Century of Camping Endowment Fund, you can have an appropriate inscription made into one of the stones. The earnings from the fund will be used to continue improvements at both camps. Reserve by January 31 to ensure your place for our spring installation.

A limited number of stones are available. Two sizes; 12x12 (contribution of $250) or 6x12 (contribution of $125). For further information call the camp office at 231-544-5915 or click on the link below.
Click here for more information and forms to download

Scrapbooking Retreats

Scrapbooking Retreats are becoming evermore popular!