CLICK HERE For NEWS dating back to 2005 and earlier

May 27, 2007- Working through the aches and pains from running and trekking, our amazing alumni were able to make great progress on projects around camp.

Robbinson Hall continues to improve. The siding on the back of the dining hall. was started. The building will look incredible when it is all done.

Under the direction of Mike Reinkens, with assistance from Dave Joelson and Brad Spaulding, four dining hall tables were resurfaced and trimmed. The tables currently have their original surface from the 60’s that has seen the abuse of many campers and staff, as well as years of soap hockey. The new table nicely compliment the color and style of the interior of Robinson Hall

Ignoring the rain, Mark and Jason Metakis, Josh Bornt, Erik Anderson and Shai Walker completed the cedar fence around the Pok-o-Queen parking lot.  The fence neatly frames the parking lot, giving it a defined shape and size.

Landscaping and general cleanup around camp was a very popular project with many voluteers. They were able to clear brush, weed whack, rake and do many other things.

Thanks to everyone who stayed to help and stuck it out in the rain. Your contributions are greatly appreciated. A special thanks to Bob and Nanci Andrews who worked on Monday as well.

Ken “Squeaky” Herz (#1334) and Marianne Perreault (#5727) added a camper to the MacCready roster on December 17^th, 2006. Melanie Viv Herz 6 lbs. 11 oz. immediately went to POKOMAC.com and signed up for her summer 2014 classes.
Choices are rumored to be Homestead, Pottery, IPOD repair,
Soccer, Parasailing, and GPS scavenger hunt

Fire Departments Train at Camp

Jan 21, 2007- Pok-O-Moonshine's Senior Section hosted members of the local volunteer fire departments and ambulance squads today for cold water rescue training.  With the warm winter, the normal training location, Willsboro Bay, had not yet frozen over.  Sharp Swan graciously allowed the use of camp grounds for the training.

Willsboro Volunteer Fire Department organized the event with Keesville and Essex departments and a ranger from the NYS Forest Service in attendance. Waterfront director Shai Walker and PMOEC director David Durant, both firefighter/EMTs with Willsboro also participated.  The rescuers and "victims" wore special cold water rescue suits to protect them from the extreme temperatures on and under the ice. Special sleds and hand held ice picks were used to extract the victims from precut holes while teams of firefighters pulled victims and rescuers alike to safety.  To complete the experience, some rescuers submerged themselves under the ice for a few seconds to fully understand what victims experience.  Even with the dry suits it is a scary experience.  "That was one of the most terrifying experiences of my entire life," said David Durant.  "The cold water knocks the wind right out of you."  He added, gasping for breath.

"Once Long Pond has frozen over it serves as one of the Outdoor Education Center's most unique classrooms.  Students from Quebec, New York, and further afield venture out onto the ice to fish, ski, and study Winter Ecology.  As director of the Center I am much more comfortable scheduling those classes knowing that our local Fire Department and Rescue squad have the equipment, expertise, and willingness required to make a rescue should anything ever go wrong out there on the ice."

We at Pok-O are very pleased that we can aid the volunteers of our local fire departments in their training. They are a vital part of our community and have come to our aid for minor incidents in the past.  We thank them and will continue to support them however we can.

Nov 30, 2006-

   Long time camper and counselor Meghan Daley and former camper and current intermediate section head Michael Taptick recently announced their engagement. 

   The couple currently live in Rutland, Vermont. Meghan is a school counselor at Rutland Highschool, Michael is a physical education major at Castleton State College. The two plan to wed at the end of the 2007 summer camp season.

Nov 16, 2006- Having completed renovations of the west wing and camper bathroom of the MacCready Farmhouse and the Fuel shed /Garage in 2005 and the MacCready Health office/ Outdoor Ed dorm in 2004, Camp has now shifted its efforts on the boys camp. 

Beginning in October, the intermediate/senior bathroom was torn down to make way for an all new structure. The new bathroom will feature 11 showers and outdoor hand washing stations. There will also be a women’s room for use on parents day and during other family events. The project will be completed in late fall and be ready for the summer of 2007

Robinson hall is also nearing completion. The interior has been finished off with wainscoting on the walls and now features display cases for camp history, tradition and camper activities. The windows have also been replaced with double hung units, giving better light and a more open feel. With another successful Wow weekend we now have more shingles ready for siding to finish the final phase of the renovation. 

Camp MacCready and PMOEC will soon feature a new hand painted sign to welcome campers, alumni and other visitors. A matching sign will soon be in place at the entrance to Pok-O

Alumni are invited up to help with ongoing projects every spring and fall during our Wow Weekends. It’s a good way to catch up with old friends, meet new ones, and help improve camp in a low stress work environment.

 Aug. 30, 2006- With a combination of group efforts, solo charges and downright impressive displays of speed, members of the Pok-O-MacCready family succeeded in topping 41 of the Adirondack Forty-Sixers, on a beautiful day for hiking, Friday, August 18.

