The Westchester Parks Foundation, joined by Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins, County officials, former camp directors, past and present staff, alumni, current campers, and longtime supporters, celebrated the 20th Anniversary of Camp Morty on Wednesday evening, commemorating two decades of providing life-changing summer experiences to more than 8,000 Westchester children.
Established in 2006, Camp Morty was created to ensure that children facing challenging circumstances have access to the same life-changing overnight camp experiences enjoyed by their peers. Over the past 20 years, the program has empowered thousands of children with opportunities to build confidence, independence, leadership skills, and lifelong friendships while creating memories that extend far beyond the summer months.
The anniversary celebration brought together generations of the Camp Morty family to reflect on the program’s remarkable legacy and recognize the countless individuals and partners whose dedication has helped the camp thrive for two decades.
Operated through a longstanding partnership between the Westchester Parks Foundation and the Westchester County Departments of Social Services, Community Mental Health, and Parks, Recreation & Conservation, Camp Morty provides children receiving services through the Department of Social Services, including youth in foster care, homeless shelters, and other underserved circumstances, with a traditional overnight camp experience featuring swimming, hiking, sports and recreation, arts and crafts, campfires, leadership development, and team-building activities in a safe, supportive environment.
“This anniversary is a celebration of every child whose life has been touched by Camp Morty over the past 20 years,” said Joe Stout, Executive Director of the Westchester Parks Foundation. “For two decades, Camp Morty has given thousands of children the opportunity to discover new strengths, build lasting friendships, and realize their potential. We are deeply grateful to our County partners, donors, volunteers, and dedicated staff whose unwavering commitment has made this extraordinary program possible.”
Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins joined Foundation leadership and County officials in recognizing Camp Morty’s lasting impact on generations of Westchester families and reaffirming the County’s commitment to ensuring children continue to have access to enriching outdoor experiences that foster confidence, resilience, and personal growth.
The evening featured tributes to the camp’s rich history and those who helped shape it, including a special remembrance of Camp Morty’s namesake, Morton H. “Morty” Hyman, a pioneering Westchester County Parks leader whose lifelong commitment to youth development and outdoor education inspired the creation of the camp. Guests also gathered for the dedication of a memorial bench honoring former Camp Morty Executive Director Andrea Russo in recognition of her lasting contributions to the program and the lives of countless campers. The celebration concluded with a moving floating lantern ceremony on the lake, providing an opportunity for reflection, remembrance, and gratitude.
Twenty years after welcoming its first campers, Camp Morty continues to open doors for children who might otherwise never experience overnight camp. For thousands of Westchester youth, Camp Morty has become far more than a summer program—it is a place where confidence is discovered, friendships are formed, leaders emerge, and lifelong memories begin.
For more information about Westchester Parks Foundation and Camp Morty, visit www.thewpf.org or www.campmorty.com
