Et cetera : AmeriCorps NCCC Cedar 2 team spends a week at camp

Cedar 2 poses on new playground equipment at one of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee.

By Maryann Walbert

AmeriCorps NCCC’s (National Civilian Community Corps) Cedar 2 spent week in Hartland, Wis. The team traveled south on September 18 from Red Cliff, Wis., hoping to improve the grounds of Camp Whitcomb/Mason, a camp serving the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee.

The initial morning of the project consisted of meeting the camp’s full-time staff. Executive Director Sarah Resch led the meeting and discussed the history, mission, and role of Camp Whitcomb/Mason and the Boys & Girls Clubs.

Though they only had a short stay in Hartland, the team has made meaningful progress on projects around the camp. The most noticeable task has been giving the front fence area a makeover. Overgrown with brush, the fence could barely be seen from the road. The entrance to camp used to have an archway stating “Gateway to Happiness” that was destroyed by a drunk driver. Program Director Steven Gross shared his dream of restoring the entrance and stressed the importance of that being the first thing campers see when they arrive in anticipation of a magical week at camp. Cedar 2 is privileged to be included.

The staff has been friendly and enthusiastic hosts to Cedar 2. Thanks to Sarah, the team attended a Brewers baseball game. Property Manager, John Leidel, provided the team with a hay ride tour around the campground, explaining the various facilities and their uses. Gross led a guided tour of the city of Milwaukee and its respective Boys & Girls Clubs. “The collaboration of the staff involvement with the team created a sense of excitement and welcoming of being a part of the ’camp family,’” expressed team member Dana Armel.

Another NCCC team is taking Cedar 2’s place at Camp Whitcomb/Mason for the month of October. They are picking up where Cedar 2 left off to continue improving the camp’s appearance and functionality.