Always Up Always up for some "hoop," operations director and "Camp K" director Neal Verge retired from the Boothbay Region YMCA on March 31 after 23 years of dedicated service. The energetic Verge began his career at the Y as a volunteer coach. (Photo Lisa Kristoff)

Over the course of our lives people come and people go, some will have a great impact on our lives, and some, none at all.

It would not be a stretch to say that Neal Verge, of the Boothbay Region YMCA and Camp Knickerbocker, has had a tremendous impact on the youth of our region, and thereby, their families.

As of March 31, Neal Verge officially retired from the YMCA and Camp K.

And if he had it to do all over again, he would - in a millisecond.

A "Downeaster" from Eastport, Verge was introduced to the Boothbay region when he was stationed at the U.S. Coast Guard Station, in West Boothbay Harbor, in the early 1980s.

As a member of the Coast Guard, Verge felt it was important for the men and women to be seen participating within the community. They could often be seen performing various service projects such as painting the Y gym.

Verge also volunteered at the YMCA summer camp and began coaching soccer and baseball.

"It was very family-oriented with camping on the hill…my family went to the Y," said Verge.

In 1984, Verge, now at E9 status, received orders for Miami, Florida. His daughter, Angela, was about to graduate from high school and son Neal, was one year behind and the family didn't really want to leave the area.

Neal Verge is best-known as the face of Camp Knickerbocker. On his last day at the Y, Alice Vannah and Mike Harrison took him to lunch in Damariscotta.

The waitress came to their table to take their order and after a moment she said to Neal, "You're Mr. Knickerbocker, aren't you. My son went to your camp."

Verge was on his way to becoming a face of the camp, and the YMCA, when Mike Harrison, then executive director at the YMCA, heard about Verge's orders. Harrison decided to ask him if he would be interested in running the camp that he had plans to expand.

For Verge, it's always been about family. "I liked the idea of working at the camp because it also involved my wife, Mary. At that time, we were renting the cabins (that are now used for camp staff) on a weekly basis and Mary would take care of those."

"My daughter was one of my junior counselors for two years and my son attended the camp, and later worked with Donny Lewis on maintenance, so, it was a place that involved us as a family," said Verge.

Mary also worked in the camp store, and years later, came to the main building to work and teach in the Y Daycare program.

"I always wanted to work with kids," said Neal. "It's been a great experience."

"I think it was Roy Lewis who was on the board, asked Mike `what in God's name does he know about running a kid's camp' - and the truth was, I knew nothing," Verge said. "But, what I did know was that I worked well with people."

But, the man who knew nothing about it created a camp that is part of the childhood of many.

"Most camps, whether they are day camps or overnight camps, have similar elements," said Neal. "The Back Narrows location had water, but it was salt water with strong currents and cool water temperature.

"Knickerbocker had the lake, warmer water and gave us the opportunity to have a swimming program and a boating program without currents," Neal said. "And, it is just a lovely, great spot."

How many parents recall bringing their sons and daughters to Camp Knickerbocker, or Camp K as it is affectionately known, seeing (Uncle) Neal - always in a baseball cap, sometimes with his feet up on the desk, but always, always smiling and greeting the children by name.

"Every year at the camp staff training, one of the main things I always told them, and it is not unique in any respect, is that everyone has hard days, everybody has problems and the kids are the same way," Verge said.

"Now, to us, their issues might seem minor, but to the kids, they are huge. What you really have to do, whether you feel like smiling or not, is find that smile and greet them in a very positive way - every day."

And, after two-plus decades with kids - his own and ours, he discovered that he learned a few things from them.

"I've never really thought about it before, but I have to say they taught me patience and how to listen intently. Very important qualities to have when you are dealing with kids because we never know how we may influence them."

The Camp Carnival began as a family night about 15 years ago with the older campers running the events. Eventually the kids felt like they were missing out on the fun and the staff stepped up to oversee the carnival.

"It served as a big finale to the summer and it brought people to the camp that had never been before," said Verge.

"The program Neal created for the Camp is a good one. An advantage I have is that I was a Camp K kid and I know what I got excited about, like the Camp K Olympics," said Kris Roveillo, Sports and Recreation Director and Verge's successor at the camp.

Roveillo has an equally long history with the Y. When he grew old enough, he became a counselor and remained one for eight years.

After returning from college, Roveillo's journey led him to the Boothbay Register as assistant editor/reporter. During this time, he was still volunteering and working with kids at the Y.

