MACC Awards
Legend of Camping (also known as "The Skippy Award")
Purpose: To recognize professionals who have given over and beyond to the YMCA Camping Movement in the Mid America Region. It is understood that this is to be a “capstone” award, recognizing the career of an individual whose contributions have impacted the very core of the institution of camping.
Robert “Skip” Wilke: Skip attended his first MACC conference in 1968, and has attended annually since. In 1972 he served as chair of the MACC conference. He grew up attending YMCA Camp Widjiwagen in Minnesota. He served as YMCA Camp Menogyn’s Executive Director from 1968-1982, worked with the International YMCA, and the International Camp Counselor Program. He currently serves on three different camp boards in his home state of Minnesota (YMCA Camp Widjiwagen, YMCA Camp du Nord, and YMCA Camp Menogyn). Skip has served on the MACC planning committee since the mid 90’s, handling registration, photography, evaluation, binder assembly, and more. The Legend of Camping award is established in his honor, with the award’s criteria being inspired by Skip’s career, dedication, and legacy.
Purpose: To recognize professionals who have given over and beyond to the YMCA Camping Movement in the Mid America Region. It is understood that this is to be a “capstone” award, recognizing the career of an individual whose contributions have impacted the very core of the institution of camping.
Robert “Skip” Wilke: Skip attended his first MACC conference in 1968, and has attended annually since. In 1972 he served as chair of the MACC conference. He grew up attending YMCA Camp Widjiwagen in Minnesota. He served as YMCA Camp Menogyn’s Executive Director from 1968-1982, worked with the International YMCA, and the International Camp Counselor Program. He currently serves on three different camp boards in his home state of Minnesota (YMCA Camp Widjiwagen, YMCA Camp du Nord, and YMCA Camp Menogyn). Skip has served on the MACC planning committee since the mid 90’s, handling registration, photography, evaluation, binder assembly, and more. The Legend of Camping award is established in his honor, with the award’s criteria being inspired by Skip’s career, dedication, and legacy.
Past Recipients of the Legend of Camping Award
2013: Dave Wright
2015: Gerald Carman
2017: Luke Austenfeld
2013: Dave Wright
2015: Gerald Carman
2017: Luke Austenfeld
Spotlight on Camping
Purpose: To recognize YMCA Camp professionals within the Mid America region who are doing important, groundbreaking, or recognition worthy work. This recognition program is intended to allow supervisors, board members, co-workers or others to publicly recognize the work of an individual or group of Y Camping professionals for a specific reason. Examples might include recognition for development of a new program, staff training module, response to crisis, or community outreach.
Purpose: To recognize YMCA Camp professionals within the Mid America region who are doing important, groundbreaking, or recognition worthy work. This recognition program is intended to allow supervisors, board members, co-workers or others to publicly recognize the work of an individual or group of Y Camping professionals for a specific reason. Examples might include recognition for development of a new program, staff training module, response to crisis, or community outreach.