New Rochelle: Experiencing Connection at Camp Echo Bay

By Julia St. Clair, Province Communications Director

(New Rochelle, N.Y. – July 22) – A beloved landmark in the New Rochelle community and the tristate, Camp Echo Bay opened its doors for the summer on Monday, June 29. It takes place on the Salesian High School campus and is open five days a week through Friday, August 14, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. ET.

The camp is run by Jimmy Ascencio ’19 and Matthew Boggi, the latter a theology teacher at Salesian High School. Additionally, three Salesians are involved at Camp Echo Bay: Bros. Bill Hanna, John Taylor, and Lorenzo D’Alessandro.

“A lot of the counselors are former campers, and it’s good to see them grow and keep coming back,” Jimmy shared. He works as Monroe University’s cross country and track and field team’s assistant coach, strength and conditioning coach, team recruiter, and equipment manager. “We have a lot of kids who start coming here in pre-K and stay through eighth grade. Running the camp doesn’t feel like work to me; it’s a fun thing.”

Staff member Naomy Ayapan first came to Camp Echo Bay in the second grade after her family moved from Tennessee to New York. “The counselors are not just counselors; they’ve always been there for me,” Naomy reminisced. “I also met my best friend here, and we’ve grown a lot together.”

Naomy attended Camp Echo Bay as a camper through eighth grade. She loved it so much that she became upset the weeks when she didn’t go to camp. “I cried when my mom didn’t sign me up on some weeks,” Naomy remembered.

Naomy has worked at Camp Echo Bay for four years and has loved every moment. “I enjoy coming back to Camp Echo Bay and experiencing the connection here,” she beamed. “Everyone’s always been there for me.”

Along with former campers returning as counselors, a lot of Camp Echo Bay’s male counselors are Salesian High alumni, like Cory Gardner ’19. “Corey and I went to school together,” Jimmy exclaimed of Corey, who oversees the sixth to eighth grade group.

Corey previously worked as a counselor during the 2021 and 2022 camp seasons. “Job opportunities took me away from Camp Echo Bay for a while, and then Jimmy asked me if I could come back,” Corey explained. Corey, who works as a high school counselor, accepted happily. “I see the value of being a role model and leader for the kids,” he declared. “The kids make the camp, and it’s especially great to see the older kids rediscover their childlike wonder. I love to help them all find their true gifts in a positive way.”

Camp Echo Bay welcomed 255 boys and girls during its opening week. For its second and third weeks, 365 campers came each week. Weeks 4 and 5 are expected to see an estimated over 400 boys and girls in attendance.

One key tradition at Camp Echo Bay is its special theme weeks, where each week is centered on and celebrates a part of pop culture. With this in mind, Camp Echo Bay began its season with Holiday Week. Superhero Week followed the week after the Fourth of July, and the next week was Star Wars Week. This week, Camp Echo Bay celebrates Nickelodeon Week, and next week will be Olympic Week. The two themed weeks for August will be Disney Week and Carnival Week.

For more information, visit Camp Echo Bay’s website, or contact them at (914) 632-0248 ext. 215 or campechobay@salesianhigh.org.