Summer Programming Coming to Camp
Nooteeming for Over 1,000 Young People
Town Hall scheduled for July 27th at Pleasant Valley Town Hall
for residents to learn about future programming
Poughkeepsie, NY … Over 1,000 local young people will have the chance to enjoy summer outdoor learning and fun at Camp Nooteming, Dutchess County’s recently purchased camp property in Pleasant Valley. Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro has forwarded a resolution to the Dutchess County Legislature to fund start-up and maintenance of the facility as well as the cost of several camp programs this summer.
Residents are invited to learn more about the Camp Nooteeming property, the 272-acre camp the County purchased this past spring, including information about the Camp’s operator Pathfinder Foundation and community program opportunities, during a public forum County Executive Molinaro will host on Wednesday, July 27th beginning at 5:30 p.m. at Pleasant Valley Town Hall. All are welcome to find out more about the programs planned for this summer, as well as in the future, and have their questions answered.
County Executive Molinaro said, “We invested in Camp Nooteeming because we are confident in its potential to provide the youth and families of Dutchess County the opportunity to build memories that will last a lifetime. This summer’s programs are the first step toward fulfilling that potential and giving over 1,000 participants a chance to explore and learn in ways they might not otherwise have. I encourage the Legislature to support this resolution and help give some Dutchess County young people a fantastic summer.”
The funding resolution will allocate $725,000 from the County’s contingency fund to the Department of Community & Family Services and will be combined with previously authorized funds to cover costs including transportation expenses; bathroom, tent, and other equipment rentals; as well as costs to prepare the facility for camp operations and bringing the grounds into good working order, including road maintenance, ADA improvements, tree clearing, hiking trail improvements, and resolving safety and sanitation issues.
The camp operator, Pathfinder Foundation, Inc., has been engaged in preparing the camp for summer operations in coordination with Dutchess County Public Works. With the short timeframe between the County’s acquisition of the property and the start of summer programming, it has been an extensive effort. However, it was a priority for the County that the property could be utilized for programming for this summer and this site-readiness work will ensure the camp is well-equipped for future groups to put the property to use this fall and beyond. Organizations interested in hosting programs at Camp Nooteeming in the future can email info@pathfinderfc.com for more information.
More than 1,000 young people who participate in Dutchess County and Pathfinder programming as well as several local community organizations’ summer programs will enjoy activities at Camp Nooteeming this summer for more than 7,000 total camper days. The County did extensive outreach to organizations and groups involved as in the County’s Path to Promise (P2P) initiative, various youth programming groups as well as neighboring communities and beyond.
Youth will take part in a wide range of activities such as arts and crafts, yoga and meditation, educational programming, hiking, and team sports including basketball, softball, soccer, and volleyball.
Organizations offering youth programming at Camp Nooteeming this summer include:
- Town of Pleasant Valley Recreation Department
- Boys & Girls Club
- Poughkeepsie City School District
- Family Services
- Cornell Cooperative Extension of Dutchess County
- Marist College Upward Bound
- Rebuilding Our Children and Community
- Red Hook Community Library
County Legislator and Assistant Majority Leader Deirdre Houston said, “To succeed and reach their fullest potential, Dutchess County youth need as many opportunities to explore, learn, and grow as possible. I am grateful to County Executive Marc Molinaro for his continued advocacy on behalf of our local youth and I appreciate the enormous effort that has gone into quickly preparing the site for children to be able safely enjoy this summer. I am proud to support this resolution and help bring these camp opportunities to Camp Nooteeming this summer and I encourage families throughout the county to join us July 27th to learn more about the exciting things planned for the camp in the future.”
The resolution will be reviewed during the County Legislature’s Family & Human Services Committee meeting this evening, July 7th, at 5:30pm, with the full Legislature expected to vote on the resolution at its July 11th meeting.
