Staff Spotlight: Maddie!

Staff Spotlight: Maddie!
Hometown: Woodinville
School: Whitman College

Spirit animal: salmon
Favorite camp game: please refer to picture on left.
GET WET GET DIRTY!!!!!!!

LOVES: nature (& teaches campers all about our beautiful surrounds with her guidebooks & incredible knowledge!), singing songs, playing games, being a ROCKSTAR, laughing, being TALL!

Quirks: received a package of Walla Walla sweet onions in the mail last summer, can Eskimo roll a kayak, and has an assortment of Justin Bieber, Mylie Syrus and Jonas brothers on her I-pod

Did you know? She got a ukulele for her birthday!

Memorial Day Family Camp!

Happy Memorial Day from Camp Orkila!

Camp hosted 80 happy guests this weekend for a 3 day family camp along with sunshine and warmer temps!

As boating came to a close on Sunday evening the dock gate was open, PFD's were on, and chilly waters laid below. Camper Charlie Catino (shown here) with a half dozen others took the plunge! A special thanks to staff member Kate Grimes for also jumping in the water and snapping this shot!

Would you like to see more pictures from the weekend? Head to http://camporkila.smugmug.com/Family-Camps . The password for the weekend is dockjump

WEEKLY QUOTE: I hope you...

I hope you still feel small when you stand by the ocean;
Whenever one door closes, I hope one more opens;
Promise me you'll give faith a fighting chance. And when
you get the choice to sit it out or dance, I hope you dance!
- Lee Ann Womack

Every Monday (until July when summer campers begin to arrive) an image from the 2010 summer will be posted. This image will be paired with one of the many quotes read during one of the Closing Campfires last summer. Enjoy!

It's Dimitri's Birthday!

Prepping for Camp in an Urban Setting: Campfires

While in the YMCA of Greater Seattle office downtown, KT and I have been feeling a tad anxious for Camp as these summer months approach us, and have come to the conclusion that we probably are not alone in this sentiment. Using the blog as an outlet, we have decided to put together a series of posts in which we will show you where camp can be found and enjoyed, as well as how to get properly prepared, in an urban setting, for summer 2011!

As our days grow less in the office, we have begun to realize our desire for an Orkila campfire. Thus, we decided to build one. Our search for useful campfire materials near/in & around our megacubicle resulted in three key finds -maybe your quest will be similar.

S'mores supplies: Mallows, Grahams, Chocolate, Sticks. Done. Next.

Look down both hallways before proceeding to be pushed by a coworker on a mover dealio as to insure your getaway route is successful.

Name the film? (:
Ham Porter: Hey, Smalls, you wanna s'more?
Smalls: Some more of what?
Ham Porter: No, do you wanna s'more?
Smalls: I haven't had anything yet, so how can I have some more of nothing?
Ham Porter: You're killing me Smalls! These are s'more's stuff! Alrite now pay attention. First you take the graham, you stick the chocolate on the graham. Then you roast the 'mallow. When the 'mallows flaming... you stick it on the chocolate. Then cover with the other end. Then you scarf. Kind of messy, but good!

Hula Hoops?
Grab as many sparklie hula hoops as possible.

Uses: "hooping" or "hoopdancing", cardio & fitness, hoop "running" (running while hooping records: 10 km/men: 1:06:35, by Paul "Dizzy Hips" Blair; & 10 km/women: 1:27:25, by Boo Crystal Chan of Australia, 12 March 2009), team building games, building forts,

*many impressive campfire skits can be performed with the assistance of this versatile prop.

Did you know? That in July, 1958 twenty-five million plastic hoops were sold in less than four months, and Carlon (one of the major manufacturers) was producing more than 50,000 hula hoops per day!

*Take note that this demonstrated shoulder carrying technique proves very helpful with the heavier loads.


Fire...

Don't make this be tricky. Take note of the mandatory smoke/fire alarms/routes/emergency procedures in all office settings and DO NOT ignore your facility's fire policies.

