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The YMCA of Greater Rochester acquires conference, retreat center in Painted Post
The YMCA of Greater Rochester acquires conference, retreat center in Painted Post
The YMCA of Greater Rochester has acquired the Watson Homestead Conference & Retreat Center in Painted Post, Steuben County, and has renamed it The Y at Watson Woods.
The Y and the Watson Homestead have a long history as partners, collaborating to provide a children’s day camp program at the site for the past five decades.
The Y at Watson Woods will continue to serve as the host site of YMCA Camp Corning’s Day Camp, and a place for longtime guests of the retreat, as well as a conference center to hold events for spiritual reflection.
Planning is underway to include family and overnight experiences, along with group gatherings, weddings and conferences.
“It has always been part of the YMCA’s strategic plans to grow our residential services and offerings for families,” said Mike Stevens, the Y’s chief strategy officer. “This beautiful property presents an excellent opportunity to accomplish our goals of providing a space for families outside of traditional in-branch offerings.”
The 400-acre Watson Homestead property was established in 1955 by IBM Corp. founder Thomas J. Watson Sr. on the site where his family’s farm and the schoolhouse he attended coexisted.
The site was donated shortly before Watson died with the intention to establish a retreat destination that would serve non-profit groups.
The first formal community event to be held at The Y at Watson Woods will be the annual Maple Sugaring Weekend, March 18-20. Additional details for the weekend will be available soon.
[email protected] / (585) 653-4021
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