Verge says that Roveillo was destined for the job and that it was wonderful to see that Kris wanted to be part of the Y and Camp K.

"And, not everything I did worked there," said Neal. "There are some changes that could be done."

Roveillo has been preparing for his role since July of 2006 when he went to work for the YMCA as the sports and recreation director.

"Learning from Neal has been a great experience; we have always had a great relationship," said Roveillo. "He has taught me organizational skills necessary for promotion and events and other detail- oriented work."

Roveillo also noted that he could not recall ever having seen Neal "on the edge of panic" or stressed. He is always friendly and relaxed. I think if I can be a little like Neal, things will go very smoothly."

At the YMCA, Verge was operations director, director of the Rocky Coast Road Race, youth basketball league, 3-on-3 tournaments, and the Basketball Classic.

He and Mary were members of the Boosters Club for 15 years. He remembers the first hot dog stand that they and other parents in the club put together.

In 2007, he came up with another event - the family funfest during Windjammer Days.

Verge is also known for his initiative in securing a cable access channel for the region in 1993.

The impetus was to bring the school sports into the homes of those in the community who could not attend the games.

Verge knew there was a station available and approached the town managers for a thumbs up and then went to FrontierVision.

"It's like anything else; you have a group of people who put it together - It's neat to see how far it's come, and how far it has the potential to go," said Verge of Channel 7. "We look at what Rick (Prose) and them are doing and we look back and we were operating on nickels and dimes; I remember when we bought our first camera - we were in heaven!"

"I know the channel needs to go further; that it is at that pivotal point now where they aren't quite sure what is happening with the licensing, if there are any funds coming in … there are lots of questions."

Verge was honored in 2007 with a Community Citizenship award, bestowed by the Boothbay Harbor Region Chamber of Commerce. He accepted the award to a standing ovation at the Opera House.

Long-time colleague and fellow "Downeaster" Doris Welch says Neal was devoted to his family, the children of the community and his "Y family."

YMCA Executive Director Andy Hamblett recalls one of Neal's gifts: his ability to relate to children.

"One of my first visuals of Neal is of him in the gym with 20 to 30 kids, boys and girls, looking up at him standing there in his baseball cap and smile," said Hamblett. "He was not a tall man, but huge in stature."

Hamblett cites Neal's diplomacy and his listening skills as strong attributes, particularly when dealing with an issue involving a child and a behavior problem.

"Neal had a way of talking to the child, discussing what happened, how the situation could have been handled, and how the child thought they should proceed," Hamblett said. "The skills Neal possesses are hard to find. He is a problem solver, sounding board, a great listener and understands that life is not black and white."

"Neal was a role model for all of us - staff, kids, parents … He is a leader who leads by example and consistency," Hamblett said.

Doris would concur that Neal possesses a calm demeanor and a confident and gentle manner. However, laughed Doris, there was one time, many years ago when she managed to cause Neal to become just a wee bit rattled …

"This was when Mike Harrison was with us," Doris began. "We were at a staff conference held at Winthrop State Park and decided that we would see a movie in Augusta."

Doris recalls being left behind: "I decided I was not staying in the woods all by myself and remembered that Mike always left the key in the Y truck, so, I opened the gate and drove to the movie theater."

Meanwhile, Mike asked Neal to go back to the camp and rescue Doris. Neal arrived, and, search as he might, no Doris was found. Finally, after searching for what would turn out to be the end of the movie, he returned to the theater quite frantic … until he spied her sitting with the group, enjoying the end of the show.

"We still laugh about that to this day," said Doris. "I am certainly going to miss his presence here, his smile and the way he handled anything that came up. Maybe it has something to do with his military background, he knew what had to be done, he followed procedure and things worked out the way they should."

Despite moving on and heading outdoors with Neal's Lawn Care, "Uncle Neal," the smiling, approachable man of Camp K and the YMCA, Verge will carry memories of the places and people, particularly the kids, with him as well.

"I love the camp and I love the YMCA," Verge said. "This community is unlike any other in the state when it comes to our kids; none of the opportunities we all make sure are in place for them happen by accident."

And, in return, Verge is loved. "Neal was the epitome of what a Y employee should be: pleasant, always greets people with a smile," said Roveillo. "There is a tremendous amount of respect here (at the Y) for Neal and for all that he has done over these 23 years."

The community is invited to attend a retirement party being held for Neal on Sunday, April 13 at the YMCA. The festivities begin at 3 p.m. with hors d'oeuvres followed by the program at 4:30.

For more information or to make a reservation, call the front desk at 633-2855.