J. R. SIMPLOT FOUNDATION Inc. donates $3 million to Treasure Valley Family for YMCA CAMP AT HORSETHIEF RESERVOIR
2-for-1 matching donation requires Treasure Valley Family YMCA to raise an additional $1.5 million.
The J.R. Simplot Foundation Inc. is donating $3 million to the Treasure Valley Family YMCA for the new YMCA Camp at Horsethief Reservoir. This is the largest single gift in the Y’s 120+ year history in our area. The donation was announced at the Treasure Valley Family YMCA’s annual Heritage Club DinnerTuesday, Nov. 15.
Y Camp Capital Campaign Chair John Fery announced the historic donation.
“Y Camp is like no other place on earth,” says Jim Everett, CEO of the Treasure Valley Family YMCA. “When kids attend camp they make life-long friendships and lasting memories. We believe every kid is of promise and Y Camp is a place where kids discover their life’s passion. They realize they can do things they never imagined.”
Simplot Foundation’s $3 million gift is a 2-for-1 matching donation requiring the Y to raise an additional $1.5 million. The total $4.5 million raised will be used to construct the Y Camp’s main lodge and build housing for the Y Camp director, camp coordinator and summer director.
The Y’s new world-class camp at Horsethief Reservoir outside of Cascade in Valley County serves thousands of youth in summer resident camps and provides a year-round center for environmental education, retreats and other gatherings.
At the Y we believe all kids deserve the opportunity to explore new environments and challenge themselves at all levels. Y camp gives kids the opportunity to discover and strengthen their self-confidence and friendships that will give them the tools to overcome any obstacles in life. With the nurturing and caring of the dedicated staff, campers will benefit from strong role models. We believe Y Camp lights a fire within each of us, and like all fires it must be fed with fuel to help it burn. Camptivities include archery, court sports, arts and crafts, swimming, hiking trails, field sports, zip line, kayaking, climbing and more! Each summer returning campers can fuel their fire through new experiences, reuniting with old friends, and connections with nurturing counselors that help them discover their potential to thrive. Y Camp is positively the best way to change someone’s life.
“Y Camp is an opportunity for kids to establish life-long friendships and gain real experience that helps them the rest of their life!” said Laura Mahan, Youth Branch Executive Director.
The Y makes strengthening our communities its cause and is dedicated to building healthy, confident, connected and secure children, adults, families and communities.
Registration for the 2012 Y Camp season is open on now. For more information on YMCA Camp at Horsethief Reservoir, visit ycampidaho.org. Interact with Y Camp online at facebook.com/ycampidaho , twitter.com/ycampidaho and ycampidaho.blogspot.com.