Find a generous and mildly private wall space.

Twinkle fingers, feeling the warmth of the flames, rubbing your hands together, and standing O's are welcomed and highly encouraged.

The Garden is Growing!

This spring has been great for the garden! The OEE Staff has been enjoying fresh produce and the school groups have been tasty touring during sustainability class. They've done some of the planting and weeding during class too! Here's some of what Tyee's 6th graders planted in the end of April:

PEAS!

Brussel Sprouts, Cabbage and Pumpkins!

Zucchini!

Program Spotlight: Teen Expedition San Juan Biking

What better way to learn more about tomorrow's transportation, than with a group of friends, looking out for eagles and whales as you ride around the islands?

In this one-week program for campers with little or no experience biking, group members explore the San Juan Islands at the gentle pace of a bicycle in this expedition on two wheels. Our experienced staff will teach you how to plan a day ride, set a consistent pace, perform basic bike maintenance, and travel safely in a group. Bike touring includes primarily rides in which you will carry group gear and food on your bike, as well as day rides carrying only your lunch and water. You will travel on your bike each day, then camp at different campgrounds each night. This is a self-supported bike tour.

A Teen Expedition trip or leadership program is much more than exploring new places: it’s exploring oneself, gaining confidence, pushing limits and building a close community with peers. It’s a journey of the spirit, mind and body.

Staff Spotlight: Alyssa!

STAFF SPOTLIGHT: ALYSSA!
Hometown: Everett, WA
School: WWU and majoring in Sociology

Loves: singing (and her campers love it when she sings them to bed at night!) community theatre, dancing (especially dancing like Willa Smith and most definitely at Dork Dances), the Turtleback unit (TB4LYFE), camp traditions, friends, co-counselors, Everett, RAINBOWS, seagulls :), Wapato cabin (WA-PA-TO-FO-SHO!), snacks (namely marshmallows & pretzels), roadtrips, and snuggling with her Rottweiler/Lab wonderpuppy, Griffin!

Spirit Animal: is currently on her quest (and although some may think she is a Meerkat, she does not feel a personal connection with this very resembling animal -but the seed's been planted now, and maybe the idea will grow on her!)

Camp history: will be Alyssa’s 12th year at Orkila! Was a camper (FOR-EV-ER), then a CIT (Pulju was her CIT director), was an ACC (old school OSI), a counselor, a unit director & now is coming back as a CIT director in summer 2011!

Special talents: can turn anything into a song, looks really great with a turtle shell on her back, and can make the perfect s'more!

WEEKLY QUOTE: May your joys...

May your joys be as deep as the ocean and
your sorrows as light as its foam.

Every Monday (until July when summer campers begin to arrive) an image from the 2010 summer will be posted. This image will be paired with one of the many quotes read during one of the Closing Campfires last summer. Enjoy!

Happytalk, Tykes and Harrisburg Middle School, oh my!

It was a great weekend for our largest weekend group of the season- Happytalk and Tykes! The weather was a little rainy and gray but the attitude was anything but!

Here is a group of some pretty happy boaters about to head out to the mystical Freeman Island which is located just off the shores of Camp Orkila. Outdoor Ed. instructor Maggi Mars' head has transformed into the Ochre Star that she found on a beachwalk from earlier that day. She is really enjoying life in with her new noggin.

If you are looking for more pictures from this weekend captured by our wonderful photographer, Jordan Bright, head to http://camporkila.smugmug.com The password is magic.

Thanks for a great weekend everyone!

Prepping for Camp in an Urban Setting: Match & Stack

While in the YMCA of Greater Seattle office downtown, KT and I have been feeling a tad anxious for Camp as these summer months approach us, and have come to the conclusion that we probably are not alone in this sentiment. Using the blog as an outlet, we have decided to put together a series of posts in which we will show you where camp can be found and enjoyed, as well as how to get properly prepared, in an urban setting, for summer 2011!

Matching and stacking is a beautiful thing.

