Athol YMCA’s Camp Wiyaka, in, Richmond, N.H., will celebrate its centennial year in 2021. The camp, which opened in 1921, was the idea of former director of the YMCA for 50 years, Johnny Johnstone, who wanted the area boys to develop a love for outdoors, give them the opportunity to play hard, eat well and teach moral values, according to Jennifer L Gordon, CEO/Executive Director of the Athol Area YMCA
The 33-acre camp itself, she continued, went nameless for a few years, being referred to only as “the summer camp.” The late Probate Judge Francis L. Thompson of Greenfield named it Camp Wiyaka and believed in its benefits for local youth. “He believed the word to be of Indigenous origins and to mean “courage or grit,” Gordon said. In the beginning, she continued, the camp attracted an estimated 15 to 20 campers per session, it now attracts approximately 72+per session. Due to COVID-19 restrictions there will only be 40 campers allowed each session this year, according to Camp Director Isabelle Elsasser. This is Elsasser’s first year at Camp Wiyaka; however, she had worked previously at Camp Foss in Stratford, New Hampshire, serving as a counselor and program director for six years and was a camper there for four years. When Elsasser is not directing Camp Wiyaka, she works as an academic coordinator at Marlboro High School.
Camp Wiyaka first opened to girls in 1925 under the auspices of Camp Fire Girls, who were utilizing the property. Among those who has fond memories of being a camper at Camp Wiyaka is Camp Board member Gail Pease, who attended the camp in the 1950s,when it was part of the Camp Fire Girls Program “I was 8 or 9 years old and attended in 1955-1956 until 1964,” she said. What she remembers most about her days there, she added, is being outdoors, the friendships she made, swimming and hiking. Pease eventually became a counselor at the Camp Fire Girls Wiyaka as well as worked on the waterfront and served as a lifeguard.
Campers come to Wiyaka from around the world, Gordon said. Among the camp’s more famous alumni is Dave Bergeron, a member of Blood, Sweat & Tears.
As for activities at the camp, Gordon said, “We have worked to keep many of the original traditions and bring additional activities.” These traditional activities include archery, water activities, arts and crafts, etc. Among the newer activities, she continued, are zip lining, high ropes course, additional kayaks and paddleboards.
Arts and crafts center outside under a tent this year. sports games as well as kayaks and canoes with staff members, pool noodles and beach toys Elsasser said, will be part of the fun at the camp. She said the high rope courses including a zip line, a vertical playpen where campers climb upwards with the help of a belayer and a Superman Swing will also be available activities and are popular with campers.
Another tradition at the camp is the nightly campfire. “Ours was only one of the few residential camps open last summer,” Elsasser said, adding there were no large group events like campfires held at the camp.
This year the nightly campfire is back; however, the seating area will be expanded slightly to allow for six-foot distancing and masks will be required during camp fire time, she said. Another change due to COVID-19 she said is that each camper will be part of a camp family unit with a staff member who sleeps with that unit also a part of that unit. As long as campers stay with their camp family unit, masks will not be required. Celebrations to mark Camp Wiyaka’s centennial year had to be postponed due to COVID-19; however, “Now that COVID regulations are reducing we are planning events for this,” said Gordon. .
Along with the activities, “according to Gordon, “We work to develop each camper’s self-esteem and provide opportunities for personal growth. We work to assist each camper in developing an appreciation and respect for their natural surroundings. Campers have the opportunity to experience what group living is like.” As for the campers, Elsasser said, “I think it will be an adventure just being outside again. Remote learning has had the kids stuck inside a lot. This will allow them to be outside, explore the woods that we offer and hang out with other kids without fear of Covid or being too close to one another.”
This year, one-week sessions will run from June 27- Aug. 20. Cost for camp is $440/members $470/nonmembers Scholarships are available. Registrations are accepted year round.
The YMCA also runs a day camp, Camp Selah, for ages 5 to 13. Greendale Family Church has operated it for almost 100 years, but the YMCA has leased the property for about 20 years,” said Gordon. Camp Selah will run from 7:30 a.m. to 5:45 p.m., June 21 to Aug. 20. The cost is $175 members and $210 nonmembers. Scholarships are available. Registrations for camp are accepted year-round. Both Camp Wiyaka and Camp Selah will follow state mandated guidance and work closely with local boards of health.