The Kwahnice

 

The Kwahnice is our own passenger boat that we use to transport campers to overnight trips. The Kwahnice travels to Sucia and Satellite Island frequently but has also been known to take sunset cruises in our bay. The San Juan Islands are a popular destination for boaters due to the beautiful scenery and wildlife; when on board keep your eyes open, you never know what you might see! Bald Eagles, Porpoises, Harbor Seals, and Orca Whales have all been seen from our very own Kwahnice.



Bazerka Jiggy

Yes, that's correct: Bazerka Jiggy. Bazerka Jiggy is an energetic game played between two teams. Team A throws an object as far as they can (and yells Bazerka Jiggy), Team B will run and get the object.

Once the object is thrown by Team A, Team A bunches tightly together and one person tries to run as many laps as they can around the group.

Once Team B gets the object, they must pass the object down a line formed by their team all the while alternating how it is passed (over the head, under the legs, over the head, under the legs, etc...). Once the object gets to the last member of Team B in the line, they then throw the object. Team A must stop having a runner lap the group and retrieve the object and to pass it down the line. At this time Team B is bunched together with a runner lapping the group.

The object of the game is to be the first team to reach a predetermined amount of laps around the group. Oh... and to have fun.

The Great All Camp Event!

Come one, come all… it's the All Camp Event! Every Sunday the entire camp gathers together to put pyramids together, rescue Orca whales, travel the Oregon Trail, or maybe even compete in the Olympics.  

The All Camp Event is a time for the entire camp to come together and participate in a themed activity for the evening. The adventure or challenge changes every week; you never know what to expect!

 Do you or your camper have a favorite All Camp Event that they participated in? 

An Evening With the Elves

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Our youngest campers, the Seekers, journey up to our Enchanted Forest for an overnight experience during their stay at Orkila. Upon arrival, they are greeted by elves! Participants of our LDI AND LDI 2.0 (Leadership Development Institute) play the role of elves and teach the Seeker campers about living in the forest and the Y core values (Respect, Responsibility, Caring, and Honesty). Activities are designed by the elves, campers eat dinner in the Enchanted Forest (campout style), and then enjoy sleeping under the stars. An evening with the elves in the Enchanted Forest offers our campers a similarly exciting and adventurous experience to that of our overnight off-camp trips while still providing a familiar and comfortable time on camp property.



Taking Time to Pause

Sometimes it's important to stop and enjoy your surroundings. Orkila's dock is a favorite spot to stop for a moment - you never know what you might see in the waters below!



The Giant Swing

Situated in the trees of Volunteer Field are our not one, but two Giant Swings. What exactly is a Giant Swing? A Giant Swing consists of cables that are attached to two trees to form a Y shape, the bottom of the Y is where the swinger gets clipped in. Once the swinger's harness is clipped into the cable hanging from the two trees, the swinger is clipped into a rope that goes to the top of a third tree. A pull team will pull on the rope to hoist the swinger up to their desired height (up to 60 feet) and then when the swinger is ready they release themselves from the rope into their swing!

Staff Spotlight: Kelly Heusinkveld

Hi! My name is Kelly Heusinkveld! Some people call me Hoos because my last name is pretty long. I am from Boise, Idaho. The last two summers, I’ve worked with teenagers in Orkila’s Leadership Development Institute. Currently, I work with teens in Orkila’s new Year-Round Camp Leadership Program. This summer I am super excited to work with our teen programs. Something to know about me is that I have never gotten to do “get wet, get dirty” at Orkila. I can’t wait to do it this summer, and I hope you will join me! I would love hear what you are looking forward to this summer, and how you would like to be involved in Orkila during the non-summer months. Give me a call at 206.382.5009 or email me at kheusinkveld@seattleymca.org.

We are overjoyed to have an outstanding new summer team! Please say hello to Dominic Vellucci, Marty Emmes, Kelly Heusinkveld, Maya Webber and Dave Affolter. In the coming weeks, keep your eyes peeled for more info on who we are, as well as new Orkila opportunities for this Winter, Spring and Summer!

From Left to Right: Dominic, Marty, Kelly and Dave.
*Maya is in Chile and is not photographed. We look forward to her return.

BMX

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BMX, short for bicycle motocross, is a sport that has been gaining popularity throughout the world. At Orkila, we have our own BMX track as well as BMX bikes which are specially designed for the sport. Our dirt track begins at the top of a mound where our riders roll in, from there they can ride over bumps and hug turns throughout the track. Our Adventure Team staff manage this program area during the summer to teach participants how to ride BMX and to ensure safe use of the track.



Skits!

We love skits at Camp Orkila! Campfire is a popular time for campers (and staff) to perform skits that they have created or been perfecting during the session. We have a prop shed located just off stage at the campfire pit available for everyone to use - there are some pretty great costumes in there! We love not only watching the skits, but those performing the skits having a great time doing so. Do you have a favorite skit you like to perform? Do you have a great skit you remember seeing?

