Health & HappinessThe

HERALDFOUNDED BY CHARLES R. WOOD AND PAUL NEWMAN

GO

SUMMER 2015

BeyondTrue Friendship

A Message from Victor and Max . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1Alumni Spotlight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2–3Winter Wonderland . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4–5Keep your face always toward the Sunshine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6–7The Tonight Dough starring Jimmy Fallon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7Facilities Upgrades . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8–9Double H Ranch Amazon Wishlist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10Build and Launch Your Own Wishboat! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11Sponsor a Camper Today! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12Team Double H Ranch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Founding DirectorsCharles R. Wood & Paul Newman

Board of DirectorsVictor Hershaft, ChairmanEmily Bailey BerryDerek Brown Lauretta ChrysCharlie CrewNeil Golub, Honorary Life ChairmanGeorge HearstTom IndoeKevin JohnsonKimberly Sanger Jones Walter “Buzz” LambRobert LaughlinEd Lewi, Honorary Life Vice ChairmanSenator Betty LittleElizabeth Matthews McCarthy Ed MitzenMaureen O’Brien Vincent T. Riggi Christina RiversWalter Robb, TreasurerJohn RyanSheryl SchwartzRoss SheridanSandy ShermanKathy StrikerEd SwyerAnthony Tartaglia, MD, Vice ChairmanMichael Toohey Marian Wolgin, SecretaryCharlene Wood

Executive Director/CEOMax J. Yurenda

Emeritus DirectorsRobert Dorfman, Esq. & CPAUrsula GwynneA.E. HotchnerAgnes PompaDr. Sam Ross, Jr.Floyd H. RourkeJosie Beckos-Wood

Medical Advisory BoardKathleen Braico, MD, Medical DirectorEmo Castle,BS, RN, Nursing DirectorJacquline Bovair, RNTimothy Carey, RRTTina Facteau, BSNGerard Florio, PhDDorothy Grover, RPTGinelle Jones, RN, FNPMarilyn Kacica, MD, MPHMartha Lepow, MDAimee McMaster, ACNPJennifer Pearce, MDMargaret Shea, RNClara E. Somoza, DOAmanda Steen, SRPh, CIAnthony Tartaglia, MDDanielle Viola, RD Raymond Walsh, MD

Newsletter ContributorsEditor: Eileen NashContributor: Jacqui RoyaelGraphic Design: APROPOS Design SolutionsPhotos: Dave Bigler

In This Issue

Contact UsDouble H Ranch, 97 Hidden Valley Road, Lake Luzerne, NY 12846-3318 • Tel: (518) 696-5676 • Fax: (518) 696-4528Development Office: Tel: (518) 696-5921 • Fax: (518) 696-7186 • www.doublehranch.orgA publicly supported 501(c)(3)charitable corporation.

A MESSAGE FROM VICTOR AND MAX

Over the years, the leadership of the Double H Ranch has always recognized the im-portance of not forgetting the past and where we started from as an organization . We can proudly state that we are committed to the present for the betterment of the future . We have an obligation to fulfill the vision of our Founders Charley and Paul, in hopes of bringing future decades of joy and life-changing experiences into the hearts of our inspiring children .

There are so many individuals that we need to recognize from the earlier years, but today we want to reflect on the contributions of our Alumni Counselors . Since our very first session on July 4, 1993, our counselors provided our campers with a journey filled with all the important ingredients of empowerment, love, safety and sheer excitement . Witnessing the bonds that our counselors create with our campers is nothing less than one of the most powerful feelings an individual could experience .

As we celebrate our 23rd year of providing these life-changing experiences for our children it is important to recognize that our Alumni Counselors are spreading a special philosophy of care and culture throughout the world .

These young ambassadors are becoming the future leadership in our society and they will always remember the impact that they experienced at the Double H Ranch . In fact, most Alumni Counselors would state that their experience at the Double H Ranch directly influenced their career choice and most certainly their outlook in life .

Our Board of Directors has the opportunity to meet our counselors each summer . They get to share the reasons why they became involved with the Double H Ranch, but more importantly, they get to gain insight into why these young individuals dedicate their summers to make a difference in the lives of our campers . Many Board Members have expressed that it is one of the best days of the year for them . Our Board has deep respect and appreciation for the counselors that have served unconditionally for the past 23 years .

In celebration of each day that we have the opportunity to enhance the lives of oth-ers, we applaud our Alumni Counselors for taking our campers on a journey that impacts their lives forever . As a society, we have an obligation to make it better for our future generations . At the Double H Ranch, we are taking this obligation very seriously and we thank our local communities for being by our side since inception .

