Nearly 150 members of the Southington community gathered on July 24th for the 2017 annual Donor and Volunteer Appreciation Picnic at YMCA Camp Sloper. Friends of Sloper joined a cheerful camp staff for a fun social hour while a huge BBQ was prepared with hot dogs, cheese burgers, veggie burgers and all the trimmings being offered.
But the evening's highlight was the induction ceremony, which recognized three individuals and one family whose contributions through the years have had a measurable impact on YMCA Camp Sloper activities and the Southington community.
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| This year's Sloper Hall of Fame Honorees: L to R: Chris and Laura Conlon Family including daughters; Christina Simms, Jay Miller and Kate Gorman |
"Among those we honor are camp legends who have made a huge impact on YMCA Camp Sloper," said Director of Operations, Mark Pooler, and we are thrilled to welcome them as the newest members of the Sloper Hall of Fame.”
For the illumination of the crowd, Pooler validated the impressive treasure-trove of gifts and successful accomplishments each of the inductees in enhancing the camps facilities, activities and programs that bring so much to the youth of our community and their families.
The Chris and Laura Conlon, the owners of Smokin’ with Chris Restaurant, have been huge supporters of The YMCA Camp Sloper along with their four children, Jeremy, Dori, Atla and Dylan who have been advocates and stellar fundraisers for Sloper. Chris and Laura are huge YMCA supporters. Each year they generously open the doors to Smokin’ with Chris to host the annual Charity Night fundraiser to send kids to camp. They donate all of the food for that event. The four Conlon children attended YMCA Camp Sloper in the late 1990s and 2000s. Each of the Conlon kids have unique personalities and strengths but the one thing they all share is their passion to help children. "We are so lucky to have them work at Camp Sloper which is a truly a better place because of them.”, Pooler concluded.
Kate Gorman was a camp staff member in the mid-1990s and was recognized for her role in making a lasting impression on staff and campers. In 1994, Kate was named 'Rookie of the Year' at Camp Sloper largely due to her gregarious and fun-loving personality. Continuing as a Camp Counselor Kate became known as one of Camp Sloper’s most famous Pioneer Directors. Gorman was instrumental in helping to recruit first-class staff, which forever changed the dynamics, culture and caliber of the staff which today is second to none. "Her magnetic personality made it easy for kids and staff members to want to be with her at the camp.”, Pooler noted.
Jay Miller, a YMCA Camp Sloper staff member since 1998, (when he won the coveted “Rookie of the Year” award), to 2008. Jay Miller served in many roles at camp, including Camp Counselor, Ropes Director, Voyager Director, East Coast Director, and most notably, as the second-ever Outdoor Center Program Director. Miller helped build the foundation of several year-round programs, which continue to thrive today. Pooler stated, “Jay was instrumental in developing the camp’s off- season programming, which has served as a key marketing tool for our day camp. Under Jay’s direction, our off-season programs grew ...with a direct impact on the increase in day camp enrollment.”
Christina Simms was a camp staff member from 1997 to 2006. She held multiple positions, including Camp Counselor, Pioneer Director and West Coast Director, to name a few. She had a measurable impact on thousands of children and staff members. Simms was named “Counselor of the Year” in 1997, and is one of only two staff members ever to win the “Director of the Year” award twice. Pooler added, “Christina’s passion for working with youth and teens started at Camp Sloper but holds true today.” Simms later went on to hold several professional roles at the Southington YMCA and is currently the Director of Youth Services for the Town of Southington.
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| Camper and Counselor |
The Sloper Hall of Fame was created in 2005 as a way of recognizing former camp staff and volunteers who have played key roles in YMCA Camp Sloper’s evolution to the facility it is today. “Remembering those who have paved the way for our present and future generations at camp is very
important to us at the YMCA,” said Pooler. “The Sloper Hall of Fame honors those committed themselves to having a lasting impact on the program, facility, and people who have enjoyed this special place for many years. And of course, none of this would be possible without the amazing generosity of Cornella Sloper Neal who donated the property to our YMCA in 1949,” continued Pooler, who served as the Camp Director for 19 years.
important to us at the YMCA,” said Pooler. “The Sloper Hall of Fame honors those committed themselves to having a lasting impact on the program, facility, and people who have enjoyed this special place for many years. And of course, none of this would be possible without the amazing generosity of Cornella Sloper Neal who donated the property to our YMCA in 1949,” continued Pooler, who served as the Camp Director for 19 years.
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| The Manafort Family Bookcase - The Gift of a Library to Camp Slope |
