Frost Valley YMCA Preserves the Beauty of the Catskills with its 13th Annual Staff Roadside Cleanup

05/08/2018

As a hub for environmental education and stewardship, Frost Valley YMCA is honored with the incredible responsibility of maintaining the picturesque beauty of the Catskill Mountains. Now in it’s 13^th year, Frost Valley’s annual litter cleanup demonstrates its commitment to the environment and the local community.

On May 1, 2018, over 30 Frost Valley staff members rolled up their sleeves to collect 50 bags of trash along 14 miles of Frost Valley Road in addition to the fields, forests, and waterfronts on its main camp. The annual clean up effort was initiated by Frost Valley CEO, Jerry Huncosky, in 2006 as a way of giving back to the community and preserving the pristine wilderness that makes the Catskills a natural attraction for visitors and locals alike.

The annual staff roadside cleanup is just one of Frost Valley’s numerous sustainability practices, many of which have earned it Green Concierge Certification through Hospitality Green. The Green Concierge Project works with tourism and lodging facilities throughout the U.S. to help improve their economic vitality and their sustainable business practices without compromising service delivery or customer satisfaction.

In addition to using only locally produced and responsibly sourced food from the farm on its East Valley camp and milk and ice cream from Ronnybrook Farm Dairy, Frost Valley has been composting all of its food waste on site since 1990. Over 400 recycling bins were recently added, along with 100 educational signs, promoting recycling throughout the camp at both its main and East Valley sites.

“Frost Valley is always striving to reduce its footprint,” said Jerry Huncosky, Frost Valley CEO. “We feel it’s our duty as an environmental education facility, as well as an outdoor recreational facility, to practice the same techniques we teach our guests. Our staff members embody Frost Valley’s values of social responsibility and stewardship and I’m so proud of all of their efforts on behalf of the environment and our community,” he said.

Frost Valley is a values-driven organization that fosters youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility through outdoor educational and recreational programs for all. Read more about Frost Valley’s sustainability practices.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Frost Valley YMCA

Frost Valley YMCA is a 5,500-acre, year-round camp - There's something for everyone here in the Valley. From group and family retreats to overnight camps to horse camps to teambuilding, we've got you covered. School groups love taking a three-night field trip to explore the natural world and learn about the environment and their classmates. Family weekends are the perfect getaway for the young and the young at heart. Teambuilding retreats afford corporate, collegiate, religious, and other groups the opportunity to challenge themselves and effectively work toward common goals. In the summertime we're where kids and teens gain independence, explore the world, and make lifelong friends through various camps such as traditional sleepaway camp, farm camp, horse camp, adventure trips, and day camp. Call (845)985-2291 or email info@frostvalley.org to learn more today!