Double H Ranch News

Spring at the Double H Ranch is always an exciting time of year. The Operations Team is busy at work planning our summer program and getting ready for the arrival of staff, campers and volunteers; however, before the magic of summer starts the Double H hosts four family based Spring programs.  These weekends allow families to come to camp and participate in camp activities and connect with each other.  It’s amazing to see how quickly families bond and how kids who arriving not knowing anyone, make a whole new set of  best friends by the end of the weekend.  We work consistently throughout the year to provide amazing programs for our families that allow them the respite and relaxation that they deserve and this Spring is no different!  We are happy that the warm weather is here and that it is beginning to look a little bit more like Summer!
Written by: Kate Walsh, Camp Director

The Della Bella Family along with Honorary Chairs Jane & Neil Golub and Fran & Tom Indoe invite you to join them for a Chef’s Dinner to benefit the Double H Ranch on May 10, 2013 at The Sagamore Resort. The evening will include a unique food menu prepared by some of our finest local chef’s, specialty cocktails, desserts prepared by The Sagamore and music by Grand Central Station.

Local chefs include:

David Britton, Executive Chef, Downtown City Tavern

Frank Esposito, Skidmore College

A.J. Jayapal, Food and Beverage Director, The Mallozzi Group

Kevin London, Chef/Proprietor, The Farmhouse at Top of the World

Jamie Ortiz, Executive Chef, Angelo’s 677 Prime

Yono Purnomo, Executive Chef/Proprietor, Yono’s

Matt Richardson, Sous Chef, Boca Bistro

Adam Savage, Executive Chef, The Sagamore

Kevin Zheng, Chef, Sushi Yoshi

Cocktails begin at 6:00pm, followed by the Chef’s Dinner and Silent Auction at 7:00pm. Cost to attend $85 per person or $160 per couple, and $750 per table of ten. Attire is resort smart casual. Register online at www.DoubleHRanch.org. or for more information call Robin DeMattos at (518) 696-5921 ext. 228.

Because of you, over the last two years we met The Challenge and received $50,000 in grant monies from the SeriousFun Children’s Network.  In this, our 3^rd and final year of The Blaze A Trail Challenge, we have the opportunity to raise another $50,000.  By following the path intended for you, together we will meet this Challenge and get our kids to camp this year.

“Our family wanted to thank you and everyone at the Double H Ranch for being angels on earth. Our son Kevin spent 5 summer weeks at HH and came home gushing of stories of the people he met and became friends with… We miss Kevin but have great memories of his stories of HH and watching the talent shows.  Thank you for all you did for him and continue to do for others!  Please accept this donation in Kevin’s memory from his sisters, Kailene and Krista.”  A Double H Family/March 24 2013.

Campers attend Double H FREE of charge, because it is your donation that makes it possible.

Choose Your Path and Blaze A Trail to summer camp at the Double H Ranch. For more information call Linda Smith at (518) 696-5921, ext. 238.

 The 2013 winter season marks the 15^th year the students in our Adaptive Winter Sports Program have been stylin’* on the slopes here at the Double H Ranch in Lake Luzerne.  With the support of our dedicated, snow crazy and very passionate group of over 260 winter volunteers we continue to build on the Adirondack experience provided for our kids dealing with chronic and life-threatening illness, as we introduce them to the magic of snow. 

Over the years we have added the thrill of night-skiing and themed weekends, the know-how to bring the excitement of soaring down the slopes to children who are visually impaired and ventilator dependent and most recently, the addition of a Conveyor Lift that provides a safe, easy, fun way for our beginners to spark their passion.

Thanks to your support―the equipment, the day and the unforgettable memories are all FREE of charge for Double H students and families. 

*Stylin’―using your ski or snowboard as a form of self expression, as in “he was really stylin’ on Robb Run.”

Click HERE to Sponsor a Winter Student today!

In the 15^th year of our Adaptive Winter Sports Program we are excited to announce the addition of a new conveyor lift, made possible through the efforts of our dedicated winter volunteers and individual and corporate donors who raised over $100,000 in their ‘Give Our Kids a Lift’ initiative.  The new lift provides a safe, easy, fun way up the beginner hill for instruction. We have named the lift ‘Mary’s Way’ in recognition of Mary, a longtime supporter of the winter program, who has a way with helping others.  

“What is truly unique and special about our Adaptive Winter Sports Program is the hundreds of winter volunteers who give their time, talents and passion to teach our children who are dealing with chronic and life-threatening illness the thrill of winter sports. Without the fundraising efforts of our winter volunteers who raised over $100,000 in their “Give our Kids a Lift” fundraising initiative, we would not have the new lift which is the biggest addition to our winter program since the expansion of Charley’s Chalet four years ago. We have named the lift, “Mary’s Way”, in honor of a longtime supporter who had a special way with helping others.” 

