UNITED STATES: Camp Echo Bay takes place at Salesian High School
Former campers return as counselors
UNITED STATES
(MissionNewswire) Camp Echo Bay in New Rochelle, New York, took place on the Salesian High School campus and was open five days a week through Aug. 14. The camp is run by Jimmy Ascencio, a graduate of Salesian High School, and Matthew Boggi, a theology teacher at the school. Three Salesians are also involved at Camp Echo Bay: Bros. Bill Hanna, John Taylor and Lorenzo D’Alessandro.
The camp welcomed 255 youth during its opening week. For its second and third weeks, 365 campers came each week. One key tradition at Camp Echo Bay is its special theme weeks, where each week is centered on and celebrates a part of pop culture. Camp Echo Bay began its season with Holiday Week and followed with Superhero, Star Wars, Nickelodeon, Olympic, Disney and Carnival weeks.
“A lot of the counselors are former campers, and it’s good to see them grow and keep coming back,” explained Ascencio.
Staff member Naomy Ayapan first came to Camp Echo Bay in the second grade after her family moved from Tennessee to New York. She said, “The counselors are not just counselors. They’ve always been there for me. I also met my best friend here, and we’ve grown a lot together.”
Ayapan has worked at Camp Echo Bay for four years and has loved every moment. “I enjoy coming back to Camp Echo Bay and experiencing the connection here. Everyone’s always been there for me.”
Along with former campers returning as counselors, many of Camp Echo Bay’s male counselors are Salesian High alumni, like Cory Gardner, who oversees the sixth to eighth grade group. Gardner and Ascencio went to school together.
He currently works as a high school counselor and gladly accepted coming back to the camp. “I see the value of being a role model and leader for the kids. The kids make the camp, and it’s especially great to see the older kids rediscover their childlike wonder. I love to help them all find their true gifts in a positive way.”
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ANS – United States: Experiencing Connection at Camp Echo Bay
