YMCA Camp Cory, a summer camp serving children and families on Keuka Lake since 1921, unveils a new solar array to decrease operating costs, which will help support financial assistance. Camp Cory joins two other YMCAs that went solar this month — the Torrance-South Bay YMCA in Torrance, California, and the Wilson-Gray YMCA in Hartford, Connecticut.
This latest solar array is timely as Camp Cory recently communicated its centennial master plan, which includes renovations and expansion of its current facilities in order to serve generations to come.
“The money saved from installing the solar array affords us the opportunity to offer more experiences to campers and youth in our community,” said Pat Foster, executive director of YMCA Camp Cory, a branch of the YMCA of Greater Rochester. “We want to be able to reach as many children as we can from all backgrounds and provide them with an enriching experience. Partnerships like this play a crucial role in doing that.”
Camp Cory partnered with Everybody Solar, an organization dedicated to providing solar energy to nonprofits. Through fundraising, grant writing, and other partnerships, Everybody Solar was able to provide Camp Cory with a 31.93-kW solar array at no cost. This system, which was installed by Geneva-based Paradise Energy Solutions, is expected to save Camp Cory approximately $3,950 in the first year alone.
“The impact of this project is far-reaching,” said Myriam Scally, director of operations and development for Everybody Solar. “We hope this solar array will help Camp Cory reinvest in their youth and remove financial barriers for more families to access a summer camp experience.”
In addition to Everybody Solar, many individual donors and foundations played an instrumental part in funding this project, including:
All Points North Foundation
Gumerlock Foundation
JM McDonald Foundation
Enphase
Foundation Beyond Relief
RELiON Battery
Citizen Watch
Individual donors
New York State Energy Research and Development Authority
Paradise Energy Solutions
“All Points North Foundation is keenly aware of the impact COVID-19 has had on nonprofits and is pleased to have been able to provide funding to Everybody Solar enabling ongoing operations and the completion of a solar installation at Camp Cory, which serves thousands of kids and teens annually,” said Laura Staich, executive director at All Points North Foundation.
