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by Greg Keresztury, Director of Operations (The commentary below was published by the Burlington County Times, Sunday, May 12, 2019 edition). What Inclusion Means at YMCA of the Pines Here at YMCA of the Pines in Medford, we have long been committed to serving people of diverse backgrounds, experiences, and abilities. Typically this has been through our specialty camps that serve targeted populations, or through our partnerships with social service agencies. However, this is not all that we do. In recent years we have taken larger steps to create more opportunities for campers with diverse-abilities. I want to explore one [...]

by Susan Miller, Director of Marketing & Communications Andy Smith has been our Director of Building and Grounds here for the past year - and he has a long list of projects to keep him (and his great staff) busy throughout our beautiful 800 acres in the Pines! Read on about a recent project that Andy and his team oversaw - a new and improved "Ocky bowl." (And stay tuned ... we'll be tracking the progress of lots of exciting improvement projects here at YMCA of the Pines, and we'll keep sharing the news!) http://www.southjerseylocalnews.com/news/a-spruced-up-amphitheater-aka-ocky-bowl-awaits-summer-campers/article_ed3d067a-6aa9-11e9-a302-d744846138b9.html  

Becca Gutwirth joined our staff in January 2019 as the School's Out Program and Curriculum Coordinator, and she hit the ground running with ideas and enhancements. So when the School Age Childcare director MaryAnn Birchler decided to leave the organization to pursue another career path, Becca was named to that position! Check out this published story about Becca. We're glad to have her as part of the team! http://www.southjerseylocalnews.com/news/gutwirth-to-run-school-age-childcare-at-ymca-of-the/article_3672dfbe-6464-11e9-8350-df60a902b212.html      

by Greg Keresztury, Director of Operations YMCA of the Pines has joined with other YMCAs all across the country to take action and raise awareness about how to prevent child sexual abuse.  We want you to join us. We know you share the Y's commitment to youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. You can share our commitment to protecting children in our community too, by learning more about how to prevent child sexual abuse and helping us get the word out to others. That's why we're writing to you. If you'd like to learn more, visit these experts in [...]

Welcome Paul Stewart - the new Lead Nurse for YMCA of the Pines! Paul is originally from Medford, and has lived in Marlton for the past 5 years. He has many years of experience right here at our camps. He is well known to the camp community as “Nurse Paul," having worked at many of our summer and year-round programs. In addition to being a nurse, he has been a camper, counselor, School's Out site supervisor and nature director. Paul has also been working in the Virtua Emergency Departments locally since 2007 and has formed a relationship with Virtua for [...]

By MaryAnn Birchler, School Age Child Care Director Mmmm I want to linger. Mmmm a little longer. Mmmm a little longer with you. Mmmm, mmmm, mmmm. It’s such a perfect night. Mmmm it doesn’t see quite right. Mmmm that it should be my last with you. Mmmm, mmmm, mmmm. And come September, mmmm, I will remember, mmmm, Matollionequay so true. Mmmm, mmmm, mmmm. And as the years go by, mmmm, I’ll think of you and sigh, mmmm, this is goodnight but not goodbye. Mmmm, mmmm, mmmm. I want to linger, mmmm, a little longer, mmmm, a little longer with you. [...]

by Greg Keresztury, Director of Operations Stewardship at YMCA of the Pines I wanted to update those who follow the happenings at YMCA of the Pines on a large project that we undertook over a year and a half ago that came to fruition this past August.  As an organization, we have a duty not only to the thousands of campers and families whom we serve each year, but also to the grounds upon which our organization sits.  As you know, YMCA of the Pines’ physical location sits upon 800 acres of forest in Medford and Shamong Townships here in [...]

By Greg Keresztury, Director of Operations Over the next few months you’ll learn more about our organization and our umbrella name change.  Our CEO gave some of his thoughts on Tuesday, which you can read about here. Below, I’ve shared my thoughts on both the historical and operational perspective behind the change. When you’re standing in the parking lot outside the “Ockanick-Inn” Dining Hall at the property located at 1303 Stokes Road, Medford, where are you?  We have been wrestling with this question for some time now, as the parent name of our organization appears on the property in zero [...]

By Mark Dibble, CEO – YMCA of the Pines "What's in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet." ~Juliet to Romeo It is just as true today as when Shakespeare penned it 400 years ago. Our name is not what defines us. The character of our organization defines us. Our name has changed but our people have not, our ideals have not, our history has not. On December 12, 2018, we start operating as YMCA of the Pines. On December 13, 2018 we are not one day old, we are 112 [...]

By Lynn Passarella, Director of Lake Stockwell Day Camp Family – a simple word that has so much meaning behind it. When thinking about Lake Stockwell Day Camp, I think about the bond that is created each summer. Whether it is camper to camper, camper to staff member or staff member to staff member, we all value the relationships we have built. Camp is truly my home-away-from-home. It’s a place where I don’t have to “try” and fit in because I am already accepted for who I am. It’s a place where I can laugh and be silly. It’s a [...]