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Located on the Key Peninsula on Case Inlet, Camp Colman boasts more than 100 acres of ancient forest, a half mile of Puget Sound beachfront, and an enclosed six acre lagoon. With such an ecologically diverse location and over 100 years of hosting campers, we can proudly say that Camp Colman is the perfect place for all to discover who they are and the gifts they have to share.

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Camp Orkila is just a ferry ride away in the breathtaking San Juan Islands on Orcas Island. A host of activities including a 1,000 foot zipline, in-ground pool, and marine center, provide opportunities for fun that are practically limitless. Orkila's picturesque setting featuring 280 acres of beach, forest, and meadows, will capture both your heart and your imagination.

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Mini Camp programs are a great way for new campers to get familiar with being away from home overnight in an outdoor setting with a shorter length of time. Programs are offered at the start and end of camp season at Camp Colman.

• Entering grades 1–4
• 4 days | 3 nights

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Traditional campers will spend their days engaged in a wide variety of activities from arts & crafts to the giant swing, capped off with gorgeous sunset views, a group sing-along, and time for reflection at both Camp Colman and Camp Orkila.

• Entering grades 1–10 at Camp Colman
• Entering grades 3–10 at Camp Orkila
• 7 days | 6 nights
• *New* at Orkila (select sessions) :
  • 5-Day options 
  • 2-Week options 

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Teen Camp offers a wide range of traditional activities like swimming, climbing, and archery, plus specific components geared towards teens including later wakeup times and leadership development, offered at Camp Colman.

• Entering grades 6–12
• 7 days | 6 nights 

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Specialty Camps, which all span 7 days and 6 nights, dive into skill building through specific activities at Camp Orkila.

Art Exploration

Campers entering grades 6-8 will tap into their creativity and express themselves through a week-long exploration of the arts by accessing several artistic mediums which may include drawing, painting, sculpting with clay, or practicing digital photography.  In addition to exploring the arts, campers will participate in traditional camp activities. Campers are placed in mixed-gender cabins of campers within the same program and similar age or developmental stage.

Boat & Swim

Campers entering grades 6-8 will dive into a week in and on the water at Camp Orkila. Campers will participate in several water and boating activities, which may include swimming, dock jump, kayaking and funyaking, and stand up paddle boarding. in addition to water and boating activities, campers will also participate in traditional camp activities, including a one-night overnight experience. Campers live in cabins based on gender identity or the cabin in which they are most comfortable. Campers are placed in cabins of campers within the same program and similar age or developmental stage.

High Altitude Leadership

Campers entering grades 7-9 spend time up high and in the trees on our various challenge courses, climbing tower, and zipline learning knot-tying, belaying, and facilitation while advancing their ropes skills under the supervision of our expert climbing staff. Campers are placed in mixed-gender cabins of campers within the same program and similar age or developmental stage.

Marine Biology

Campers entering grades 6-8 will explore the many wonders of the marine world surrounding us at Camp Orkila's Marine Salmon Center, where they will be immersed in marine ecology, oceanography, and conservation of the natural world.  Campers will get to dissect a squid, explore the intertidal zone, and visit the Whale Museum on San Juan Island. Campers live in cabins based on gender identity or the cabin in which they are most comfortable. Campers are placed in cabins of campers within the same program and similar age or developmental stage.

Outdoor Adventures

Campers entering grades 7-9 explore many different adventure activities, spending half their time developing expedition skills like paddling and backpacking and half their time participating in traditional camp activities including a high ropes experience. Campers live in cabins based on gender identity or the cabin in which they are most comfortable. Campers are placed in cabins of campers within the same program and similar age or developmental stage.

Spanish/English *NEW*

Campers entering grades 6-8 will enjoy a program specifically designed for campers of all experience levels, from beginner to fluent speakers. Throughout the two-week session, participants engage daily in fun, interactive activities - like soccer, scavenger hunts, and games - led by both Spanish and English-speaking staff to encouraeg conversation and language learning in a natural environment. Like other specialty programs, about half the day is dedicated to the specialty activity, while the rest of the day is spent enjoying traditional camp experiences conducted primarily in English, like swimming, arts and crafts, archery, camp-wide events and campfires. Campers live in cabins based on gender identity or the cabin in which they are most comfortable. Campers are placed in cabins of campers within the same program and similar age or developmental stage.

