Cabin leader from 1960-1967.
I began my YMCA journey at the Lake Wenatchee YMCA Camp at the age of 15 when I was hired to be a camp counselor halfway through the summer of 1960. The next 7 years through high school and college I was a camp counselor, taught archery/riflery, led wilderness trips, participated in Youth and Government, Hi-Y, student college Y, ran the youth room and worked the membership desk at the downtown branch.
The YMCA was where I found my faith, found my potential and found my purpose to go to college and become a leader. At age 18 I became a white Ragger and dedicated my life to working with children and helping families.
Professionally, I have been proud to be a Camp Director, Youth Extension Director, Branch Executive and CEO all with the YMCA. My career covered 39 years. 6 years at Lake Wenatchee and Wenatchee, 10 with the Yakima YMCA, 3 in Anchorage, 10 with Snohomish County and 10 with Douglas County in Roseburg, OR. During those years I helped create YMCA’s, built facilities, lead fund raising, managed program/membership/board and staff development and recruitment.
This all started with a shy, introverted 15-year-old that lacked confidence and what it meant to lead when he walked into a campfire program at the Lake Wenatchee YMCA Camp.
Robert lives in Spokane