Capturing 100 years of stories
YMCA Camp Woodstock celebrates its 100th anniversary in 2022. As we head to that milestone, we are looking to capture (and re-capture) conversations with Woodstockers over the ages to hear what’s changed, what has stayed the same, what memories people have and how Woodstock impacted their lives. Let us know if you have a story to share with the Woodstock community as a part of this history project.
Email: georgezack@gmail.com
You can also call in to the podcast now! We have set up a Google Voice account at: (303) 834-7639. You can call and leave a voice mail and then we can use that as content for a future podcast. What should you leave as a voice mail you ask? I’ll challenge you to leave a VM of you singing your favorite cheer or Woodstock song. You can leave it anonymously if you like. If you rather not sing, you can leave a voice mail related to anything on Woodstock – your favorite program, a favorite place, a favorite memory – anything.
Episode 1: A conversation with Tony Gronski and Mike Sherman
Between them, Tony Gronski and Mike Sherman have been the executive directors of Camp Woodstock for a third of its existence. In this conversation they share some of the challenges they have faced with facilities over the years, what common values have been there all the time and some of the pivotal moments they encountered in their history in the Pines. This conversation with Mike and Tony is hopefully our first episode of many.
Episode 2: A conversation with Waterfront Directors over the years
Black Pond – if there is a physical place of Woodstock that any more the cornerstone of Camp? And what CW staff is at the focal point of connecting all the campers to the waterfront?
We get an incredible walk down memory lane with waterfront directors from the past to current. In this conversation, we hear from Carey Green (a director in the 60s!), Lauren Drago, Jenna Scinta, Ned Furtney and current director Sara (SCP). They discuss some of their fondest memories, the gravity and importance of being in such a key position at camp, and how the waterfront has changed and been the same over the years.
Episode 3: Here Come the LIT Directors
The LIT year – that year where you are no longer a camper, but you are not quite staff – and you learn to grow as a leader at Camp Woodstock!
As we continue to have conversations with campers and staff in our run-up to the 100th anniversary of Woodstock, we have a very entertaining conversation with LIT Directors over the years. In this conversation, we hear from Andy Bauer, Diane Belcher, Shelby Harris, Ken Rogers, Lindsey Kotowicz, Conley Cummings, and last year’s director Scott Kellock. They discuss what the program looked like when they were director, some of their fondest memories, the thread of growing as person and in leadership in the LIT program, how the program has changed and what has been constant over the years.
Episode 4: A discussion with members of the Woodstock Board
Another great conversation with Woodstockers – this time we speak to four members of the current board: Alex Lucas, Mary Schone, Tim McGrath and Ivo Jaquez. We kick around some of the history of the Board, some of the topics the Board is currently involved in, and why the members of the Board – well, why they are members of the Board and what it means to them.
Episode 5: Acquittimaug and the Storyteller
“May I add my fire to your fire?” A long standing tradition at Woodstock has been the entry of Acquittimaug or the Storyteller at Opening Campfire. In this episode, Mike Sherman, Tony Gronski, Carey Greene, Andy Bauer, and Ryan Ebermann share the story of Acquittimaug and how the historical character has become a cornerstone of Woodstock lore.
Episode 6: The Staff Creed and the Staff Creed Award
In this episode, Tony Gronski, Hannah Richardson, Conley Cummings, Alyssa Shapiro, Jeremiah Huntt, Tara McVeigh, and Jesse Gresshin share stories about the Camp Woodstock Staff Creed and the Staff Creed Award.
Episode 7: Mike Sherman tells Woodstock Charlie
In this episode we listen into the Woodstock Charlie story as was told by Mike Sherman in April of 2020 on a Facebook Live feed.
Episode 8: Some more of the Legends of Camp Woodstock
Charcoal Boy. Isabella. Chapel Man. The Green Flame. In addition to Woodstock Charlie, there are several other story legends at Camp Woodstock. In this episode Executive Director Emeritus Mike Sherman is joined by current Woodstockers Avery Grace, Lucy Newman and Ryan Eberman to share some of these stories.