CEO Mark Dibble announced recently that Lynn Passarella will be the new director of Lake Stockwell Day Camp. Passarella, who has been the program’s assistant director since 2011, will now oversee the operation of the co-ed summer camp program that typically accommodates about 500 kids between the ages of 3 and 15 on a daily basis during the summer months.

Passarella has worked at the camp since 2010, serving in various roles including Village Chief (head counselor), Assistant School-Age Childcare Director and Camp Store Director. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Recreation Management from Lock Haven University as well as a YMCA Team Leader Certification.

“Lynn Passarella is uniquely qualified to take the helm of Lake Stockwell Day Camp,” Dibble said. “She has the program experience, the leadership experience, and her commitment to and enthusiasm for Stockwell is second to none. We’re very lucky to have her and I’m excited to see all that she accomplishes over her tenure as director.”

Lake Stockwell Day Camp has been a part of Camp Ockanickon since 1990, offering swimming, boating, sports, creative arts, nature education and challenge course activities on the 800-acre wooded property. Young teen campers (ages 12-15) at Stockwell participate in the Explorers Program, where in addition to the typical camp activities, they learn teamwork, communication skills and leadership and participate in weekly field trips. Older campers (ages 14 and 15) can participate in the Leader-in-Training (LIT) and Counselor-in-Training (CIT) programs, which offer the opportunity to develop leadership abilities and life skills.

Stockwell also runs a Preschool Camp; both a morning session and a full-day program for ages 3 and 4.

Passarella, a Medford resident, said she is excited about the new opportunity at the camp. “Honestly, I feel like this is a dream come true,” she said. “I am excited to continue to grow the day camp program.”

Passarella takes over the position from Mary Ann Birchler, who until recently held a dual role as Stockwell Director and School-Age Childcare Director for YMCA Camp Ockanickon, Inc. Birchler will now focus full-time on the camp-run School’s Out Program, which provides before- and after-school childcare in several area schools.

Dibble said that the new structure will allow Birchler to concentrate her talents on School-Age Childcare. “With MaryAnn Birchler’s shift to focus full-time on School’s Out, the program is poised to significantly increase its impact on the children and families of our community,” he said. “I’m excited to watch her grow on the successes she’s already had with the program over the past six years.”

“I love working with the School’s Out kids and families and I look forward to being able to do even more,” said Birchler. “We’re already in the process of planning some fun evening family events in 2017, so stay tuned.”

For information on any of the camp programs, call 609-654-8225 or email info@ycamp.org.

 

LYNN PASSARELLA, the new Lake Stockwell Day Camp Director at YMCA Camp Ockanickon, Inc.