Orkila volunteers reach one quarter of scholarship fund goal

posted 01/26/02
With an overall goal of raising at least $20,000 for the community scholarship fund, YMCA volunteers raised more than $5000 during the first week of their fundraising campaign to help local children go to Camp Orkila programs.

Orkila's Community Programs Coordinator Janet Adams is pleased about the volunteer team's initial success and is optimistic about this year's campaign. "Five or six years ago, we would have been pleased to raise $5000 during the whole campaign. This year, our volunteers have reached that mark in just one week! So I know we will be able to help even more children go to camp this year. Community members seem to realize that many families will need financial assistance more than ever this year in order for their children to participate in camp programs."

Volunteer Campaign Chairman Dr. Chris White and his team of volunteers will continue the Partners with Youth fundraising campaign for the next three weeks. After that point, Orkila will have scholarship applications available for all of their upcoming programs.

Orkila's community programs include day camp, swim lessons, summer resident and teen leadership camps, after school programs, family enrichment programs, outdoor environmental education for local schools, and the annual Memorial Day Community Picnic.

In addition to giving scholarships, Orkila also offers reduced prices for many of these programs and gives partial subsidies to local non-profit and youth groups that rent camp facilities.

To celebrate the grand finale of the scholarship campaign, Camp Orkila will be hosting an Open House at 7 p.m. Wednesday, February 13, 2002. The Open House will feature dessert, coffee, and a 20-minute antique silent movie created a Camp Orkila in the 1920's. Community members are invited to meet Orkila staff, including their new Executive Director Chris Pierce.

Anyone who is interested in sponsoring a local child to attend Camp Orkila programs or who would like more information is encouraged to contact Janet Adams at

Camp Orkila
P.O. Box 1149
Eastsound, WA 98245

at 360.376.2678 ext. 103 or at mailto:jadams@cs.seattleymca.org