Maple Syrup Day

After more than four decades of YMCA leadership — from camp counselor to CEO to a statewide leadership role with YMCA of the USA — Mark could have easily stepped away in retirement. Instead, he found himself returning to the Y in a very different role: lifeguard. Mark’s YMCA story began in 1980 at YMCA Camp Menogyn in northern Minnesota, where he worked as a canoe guide in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. The experience shaped his values and leadership philosophy, especially under the mentorship of YMCA legend Skip Wilkie. The summers spent guiding wilderness trips taught him respect — for self, others, the environment, and teamwork — lessons he carried throughout his 41-year career.

Dale believes the lessons he learned at Camp Miller far surpassed anything a traditional classroom could offer. Camp taught him resilience, confidence, leadership, creativity, and the belief that growth happens when young people are trusted with responsibility and supported by caring adults. That belief is why Dale chose to establish the Dale Maynard Johnson Endowment Fund for YMCA Camp Miller.

I belonged to the Uptown Minneapolis Y for years. For me, it was a place to work out—nothing more, nothing less. When my wife and I moved to Duluth nine years ago, I joined the Downtown Duluth Y—again, simply to work out. Three years ago, my world was turned upside down when my wife died unexpectedly. Two years later, I had open-heart surgery. I began to feel a growing need for other people, if I was to have a full life in the time I have remaining. I found those people at the Y.