McGaw YMCA Celebrates Katie Tucker Trippi as Legend of Camping

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Camp Echo staff and supporters stand with Katie Trippi (center) as she holds her award.

Pictured from left: Amiee Woodrow, Susie Shaker, Katie Tucker Trippi, Lindy Tracey, Billy Grossett, Bernard Rocca

EVANSTON, IL – McGaw YMCA proudly celebrates Katie Tucker Trippi — or “KTT,” as generations of campers and staff know her — on receiving the prestigious Legend of Camping “Skippy” Award from the YMCA Mid America Camping Conference (MACC).

Katie began her YMCA camping journey in 1969, and 57 years later, she’s still going strong. From camper to counselor to director and beyond, Katie has done “whatever it takes” to strengthen Camp Echo and the YMCA camping movement. She helped lead Camp Echo’s first co-ed session in 1981, built an alumni database from scratch to more than 10,000 records, and became an industry leader in alumni engagement, generously sharing her expertise across the camping community.

Throughout her career at McGaw YMCA, Katie’s passion for camping, youth development, alumni relations and fundraising helped shape meaningful experiences for countless campers, staff, and families. In her retirement, Katie continues to work summers at Camp Echo where she can be found sorting mail, teaching knitting, and reminding campers that camp is built by generations: past, present, and future.

The Legend of Camping “Skippy” Award honors individuals whose lifetime contributions have had a profound and lasting impact on YMCA camping. Named in honor of Robert “Skip” Wilke, the award recognizes exceptional leadership, service, and commitment to strengthening the YMCA camping experience for generations of youth and families.

“Katie is the welcoming face of camp for so many members of our community,” said Bernard Rocca, Camp Echo Executive Director. “She continues to inspire the next generation of leaders with her unmistakable joy and commitment to service, just as Skip Wilke did for so many of us in his retirement. KTT is truly a legend of Camp Echo and a legend of camping.”

McGaw YMCA congratulates Katie Tucker Trippi on this well-deserved recognition and thanks her for a lifetime of service to the YMCA and the camping movement.

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