Sports Discovery

Campers entering grades 4-6 will be pumped for a week full of their favorite sports. They'll play together and with other camper groups in several games and activities, which may include soccer, ultimate frisbee, disc golf, volleyball, gaga ball, water polo, and Camp Orkila's famous "wreckage" (dodgeball). In addition to these activities, campers will also participate in traditional camp activities including a high-ropes experience. Campers live in cabins based on gender identity or the cabin in which they are most comfortable. Campers are placed in cabins of campers within the same program and similar age or developmental stage.

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Our teen Leadership and Expedition camps range from 7-28 days. Most programs are based out of Camp Orkila unless otherwise noted.

San Juan Kayaking

Campers entering grades 8-10 are introduced to the sport of kayaking by paddling to a new island in the San Juans each day and spending the night adhering to the principles of the Leave No Trace philosophy. The first and last night of camp are spent in cabins at Camp Orkila. Campers are placed in mixed-gender cabins of campers within the same program and similar age or developmental stage. *No previous experience is required.

In San Juan Kayaking 2.0, campers in grades 9-12 build on basic kayak skills, learn new paddle strokes, and practice kayak rescues. They will also learn to read tide and current tables to play a larger role in planning their own journeys. Campers are placed in mixed-gender cabins of campers within the same program and similar age or developmental stage. *No previous experience is required.

High Altitude Leadership 2.0

Campers in grades 9-11 advance their leadership and ropes skills by learning basic belaying and facilitation, eventually helping to facilitate initiatives for younger campers. Participants will accumulate 10 hours of community service in recognition of their time working with youth and volunteering in the Orcas Island community.

Leadership Development Institute (LDI)

Campers in grades 9-12 develop leadership and communication skills while working with youth and exploring the great outdoors. This program is at Camp Colman.

In Advanced LDI, campers in grades 11-12 shadow counselors and program staff to learn about how to plan and facilitate different camp activities. They will take a deep dive into what it means to be a leader and develop how to lead in a style that feels authentic to them. This program is at Camp Colman. 

In LDI with Kayaking, campers in grades 9-11 spend two weeks learning to develop their leadership and communication styles, working with youth, and exploring the San Juan Islands on a multi-day kayaking adventure. Participants spend four or five nights on expedition and the rest of their session at Camp Orkila, engaging in youth work activities, team building initiatives, and other traditional camp experiences. After completing an LDI Classics course, teens will have accumulated 10 hours of community service in recognition of their time working with youth and volunteering in the Orcas Island community. Campers are placed in mixed-gender cabins of campers within the same program and similar age or developmental stage *No previous experience is required.

In LDI with Kayaking 2.0, campers in grades 10-12, teens focus on peer, youth, service, and outdoor leadership over the course of three weeks. Participants lead programs with younger campers, embark on a seven or eight-day sea kayak expedition, and volunteer at camp and in the community.  After completing an LDI 2.0 course, teens will have accumulated 20 hours of community service in recognition of their time working with youth and volunteering in the Orcas Island community. Campers are placed in mixed-gender cabins of campers within the same program and similar age or developmental stage *No previous experience is required. 

Islanders

Campers entering grades 10-12 get ready to put skills to the test in this challenging and fun four-week expedition. Our experienced staff will teach advanced boat handling, advanced navigation, and expedition planning. Working as a team, groups will plan their own trip through the San Juan Islands. This trip will challenge perseverance, kayak skills, and leadership abilities. Islander participants will take what they have learned and practice leading their peers at least once as Leader of the Day. Towards the end of the course, participants may also have a solo experience to rest and reflect on their time as an Islander (instructors place and regularly check-in with participants during this time). All participants must demonstrate a wet-exit and re-entry with their paddle partner before embarking on the course. Campers are placed in mixed-gender cabins of campers within the same program and similar age or developmental stage *Basic paddling skills recommended but not required. 

*Application and interview process required. Accepted applicants will be given registration instructions.  

