| Parent Association September Meeting Minutes |
Camp Harrington Parent Association
Minutes for 9/21/09 meeting
Attending: Kim Crowley, Loree Griffin Burns, Andrea Deane, Kim Kusiak, Steve Lockney
We began the meeting at 6:35PM. We reviewed a bit of the evaluation process that has already
occurred at Camp Harrington in the effort to move forward with Camp Improvements. Then we
took a tour of the camp to understand more about what is needed logistically to make the camp
run better and to facilitate program improvement.
Topics that came up:
1) The field and area in front of lodge need to be reseeded
2) Archery may need to be relocated
3) The tents need to be upgraded (both for rainy days and possible return of sleep overs)
? yurts might be a better option
Note that improvements that occur now (and that we may want to help with via working on site
or fundraising) will need to be able to be kept when the bigger/more longterm improvements are
made (there may be building relocations, re-organization of placement of activities, possible
purchase of adjacent land etc). So yurts are portable, new sheds and signs can be moved etc.
4) New weather resistant picnic tables are needed
5) The Kinder care equipment is not engaging for the little kids. This part of camp is the “feeder”
for CH. These little ones are brought in from surrounding towns and are often those kids who
become campers. New, more engaging equipment is needed.
6) The septic system is going to need to be overhauled (long term issue) and hopefully
composting toilets will go in, in an effort to make the camp greener and cleaner. The septic
system is going to be tricky due to wet land regulations etc.
7) The leader shack is currently not safe enough to use. This is a huge drawback for the leaders
during camp. We may be able to make this a short term fix if we have it rebuilt as a “temporary
structure” (no foundation). This is how it is currently.
8) Signage is lacking
9) The buildings are dilapidated. ? consider painting
10) Arts and craft bldg is sinking and now floods with the rains
11) Lodge may need to be updated or completely razed and rebuilt depending on the long term
vision of the camp.
12) Waterfront: kids are not as active in swimming and waterfront activities as in years gone
by. Current ideas included adding fishing and re-arranging where boating occurs.
Note: Due to the discussion we had during this meeting Steve came up with some creative ideas
that would improve the attraction for the kids to get into the water. He is hoping to move the
boating dock to the far left of the swimming dock. Changing these logistics will allow him to
incorporate fishing as an activity. Also he is looking at some aquatic toys that will encourage
water activity (at all age levels). So swimming out to the dock when you graduate to Shark will
no longer be the only incentive to get into the water.
We did not have enough time or daylight to get to the boat house.
We spent a few more minutes discussing the mission of CHPA.
Our Mission: To unite past, present, and future camp parents to preserve and expand the Camp
Harrington experience.
Who We Are:
The Camp Harrington Parent Association (CHPA) is comprised of past and present parents of
children who attend(ed) Camp Harrington. The CHPA's efforts are guided by a Liaison
Group/Board of Directors. The Liaison Group/Board of Directors meets on a quarterly basis
(TBD).
The CHPA's Liaison Group/Board of Directors is responsible for:
Input to the camp director regarding oversight and direction of the camp program
Fund raising activities
Input regarding use of donations for camp improvement projects
Aid with year round camp social events (input and planning if needed)
Providing a presence at the YMCA of CM Board of Governor’s meetings
The CHPA Liaisons and CHPA members are unpaid volunteers and receive no economic benefit
from affiliation with Camp Harrington or the CHPA. Proceeds from fundraisers or other sources
are solely used to support the Mission of Camp Harrington.
Why We Exist:
The CHPA believes in the benefits of Outdoor Character-Based Day Camp for children and
families in Central Massachusetts. To that end, we will continue to support Camp Harrington
and all of its endeavors.
The general impression I got from our meeting is that we want to preserve and improve the
quality of the programming and outdoor experience…. not that we want to expand the numbers
of campers significantly.
My thoughts are that we as a parent association with be a group of people who bring different
strengths and supports to the camp. We can provide our time and energy to actually work on
site/ we can fundraise/ we can help connect the camp to different community resources. (we
have one parent who is not officially part of CHPA who is a professional in wetland permitting
who has already helped the camp figure out how to move forward in figuring out what areas we
can develop and what areas are protected wetlands). Not every parent will be able/willing to do
all of these things but we will pool our collective skills to support the camp.
The key thing that I hope EVERY CHPA member will offer is their honest opinion about what they
want to see happen for Camp Harrington. That is our PRIMARY role. The YMCA wants to make
sure that all future improvements and monies will be used in a way that reflects the desires of
the campers and their families.
So I would appreciate and thoughts/additions/edits you have for the mission statement so we
can make it reflect a unified goal and direction on the part of CHPA. I look forward to your input.
Thanks,
Kim Greenough
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