At the Y, strengthening community is our cause. When you donate to the Y, you join a powerful association united by a shared commitment to nurturing the potential of kids, promoting healthy living, fostering a sense of social responsibility and giving back.

INVESTING IN YOUTH 

With your support and generosity, we can continue to expand our work to reach more youth.  We are dedicated to building healthy, confident and connected youth through outstanding outdoor experiences. Camp is a community where young people discover their potential.  

Your gift provides direct support for...

· Summer camp financial assistance for youth and teens, including campers from our agency partners such as New Futures,
Treehouse and Hopelink. 

· Leadership Awards to teens nominated from area high schools.

· Critical assistance for schools to attend Outdoor Environmental Education programs.

Your gift is an investment in youth and teens

The Y is for Youth Development, Healthy Living and Social Responsibility. We believe that all kids deserve the opportunity to discover who they are and what they can achieve. At camp, thousands of youth are cultivating the values, skills and relationships that lead to positive behaviors and achievement — right now and in the future.

When you donate to the Y, you join a powerful association united by a shared commitment to nurturing the potential of kids, promoting healthy living, fostering a sense of social responsibility and giving back.
  

INVESTING IN LEADERSHIP 

The Leadership Award program is a partnership between camp and local high schools. Teens, who otherwise would have no introduction to camp and the skill-building opportunities it affords, are recommended by their teachers for their leadership potential. They receive scholarship funds from this campaign to attend a leadership session. 

Camp Has Changed My Life, by Veronica Johanson

As a camper and Counselor-in-Training, I have created many memories at camp, made lifelong friends and learned about who I am as a person.

Camp is where I feel most in touch with who I really am. At home, it is sometimes difficult to express my feelings and act goofy; but at camp, I am assured that being myself is the best person I can possibly be. Camp is where I feel most accepted.

One memory that really sticks with me is the first stop on our kayaking trip. It didn’t seem like much: bees and ants everywhere, and dry grass getting stuck to our socks.  But, we could see Canadian lights on the horizon, the sun setting behind the mountains and a Bald Eagle sitting on the point. It made me feel like that was right where I belonged.

That night, we had an amazing Values Session, and for once, I felt like my life had purpose.

I leave camp a better person because of what I have learned about myself, others and life itself. Camp has given me opportunities I thought I would never have.

If it were not for the scholarship program, I would not have been able to attend camp. I am very thankful for the scholarships I have received, and am now devoting my time to ensuring that other kids get the same opportunity.  I would not trade camp for the world.

$125/month ($1,250) - A Leadership Award for a teen to attend a 2-week leadership program.

​HIGHLIGHTING SERVICE

Camps Orkila & Colman 2013 Fact Sheet

“Camp is important to me because you can be yourself and no one will judge you.” – Monique  

“My child has benefitted by doing things independently.  The YMCA provides a quality experience that encompasses fun, learning, and respect toward one another and self-respect.” – Doreen, Mother
 

2012 Program Impacts:
·      Financial assistance enabled1 in 7 summer campers and 1 in 2 school groups to attend camp.

·      More than 21,100 participants strengthened relationships, built confidence and tried new and challenging activities at camp.

·      Camp volunteers shared their camp stories throughout the community and raised more than $380,000 for camperships that allowed others to experience camp.

·      119 schools (more than 9,100 youth, teens and adults) built their science knowledge and teamwork through hands-on environmental education programs. 

·      253 women enjoyed healthy activities and relaxation at Women’s Wellness Weekends.

·      Hundreds of community volunteers contribute countless hours of service to camp each year.

 

Camp Colman

History YMCA Camp Colman began in 1912 when the West Seattle YMCA played a role in developing programs for youth at the Colman family’s camp near Gig Harbor.  Colman moved to its present location on the Key Peninsula in 1965.  The property was deeded to the Y in 2000.

2012 Program Impacts: 

·      More than 6,900 people of all ages connected to the outdoors at Camp Colman in 2012.

·      1,106 youth developed new skills and made lasting friendships at summer camp.

·      More than 900 participants with the YMCA Adventure Guide Program strengthened family relationships through camp-outs.  
 

Camp Orkila 

 History 

Orkila was established as the Y’s permanent camping home on Orcas Island in 1906 on beachfront property owned by the Colman family.  Camp offers year-round programming at its 285-acre main camp.  Other camp properties include 100-acre Satellite Island and a 10-acre site at Twin Lakes.  