   While camp failed in its mission of climbing all 46 peaks, the 41 climbed was an impressive number considering that less than two days before the attempt, only 21 were projected to be climbed. “Sharp Swan did a great job of drumming up enthusiasm and recruiting climbers at the last minute,” said Jim Kobak, co-coordinator of the 46-in-a-Day project. “With his help, we nearly did them all, plus we raised $600 dollars for the Adirondack Scholarship Foundation.” Since 1990, Pok-O has made five attempts at the 46 in one day, succeeding only once. (SEE HISTORICAL LIST).

   The day was not without some incredible performances, most notably by Kobak himself, who climbed the entire Seward Range- four mountains and 24 miles-

46-in-a-Day Facts & Figures Total Mountains: 41 Total Miles: 252.5 Total Elevation Gain: 81,110 ft. Youngest to Summit: Joe Zimmerman (6); Megan Mahoney (5) Veteran Climber: Bruce Madden (57) Chicken Consumed at Barbecue: 346 lbs. Time Had By All: GREAT!

in just over seven hours (see below).... In a valiant attempt to knock off ten mountains, Drew Seitz and Michael Taptick climbed Marcy, Gray, Skylight, Haystack, Basin and Saddleback before injury ended their day.... Jon Bush was attempting to finish his personal 46ers on the Santanoni Range, but he too had to stop short of the ultimate prize. The camp group finished the range, but Bush will have to return; he is vowing to finish his 46 at the 2007 family camp.... David Carch, camp veteran yet hiking novice, put in a spirited solo effort in his successful ascent of Allen..... And Dana Beck and Toni Deary had to bypass Redfield, when Beck- amidst thick blowdown- lost a contact lens while descending Cliff.

   These are but a few of the variety of tales, but the common story was fun, as seemingly every hiker returned to the post-trip barbecue with smiles on their faces, battle wounds on their bodies, and pledges to climb all 46 in 2007.

Two New Boats Named

Aug. 16, 2006- It is generally the custom to award Pok-O-MacCready’s highest honor- the naming of boats- to retired alumni. That tradition was ignored this year as two longtime campers and staff members were awarded boats in their name at the annual summer staff banquet held Sunday, August 13.

   Ken “Squeaky” Herz and Tim Singer, who began as campers during the 1960’s and remain on the present day staff, have been presented with tribute canoes. They join an elite list of 24 other camp alumni who have been recognized with rowboats, canoes, sailboats and trees. (SEE FULL LIST HERE)

   “We’re getting to the point where a new generation of the camp family should be honored,” said camp Director Sharp Swan. “Even though ‘Squeaky’ and ‘Skip’ are still here, they’ve been here for close to a combined 80 years and have contributed more than anyone else.”

   Ken Herz first came to camp in 1969 and has been a camper, counselor, section head (for 12 years) and, most recently, assistant headmaster. Tim Singer arrived in 1967 and accordingly has been a camper, counselor, section head, assistant headmaster, orientation leader and program director. He developed and continues to maintain the Pok-O-MacCready summer camp web site.

Claire DelNegro receives International Sports Acclaim

Berchtesgaden, Germany, June 18, 2006-- At the 54th Congress of the International Luge Federation (FIL), USA’s Claire DelNegro was awarded the FIL medal of honor in silver. At the beginning of the general assembly at the Intercontinental Resort in Berchtesgaden, the Vice-President for Sport received the award from the hands of FIL President Josef Fendt.

   Five other federation officials and coaches- two from Germany and one each from Italy, Poland and Norway- were given citations for their many years of commitment to the sport of luge.

   A 1984 Winter Olympic athlete, Claire Sherred was a camper at MacCready during the 1960’s and 1970’s. She followed that up with stints as a counselor, riding Director and assistant Director of Camp MacCready. The “Sherred” cabin in girl’s senior section is named in honor of Claire and Allison Sherred.

(Portions republished from the FIL web site)

   In a sometimes funny, sometimes moving ceremony, the Robinson Hall stage was formally dedicated Saturday, July 8. The Nevin Whiteley Memorial Stage honors the former popular counselor, who passed away from cancer earlier this year 

   Guests of honor included some of Nevin’s close camp friends, his wife, daughter and sister (who traveled from England for the occasion). Jody Edwards, close friend and colleague of Nevin’s, presided over the ceremony and issued the formal dedication. Speeches were made, a plaque was unveiled and the entire audience joined along for a verse of “Moonshine Mountain”, a song introduced to camp by Nevin.

   Following the dedication, campers took part in a talent show featuring singers, dancers, comedians and trick artists. Following the show, camp owner Jack Swan made some closing remarks, followed by an encore performance of “Moonshine Mountain” and, of course, the camp song.