Ever find yourself outside of camp, maybe while out with friends or at a family dinner, stacking plates...? matching forks...? cleaning up after yourself and your group instinctively...? Almost as if you've been... trained? :)

Us too.

Luckily, we have found it to generally be a very positive and widely accepted practice *especially among those in the mothering and waiting professions.

So matching and stacking is a task that we do at camp when we are finished eating a meal in the Lodge. We place all 'like' items together as tables and run them to their allocated areas to make clean up fast and efficient; it's basically an art form. This begins with serving platters being compiled, then forks, knifes, and spoons matched on their individually assigned plates, then garbage and recycle piled on theirs, cups stacked, and finally the stacking of everyone's plates and bowls.

Pointers:

-If a guest at a restaurant or home, please keep in mind that the rule of only two being up from the table at a time does NOT apply to staff, the host(s), and/or other guests

-Composting is very prominent in many areas, so be sure to keep composting materials separate from garbage and recycle

-yes, LIQUIDS can be poured back into mugs, but no soups, cereals or dressings...

-Do not bring dishes back into the dish room without prior consent from the owner of the space you are occupying

-Remember that dessert time, not match and stack time, is the slot available for getting energy out and belting songs cheers, or chants*

*All questions related to the appropriateness of songs, cheers or chants in urban settings and away from camp can be referred to our direct song and cheer hotline at 1-555-IMA-LIFR or we are available online at http://icantstopsingingcampsongs.itrocks/singatyurownrisk.duh).

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Zip Zip Zip-a-dee-doo-dah!

Echo Lake and Highland Terrace students braved the 1000-foot zipline this week. Here we see them zipping towards the landing pad; the climbing tower looms in the distance.

Program Spotlight: Teen Expedition Kayaking

Explore the San Juan Islands in our one, two and three week expeditions. Learn about your environment, your boats, your group and yourself.

San Juan Kayaking: Co-ed, entering grades 8 - 12 in the fall of 2011.

Never held a paddle before? No problem. We'll start with basic kayak strokes, and before you know it, you will be paddling across open water. You will make new friends and renew old friendships as you paddle each day. Safety and fun go hand-in-hand as our specially trained staff teach you the Orkila way of camping - a safe and fun way to travel that doesn't impact the environment.

Paddle Camp Kayaking: Co-ed, entering grades 9 - 12 in the fall of 2011.

In this program, you will build on your basic kayak skills, learning bracing and kayak rescue. You'll also learn to read tide and current tables. We'll take those skills to the water, paddling through the San Juan Islands by day and camping at different islands each night.

Islanders Kayaking: Co-ed, entering grades 10 - 12 in the fall of 2011.

Get ready to put your skills to the test in this challenging and fun 22-day expedition. Our experienced staff will teach you advanced boat handling, advanced navigation, and expedition planning. Working as a team, your group will plan your own trip through the San Juan Islands. This trip will challenge your perseverance, kayak skills, and leadership abilities. Each camper will lead the group for one day. You'll have fun, make new friends and accomplish more than you ever thought you could.

staff spotlight: Ebony

STAFF SPOTLIGHT: Ebony!
Hometown: Tacoma, WA
School: U of Washington

Fav camp game: scatter ball
Fav camp song: the princess pat
Fav camp meal: biscut breakfast

Firsts for Ebony at camp: Ebony rode a ferry the first time to camp in ’10, rode in a motor boat (the Kwahnice) for the first time at camp ’10, rode in a canoe for the first time to camp in ’10, made a s’more for the first time at camp ’10, Ebony SWAM for the first time at camp ’10, she slept outside for the first time at camp ’10, she went on her first hike at camp ’10, made her first friendship bracelet at camp '10, built her first fire at camp '10, yay for first times! WOOP WOOP! :)

Loves: singing, Glee, laughing, sigma gama rho, smiling, her mama :), dancing ("I be like, Smooth, what?"), UW

Claims to fame: Hoo-diva, her INCREDIBLE voice, The Dream Project, the Cowardly Lion, DAWG pride, & Rhythm & Blues Appreciation day

WEEKLY QUOTE: And in the end...

