A house RESOLUTION

 

TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR YMCA CAMP THUNDERBIRD OF YORK COUNTY, FOR ITS OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE COMMUNITY AND THE LASTING IMPACT IT HAS HAD ON GENERATIONS OF YOUNG PEOPLE AND FAMILIES FOR OVER NINETY YEARS AND TO DECLARE FRIDAY, AUGUST 28, 2026, AS "CAMP THUNDERBIRD DAY" IN SOUTH CAROLINA.

 

Whereas, YMCA Camp Thunderbird was founded in 1936 as the Observer Fresh Air Camp, established to ensure that children, regardless of circumstance, could experience the life-changing benefits of fresh air, nature, and community; and

 

Whereas, in 1946, the camp was entrusted to the YMCA of Greater Charlotte, strengthening its commitment to youth development, character building, and providing access to meaningful camp experiences for children of all backgrounds; and

 

Whereas, in its early years, YMCA Camp Thunderbird served as a place of healing and hope, offering restorative outdoor experiences to children facing health challenges and limited resources, including those recovering during the polio era; and

 

Whereas, over the past ninety years, YMCA Camp Thunderbird has made an extraordinary and lasting impact on the region, serving more than 80,000 overnight campers, more than 50,000 day campers, and more than 400,000 students through its environmental education programs; and

 

Whereas, YMCA Camp Thunderbird has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to access and equity by providing more than 28,000 scholarships, ensuring that children from all circumstances can experience the joy, growth, and belonging that camp provides; and

 

Whereas, Camp Thunderbird has demonstrated a longstanding commitment to youth leadership development through its Counselor in Training (CIT) Program, a four-week immersive experience that has prepared nearly 3,000 teens with the skills, confidence, and character needed to lead and serve in their communities; and

 

Whereas, generations of young people have been shaped by YMCA Camp Thunderbird through experiences that foster confidence, independence, leadership, and lifelong friendships, while thousands of counselors and staff have carried the values learned at camp into their communities and professions; and

 

Whereas, through times of national and local challenge, including economic hardship, public health crises, and periods of societal change, YMCA Camp Thunderbird has remained a steadfast and trusted resource for families, continually adapting to meet the evolving needs of youth; and

 

Whereas, YMCA Camp Thunderbird has become a cherished part of family traditions across the Carolinas, with generations of campers, staff, and families returning year after year, creating a powerful legacy of shared experiences, connection, and belonging; and

 

Whereas, as YMCA Camp Thunderbird celebrates its ninetieth anniversary, it continues to carry forward its mission of strengthening youth, families, and communities while honoring the traditions, relationships, and values that have defined it for nearly a century. Now, therefore,

 

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

 

That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, recognize and honor YMCA Camp Thunderbird of York County, for its outstanding contributions to the community and the lasting impact it has had on generations of young people and families for over ninety years and declare Friday, August 28, 2026, as "Camp Thunderbird Day" in South Carolina.

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