Health and Happiness,

Victor Hershaft Max J . YurendaChairman of the Board CEO/Executive DirectorTel: (914) 273-5395 Tel: (518) 696-5676, ext . 224Email: vhershaft@aol .com Email: myurenda@doublehranch .org 11

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Alumni Spotlight A summer spent at Double H changes lives . By

weaving together a community of compassion-

ate people, countless campers and families‘ have

been able to find joy, know laughter and feel a

sense of belonging . It is transformational work

accomplished in unconventional moments — a

boat ride, cabin chat or talent show . The differ-

ence made sometimes happens in minutes, hours

or days, but the impact of a summer spent at camp

lasts a lifetime .

Camp not only helps to heal the soul of a child, but

has given purpose and meaning to generations of staff teams .

A simple summer job that meant so much . Because of camp, over

1,200 alumni know first-hand the resilience of child and the strength of a community . Because of camp, our

world now has stronger teachers, nurses, doctors, and business professionals who help to instill that camp

magic filled with compassion and empathy in their everyday . And while now they move forward with life in

the “real world,” they always look back on the summers that helped them see so clearly who it was they

wanted to be .

To be an alumni staff member at the Double H Ranch comes with great honor and pride . You belong

to a group of people who understand the importance of play and know better than most how to be a kid .

Our alumni have spent 23 years embracing each moment at camp . Despite medications or diagnosis, they

always see a child first .

After summers end and the years pass, campers often wonder what happened to that crazy coun-

selor who cheered loudly for them at the talent show or held their

hand during a moment of pain . Today we find out “where are

they now?” from two beloved Double H alumni .

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Molly Betzhold KusekMolly began her camp journey in the be-ginning as a camper in 1994, but not in the traditional sense . Molly grew up spending summers at camp joining her dad, Dr . James Betzhold, Pediatric Gastroenterologist at Albany Medical Center, who spent over a decade as a volunteer physician in the Body Shop . Molly then went on to be a Counselor-In-Training, Counselor and finally a Unit Leader spending five summers (1998 – 2002) as a staff member at Double H .

Because of camp, Molly met her future husband . She joins the over 35 couples who met at camp and later married . Proving that camp magic does exist .

Molly is now an oncology nurse at Bayside Medical Hospital, living in Mas-sachusetts with her husband Chris and their daughters Savannah and Nell . Camp continues to be a part of her life through her close friendships and the life she lives .

John ZamojskiTo be a teacher you must not only love to learn, but seek to inspire . John Zamojski inspires young people at The Park School in Buffalo, NY as a chemistry teacher . Allowing kids an opportunity to understand sci-ence and its impact on our Earth and using all he learned at camp to help in his classroom .

John began his camp career in 2010 in the Discovery Program . He worked for four summers leading the Discovery Program to help kids get excited about science at camp . But also inspiring his fellow coun-selors to always dream big when it came to the campers .

Because of camp, John taught his science class how to make ice cream . He spends time volunteering in the hospital with the Double H — Hospital Outreach — Camp-on-the-Go Program and comes back as a session volunteer .

Life for HH alumni is often trying to bring that kindness they learned at camp to the rest of the world . Making sure all children in need have an opportunity to live life as they should — simply as the amazing child they are . We are grateful for all our HH Alumni . T- H-A-N-K Y-O-U, we thank you, we thank you, we love you .

John

Molly

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Visit from Olympic Medalist Andrew Wiebrecht

Winter WonderlandWhile most people were lamenting the cold weather and snow this past winter, it was

all smiles at the Adaptive Winter Sports Program . Over 270 volunteers provided 1,242

lessons to our skiers and snowboarders . Highlights of the season include:

Double H Ranch participants and volunteers were

treated to a special visit from Super G silver

and bronze medalist and Lake Placid native

Andrew Wiebrecht . Our skiers and snow-

boarders were able to make a few runs

with the Olympian and had the opportuni-

ty to hold his medals . He even made a few

runs using our adaptive equipment .

Andrew, who earned the nickname the

“Warhorse” due to his ability to overcome

numerous injuries was an inspiration to the kids

and adults alike .

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Winter 500The winter program celebrated the 18th

season with the first ever Winter 500 . In

one day, over 1,000 runs were made by

the students . Following each run, students

and instructors would add a name on a

wooden block of people who inspired

them . By the end of the day, our amaz-

ing replica of the H Tree was completely

filled with inspiration . Our participants

and volunteers raised over $25,000 from

sponsors to support the program .

