After over two years of renovations, Camp Cullen is set to welcome its first group of campers in the new year.

On January 18, about 70 boys and girls and 50 dads from the Lake Houston YMCA are signed up to stay the weekend as part of the Y Guides and Princesses program. Clark Baker, CEO of YMCA of Greater Houston, is

Camp Cullen to Welcome First Group of Campers Since Fire

proud to see Camp Cullen rise from the ashes of the July 2010 fire that closed down the camp, and once again, bring joy to families in the Houston area.

“It is so wonderful to have the camp open again,” said Clark Baker, CEO of YMCA of Greater Houston. “I want to

Love of Camping Inspires DonationWhen Terry Rathert looks back on all the good times he’s spent with his kids, Y Guides and Princesses (formerly known as Indian Guides), comes to mind. He spent many years camping with his daughter, Tara-Leigh, and son, Travis.

“In many ways it brought us closer together,” said Terry, executive vice president and chief financial officer at the Newfield Exploration Company.

Terry grew closer to his kids as he spent time with them turning over leaves, finding bugs and doing scavenger hunts in the woods.

Besides the Rathert family’s love of camping, Tara-Leigh and Terry’s wife, Ginger, are passionate about riding horses. As a family, they have devoted many years toward their passion for horses.

After hearing about the fire that closed down Camp Cullen, Terry and Ginger made a generous donation of $750,000. Part of this donation has kept the herd of 35 horses healthy, and has prevented them from being separated from each other during the camp’s renovation.

“It’s a lot easier to have a group of horses that have been together and learned together,” Terry said. “Starting from scratch could put some of the kids at risk. We didn’t want to see the equine family at Camp Cullen be dispersed because there weren’t funds to take care of them through that period. We wanted to make sure they stayed together until we were able to provide camping for kids again.”

In addition, his donation will support the rebuilding of the archery range and shooting sport range. Terry hopes his

see RATHERT on PAGE 2

Terry Rathert’s donation will support Camp Cullen’s horses, the shooting sport range and archery range.

Vol. 1, Issue 2 December 2012

Cool Facts About Camp Cullen

• Number of children hosted each summer: 3,024•Leaders-to-camper ratio: 1 to 6

•Number of acres: 530

•Animals commonly seen there: deer, squirrels, frogs, box turtles

See FIRST GROUP on PAGE 2

A Note from the Camping ServicesExecutive

I would like to personally thank each of the donors for making the dream of a new YMCA Camp Cullen a reality.

Camps should be filled with the sounds of children laughing, having fun, being surprised and exploring new areas.

Thank you for making Camp Cullen such a special place for children to learn and grow.

Len Masengale

ymcacampcullen.org

New Camp Cullen Staff Bios

Endowment Fund

Individual DonationsYMCA Association BoardCamping Services BoardCorporate/Foundation DonationsYMCA Staff Total

CAMP CULLEN Funds Raised & Pledged to Date

donation will allow children to benefit by developing new skills and exploring all that nature has to offer just like his own kids did growing up.

Terry understands the value in having camping develop children’s character and create lifelong memories.

“Hopefully they’ll learn how to swim or get in a canoe, go down to the lakeside and find frogs, snakes, lizards, turn over leaves,” he said. “I want kids to experience the outdoors.”

RATHERT continued

$702,160

$264,675

$4,809,500

$300,000

$3,292,968

$3,050,000

FIRST GROUP continued

Julie Mangum Equestrian Director

Julie majored in animal science with a concentration in animal health management from Sul Ross State University. In the past, she has volunteered as a horse wrangler at YMCA Camp Flaming Arrow.

Julie ancitipates spending her summer days with the children and horses in the beautiful piney woods that Camp Cullen offers. “I want to give every child a chance to be a horseman. That moment will be in their memories for a lifetime.”

Aaron Whitacre Youth Development Director

Aaron studied geology and secondary education at Texas A&M University and has six years of camp experience ranging from counselor to director.

He hopes to instill in children his own love and fascination for the outdoors and to teach kids to appreciate the simple joys of being in the woods with friends.

“I’m looking forward to working with kids and teaching them new things, helping them find confidence, and learn to appreciate the simple and beautiful world around them.”

Kristie Chrisley Guest Services CoordinatorChristie earned a degree in agribusiness at Sam Houston State University, has two years of experience with the retreats program at Camp Cho-Yeh.

She is excited for the children to see the stars at night, the fireflies and the different types of wildlife at Camp Cullen.

“They may see things here that change their career path or their attitude towards other people. It can do nothing but have positive impacts on these campers lives.”

thank our incredible staff for all the hard work they have put into making it better than ever before. We want our campers to have an even more enriching experience and make lifelong memories there.” Paul Rozema, Lake Houston YMCA’s youth development coordinator, is looking forward to campers trying out the brand new facilities.

“It’s actually pretty exciting for them to be able to try out the new cabins

and the new dining hall,” Rozema said. “They get to be the first ones to break it in.”

Rozema is also excited for the kids, get to take a break from video games and develop their interpersonal skills in the outdoors.

“They get to spend time with not only their dads, but make friends with other kids in the program,” Rozema said. “It opens them up socially. That’s pretty important.”

Funds raised $12,419,303 Fire Insurance & + $4,000,000 Camp Pine Tree Sale Total raised $16,419,303

CAMPAIGN TOTAL

CAMP CULLEN CONSTRUCTION UPDATE

CABIN GROUP

BUNK BED IN CABIN

CABIN

DINING HALL

DINING HALL INTERIOR

DINING HALL INTERIOR

AERIAL VIEW FRONT VIEW

BACK PORCH VIEW

CABIN INTERIOR

Anne Bennett OfficeDirector

As office director, Anne wants to ensure parents that their children are safe and will have lots of fun at to Camp Cullen.

“We want to make sure that the kids have an enjoyable experience

and that parents send them back year after year.”

She can’t wait for Camp Cullen to reopen again and see the kids learning and seeking new adventures.

“I am excited to see Camp Cullen come alive again with the sound of children singing, laughing and enjoying all that we offer.”

Equestrian Center Preview

C a m p C u l l e n2 M a r c h 2 0 1 2 E q u e s t r i a n C e n t e r

• Allow for a fully developed horsemanship program with additional events and riding styles

• Support 60 to 70 horses for 336 campers each week

• Continue Camp Cullen’s 40-year heritage of horse camp • Teach riders and handlers how to build skills such as self-confidence, strength, flexibility, responsibility, patience and empathy

Camp Cullen has a long history of providing horse specialty camps, and this summer will be no different. However, we are in process of securing funds to build a brand new Equestrian Center. With the acquisition of another $1.5 million (for a total of $2.5 million), the Equestrian Center could open by summer 2013. The Equestrian Center will:

About the Y The YMCA’s mission is to put Judeo-Christian principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind and body for all. Everyone is welcome. With a focus on developing the potential of kids, improving individual health and well-being, and giving back and supporting our neighbors, your involvement will bring about meaningful change not just within yourself, but in your community, too.

text YMCAHouston to 41411

YMCA Mission: To put Judeo-Christian principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind and body for all. Everyone is welcome.

ymcahouston.org

YMCA OF THE GREATER HOUSTON AREA P.O. Box 3007Houston, Texas 77253-3007

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Map of the New YMCA Camp Cullen

Visit the website at ymcacampcullen.org