Nearly 150 participants from the Greenpoint YMCA’s Summer Day Camps presented hand-crafted banners and performed chants, dances, and skits celebrating many of the things they’ve been learning in camp at the annual Camp Spirit Day last week.

The energetic young campers performed in eight teams in front of family, friends, and a panel of guest judges. This year’s event had a “green” theme, reflecting a focus on environmental education.

The event was emceed by the Teen & Sports Director, Jamel Davis, and April Dubison, Community Affairs manager from National Grid, delivered opening remarks. National Grid has provided funding to the Greenpoint YMCA for math, technology and environmental education enhancements to youth and family programs. Assemblyman Joseph Lentol also shared remarks with the crowd highlighting the Greenpoint Y’s work with the young people in our community.

This summer approximately 350 young people participated in the Greenpoint YMCA’s Summer Day Camps. The Greenpoint YMCA serves approximately 4,000 young people each year, 80 percent of whom are able to participate in programs such as Summer Day Camp for free or with financial assistance thanks to funds raised through the annual Strong Kids Campaign.

This year’s panel of judges included Greenpoint YMCA’s Board Chair Paul J. Pullo, president of Metro Fuel Oil Corp., Greenpoint YMCA Board Members Alfred Jennings, Stuart Leffler, manager of Economic Development from ConEdison, and Walter Sanchez, publisher of the Queens Ledger/Greenpoint Star, Greenpoint YMCA’s Executive Director Melvin Tse, and supporters of the Greenpoint YMCA, including Carolina Asirifi, community liaison for ExxonMobil, April Dubison, Community Affairs manager from National Grid, Assemblyman Joseph Lentol, Jeff Mann, publisher of the Greenpoint Gazette, and Larry Rodriguez representing State Senator Martin Malavé Dilan.(Shane Miller)