Family Comments

“The volunteers at

Double H Ranch are

THE kindest, most

encouraging and patient

people we have ever met. When our child

learns a new skill the volunteers are as

excited for her as she is. One can’t help

but smile looking around in wonder at the

amazing children and volunteers...it makes

your face hurt!”

“My son is a double amputee with anoxic

brain injury who was quite the ‘daredevil’

prior to his illness. We never thought it would

be possible for him to downhill ski until we

learned of HH ranch winter program. The

look on his face when he came down the

ski hill for the first time was priceless and

something my husband and I will never for-

get. The fun and freedom my son felt skiing

reminded us all to never put limitations on

those who are not as readily ‘able.’”

“Being tethered and going down the moun-

tain really fast feels fun and carefree!”

“As we were leaving the Winter 500, my

eight year-old daughter, Maggie, said, ‘I can’t

believe how much they love us.’ Your pro-

gram truly is a blessing to the whole family.”

“Still the most Magical

place in the

universe!!!! We

could not

imagine our

lives without

our HH

family!!!”

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What’s the best part of summer camp for your child?

Keep your face always toward the sunshine— and shadows will fall behind you. —Walt Whitman

It meant freedom to be who she

is around others who understand

where she has been.

Becoming independent, learning

to take responsibility for his own

health, loads of fun, an opportuni-

ty to build confidence and inter-

act with others compassionately

and much more.

It means an opportunity to be a

normal kid who happens to have

some medical issues. He did not

have to worry about being teased

or answering endless questions,

or being told he couldn’t do

something by well-intended, but

misunderstanding staff.

Double H is an escape from

reality. My daughter made a lot

of friends and feels like part of

a different kind of family.

It gave a sense of security that my

children will not only have fun

but be safe.

A chance to get away from

everyday challenges and just

have fun, try new things and

make new friends.

FREEDOM, opening up to others,

not feeling like you are the only

one ALWAYS taking medicines,

ability to make new friends

and look past all the differences.

My daughters came home

CHANGED FOR THE BETTER.

AMAZING EXPERIENCE !!!!

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What fear did you overcome at Double H Ranch?

Meeting new people

Living about a million miles away from my mom!

Heights

Not being welcomed or feeling like I didn’t belong

The Tonight Dough Starring Jimmy FallonBen and Jerry have teamed up with Jimmy Fallon to create their newest flavor!

The Tonight Dough Starring Jimmy Fallon . It’s a delicious combination of Caramel

and Chocolate Ice Creams with Chocolate Cookie Swirls, Gobs of Chocolate Chip

Cookie Dough and Peanut Butter Cookie Dough . The best part is that a portion

of the proceeds benefit Double H Ranch and our SeriousFun Children’s Network

sister camps . So stop by your local supermarket or Ben and

Jerry’s Store and enjoy a scoop guilt free!

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Our facilities team is always hard at work making sure that camp is in tip-top shape .

Our summer staff, volunteers and campers are in for some great surprises when

they arrive at Double H Ranch . Below are a few of the exciting new upgrades:

Facilities Upgrades

Indoor Pool Renovation A generous gift from the Charles R . Wood

Foundation provided funding for the

indoor pool area that was in need of some

TLC . The renovation focused on increased

accessibility; upgraded bathroom facilities;

the addition of shower towers recom-

mended by our Medical Team; motion sen-

sor lighting fixtures and new entrance .

Photos: Below and Left: Pool Renovation; Right Top: Access to the camper arrival area; Right Bottom: Motorola staff volunteers

Aquatics Program Double H Ranch was among the seven

camps in the SeriousFun Children’s

Network to recieve a grant from Niagara

Cares to enhance the Aquatic and Hospi-

tal Outreach Program . The generous grant

will enable us to renovate one of our

old docks to be more accessible for our

campers and will also help offset supply

expenses for our Aquatics and Camp-on-

the-Go Hospital Outreach Program .

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Camper Arrival Area Thanks to the generosity of the Serious-

Fun Children’s Network and a Network

Improvement Grant we have cre-

ated a more accessible camper

arrival area . The new pathway that

includes a switchback style path-

way from the parking area to

the conference center provides

improved access for all camp-

ers and families as they arrive

at camp!

