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Help us to raise money for Vacamas Programs for Youth while enjoying a beautiful 45-mile bike ride through rural Passaic County.  The varied terrain with long flats and some hills will offer riders fantastic views as we travel the lovely country roads around Greenwood Lake.  We will begin the day with breakfast at Camp Vacamas and conclude with a traditional Camp barbeque.

Register for Bike Ride


JMU Alternative Spring Break heads to Vacamas!

 

 

During the first week in March 2008, Camp Vacamas hosted a group of 10 dedicated students from James Madison University who chose to volunteer their time during Spring Break to help out Vacamas Programs for Youth.  This is the third year JMU has partnered with Vacamas for this all-important trip.

 

While here at Vacamas, the group made several improvements to our facilities and programs.  Throughout the morning, the students spent time painting, cleaning, and sprucing up buildings around Camp.  In the afternoon, the group traveled into Newark to assist with our New Jersey After 3 Schools.  All week long they worked together to help out wherever they could.

 

It wasn’t all hard work.  In the evenings the students from JMU enjoyed watching movies, a bowling night, and, most importantly, a rigorous game of dodge ball.  The group was also able to speak to Mike and Sandi Friedman about the programs we offer and the impact they have made for our children.

 

Thanks to Brittany, Emily, Leyla, Sierra, Kim, Courtney, Sarah, Josh, Adele, and Frank for all your hard work throughout the week! We here at Vacamas appreciate everything you have done for our organization and are pleased that there are groups all around the world with your passion and dedication.

 


 

GOOD NEWS!

 

Vacamas Programs for Youth just received a large donation of outdoors equipment from members of the New York-New Jersey Trail Conference.  We are deeply grateful for these contributions which included backpacks sorely needed for Vacamas Summer Trip Adventure programs and cross country skis, which have already been utilized by our Vacamas Academy and Teen Opportunity Program students.  Along with this equipment, Vacamas also received warm winter outdoor clothing, winter and hiking boots, and rain gear. 

 

One contributor who donated a backpack encouraged our youth to appreciate the outdoors and said, “When you get to a nice high point, with beautiful vistas, stare out towards the wonders of nature.  As you soak up the beauty of the moment, just smile for a minute.”

 

Picture below, Vacamas Academy student posing with new skis and backpack.



BRYANT PARK ICE SKATING  

14 students from Vacamas' Teen Opportunity Program at High School #35 in Manhattan enjoyed a December afternoon at Bryant Park Ice Skating Rink. This trip was developed as an incentive to improve classroom attendance and school behavior among our students.  Everyone had a wonderful time on the ice!  


FALL FIELD TRIPS FOR VACAMAS STUDENTS

This fall, students from Vacamas’ Teen Opportunity Program at P.S. 198 in the Bronx benefited from two valuable trips.  They traveled to Ellis Island for an educational day trip and spent the weekend camping at Vacamas’ rural camp location in West Milford, New Jersey.

 


CAMP VACAMAS LAND PROTECTED

GOOD NEWS: On October 1, 2007, U.S. Congressmen from New Jersey Rodney Frelinghuysen and Scott Garrett gathered at Camp Vacamas to highlight the organization's decision to forever preserve 310 acres for its campers and the community to enjoy through the Highlands Conversation Act. "We want to keep Camp Vacamas forever green and provide an opportunity for the 5,000 youngsters we serve each year to connect with nature and enjoy the outdoors," said Vacamas Executive Director Michael Friedman.


Congressman Frelinghuysen with Vacamas Board President William R. Stein, Executive Director Michael Friedman and Board Vice President Michael Labadorf.


Vacamas Executive Director Michael Friedman with Congressman Garrett and Associate Executive Director Sandi Friedman

Press release:

Coalition Celebrates First Property Preserved
with Federal Highlands Funds

Thanks Congressional Leaders, Urges NJ Voters to Pass Nov. Open Space Question

(West Milford, NJ) The Highlands Coalition honored the successful efforts of Senator Frank Lautenberg, Congressman Rodney Frelinghuysen, and Congressman Scott Garrett to secure the first funds under the Highlands Conservation Act (HCA) towards the preservation of Camp Vacamas in the Wyanokie Highlands.  The Coalition also recognized the important role of the Garden State Preservation Trust (GSPT) in preserving the property and urged New Jersey voters to approve ballot question #3 in November to replenish the Trust for another year.  The State is purchasing 310 acres of Camp Vacamas using its share of the $2 million in HCA funds approved by Congress last year, as well as funds from the GSPT.  

Camp Vacamas was founded in 1924 by a group of dedicated business people and educators. The organization is committed to enabling children of low-income families to enjoy positive experiences. Over 5,000 children from the New York Metropolitan area benefit from the camps services.  The Camp is generously preserving 310 acres for its  campers and community to enjoy.

“We want to keep Camp Vacamas forever green and provide an opportunity for the 5,000 youngsters we serve a year to connect with nature and enjoy the outdoors,” said Michael Friedman, Camp Director for Camp Vacamas.

Also highlighted at the event was NJ ballot question #3, the Green Acres, Farmland, Blue Acres and Historic Preservation Bond Act of 2007.  If passed the Act would authorize the state of NJ to issue $200 million in general obligation bonds providing much-needed funds to keep New Jersey’s open space, farmland and historic preservation programs funded for another year.

“New Jersey residents deserve clean water, natural areas, preserved farmland and historic sites, and new, safe urban parks for our children.  Passage of  Public Question #3 will protect New Jersey’s quality of life for future generations, and ensure that our children and grandchildren can continue to enjoy New Jersey’s land, water and natural beauty,” explained Thomas J. Gilmore, President, New Jersey Audubon Society.

The Highlands Coalition, made up of over 180 local, regional and national conservation groups, works to protect the sustainability of natural and human communities in the more than three million acre Highlands region of CT, NJ, NY and PA.  For more information, see www.highlandscoalition.org.

 


New Camper Day

 

 

Stay tuned for upcoming events

 


 
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