Camp Chingachgook, a 100 year-old, 200-acre YMCA children's camp located in the Lake George region of the Adirondack Mountains, began a campaign of upgrading its facilities including everything from its baseball fields to cabins to bridges.
"We wanted to continue with the established appearance of our safe and solid rustic-looking environment," stated Executive Director George Painter. "We had lots of ideas about how to keep the camp looking very 'Adirondacky.' There was a major obstacle, however, as being a not-forprofit organization, our funding for these ambitious projects stretched from little to nonexistent."
Working on a whim, Painter called up Michael B. Morey, President/Founder of Champlain Stone, Ltd. in nearby Warrensburg, NY. "I didn't know Mike from Adam," added Painter. "But I did a little research and found out for a number of decades his worldwide company did a lot of giving back to the community. I was hoping he would be amenable to donating some stone material to our camp."
So, Painter made the contact and less than one-half hour into the initial meeting, Morey agreed to donate a sizable amount of stone material.
"After we met and got to know each other a bit, I asked Mike point-blank, if he would donate $50,000 worth of rocks to our camp over a five-year period. He smiled and said one word, 'Sure!' I was very excited, as this was a major step in upgrading our 'camping campus' for the children."
The new baseball field, named in honor of former camp participant George Baxter, needed some rustic landscaping... and, Champlain's South Bay Quartzite turned out to be the ideal stone to accomplish that. Painter stated that the entire side of a hill had to be bulldozed away in order to accommodate the dimensions of the ball field.
Almost immediately thereafter, truckloads of stone came in on a regular basis, straight from Champlain's quarries. Along with workers from Champlain Stone, camp staff members labored together, putting the various stone pieces into place. This included an exquisite retaining wall behind home plate and large landscape pavers used as steps up to the ball field's bench area.
In other camp locations, a stone bridge positioned over a brook actually connected one town road to another. A number of steel I-beams were donated to make this project happen, and an abutment which consisted of beautiful South Bay Quartzite was built as part of this, as well.
Stone patios around the camp were also crafted out of Champlain's material. Painter went on to state that the entire ADA-compliant camp has future plans for more stone pathways, lookout areas and other venues that will call for stone. "For the sake of the community, I took a shot in the dark and called a company I did not personally know. The benevolent response from Mike Morey and his professional team exceeded our wildest dreams," concluded Painter.
"It's our pleasure to help. Especially when it comes to worthwhile organizations such as the YMCA," declared Morey. "We're an American company that takes great pride in helping out our fellow Americans. In particular, for kids!"
Champlain Stone, Ltd., which began three decades ago as a one-man operation, has evolved to become one of the largest and mostefficiently managed, American-owned natural stone quarries.
The firm offers seven unique granite products, quartzitic sandstone, dolomitic limestone and a myriad of decorative yet rugged fieldstones, as well. Products may be specified in "as is" condition or from a comprehensive offering of blends, allowing virtually limitless stone designs to be achieved.
To schedule a quarry tour and/or receive more information about the company, please contact: Champlain Stone, Ltd. PO Box 650, Warrensburg, NY 12885, 518-623-2902, www.champlainstone.com .
In other camp locations, a stone bridge positioned over a brook actually connected one town road to another. Stone patios around the camp were also crafted out of Champlain's material.
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