Torrington, Conn.— March 28, 2022 — Camp MOE has provided a vital summer camp need for many families since 2011. The Boards of Directors of LARC and the Northwestern Connecticut YMCA are pleased to announce that the tradition of providing a summer camp for children with or without special needs will continue in 2022, with the Y operating the camp. The Y and LARC’s partnership to operate an inclusive summer day camp program dates back to the early 1960s, when the Y owned Camp Oleout, and for ten years from 1999-2008 at the Girls Scout owned Camp Maria Pratt. LARC continued this camp program on the property from 2009 through 2021, purchasing the property in 2016.
Now more than ever, summer camp continues to be an important service for parents with young children. Not only does it serve as childcare for parents while they work, but also as a fun stimulating activity where youth can try new things, be active, make new friends and just have fun.
Studies have shown that children who don’t attend a vibrant summer program experience a learning loss as compared to their peers. This makes it difficult for struggling students to resume the school year at the same pace as their classmates. Educational experiences at camp help to bridge the gap for these students.
For families with children with special needs, there are far fewer options available to them and Camp MOE has been that one place that they can count on.
Attending summer camp allows kids a chance to be physically active, enjoy healthy lunch and afternoon snacks where they can socialize and participate in activities with friends in a safe environment.
“We’re really excited about this opportunity and very grateful to LARC,” says Greg Brisco, CEO of the Northwestern Connecticut YMCA. “It’ll be great to be at Camp MOE this summer. The camp will continue as it has in the past with its name and programmatic focus.”
“We know how important Camp MOE has been to our community and we’re excited that the Y is willing to step forward to continue this camping tradition,” says Michael Menard, Executive Director of LARC. “The board felt strongly that we should help the Y in any way we could to make this happen this summer.”
The Y will be fully responsible for the camp operation including staff recruitment and training, camper registration, and all of the day-to-day operations necessary to ensure the safety of campers and staff. LARC is providing the property to the Y at no cost.
“The Y’s Board of Directors is in full support of the Y taking on this most worthy opportunity to make sure Camp MOE, and all the great experiences it has given so many kids over the years, continues for many years in the future. Our compliments to LARC for all of the work the agency undertook after purchasing the property to improve it, make it safe and competitive. It’s a beautiful facility and fits very well with the Y’s mission to serve its communities building healthy spirit, minds and bodies,” says YMCA Board of Directors President, Bob Teittinen.
Both organizations are also open to the possibility of offering areas of the property to other community groups in need of space for smaller programming this summer. Please contact Greg Brisco (860) 489-3133 x116 or Michael Menard (860)482-9364 x280.
To find out more information or to register go to www.campmoe.org or email [email protected] or call 860-618-2800 or 860-489-3133 x143.