Motorola Solutions Helps OutDouble H is happy to announce we

have just completed another successful

day of service with our great partners of

Motorola Solutions, Inc . Camper Parent

and Board member, Maureen O’Brien

first approached us last year in regards to

a community project Motorola Solutions

could do for camp, this led into Motorola

donating $10,000 and renovating one

of our camper cabins in the Spring of

2014 . This great partnership con-

tinues as Motorola again had

over 30 staff volunteer

on April 17, cleaning

up our archery area

and installing some

new surprises as

well as making a

great contribution

again of $10,000 .

Building strong,

lasting partnerships such as the one with

Motorola are very important to us here

at Double H Ranch and we look forward

to another great year!

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Each year, the Double H Ranch compiles a “Wish List” of supplies, materials, and other

items that are needed for camp programs and general camp needs . Your donation

of in-kind products are greatly appreciated and help us to ensure the highest level of

programming for our campers .

Now you can shop online from the Double H Ranch Amazon Wish List!Just type in the following URL: http://www.doublehranch.org/wish-list/

Selected Items Include:Bean Bag Chairs

Crayons & Glue

Children’s Tylenol

Extension Cords

Double H Ranch Amazon Wishlist

When purchasing items online, please be sure to:

• Enter the Double H Ranch as the shipping address: 97 Hidden Valley Road,

Lake Luzerne, NY 12846

• Enter your name and address in the billing section

To ensure you receive acknowledgment of

your contribution please email your name,

address and items ordered to Kate Walsh

at the address listed below .

For any questions regarding an in-kind

donation to the Double H Ranch, or if you

wish to purchase items offline and deliver

them to camp, please contact Kate Walsh,

Camp Director, at 518-696-5676 ext. 234

or e-mail kwalsh@doublehranch.org.

Beverage Dispensers

Batteries

Pitchers

Paint Brushes

This will bring you to a list of items that

are needed for the Double H Ranch .

You can order an item right from the Amazon site and have it shipped directly to camp!

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We are very excited to introduce to you an initiative to raise awareness of our

mission and programs here at the Double H Ranch through a web app that was

designed by our friends at PalioIgnite —“YourWishboat .com .”

As you may know, on the last evening of each summer session at the Double H

Ranch, we celebrate a great tradition, the wishboat ceremony . Campers write

down wishes, attach them to handmade boats, light a candle, and launch them

onto Lake Vanare . The wishboat app now makes it possible for anyone, any-

where in the world, to have this experience virtually .

The app lets users build a

virtual wishboat and attach

any wish they want . There’s

even a page on the app that

marks all the wishboats on

a map of the world! Users

can also share their wishes,

or keep them private if

they prefer .

Please visit yourwishboat .

com to build and launch

your own wishboat . Be

sure to share it with all of

your friends, family, and

colleagues on your social

sites too! It’s fun and it

only takes a minute or

two to complete . Go

ahead . . .make your wish!

Build and Launch Your Own Wishboat!

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The gift of a Campership underwrites the expenses associated with providing services to a child with a life-threatening illness. Those funds cover the cost of high-quality medical care, around-the-clock supervision from an amazing group of summer counselors, activities, meals, and all other costs associated with making magic happen. Your gift will help create memorable camping experiences that are exciting, fun, and empowering.

Sponsor a camper today!

Sponsor a camper today by calling Double H Ranch at (518) 696-5921 or donate online by visiting www.doublehranch.org.

97 Hidden Valley Road | Lake Luzerne, NY 12846

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Team Double H Ranch Your Miles Fuel Their DreamsJoin Team Double H as we run, ride and come together as a community for Health and Happiness to make a difference for kids living with serious illnesses . Challenge yourself while making the difference in the life of a child by participating in one of our athletic events below .

Camp Challenge and 5K Trail RunSaturday, September 12, 2015Run or ride for ‘Health and Happiness’ in the 2015 Camp Challenge Ride and 5k Trail Run! Choose from a 30 Mile or 62 Mile route and cycle through the beautiful Adirondacks, or run/walk the 5k Trail Run at Double H . Whether you are a casual rider or a seasoned cyclist, walker or runner — all levels are welcome!

Ragnar Relay Adirondacks September 25–26, 2015Experience an Adirondack adventure of a lifetime by running with Double H Ranch in the 2015 Ragnar Relay Adirondacks! As you make your journey along the 200 mile relay from Saratoga Springs to Lake Placid, this Adirondack experience will include late nights, crazy costumes, unforgettable stories, silly jokes and conquering challenges together with friends — just like at camp . If you are looking for a different kind of running experience to share with 11 of your friends, look no further than the Ragnar Relay Adirondacks . 13

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