And in the end, it's not the years in your life that matters,
but the life in your years.
- Abraham Lincoln

Every Monday (until July when summer campers begin to arrive) an image from the 2010 summer will be posted. This image will be paired with one of the many quotes read during one of the Closing Campfires last summer. Enjoy!

Hiking Mt. Constitution

St. Brendan's, West Valley City School, Ellensburg Christian, Challenger, Stevens, Conway, and Orcas 1st and 3rd graders all came this week to Orkila to participate in our outdoor and environmental education program. The schools that were here on Wednesday survived an epic afternoon rainstorm. West Valley celebrated the following day's sunshine by climbing to the top of Mount Constitution, or "Monstitution!" as it's affectionately known here at Orkila.

Take Me Out To the Ball Game...

Join us at Safeco Field for an Orkila Mariner’s night at 7:10PM on June 2, 2011! Any families and friends of Camp Orkila are invited in an effort to support our mission for youth development, healthy living and social responsibility out at the ballpark before summer camp begins! We have limited FREE tickets, so please fill out the attached google document to have yours reserved!

https://spreadsheets.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dGJBVWx1QW5UNnc2TjRPUlp1dmRmM3c6MQ

Program Spotlight: Skate Camp

Co-ed, entering grades 7 - 9 in the fall of 2011.

Strap on your pads, grab your helmet and ride the premier skateboard park of the Northwest! Whether you are an experienced skater or just learning, this program is for you. Well-trained, experienced Orkila staff offer guidance and coaching. A portion of the day will be spent participating in traditional in-camp activities such as swimming, arts and crafts or archery while the other half of the day will be spent at the skate park. A helmet and other safety equipment are mandatory for this program. This is an interactive program and size is very limited.

With our specialty programs campers spend mornings focused on special areas of interest (other include horseback riding, challenge course elements, marine biology or arts and crafts) with time in the afternoon to enjoy traditional camp activities.

Staff Spotlight: Damon!

STAFF SPOTLIGHT: DAMON!
Hometown: Everett, WA
School: Everett Seagulls!

Loves: to dance (was one of those babies that would dance to ANY music –just bobbin away!), sports (played baseball, basketball, football, wrestling, cross country), kids (hence camp...) & medicine (wants to be a pediatrician)!

Spirit animal: wolf
Favorite color: BLUE.
Favorite food: Coconut cream pie
Favorite movie: Spirited Away
Favorite song: “Don't stop believing” –Journey

Y involvement: 1st camp experience was in ’07 and has been working as a group leader at the South Sound YCMA since summertime

Favorite Camp Activity: DORK DANCES (he’s probably bustin’ a move right now!)

Sweet skills: Damon knows almost every name of everyone from last summer's staff, and of all the people he works with in Olympia now!!

Did you know? Damon can square ANY 2-digit number in his head, UNDER 20 SECONDS (and is working on 3-digit ones!)!?

WEEKLY QUOTE: The best ships...

The best ships, are friendships.

Every Monday (until July when summer campers begin to arrive) an image from the 2010 summer will be posted. This image will be paired with one of the many quotes read during one of the Closing Campfires last summer. Enjoy!

Lost in the Land of Oz

Columbia 5th graders and Terrace Park 6th graders were a little lost in the Land of Oz this week. While being cackled at by the Wicked Witch and harassed by the flying monkeys, they ran into the Cowardly Lion, Scarecrow, and the Tin-woman. After proving to them that they had courage, brains, and heart, the students were given badges that allowed them to return back to Camp Orkila. Whew!

Prepping for Camp in an Urban Setting: Operation #1 - Wreckage Skills

While in the YMCA of Greater Seattle office downtown, KT and I have been feeling a tad anxious for Camp as these summer months approach us, and have come to the conclusion that we probably are not alone in this sentiment. Using the blog as an outlet, we have decided to put together a series of posts in which we will show you where camp can be found and enjoyed, as well as how to get properly prepared, in an urban setting, for summer 2011!

