Frost Rally: Worldwide Day of Frost Valley

“On May 3rd, I gathered with ten incredible women—some friends, some strangers, all united by a shared connection to me and, more importantly, to the spirit of Frost Valley. We met at a cozy pottery studio in Montclair, NJ, for an evening of creativity, laughter, and connection as part of our Rally for the Valley.

Though many of the women were meeting for the first time, it didn’t take long for the room to fill with encouragement, curiosity, and that distinct sense of community that Frost Valley teaches so well. With the guidance of two talented instructors, we each created two pieces on the pottery wheel and another using hand-building techniques. There was something magical about working with our hands—shaping clay, sharing stories, and supporting one another through each wobble and success.

By the end, not only had we made beautiful pottery—we had also made memories, new connections, and a deeper appreciation for what it means to come together with intention. It was more than just a pottery class—it was a chance to try something new, spend time together, and be reminded of the kind of community Frost Valley inspires.”

Gail’s rally raised $598 from 3 supporters to 13 supporters.

“We had an outstanding day at the Manafirkin Brewery in Manahawkin, NJ. We brought the dyes and supplies, t-shirts, and free food. People came, bought a brew, had a bite, dyed a shirt, and helped us raise money for one of the best places on earth: Frost Valley YMCA.

A single father and his 11-year-old daughter stumbled into our event. You could tell the $20 donation was stretching him, but he chose to make it. They stayed for close to 2 1/2 hours. We kept giving them T-shirts to tie-dye. As his daughter walked away and was admiring her work, he told me that this was the most time they’ve spent together talking with each other in a long time. She now loves tie-dye and wants to do more. They were going to a store to buy some dyes. We gave them about five more shirts and sent them on their way. Isn’t that what Frost Valley is all about? I am humbled.”

This event was run by the “McCuen” Clan – Family Campers at Frost Valley YMCA for generations. Mike Dee was their Rally Leader, and most of the family worked the day of the event. They raised over $2,800 for camp!

Mary organized a hike through Great Falls National Park in Virginia, culminating with a campfire and a favorite Frost Valley treat – Banana Boats! $695 was raised by 8 donors.

“Hoopla and Hangout were some of my favorite times at camp. Whether cheering about the Knights of Hemlock, shooting hoops, or relaxing in the shade with friends, Hangout and Hoopla was camp!”

Bob organized “Hoopla & Hangout in the Park,” an afternoon meant to reunite friends and recreate camp magic.

“A good time was had by many when the Frost Valley team descended on Prospect Park in Brooklyn. It really felt like we were in our backyard. About 50 alumni and their families joined us for games, songs, and camaraderie. We played, laughed, and gathered together. There were snacks and raffle prizes, and together we raised over $4,200 with 16 donors.”

“As a born-and-raised Dutchman, it should shock exactly no one that I LOVE being on a bike. And of course, I’ve done my best to get my kids to love biking just as much… with, uh, very limited success so far. But despite my love for it, I’m actually not on a bike nearly as much as you’d think—or as much as I’d like to be.

So, when it came time to pick an activity for my **FROST RALLY** challenge, of course, I chose biking! And not just any ride—I’m aiming to bike the island of Manhattan! But here’s the real reason I’m doing this: **It’s a fundraiser!** Y’all know how much I love camp and how passionate I am about getting kids to camp. This ride is all about raising money for the Frost Valley scholarship program, making sure more kids get that life-changing camp experience.”

Riel rallied 12 people and rode 24 miles from the bottom of Manhattan all the way up to the GW Bridge. $5,695 was raised through 36 donations, including 2 matching donations of $1,000 each!

“In April, we hosted our first-ever Equestrian Staff Rally for the Valley, our virtual reunion and happy hour on Zoom that brought together around 45 equestrian alumni, staff, and campers from across 20 years and 11 countries. Held on April 26, 2025, our 90-minute event featured a fun picture quiz to name over 40 beloved horses from over the years, heartwarming (and funny) campfire stories, and a laid-back “grab a beer” social hour.

Overall, the event was a huge success! We shared our favorite Frost Valley memories, swapped a few hilarious mishap stories, and even got a little teary-eyed with some nostalgic moments, too. There was a lot of love for the format (Zoom), with many of the girls saying how great it was to reconnect from all corners of the world, and plenty of interest in making this an annual tradition.

While the main goal was connection, the heart behind it all was to raise funds for camp, helping more kids experience the life-changing magic of Frost Valley YMCA. That mission resonated deeply with everyone who joined.

All in all, the Rally was a wholesome, feel-good afternoon full of community, laughter, and purpose. Proof that even online, the FV equestrian spirit is alive, well, and still making a difference.”

“I believe in Frost Valley and am supporting our CEO, Riel Peerbooms’ Bike Around Manhattan….BUT instead of schlepping to NYC, I am going to do it Philly Style!”

On Saturday, April 26th at 10 a.m. Barbara set out to ride along the historic Boat House Row, up the Schuylkill to East Falls, over to the Japanese Tea House, and finally to the (soon-to-open) bridge connecting the River Trail to the East Coast Greenway.

She raised $2,236 from 11 different donors, and they had 2 riders.

We know that camp can be a magical, life-changing experience for young people, and we want more children to have the opportunity to go to camp. On April 26th, 20 volunteers spent the weekend at Frost Valley and helped us put up the tents that our Adventure campers would live in during the summer of 2025.

We raised money 3 ways. Each participant donated $10 to be part of this Rally. People also donated to provide tasty snacks and cold drinks for our volunteers. We also had fun around the campfire and raised more money. We want to thank our amazing donors and volunteers!

Eliza raised $445 from 22 donors.

Who would have thought that sewing and camp could be a perfect partnership? Well, we have witnessed the strength of building community at camp through sewing and Camp Workroom Social has been leading the charge for over 10 years! Our sewing camp for adults!

Our avenue is sewing, but the results are so much more than our designs and projects that we model on the runway. During our Rally, we

• made new friends,
• built inner strength,
• raised people up,
• taught and learned,
• and we sewed!

We believe in the power of Frost Valley. We’ve created in our own camp magic and we wanted to help children and families also experience the MAGIC of CAMP at Frost Valley YMCA!

Jennifer raised over $4,000 for camp!

If you’d like to learn more about Camp Workroom Social, please follow this link: https://campworkroomsocial.com.