Honoring 34 Years of Dedication: The Burns Maintenance Building at Camp Miller

For Bernie, the YMCA has been part of his life since he was a 9-year-old camper at YMCA Camp Ichagowan, where he learned to paddle a canoe and gained lifelong skills. He later became an assistant counselor, following in the footsteps of his brother.

When YMCA Camp Miller needed a caretaker, Bernie found an opportunity that was right up his alley. The camp had horses year-round, and Bernie had recently learned to solder pipes — a skill that came in handy when he arrived to find all of the bathhouse pipes broken.

That opportunity became the beginning of a remarkable 34-year career caring for Camp Miller’s buildings and grounds.

To honor Bernie’s years of hard work and dedication, volunteers Steve Grindy and Jim Wheeler lead efforts to refurbish the maintenance building in his name. Thanks to the generosity of many donors, more than $45,000 was raised, including a generous $20,000 matching gift from an anonymous donor. The Burns Maintenance Building will serve current and future camp staff and volunteers, helping ensure Camp Miller remains a welcoming, safe place for generations of campers.

Camp alumni and friends gathered on a beautiful fall day to dedicate the building and celebrate Bernie’s lasting impact. 

Bernie shared his appreciation. "The Y has been very good to me," he said.

--

Make a gift to YMCA Camp Miller here.