Northern Berkshire YMCA Relocates Summer Program to MCLA

07:58AM / Friday, June 28, 2024Print Story | Email Story

NORTH ADAMS, Mass.— This summer MCLA will host the Northern Berkshire YMCA Camp Abenaki as a community partner of the organization's new "Northern Berkshire Y Without Walls" concept.

Camp Abenaki will utilize the Church Street Center Social Hall during July and August with indoor and outdoor activities as well as field trips for swimming and exploration throughout the local communities.

"We really appreciate all that MCLA is doing for us," said Christian Bianchi, CEO and executive director of the Berkshire Family YMCA "We came to the conclusion that not only was MCLA the best site option for us, but it is exactly where we wanted to be and we envision the partnership to evolve from here."

Camp Abenaki serves children in grades one through eight with eight one-week sessions featuring different themes that help youth build character, gain confidence, and learn friendship skills.

"It's been a great partnership and they've been wonderful to work with," said Kelli Kozak, MCLA director of conferences and campus events. "We're excited to have them on campus as partners."

To support the YMCA in its transition and secure an appropriate space on campus, Kozak said multiple departments collaborated efficiently for a smooth process.

In May, the Berkshire Family YMCA hired North County Branch Director Liz Baker to execute the organization's new concept aimed at collaborating with community partners to revive programming that has halted since the YMCA departed its building at the end of March.

Baker is a 1989 North Adams State College (MCLA) alum with a history in nonprofit management and youth development programs.

Tags: MCLA, YMCA,

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Veteran Spotlight: Marine Corp. Tim Woodward

By Wayne SoaresSpecial to iBerkshires
05:17PM / Sunday, February 15, 2026

FALMOUTH, Mass. — Tim Woodward served his country in the Marine Corps as a corporal from 1983 to 1987.

Having grown up with Tim, you knew he was the type of person who would succeed at whatever he attempted. His drive and discipline set him apart from his peers, even at a young age. He would have four college acceptances after graduating from Falmouth High School, but put them on hold to enlist in the Marines, where he did his basic training at Parris Island, S.C.

"It was definitely an eye opener," he said. "I had some pretty good preparation as my father and uncle were Marines. It was a lot of work, more mental than physical, and a lot of people weren't prepared for that.

"I wasn't fearful. It was about earning the title of U.S Marines. I'm proud of the fact that I was selected for just about every leadership position in my platoon, including Honor Man. I had a great time."

Woodward's first assignment would take him to the former Naval Air Station Memphis in Tennessee for aviation electronics training through a rolling admissions program.

"Made it all the way through — I was pretty good at troubleshooting. I always wanted to fly jets but ended up working on them," he said. "After schooling, I was sent to Whidbey Island, north of Tacoma and Seattle, Wash., where I was attached to Navy Squadron VAQ-129, where I learned to test the electronics on the Grumman EA 6B Prowler.

"I also did five months with VAQ-29. I remember when you drove into the base the sign overhead said, 'EXCUSE OUR NOISE, IT'S THE SOUND OF FREEDOM,'" Woodward said. "I had a chance to climb on the jets, wash them like your car, walk on the wings — lots of good memories."

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