Capturing the Spirit of the YMCA

For more than 40 years, Burnie Batchelor captured the spirit of YMCA Camp Sea Gull and YMCA Camp Seafarer on film. Recruited as camp photographer in 1961, Burnie, and later his daughter, Joy, chronicled the camps' history through black-and-white cabin photos, staff pictures and amazing images of the facilities. Burnie's smile, outgoing personality and red socks prompted generations of smiles.

Batchelor's relationship with camp became a family affair. All three of Burnie and Jerry's children, Rick, Joy and Ronnie, and all seven grandchildren spent their summers at Camp Sea Gull and Camp Seafarer as campers and counselors.

"Every one of the Batchelors love camp for the positive impact that it has had on our lives. How can we better honor Burnie than to enable other children to have the opportunity to attend these two camps that were so dear to his heart," asked Jerry, Burnie's wife and longtime Camp Seafarer assistant director.

The Batchelor family established a named endowment in honor of Burnie. The Burnie Batchelor Family Camper Scholarship Endowment honors the love and service that Burnie, Jerry and the rest of the Batchelor family have shared with YMCA Sea Gull and YMCA Seafarer. This generous gift will help make the camp experience possible for boys and girls in the future.

Do you want to make a lasting impression on our YMCA?

Planned gifts support financial objectives in your lifetime and make a lasting impression for the organization you love. There are several ways to support the YMCA of the Triangle in your estate plan. For more information, contact Cole McLaughlin at 919-564-6689 or Cole.McLaughlin@YMCATriangle.org.