New Beginning

Dec 5, 2016 To our Segowea family members: The Northwest Connecticut YMCA has decided not to renew our contract with us, Smith Park. Smith Park and the Northwest Connecticut YMCA had been in a three year contract, which resulted in children enjoying a camping program for the summers of 2013 through 2015. The NWCTY informed us of their desire to continue this relationship, and thus an amended contract was proposed and agreed upon earlier in 2016. Unfortunately the Y released this statement earlier this month- "After four years of conducting camp at beautiful Wa Wa Segowea, we are formally withdrawing our interest in continuing to operate this camp beyond this season. We have loved operating YMCA Camp Wa Wa Segowea with all our new friends and new experiences it has brought us. We thank the board of Smith Park of New York for their support and energy during the past four years. You really have been a wonderful partner- Camp Wa Wa Segowea - is a magical place. We're sorry we weren't able to be a better partner and make it work." The mission of Smith Park of New York is to ensure the continued existence of Camp Wa Wa Segowea. The board is fully behind this statement and are dedicated to ensure camp runs in 2017. There are challenges ahead, but we are committed to continuing the legacy of Wa Wa Segowea in a way that makes sense. We are here for the kids. As we progress through this, we will keep you informed. If you have questions or comments, please send them to campwawasegowea@gmail.com. Thanks always for your interest in WA WA! Sincerely, Chairman Tom Harvey & Smith Park Board of Directors: Mike Bruns Wyeth Drummond John Dunn Lou Falk John Fisher Beth Hodos Mark McCandlish Amy McPheeters Georgia LoPresti-Meckes Sarah Perks John Witter If you find yourself in the area of camp on October 15th-16th, I would encourage you to come up to camp for our work/play weekend! Fall foliage should be in peak season and we'd love to see you out at camp! We'll be putting up shutters, bringing in docks and things and doing the general closing of camp. Please let us know if you can attend. campwawasegowea@gmail.com Lunch and dinner will be served on Saturday and Breakfast on Sunday the 16th. See you at camp!