The YMCA of Rock River Valley now has a new pavilion at Camp Winnebago to serve an additional 80 children a week.
One year ago, the Y asked for community support in raising funds to build the new pavilion as part of a matching gift from a donor. The community answered our call for support and now we have additional space to serve more children this summer. The Webster Pavilion was dedicated today with a ceremonial hanging of the paddle.
Through the support of the Scott and Virginia Webster Charitable Foundation, Camp Winnebago received a $125,000 gift to help build the pavilion. The Webster Foundation challenged Camp Winnebago to match their gift, meaning that every gift that was given was doubled by the Foundation. The total cost of the project was $360,000, which was funded through many donations including other generous gifts from The Atwood Foundation, The Rowe Family Innovation Trust and a gift in the name of “Baby” Zayde.
The pavilion serves as a home base for campers during their time at camp. Children spend the day exploring camp with their counselors, but they come back to the pavilion to eat, play games and seek shelter. The pavilion also includes a professionally rated storm shelter. The pavilion was designed by Hagney Architects and was built by Schmeling Construction.
“We are so humbled by our community’s outpouring of support, particularly our camp families who collectively donated two-thirds of the matching challenge goal,” said Brent Pentenburg, CEO, YMCA of Rock River Valley. “We see this gesture of support as an endorsement of our program. We strive to give children a sense of achievement, belonging and friendship.”
YMCA Camp Winnebago is a magical place where curiosity is nurtured, children explore and make new friends, and the Y values of caring, honesty, respect, responsibility and faith are instilled in each camper. Research tells us only 5 percent of children meet the recommended healthy living guidelines of: 60 minutes of activity each day, 9-11 hours of sleep and 2 hours or less of screen time. A summer spent at Camp Winnebago is 480 hours not in front of a device.
Our goal is to keep kids and teens in the Rock River Valley adventurous, active, engaged and healthy all summer long. YMCA camp programs offer youth fun and unique experiences with an opportunity to explore the outdoors, discover new interests and create memories that last a lifetime.
To learn more about YMCA Camp Winnebago and our Adventure Camps at SwedishAmerican Riverfront YMCA and Northeast Family YMCA, visit rockriverymca.org.