Find Your Sense of Wonder
At Camp Colman and Camp Orkila, kids can discover all the wonders of the outdoors while making friends and forming memories that will last a lifetime. Our overnight camps are the perfect places for youth to begin their journey towards independence and discover a love of nature.
Find Your Camp
Our two premier overnight camps are located on the Key Peninsula in south Puget Sound and San Juan Islands.
Camp Colman on the Key Peninsula
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.
Camp Orkila in the San Juan Islands
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.
Find Your Summer Adventure
With options ranging from four nights to several weeks, for kids in elementary through high school, the Y's summer overnight programs are designed to nurture potential and foster a sense of social responsibility.
Mini Camp
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 1–6
- 4 days | 3 nights
Traditional Camp
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 3–8 at Camp Colman
- Entering grades 3–10 at Camp Orkila
- 7 days | 6 nights
Teen Camp
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 6–10
- 7 days | 6 nights
Our specialty, expedition, and leadership camps provide young adults entering grades 6-12 an opportunity to learn important leadership and life skills as they approach adulthood through a variety of exciting adventures.
Specialty Camps
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.
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.
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.
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.
Leadership & Expedition Camps
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.
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.
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.
In LDI with Kayaking 2.0, campers in grades 10-12 build on foundational skills by learning facilitation techniques and exploring story-telling and community-building. Upon completion, participants will earn 20 hours of community service.
Islanders
Campers in grades 10-12 learn advanced kayak handling, navigation, and expedition planning and put what they have learned into practice by leading their peers as leader of the day and teaching paddle skills to other campers. Participants will also have a solo experience to rest and reflect on their time as an Islander.
Counselors in Training (CIT)
Campers in grades 11-12 take the first step in becoming a cabin counselor as they focus on team-building and leadership skills along with counseling techniques.
Summer Intern (OSI)
Participants entering grade 12 (and who must be under 18 for duration of program), will have a unique, multi-faceted leadership experience that prepares teens for future positions of responsibility. The internship offers a great chance to develop their 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.
Please note that our Islanders, Counselor In Training, and Summer Intern programs require an application and interview process prior to registration.
Unsure what program is the right fit for you? Check out our Teen Leadership Progression, which lists programs at Camp Colman, Camp Orkila & BOLD & GOLD. If you still have questions, contact our admin team at campinfo@seattleymca.org
Committed to Become an Anti-Racist Organization
The Y is committed to become an anti-racist and inclusive gathering space where people of all colors, religions, genders, and backgrounds are welcomed and have the opportunity to succeed, be healthy, and thrive. That means closely examining what we do – our systems, hiring practices, partners, contracting, and programs – to ensure we are learning, adapting, and doing all that we can to build a more equitable, healthy, and just community.
Affordable for All
We recognize that families have different abilities to pay and offer two different fee structures to best meet each family's needs.
- Full Cost reflects the full cost of sending a participant to the program selected. If your family is able to pay this amount, please do. Thank you.
- Subsidized Price is a partially-subsidized rate to help families who are unable to afford the full cost of the program. Choose this rate if your family needs a partial subsidy.
Our goal is to remove barriers that prevent anyone from participating in our programs, including financial barriers. If the subsidized price still creates 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 your application, you will receive a code by email that you can use at checkout to automatically apply your approved award.
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GREAT OUTDOOR EXPERIENCES WITH THE Y
Day Camp
Offering active days spent learning new skills and making lifelong friends, Y Day Camps offers fun camp activities to engage brains, exploration rotations to encourage kids to try new things, and plenty of physical activity and games to keep bodies moving.
BOLD & GOLD
Boys, Girls, and All Gender Outdoor Leadership (BOLD & GOLD) expeditions inspire youth ages 11 to 18 to be their most courageous and confident selves as they explore some of the most beautiful and natural places in the Pacific Northwest.
Join the Y!
With a shared commitment to nurturing the potential of kids, improving health and well-being, and supporting our neighbors, your membership will not just bring about meaningful change in yourself, but also in your community.
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