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 address critical needs in our community, and expand our work to reach more youth.  We believe that lasting social change can only come about when we all work together to invest in our kids, our teens and our neighbors.

We are dedicated to building healthy, confident and connected youth through outstanding outdoor experiences. Camp is a community where young people discover their potential.

We count on the generosity of individuals like you. Working together, we can ensure that all kids are able to have a camp experience.  Gifts can be paid in full or in 10 monthly payments. 

Your Gift Provides Direct Support for Youth 

YMCA financial assistance supports more than 1 in 7 summer campers, including youth from our agency partners such as New Futures, Treehouse and Hopelink.   

The demand for our teen volunteer-internships continues to increase; 50 teens participated in this 4-week summer program in 2011!  Annual support funds allow us to continue to grow this hands-on training and leadership experience.

In the past school year, 2 out of every 3 school groups attending our Outdoor Environmental Education programs relied on YMCA financial assistance. This crucial support allowed 6,900 participants from 68 local schools to learn in our unparalleled outdoor classrooms. 

Thanks to dedicated volunteer fundraisers, 95 cents of each dollar goes directly to financial assistance and leadership program support.

Language Learning to Leadership Skills: Yohan's Story 

​HIGHLIGHTING SERVICE

Camps Orkila & Colman 2012 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-resect.” – Doreen, Mother

Camps Orkila & Colman 2011 Program Impacts:

• Essential financial assistance supported 1 in 7 summer campers and 3 out of 5 school groups.

• More than 21,500 participants strengthened relationships, built confidence and tried new and challenging activities at camp in 2011.

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

• 118 schools (more than 9,800 youth, teens and adults) built their science knowledge and teamwork through hands-on environmental education programs. 

• “Women’s Wellness Weekends” served 239 women with healthy activities & relaxation.

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

                                                                                                                             

Camp Colman 2011 Program Impacts:

• More than 6,900 people of all ages connected to the outdoors at Camp Colman in 2011.

• 1,145 youth developed new skills and made lasting friendships at summer camp.

• More than 1,080 participants with the YMCA Adventure Guide Program strengthened family relationships through camp-outs.

 

Camp Orkila 2011 Program Impacts: 

• More than 14,900 people of all ages connected to the outdoors at Camp Orkila in 2011.

• More than 3,000 youth developed new skills and made lasting friendships at summer.

• 750 parents and children experienced the outdoors together during YMCA family camp.

• More than 3,590 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.