Counselors in Training (CIT)

Campers in grades 11-12 focus on team building, leadership skills, and counseling techniques while spending four weeks at camp. This four-week program includes a week of training and team building, a week ‘in unit’ working directly with a traditional or specialty cabin group, a week focused on service both at camp and in the greater Orcas Island community, and a final week to celebrate and reflect. After completing the CIT program, teens will have accumulated at least 100 hours of community service in recognition of their time working with youth and volunteering in the Orcas Island community. Campers are placed in mixed-gender cabins in our CIT Village with of campers participants within the same program. and similar age or developmental stage 

*Application and interview required. Accepted applicants will receive registration instructions. 

Summer Intern (OSI)

For participants entering grade 12 (and who must be under 18 for duration of program). Our Orkila Summer Internship (OSI) program is a unique, multi-faceted leadership experience that prepares teens for future positions of responsibility. The internship offers a great chance to develop your resume, gain work experience, and build friendships. Teens will receive training and then will fulfill various roles around camp during an exciting four weeks, expanding their leadership knowledge and enhancing the camp experience.  After completing the OSI program, teens will have accumulated at least 400 hours of community service in recognition of their time working at Camp Orkila. 

OSIs will attend training that includes behavior management, Child Abuse Prevention, program quality and more. OSIs will develop many transferable skills during training and throughout the program.  

Two weeks of the program will be spent working “in-unit” alongside cabin counselors to supervise campers, and two weeks assisting in interdisciplinary roles that support camp operations.  

During the “in-unit” weeks, OSIs will work directly with campers, assisting and shadowing cabin counselors in the day to day of a camper’s experience. OSIs will lead activities, facilitate games, help with homesickness, and be a mentor for youth.   

During interdisciplinary weeks, OSIs will shadow support staff (e.g., Kitchen, Housekeeping, Health Hut, etc.) and specialized program staff (e.g., Arts & Earth, Adventure Team, Media Team, Gardener, etc.). In these diverse settings, OSIs will gain a holistic understanding of how camp functions and get the chance to explore other jobs at camp beyond the traditional cabin counselor role.   

OSIs will live in various cabins throughout the program. OSIs might live in single-gender or mix-gender cabins with campers, OSI cabins, and staff cabins based on their role at camp for the session and other factors. 
 
*Application, interview, and references, and background check required. Accepted applicants will receive registration instructions. 

Unsure what program is the right fit for you? Contact our admin team at campinfo@seattleymca.org 

Teen Leadership Applications will be available October 14. Apply Here

We have lowered our pricing options and developed a voluntary sliding fee schedule. Simply select the price most appropriate for your family. Your selections are completely confidential and do not impact the quality of your camper’s experience. 

• Price A reflects the full price of sending a participant to the program selected. This level represents the full price of camp operations, including industry leading training and staffing, support for long-term maintenance, repairs, and facility enhancements.  
• Price B is partially sponsored by funds generously contributed by our supporters to help families unable to afford the full price of the program.  
• Price C is our most accessible rate, supported by generous contributions from our donors to ensure a positive camp experience for as many participants as possible.

Thank you to families who volunteer to pay Price A! You are helping the Y ensure our camps and outdoor leadership programs continue to thrive. With your support, we have made critical improvements and repairs to our overnight camps and outdoor leadership programs that ensure all participants have the best experiences possible — like new bath and shower facilities, ADA accessibility, new educational facilities, and high-adventure programs. With your support, Y camps and outdoor leadership programs can continue to be accessible for all now and in the future, especially for those who need us most. 

Independent of what price you have selected, if you would like to support our camps and outdoor leadership programs in an even more meaningful way, please consider making a one-time or recurring donation in any amount.

Our goal is to remove barriers that prevent anyone from participating in our programs, including financial barriers. If our lowest prices still create a financial barrier that prevents you from participating in our programs, we invite you to fill out a financial assistance application.  

Once we have reviewed and approved your application, you will receive an email confirming the percentage you have been awarded.* A $50 deposit is still required to confirm your reservation.

*We are only able to offer financial assistance for one registration per participant each summer.