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07/07/2023 05:54 AMAt Camp Nonoma, Carl McDowell helps campers enjoy exploring nature, swimming, shooting bows and arrows, singing camp songs, making friends and new memories, and much more day by day.
From the day’s opening games and sing-along to its closing games and sing-along, “...on our schedule, everything is non-stop,” says Carl. “We have archery, ropes, nature, swimming, arts and crafts, sports, everything you can think of.”
As camp director for Soundview YMCA camp programming, Carl and his team help to deliver a traditional summer camp experience to day campers at the Soundview YMCA’s beautiful facility and grounds in Branford.
“I love to see the staff and kids every day at opening and closing because it just shows how we take everything to heart, from making sure kids get out of their cars safely to getting picked up safely at the end of the day,” says Carl.
Last week, Camp Nonoma had nearly 30 staffers at work on the grounds as camp counselors, specialists, and other team members. Carl also directs staff at Soundview YMCA’s East Haven-based Camp Hayes, a day camp at an elementary school for East Haven residents run in partnership with the Town of East Haven.
“I love to work with and lead staff,” says Carl. “I’ve been doing this for over a decade, and I’ve been on the side where I’ve been led by great leaders, and now I’ve utilized that to lead others, as well. That’s been a really cool thing for me.”
Carl gives special credit to his assistant camp director, Chase Walker, as one who exemplifies the type of dedicated individual who puts the needs and care of others above themselves to make the YMCA camp experience special for kids.
“He’s my right-hand man,” says Carl, who relies on delegating many responsibilities to Chase, as well as his entire team.
“I’ve always been very hands-on, and so I’m used to getting my hands dirty; but as camp director, I know that delegating is important; because that way, the staff gets to learn as much as I have,” says Carl.
Carl’s also grateful for the dedicated work of Lynn Wheeler, Soundview Family YMCA’s Youth & Family Director, to ensure the success of the camp program.
“I think Carl fits so well with this program,” says Lynn. “He and Chase and I work really well together, and I think that’s because we all share the same passion and heart for the kids.”
Following the mission of the YMCA, its camps are a place “for all,” emphasizes Soundview YMCA executive director Matt LaPrino.
“We make sure that we’re an inclusive summer camp for everybody, with accessibility and inclusion ‘for all.’ I think those two words are the ones that I truly make sure we live by,” says LaPrino. “And for me, it’s so great to see there’s such a wonderful team here, from Carl to Chase to Lynn — they put the children above all else.”
Each day at Camp Nonoma, a slew of excited campers arrives from near and far, including those from Branford, North Branford, Guilford, Madison, East Haven, Middletown, Milford, and beyond. Camp Nonoma is operating for 11 weeks this summer, with some spaces still available for weekly registration. Campers do not have to be YMCA members to join in the fun.
“We have campers as young as 3 and all the way up to 13, and then we have 14- and 15-year-olds as volunteer helpers,” says Carl.
Carl is a seasoned camp director for Central Connecticut Coastal YMCA, the umbrella organization of Soundview YMCA. In addition to his years of camp leadership experience, Carl is an archery expert, fitness expert, and personal trainer. He’s also a familiar face in Madison, as a security employee of Madison Public Schools, as well as Daniel Hand High School’s assistant football coach.
Carl was handpicked as Soundview YMCA camp director by LaPrino. The two met — where else — at summer camp. LaPrino was serving as aquatic director at Milford-based Woodruff Family YMCA when he first met Carl through its day camp, Camp Wepawaug.
Fast forward to many years later, when LaPrino learned Carl was working in Madison and reached out to recruit Carl to lead the camp program for Soundview YMCA.
“Carl is one of those individuals who puts the needs of others first. He truly believes in giving back and wanting every child to have the opportunity to live, grow and thrive at the Y,” says LaPrino.
Simply stated, Carl loves to work with youth.
“Every place I’ve ever worked at, between security in Madison Public Schools, as a personal trainer at the Edge, at daycare, at other school systems working in sports and children, in my church and in my community, I’ve worked with kids. I love it,” says Carl.
A native of West Haven, Carl and his fiance help coordinate the children’s ministry at their church in Milford.
Carl says he loves his work with the YMCA and especially the opportunity to work with the camp program at Soundview YMCA.
“One thing I love about being at the YMCA, and especially being here, is the amount of people that I’ve gotten to know in the last few years,” says Carl. “I love being able to work with people who love camp as much as I do. It’s not just a job for me; it’s something I’m passionate about — working with kids and giving them the best experience.”
Soundview Family YMCA is located at 628 East Main Street in Branford. For more information on summer day camp programming, call 203-481-9622 or visit www.cccymca.org/locations/soundview.