To the Editor:

The Capital District YMCA and Y Adventure Camp (formerly Camp Nassau) would like to sincerely thank the employees of PwC PriceWaterHouseCoopers who organized a community service day on June 1 at YMCA Adventure Camp.

The day included activities such as painting and staining our camp buildings, mulching and planting flowers, scraping and painting over 40 picnic tables, raking and clearing off paths to our trails, and so much more to help us get ready for the 400-plus kids who will enjoy their summer here each week.

Thank you to the dedicated staff at PwC PriceWaterHouseCoopers. We couldn't have done it without the help of our volunteers. How does the saying go? It takes a village.

Y Adventure Camp (Camp Nassau) has been a summer camp tradition in the Capital District for over 50 years! It has been at its present location since 1957 when Ben and Ruth Becker moved the camp from Schodack.

Uncle Ben was long associated with amateur sports, beginning in 1934 when he was named the head football and track coach at Philip Schuyler High School in Albany.  His hard work and dedication, plus his commitment to amateur boxing led to his being named principal at Philip Schuyler and head boxing coach of the United States Olympic Boxing Team in Rome in 1960.

Throughout the 1960s, ’70s and ’80s, Camp Nassau grew in size, program, and reputation.  State and national recognition brought many visitors using it as the model for excellence in summer camping programs.  Ben served on the governor’s board for camping regulations and safety requirements, setting the standards before his death in 1989.  The family camping tradition continued with Ed and Beth Becker facilitating the camp through the 1990s

The Guilderland YMCA began its involvement with Camp Nassau in 1997 and purchased the property outright in March of 2004. In 2012, a decision was made to change the name to Y Adventure Camp while still carrying on the same traditions and fulfillment to our mission.

In 2015, over 1,300 children attended camp and learned many life skills, such as our four core values of caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility, under the direction of some 90 staff members. Campers enjoy a day filled with free swim and archery lessons, a rock wall and zip line, and field games that teach confidence and team building and so much more.

Jennifer Rittner, director of operations

Capital District YMCA