Gaga Ball

"Ga... Ga... Ball," a sound that is often heard throughout camp. So what does it mean? What is this Gaga Ball that you keep hearing about?
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Gaga Ball is a game  played in an octagonal pit with one ball and as many people that want to play. Players line up on the wall within the pit. The ball is dropped to bounce three times; on the first bounce everyone says "ga," second bounce "ga," and third, "ball." The game can then begin.

Players hit the ball with their hand to try and hit other players with the ball. If you get hit below the waist, you are out. You may only hit the ball once, however you may hit the ball against the perimeter and then hit the ball again. The last person standing, wins!

Funyaking

Not only do we have kayaks at Orkila, but we also have FUNYAKS! Funyaks are small kayak-like boats that are light and easy to get in and out of, all you need to have some fun is a lifejacket and a paddle - no spray skirt or other equipment necessary! At Orkila, funkyakers are free to paddle between the dock and campfire pit while a lifeguard is on duty in our dock boat.

Flip Tests!!!

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To ensure the safety of our kayakers, all participants of kayak trips must pass a flip test. A flip test is when kayakers intentionally flip their kayak over, exit their kayak into the water, and climb back into the kayak.

 Flip tests happen just off of Orkila's beach and are supervised by our trained staff. Not only are flip tests individually important for physical safety, but they also support emotional safety via the encouragement of peers and instructors. A flip test is an integral, yet fun, part of preparing to go on trip.

Fun & Field Games

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Orkila has beaches and forests, a gaga ball pit and basketball court… Orkila also has several fields; Cedar, Volunteer, Kieter, and Foxfire (to name a few). Even more extensive of a list is that of the games that can be played and are played in the various fields around camp. Some popular favorites are Ship Island, Everybody's It Tag, and Scream & Run. Field games can often be a high point of the day - for both those participating and those just walking by and seeing.

Dream Catchers

A popular craft at Orkila is the dream catcher. Dream catchers are made by collecting a stick that is easily bendable from the forest. The stick is then tied so as to hold a round shape. Yarn of any color can be wrapped around the stick to create patterns; beads and feathers make great accents. Dream catchers make great bunk decorations and may even help one sleep better by catching any bad dreams.

Kayaking

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At Camp Orkila, we offer a variety of experiences in kayaks. Our teen expedition and LDI programs offer a kayak focus or component; Challengers have the opportunity to try kayaking during their stay on Satellite Island.

The Jellyfish Song!

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Jellyfish! Not only can you find several different species in the water right off of our beach at Orkila, but you can also find them brought to life in a wacky dance that accompanies the popular camp song, the Jellyfish Song. Do you know the Jellyfish Song? Can you sing it with your head back, tongue out, and turning around?

Initiatives

What do tarps and bandanas have to do with team building?

A lot! As a matter of fact, these are just some of the many props that our staff utilize when facilitating Initiatives with campers. Initiatives are group activities that aim to develop communication skills and strengthen bonds within a group.

Cabin groups will have the opportunity to participate in Initiatives during their time together at camp. Be sure to ask your camper what team building exercises they did! What did they learn from it?

Rain, Rain, Rain!

"Anyone who says sunshine brings happiness has never danced in the rain."




Even when it rains at Camp Orkila, it does not mean that the fun stops. It just means that the fun gets a little bit more wet!




And who doesn't like a little rain!

Swamp Ball

Lizards in the swamp
The swamp
The swamp
Balling in the mud
With the pride that keeps us all strong!

Swamp Ball is the PHENOMENAL combination of throwing balls, a medicine ball, and wet, sticky, mud! Not just for boys, girls can join in for this good ole time as well!

You never know what you might look like in the end
EVERYONE LOVES A MUD FACIAL!

Happy Halloween!

At Orkila… it's kind of like Halloween every day. At any time, on any day, any one could be dressed up as… well, ANYTHING! Here are some favorite costumes created this summer by our staff, can you guess what they are? Happy Halloween everyone!

Water Ride of Wonder

"You can lead a horse to water but you can't make it drink," is an old saying that is not exactly true, because anybody that's ever been around horses would know if the horse didn't want to go to water then it wouldn't.

Horsemaster campers get the opportunity to canter along the sandy beach, and if they want they get to enter the wee bit chilly Salish Sea. It is a little known fact that horses love the water, and enjoy going for a dip in the water!

People Painting

G double O D E thats all.
We party up at the wally wall.
G L A C I E R
Goode Glaciers that's who we are!

The Goode Glaciers are one of the younger units at camp, and sometimes get the great fun of decorating one of the older units at camp, like the Counselors in Training (CITs)!

Unit Pride

"Pride is a personal commitment. It is an attitude which separates excellence from mediocrity."

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When YMCA Camp Orkila has an all camp event or an exciting game of wreckage, units show their colors and their spirit! Whether it's face paint or unit cheers, every ounce of enthusiasm has a huge impact on the atmosphere of camp and makes camp an exciting place!