PHOTO PROVIDED BY CAMP WINGMANN
Tubing was a big hit this summer for youth at Camp Wingmann, which now is preparing for a busy fall season.

With hundreds of youth enjoying highly successful summer camps, Camp Wingmann already is cooking up plenty of activities, as well as changes, for the fall.

Father Bill Yates, interim director at the spacious retreat in Avon Park, said camp leaders recently hired a new food service manager: Julie Kinney. She comes from Washington state where she ran a restaurant and catering business.

“She is well-qualified and we look forward to eating her good cooking as she continues the Camp Wingmann tradition of delicious home-cooked meals,” Yates said.

Kinney replaces “Mama” Joanie Yates as food service manager. Joanie Yates, who is the wife of Father Bill, is retiring. Bill and Joanie helped revive Camp Wingmann in 1998 when three camp alumni purchased the property with the vision of returning the retreat to its former glory.

Camp Wingmann hosted its first retreat in 1928 and ran successfully for 50 years until the Diocese of Central Florida sold the property in 1978. The property changed hands several times before it was repurchased in 1998 by former Wingmann campers.

Bill Yates then returned to Camp Wingmann last year when Father Deke Miller left as camp director to become vicar of Holy Cross Church in Winter Haven.

One of Bill Yates’ first managerial decisions was hiring J.J. Joseph as summer camp director. The move proved fruitful as more than 300 youth attended the six weeklong camps.

“Things are going great at Camp Wingmann!” Bill Yates said. “They had lots of fun. We had two new very popular activities for them: Ga-ga ball and tubing on Trout Lake behind our newly donated ski boat. Even more importantly the campers learned about Christ from teachers, chaplains and counselors!”

Father Yates said the camp continues to stay fairly busing even during the offseason, hosting weekend retreats. Camp Wingmann currently has nine bookings this fall, a mix of adult and youth groups.

Of interest to the Diocese of Central Florida are two major events: New Beginnings (Middle School) Weekend, scheduled for Oct. 19-21; and the Diocesan Men’s Retreat, slated for Nov. 16-18.

Also, Camp Wingmann’s new website is being launched Saturday, Sept. 1. “We think you will like the fresh new look,” Father Yates said.

For more information, visit Camp Wingmann’s website at www.campwingmann.org or via Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/campwingmann/?ref=br_rs on the internet.