Boundaries/things to consider:

Stick to your department (elevator is fair game if unoccupied –but use precaution when entering/exiting & the interchange of floors);
















Only willing participants shall be sought after (if Carrie is on the phone putting through a registration, pegging her is the same as a headshot);

Use your surroundings/equipment (note in this order: reduce, reuse & recycle) but think outside the box (Ex: the promptness of a ball being sent via fax vs. snail mail –will either method catch someone so off guard that in a state of shock they drop the ball?);

Build a shelter or find a shield mechanism –consider looking in closets (that are yours), storage rooms (that are yours), and under desks (that are yours).

Final notes:
Be stealth. Be professional. Be on your lunch break. :)

Program Spotlight: Marine Biology

Co-ed, entering grades 6 - 8 in the fall of 2011.

Explore the many wonders of the marine world surrounding us! This program is based at Camp Orkila's Marine Salmon Center where, as an aspiring marine biologist, you will be immersed in marine ecology, oceanography, and conservation of the natural world. Traditional camp activities will be balanced with the marine biology program. You will have an in-depth, hands-on experience with the marine world.

In our specialty programs, campers spend mornings focused on special areas of interest (others include horseback riding, challenge course elements, arts and crafts or skateboarding) with time in the afternoon to enjoy traditional camp activities.

Screaming Toes refresher :)

This infamous camp game is a wonderful game of surprise & excitement, can be enjoyed in an assortment of spaces (outside preferred for noise precautions), & is typically played in its classic or ultimate form.

To play classic: Begin with forming a circle, shoulder to shoulder, with your group. Everyone begins by looking at their own toes & then as a counselor (& the group can chime in also) says "screeeeeaaaaaaming toes" everyone looks at someone else's toes & rhythmically along with the chant looks up to the person across the circle whose toes they were checkin out. If anyone is making eye contact with another participant, both players scream in unison & step out of the circle. The group tightens & the game continues on to another round. Once there are one or two people left in the circle the game is over

To play ultimate: Begin in the same fashion: form a tight circle, find someone else's toes, etc... If anyone's eyes connect, both players scream until one runs out of breath. The player that lasts the longest may continue on in the circle, while the other steps out.

Staff Spotlight: Hannah!

STAFF SPOTLIGHT: HANNAH!
Hometown: Bainbridge Island
School: Western Washington University -Majoring in Acting and Playwriting!

Fun Fact: she's been to thirty different countries -including Russia, India, China, Japan, Singapore, Peru, Bolivia, Germany, France, Austria, Czech Republic, Italy, Israel, Bolivia, Morocco, Ghana, Mauritius, South Africa & more!

Claims to Fame: Leading/singing Kumala Vista, her infectious laugh, her booming singing voice, her infinite encouraging & enormous energy, singing loudly & proudly, her awesome stage presence, &... did I mention that she's sings/performs? :)

Camp History: third year as a cabin counselor!

Loves: 1990’s NBA basketball, stand up comedy, tap dancing, singing, ultimate frisbee, hiking, photography, her funk band, travelling, cooking really good ethnic food, painting, anything potato: french fries, hasbrowns, breakfast potatoes, tater tots, sweet potato fries, sweet potato soup, baked potato. you name it!

Favorite camp game: wreckage!
Spirit Animal: (according to Turtleback campers) a camel!

Fun facts: Grandma had 12 toes & her uncle wrote "The Sound of Music"!

WEEKLY QUOTE: Not all who...

Not all those who wander are lost.
- JRR Tolkien

Every Monday (until July when summer campers begin to arrive) an image from the 2010 summer will be posted. This image will be paired with one of the many quotes read during one of the Closing Campfires last summer. Enjoy!

ADVENTURE GUIDES ZIPLINING