New Rochelle: Camp Echo Bay Flourishes

By Julia St. Clair

(New Rochelle, NY – July 12) – The community welcomed back Camp Echo Bay, a cherished summer tradition that takes place each year on the Salesian High School campus. Although last year’s camp was canceled due to the pandemic, this year’s is back—and it’s better than ever.

“We had 311 [campers] our first week and 356 our second,” Tommy Siefring ’13, camp director, beamed. “There will be 415 [campers] this week and 400 for weeks four and five. This might become our biggest season yet!”

Each day, children participate in a plethora of beloved summer activities. Their top three favorites include playing kickball, going in the pool, and jumping in the bouncy houses. Moreover, each week has a special “theme,” the first two having been Nickelodeon and holiday. This week’s theme is superhero—and the upcoming ones include Star Wars, Olympic, Disney, and carnival.

They also learn about Salesian spirituality, and Fr. Tom Brennan, SDB and Br. Bernie Dubé, SDB spoke with campers and counselors about the Preventive System.

Each Thursday, the camp holds an “Aspect of the Oratory” talk, and Mass is held every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday. The week concludes each Friday with an assembly to honor the “Campers of the Week.”

“It’s the best camp ever,” Fr. Paul Chu, SDB proclaimed. “We have a ‘juggle’ of a time!”

For over 79 years, Camp Echo Bay has proved a fun, safe, and truly exciting environment for boys and girls. Learn about Camp Echo Bay through their Facebook page and website.