Max Yurenda, CEO/Executive Director
Double H Ranch

As 2012 comes to a close the Double H Ranch is able to reflect on the success of this past year and begin to plan for the year ahead. This year the Double H Ranch celebrated a significant milestone in its history — the 20th year of Making Dreams a Reality for our campers and their families. This holiday season ‘Give the Gift of Magic’ and make a difference in the life of a child dealing with a life-threatening illness by sponsoring one of the unique end-of-year giving opportunities. Your donation will help support year-round programming and ensure that magic continues to happen at the Double H Ranch FREE of charge for children and their families.

Sponsorship opportunities include support of the equipped medical facility Paul’s Body Shop which will assist with the purchase of medical supplies and medications; sponsorship of a camper cabin which will help maintain cabins and program areas making the Double H a home away from home; funding of a summer counselor or the maintenance of the aquatics or archery programs; and other unique sponsorship opportunities.

A gift to the Double H Ranch is a great way to honor a friend, family member or co-worker. The recipient will receive a personal holiday card acknowledging the charitable donation made in their name. The Double H Ranch also invites you to make a donation in memory of a loved one or in lieu of holiday gifts.

As compelling as the mission of the Double H Ranch is, we are reminded that our world is filled with uncertainty. However, the needs of our children and families are not diminish­ing and unfortunately childhood illness remains a reality for many. The chil­dren that have touched our lives remind us that life is a gift filled with oppor­tunities, challenges, constant change and dreams. We will always stay focused on what is best for our kids and we will work tirelessly to preserve and expand the legacy of our founders Charles R. Wood and Paul Newman. Together we will continue to bring joy to the children and families served by the Double H Ranch. We invite you to help us make memories that will last a lifetime. 

Click Below to Donate Now!

It’s time to think snow!

We are heading into our 15th winter season here at Double H and are excited to welcome our returning ski instructors, ski patrol, lodge hosts and family pals back to Double H.  We are also looking forward to welcoming new volunteers to our program.  In a few short months, the famous Robb Run will be covered in snow and ready for 200 students.

It takes over 150 volunteers to run our Adaptive Winter Sports Program and we are always looking for new instructors to be a part of the team.  The great thing about being a Double H instructor is that you don’t need to be an expert skier or snowboarder you just have to have basic skills, enjoy working with kids and be able to teach them a new skill.  All of our lessons and instructions happen right here at Double H.  We are able to make snow throughout the whole month of December to ensure that we will be skiing or snowboarding until mid March. 

If you are interested in being a part of the winter program either as an instructor or as a lodge host, please click HERE to fill out our online application.  If you have any questions regarding the volunteer program and the time commitment needed please email Volunteer Coordinator, Mike Kramer or call 518-696-5676 ext. 241.

Last year you led the way by sponsoring summer campers for a week or morning at camp, and we met Year One of a three-year challenge presented by the SeriousFun Children’s Network, and received a $20,000 grant.

In Year Two of this Challenge, we are asking steadfast sponsors to stay on track and new sponsors to Choose Your Path by sponsoring a child for a week ($1,800) or a morning ($125) at Camp.

By sticking together we will receive a $30,000 grant from the SeriousFun Children’s Network this year. Chose Your Path and Blaze a Trail to summer camp at the Double H Ranch.

Twenty years ago the Double H Ranch was created from the vision of just two men and has now grown to include year-round programming that annually serve over 2,000 children and their families. The Double H Ranch continues to be a demonstration of the commitment and generosity of philanthropist Charles R. Wood and actor Paul Newman. Since the Double H officially opened its doors on July 4, 1993, it has served over 20,000 children dealing with life-threatening illnesses.

Join the Double H as we celebrate 20 years of “Making Dreams a Reality”. The year-long celebration of this milestone will include a look at how the Double H has grown, the lives they have changed, and a thank you ‘Birthday Celebration’ on July 14th for all who have supported our mission for two decades. The celebration will also include unique 20th year merchandise available for purchase, a 20 year staff reunion at the camp and a special camper holiday party in December.

Over the years the Double H has provided children with the fundamental values of acceptance, absolute integrity, hope, and trust as well as the simple joys of childhood. Through the dedication of their Board, staff, volunteers and donors, there’s no telling how many lives the Double H can touch and how many memories they can inspire as we all continue to keep the promise that the Double H Ranch will be here forever.