Author: Eric Eisenhart

Imagine an infield, surrounded by tents, each with its own cause flying proudly. Imagine a community of fans commemorating a great summer by cheering on their team. Imagine an opportunity to meet and learn about other groups doing great work as well as benefactors who are looking for great efforts to help fund. Imagine cash prizes awarded to the day’s champions to help them fund their own great causes. That’s what we imagine and we are excited to bring it to life. We believe in community. We support it, we invest in it and, whenever possible, we try to create it.  The BackYard Games was designed to bring all of those efforts together in one place to celebrate the unofficial wrap of summer and the people and groups that make up the community we all serve. We hope you’ll join us.. register a team and or secure a spectating spot, and help us have some fun and raise some funds for the charities and causes that are most important to you!

From the Chair Summer is a great time to be active outdoors and enjoy the support and camaraderie of the BaseCamp community. To that end, the BaseCamp Board met in early July to discuss the vision for the BC-AC Clubhouse and first draft plans from our Project Lead, Dan Minzner.  We will soon be forming a small team to get input from across the membership so that the clubhouse meets the needs of the entire BC-AC community.  Stay tuned as plans progress and mark your calendars for the Labor Day weekend “BackYard Games” fundraiser. PS don’t forget about the volunteer morning at Grow-A-Row on Aug 17 that helps feed those needing in our community – if interested you can sign up here. Mike Wellons Chairman, BaseCamp 31

Phew! The BaseCamp community has been hustling these last few weeks.  With the completion of the 3rd annual Beautiful Beast 15k, the awarding of the John Schaible Jr. Memorial Scholarship to Sam VanBelle (an incredibly deserving student-athlete who exhibits such well-rounded strength), the completion of our spring rugby (tackle) and the kick-off of our summer rugby (flag) programs, BC-AC athletes “Muscling Up for Art“….and the start of the APHPT’s “Summer of Move” competition (it’s not too late to join in), one might argue we’ve got a few things going on!  But it’s funny, the more that’s happening…the more moving parts…the more energy that is spread and good times shared.

It’s Summer… a great time to MOVE… join us! Eric Eisenhart BaseCamp 31

From the Chair It was great to see so many of you at our annual Beautiful Beast 15k event.  The event, among other things, serves as a great fundraiser for our organizations community-health focused efforts.  At this year’s event, we excitedly announced plans for the build out of the BC-AC clubhouse – a project that will count on the many skills and contributions of members and the community to literally build our home and further establish the parcel of land we call “BaseCamp” as a health-hub!  Look for more details on how to get involved soon! Mike Wellons Chairman, BaseCamp 31

Conquer the Beast, Honoring Heroes

It’s that time of year… as I sit here in Frenchtown, overlooking the Delaware River (not far from Washington’s legendary cross), with a slight breeze and a beautiful day…I can’t help but think of every reason to be outside…get active, take in the amazing country so many fight for, and celebrate element #1 – MOVE, and invite you to be a part of it!  In the next few weeks the BaseCamp community is going to VERY active as we embark on our largest fundraiser event – the Beautiful Beast 15k, host hundreds of athletes on the most BEAUTIFUL course in NJ, celebrate achievements as they climb a beast of a finish….and recognize this year’s John Schaible Jr. scholarship recipient along with winners at the awards ceremony!  If you haven’t taken the trip up Hoffman’s Crossing to our host site (and race partner) Hunterdon County ESC yet (this being our 3rd year)…it’s more than worth it (37 Hoffman’s Crossing Rd., Califon, NJ). But before we climb the “Beast” – we welcome all to join us as we honor our fallen heroes and commemorate Memorial Day, this coming Monday at 9a with “The Murph“.  And while it may look daunting on first glance, please know that you’ll have a community of friends there to support you…provide assistance as you need, and guide you along the way. Land of the free…because of the brave, Eric Eisenhart BaseCamp 31

From the Chair Have you taken the opportunity to see what the BaseCamp community is all about?  Join us at one of our upcoming events where we embrace an active lifestyle and the importance of community support.  In addition to our events listed in the margin, we have reserved a slot for 9a-12p on July 27 at Grow-A-Row in Pittstown to harvest fresh vegetables that will be used to FUEL the less fortunate and needy in Hunterdon County.  RSVP HERE Hope to see you out there! Mike Mike Wellons Chairman, BaseCamp 31