2012 Program Impacts: 

·      Camp Orkila connected more than 14,200 people of all ages to the outdoors in 2012.

·      More than 2,900 youth developed new skills and made lasting friendships at summer camp.

·      813 parents and children experienced the outdoors together during Family Camp weekends.  

• More than 3,500 dads and kids in the YMCA Adventure Guide Program strengthened family relationships through camp-outs.

​SHARING THEIR STORIES

Parent & Camper Praise for Camp 

"Camp is a critical part of any child's development.  Skills, strengths, self-confidence, leadership all get started and reinforced at camp."  -Mat, camper dad 

"My son came home full of stories about his adventures: the giant swing, drumming, climbing, games. He really appreciated the evening values circle, and enjoyed the campfires. He spoke highly of his counselors, and he looked up to them. My husband and I appreciated the opportunity for our son to spread his wings, try new things, and meet other kids both like and unlike him. Thank you, Camp Colman!" 

"It was empowering for my son. He felt cared for, the rift of "popular" vs. "unpopular" is not tolerated by the entire culture at Camp Orkila- this is what I most love about this camp. Plus it is beautiful and the kids have a blast." 

How does the camp experience benefit your child?  

“Veronica is very outgoing and has many friends at school. I feel it’s important for her to meet new friends and learn new skills away from her 'normal life.'  I notice when she comes home she appreciates me more.  She is excited to share her experiences and seems more grounded.” – Margaret, Mother  

“Camp Orkila is a confidence builder for Conor.  He seems more mature when he returns from camp, and excited about meeting new young people from other places.” –Malayka and Tom, Mom and Dad 

“I feel so fortunate to have been the recipient of two scholarships for my kids.  I have never had such big hugs. Your generosity gave me – a single grandmother – a needed break like I’ve never had.  I love the children very much but it was also nice to relax, knowing they were in good hands.  It took them a couple of days upon returning to realize they missed me too.” –Linda, Grandmother 

“Ellis had the ‘time of her life.’  The power of being with young people, nature, and clear values, allows for growth, change and insight.  I feel this was a wonderful chance for my daughter to discover her power, beauty and value with other like-minded young adults.” –Josie, Mother 

“He had two weeks away from cell phones and electronic devices.  He did Mariners Sailing and he said he had a lot of time to think about his life and what he wanted for his future.  He seemed more certain and mature.” –Kathleen, Mother 

Campers, what your favorite activity or best memory from camp?

“One of my favorite memories of camp was our value session while camping at Obstruction [Pass].  It was 'If you knew me, if you really knew me…etc.'  It was where everyone saw each other for who they are.  Everyone really felt for each other.  It was heart touching.” –Veronica  

“My best memory from camp was going to Twin Lakes because I had never slept on the forest floor before.” –Fesehaye  

“My favorite activity was doing Capture the Flag because there is a lot of running and thinking so it is a challenge and I like challenges.” –Pehrlys  

“My favorite activity is GaGa Ball, a very active game where eliminated players get a chance to cheer their friends on.  This makes the game more and more intense as it progresses until it culminates in one camper winning and feeling great about him or herself for the rest of the week.” –Jasper 
 

Why is camp important to you? 

“Because it’s a place where I can relax and be more myself without every day pressures.  It’s a place where I can go and have fun.” –Conor  

“Even though it was my first year at camp, Orkila will always have a special place in my heart, right next to the warm-fuzzy memories and sandwiched in between compassion and unconditional love.” –Ellis  

“I can have a break from hi-tech.” –Eric 
 

What is something you learned at camp? 

“I learned that it’s okay to be shy but not let it get in the way.” –Jeremiah  

“How to make friends, how to make knots, how to recycle.” –Zoe 

“I learned to cooperate better with other people.” –Gilbert

​COLLABORATION. SUPPORT. IMPACT.

​Did you know that you can double your gift to support the YMCA of Greater Seattle? If you work at one of the below companies you may be able to double or even triple your gift! Some companies will even match gifts from retired employees or their spouses.

To learn more about matching gifts or to acquire the appropriate forms, please contact your personnel or human resources department. These businesses have varying matching gifts programs. This is not a complete list, ask your company’s Human Resources department to find out if a matching gift program exists and for the necessary forms.