THE NEW FACE OF SUMMER CAMP frost valley welcomes a New director


Dan Weir Tinks he has the best job in the world. He truly believes the world would be a different place if every child had a summer camp experience. Dan oversees Frost Valley YMCA’s Resident Camp, Farm Camp, and Adventure Trip programs that serve 2,300 children every summer. Dan also has 14 summers underneath his belt working at Frost Valley. In addition to being the Director of Camping Services at Frost Valley YMCA, he is finishing up his Master’s degree with Stony Brook University specializing in Youth & Society.


FORSTMANN GRANDSON VISITS JohN forstmaNN revisits childhood PlaygrouNd


Who hasn’t wanted to go back to their favorite place as a child? John Forstmann, grandson of Julius Forstmann and son of Julius Forstmann, Jr., and his wife Jennie made the trip back to his favorite summer retreat last October. He had many stories to share about what life used to be like here on the dairy farm when Julius Forstmann owned the property.


Julius was a renowned business man of stature and as each Castle tour states, “he loved to entertain.” John remembers the farm being called “branch” and all of the friends that would frequent being called “twigs.” Te property looked different back then, as John recalls, with a large 10-acre garden that fed the guests and a bullpen that is now the laundry building. We went inside to see if any remnants from those days were still around and sure enough-the original bullpen gate is still there. Te Administration Building housed the dairy cows and is where the milk was homogenized. As we made our way to the castle, John tells us that the old Arts and Craſts building was the chicken coop and that Reflection Pond “looks the same as it always did.” Te tennis courts he remembered and said that they used to be made of clay. Standing outside, John admired the view of the mountains and the Neversink and you could see the memories beginning to come to life.


As we walked in through the basement door, John tells us that this was always the main entrance for the family. Te side porch, which has been altered, was only used for guests. As we walked in, John notices the door to the leſt and says, “this was where we stored all of the tackle and bait for our fishing trips.”


As we walk into the living room, John sees the original furniture from his childhood—a rarity. He takes us into the dining room and confirms the bell location. Always the entertainer, when Forstmann had guests over, he wanted it to appear that he had the finest servers. Whenever a glass was half-full, a server would appear and fill it, when a dish was running low, soon aſter a butler would arrive with reserves. How did they instantly know when to come and present these items? Forstmann had a bell installed under the table where his foot would go. He set up a signal for them when supplies were running low, he would ring the bell and alert them. Tis allowed for maximum service to his guests.


As we make our way out of the Castle and begin to conclude the tour, John is grateful for the opportunity to visit. He thanks Jerry Huncosky, our CEO, for hosting his visit back. We see kids running toward the Castle for a tour and John says, “it is great to see kids enjoying the property, just as I did so many years ago.” Jerry, in return let’s John in on our view; “What is great is they are learning the history of your family and what you have done to make this a reality for so many kids.”


Tank you to John and Jennie Forstmann for your visit and sharing a little more of your history with us.


John tells school kids on a tour about his childhood days.


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John and Jerry enjoy the view from Castle Hill.


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