By Andrew Coen
Goodman¹s daughter graduated with the teens, who were known as the ³Baco Boys² for their love of Camp Baco in upstate New York, and often car-pooled with their parents. Thus she felt she had to do something to honor their memory.
For the last two years, Goodman, who co-owns and directs the Rolling River Day Camp in East Rockaway, has established a ³campership² in honor of the Baco Boys to allow a deserving young student in the Hewlett-Woodmere School District an opportunity to attend the day camp for one month. The Jonah Richman, Adam Cohen and Jordan Satin Honorary Campership at Rolling River Day Camp will mark its third summer in 2007. The campership¹s
committee will select two District 14 students between the ages of five and seven who, at the advice of social workers, would benefit the most from a camp experience.
³It was just our way of doing something so their memory is kept alive,² said Goodman. ³[The Baco Boys] were passionate about their camp as we are with ours.²
Goodman said the words ³friendship,² ³loyalty,² ³pride,² ³spirit² and ³tradition² are some of the qualities possessed by campers that result in a successful camp experience, and the Baco Boys embodied all of those traits, making the program that much more meaningful. The campership is offered to one boy and one girl attending kindergarten, first or second grades and whose families can demonstrate financial need. The children must also possess certain characteristics that would make them a good fit to attend the camp.
³I can¹t tell you what we give to this child,² said Goodman. ³Every child that came benefited more than expected.²
In addition to the Rolling River Campership, the Baco Boys Fund was established in the wake of the Aug. 11, 2003 tragedy, by Allison Satin, the older sister of Jordan. Since 2004, The Baco Boys Fund has raised money to be able to send multiple children to the overnight camp of their choice each year.
Jonah Richman¹s mother, Anita, said the Rolling River Campership allows the Baco Boys¹ families and friends a chance to help out deserving children in District 14 who may feel more comfortable with a day camp experience rather than spending several weeks in the summer away from home.
³It¹s a great opportunity for a child that might not have ever had the chance [to attend camp],² said Anita Richman. ³It¹s a way to keep [the Baco Boys] lives and spirit alive.²
For further information about the Jonah Richman, Adam Cohen and Jordan Satin Honorary Campership at Rolling River Day Camp, call (516) 593-CAMP (2267) or e-mail RollingRiv@aol.com. The application review will take place in February and March with the campership winners notified no later than April 10.
Comments about this story? Acoen@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 210.
