Partnerships, generosity and vision make new YMCA Camp: Horsethief Reservoir a reality

11 DAYS UNTIL HORSETHIEF RESERVOIR GRAND OPENING!

Five years ago, many people thought the Treasure Valley Family YMCA's dream to raise $22 million and build a state-of-the-art, environmentally-friendly camp at Horsethief Reservoir was just that - a dream. Turns out that YMCA Camp is the stuff dreams are made of, and on June 12, YMCA Camp: Horsethief Reservoir will welcome the first generation of campers to the new site.
 
"Building this camp has been a dream come true," said Laura Mahan, YMCA Youth Development Branch Director. "Y-Camp has a life-long impact on children's lives - the things they learn and experience here travel with them as they grow and many of them come back and say, 'I would not be who I am today without Y-Camp.' It truly is the greatest gift we can give our children."
 
Those life-lessons and experiences are what have brought so many people, organizations and agencies together to build YMCA Camp: Horsethief Reservoir - the first YMCA camp built west of the Mississippi in more than 60 years.
 
"The list of donors and supporters is lengthy - ranging from gifts of $1 to $2.25 million - and the stories behind those gifts are an integral part of the history and legacy of this camp," said Mahan.
 
Some of the highlights include:

- Twelve years ago, Greg Huff (former Assistant YMCA Youth and Camp Director) moved away and has not been back to Boise since. Despite this, Greg and his wife have sent $500 twice a year to benefit the Y's camp program, to date totaling $13,000.

- Warren McCain, former Chairman and CEO of Albertsons, had fond memories of camp as a child, and he and his wife, Bernie, made a generous contribution prior to Warren's passing.

- The Idaho Department of Fish & Game, owners of the reservoir, partnered with the YMCA to ensure the camp had safe drinking water.

- The Idaho Department of Environmental Quality played a key role in protection of the watershed found on camp property.

- Lemley International - a worldwide construction company with offices in Boise - donated in-kind project management services in order to keep the project on schedule.

- J.A. and Kathryn Albertson Foundation contributed $1.41 million to provide kids with the YMCA Camp experience.

- John and Dee Fery have provided leadership and dedication to the fundraising effort, and have contributed the largest gift ever given to the Treasure Valley Family YMCA - $2.25 million.

- The Wilcomb Family, along with their family business Jordan-Wilcomb Construction, have contributed more than $700,000 and have tirelessly led the charge to share the camp story and their passion for YMCA camp with countless individuals.

- A former camper, who wishes to remain anonymous and is the mother of two young kids, contributed $25,000 - all because of the memories she had from attending camp as a child.

- Despite never having attended YMCA Camp and not living in our community, Buzz and Ann Wooley have contributed $750,000 to bring the magic of camp to the lives of thousands of children.

- Jordan-Wilcomb Construction, Erstad Architects and CH2M Hill have contributed countless hours and resources to ensuring that this camp provided the traditional camp experience, while having minimal impact on the environment. 

The Treasure Valley Family YMCA has been in the camp business for more than 100 years and the new location at Horsethief Reservoir will allow the YMCA to continue the tradition for generations to come.

The new YMCA Camp at Horsethief Reservoir - continuing the YMCA's tradition of building strong kids, strong families and strong communities. Visit ycampidaho.org for full description, resident camp schedule, registration information and more.