Camp Echo Receives $100K Grant for Dining Hall Renovation and Expansion

EVANSTON, IL. – Camp Echo, the McGaw YMCA’s overnight camp in Fremont, Michigan, is thrilled to announce that it has been awarded a $100,000 grant to use towards the renovation and expansion of its existing dining hall. The grant comes from the YMCA of the USA’s Strategic Initiatives Fund. The dining hall renovation will be the final project of Camp Echo’s Major Gift Initiative.

The dining hall at Camp Echo has been an essential gathering place for campers and staff for many years but is in need of updates to accommodate the growing number of campers and to make the space more accessible to campers. The renovation and expansion project will increase the dining hall’s capacity and modernize the facilities to create a welcoming and inclusive environment for all.

“Few things build community like coming together for a meal. We’re trying to bring more people together, so we need a bigger table,” said Bernard Rocca, Executive Director of Camp Echo. “This renovation and expansion project will allow us to accommodate more campers, provide better accessibility, and enhance the overall experience for everyone who comes to Camp Echo.”

An artist's rendering of the renovated dining hall at Camp Echo. The covered dining hall is elevated and is an open air space.
A rendering of the renovated dining hall.

The dining hall renovation and expansion project is part of a multi-year Major Gift Initiative to enhance the facilities and programs at Camp Echo, which has been a treasured destination for generations of children and families for decades. As a branch of the McGaw YMCA in Evanston, Camp Echo’s mission is to cultivate the whole person, strengthen community, and provide equitable access to transformational experiences that uplift the mind, body, and spirit. With the help of this grant, the camp will be able to continue to fulfill that mission for years to come.

“We are extremely grateful for this generous grant, which will help us create a dining hall experience that reflects our mission and strengthens our commitment to creating a welcoming and inclusive space for all of our campers,” said Monique Parsons, McGaw YMCA President/CEO.

To learn more about Camp Echo’s Major Gift Initiative, visit ymcacampecho.org/mgi.

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