POK-O ALUMNUS COMPLETES WINTER 111

Another becomes Winter 46er

Camels Hump, VT; March 19-- Surrounded by friends, family and camp alumni, Dan Herbert reached the summit of Camels Hump mountain today, becoming the first Pok-O-MacCready alumnus to finish the winter 111.

   The “111” comprises those peaks in the states of New York, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine, which exceed 4000 feet in elevation. In actuality, there are 115 such mountains, but the “111” moniker continues to be the distinction. Herbert is believed to be the first person from camp to complete the 111: summer or winter.

NEWEST WINTER 111er. Dan Herbert approaches the summit of Camels Hump

   Herbert, originally from Missouri, completed his 46ers while working as a counselor at Pok-O-Moonshine during the 1990’s. In 2003, he became as winter 46er, following that up with the New Hampshire winter 48 in 2005.

  Joining him on his celebratory climb were Eric Bauer(#3240W), Matt Elliott(#2944), Matt Petrosky, Kenneth Herz(#1334), Marriane Perreault(#5727), Beth Lease, Anna Herbert(#2766), Fiona Dubuss, Marc Metakis(#3097), Mike Daley(#4231), Jim Kobak(#1791W), Dan Herbert(#3919W) and Chris Konowitz(#3997).

NEWEST WINTER 46er. Eric Bauer celebrates atop Cascade.

   The day before, Eric Bauer finished his winter Adirondack 46ers on Cascade Mt. Bauer is a former camper and counselor, and will be running camp’s boat dock this summer. He becomes the seventh Pok-O-MacCready winter 46er, joining Herbert, Sharp Swan, Phil Corell, Ken Ryba, Mark Corell and Jim Kobak. In addition to those listed above, camp alumni Matt Elliott, Tom Reinckens and Anna Studbacker were along for the climb.

   To complete the active weekend, Herbert, Bauer and Metakis trekked the Pok-O Paych course on Monday, becoming just the 2^nd, 3^rd and 4^th people to complete the winter Patch Sprint in 2006.

FAREWELL TO JIM BOTTOMLEY

Former Pok-O-Moonshine Headmaster Milford “Jim” Bottomley passed away in late February. A beloved camp figure, Bottomley was one of the first camp “legends” to have a boat named in his honor. His wife of 66 years, Selina “Sis” Bottomley, passed in 2004. Recently, their son posted this eulogy on the Pok-O-MacCready alumni message board.

• “My Dad, Jim Bottomley, known to most of the recent Pok-O-Mac people through the boat named after him, died last week at age 92. I'm so happy that we succeeded at getting him up to the 100th anniversary, as our time at Pok-O meant so very much to both him and my late mother.
  
  Dad was headmaster of Junior Camp (tents along the right of the road) from 1946-51 and headmaster of Pok-O from 1952-3, after the departure of the legendary Skip Storer. In the off season he was a teacher in Belmont, Mass.
  
  As I look back at it now, bringing Pok-O back to glory in the immediate aftermath of WW II must have been quite a challenge for all concerned.
  
  As a result of Dad's tenure at Pok-O, I got to spend my summers there from age 2 through 9. The very earliest memories of my life are of my first trip to Pok-O in 1946 and of my first meeting with Aunt Sarah that same day, when we discovered that we shared the same birthday. The legendary James Hankins was chef at that time, ably assisted by the equally legendary Uncle Rob, who could fell a tree to within inches of its predicted landing spot. These were the first two black people I ever met. I loved them both, and this experience set me off on life believing that everybody had the potential to be as wonderful as these two were to me.
  
  Jack graciously allowed me to return to Pok-O for a few weeks to take part in the renowned first Super Marcy of the Modern Era in 1957! A young feller from Intermediate named Phil Corell came along with us Seniors.
• Pok-O was very special to me, as it was to my Mom and Dad. As I'm sure it is to all of you.

BELOVED COUNSELOR PASSES

   On February 2, 2006, former Pok-O-MacCready counselor Nevin Whiteley passed away, following a year-long battle with cancer. He was 45.

   Nevin Whiteley first came to camp in 1979, from Yorkshire, England, as part of the BUNAC program. He spent three summers at Pok-O, where he was adored by campers and staff alike. In 2004, he returned to camp for the 100^th reunion, along with his wife Joanna and daughter Amelia.

   A memorial service for Nevin, held in Stamford, CT on February 7, was attended by approximately 200 people, including members of the Camp family. The following information was provided by Nevin’s wife Joanna for those who want to communicate their condolences:

Initial Work to Begin on Collection of Camp Legend and Lore

In an effort to preserve the many stories, legends and songs, we are starting planning for a new collection. We want to include stories and legends of camp, past and present. All of the old camp songs, such as Mr. OD and the Blue Boar song, will also be included 

We are looking to you, the alumni of camp for many of these stories. Please send us any stories or ideas that you have from your time here. We are not looking for personal stories or letters as these can be found in current publications.