Circles

Do you know what our favorite shape is at camp? Yup, that's right! A circle! Circles allow everyone that's part of the circle to be seen and heard by everyone else in the circle; they are inclusive (and much easier to form than a trapezoid or rhombus). After spending some time at camp, campers and staff have the habit of forming circles without even thinking about it! So, "Make a circle, a circle that is round, what? Make a circle, a circle that is round!"

Giant's Ladder

One of the ultimate team building elements we have at Orkila is the Giant's Ladder. This ladder consists of a series of balance logs suspended between two trees. As the logs get higher, they are spread further and further apart. Three climbers climb simultaneously and work together to get to the height they determined as their goal. On the ground, three teams of people (one per climber) team belay the climbers as they ascend the ladder. This element is a huge challenge but also provides a great opportunity for groups to come closer together.

Son of Orkila Preparing for Inside Passage

There are a lot of Orkila alumni out there who may know Matthew White, a long-time camper and past staff member. Maybe a few of you folks know about the trip he's planning for this Spring. In April, he and a companion, Skye Marchesi, will head north from Olympia, WA through the Inside Passage to Glacier Bay, AK.

They are doing this in triaks, which are fascinating and elegant boats. Essentially it's a kayak crossed with a katamaran, combining the experience of paddling and sailing. If successful, this will be the first time a triak has taken the path through the Inside Passage!

He could have just done this for fun, but the journey has the higher purpose of raising money to help more kids get to camp. We encourage everyone, whether you know Matthew or not, to learn about the many ways we can support this jounrey from their website: http://www.triakfororkila.com/.

You can follow them on Facebook by joining the group "Triak for Orkila: Inside Passage 2012 Fundraiser." We will definitely be checking their progress and cheering them on!

Below is a link to the article about Matthew's trip that ran in the Islands' Sounder:

http://www.islandssounder.com/lifestyle/139890023.html

Enjoy!

Program Spotlight: HORSEMASTERS!!

One of Orkila’s greatest features is an overnight riding program, where campers and staff get together and share their love of equine friends. The Horsemaster program is a fairly large; we have approximately 40 horses during the summer, and up to 36 overnight Horsemaster campers each session!

Horsemaster campers experience the best of everything camp has to offer. They spend half a day at the barn taking care of and riding the horses. The rest of the time they participate in traditional camp activities, like archery, swimming, gaga ball, high ropes elements, and much more!

The goal for Horsemasters campers are, at the end of the week, to have developed and increased an appreciation and enjoyment of horses. No matter whether a camper has never touched a horse before, or if they take weekly riding lessons; each camper will be provided the opportunity to challenge their self with something new and increase their passion and compassion for their four-legged and two-legged companions.

“Horses saddle, let’s ride, Horsemasters makes me feel alive!”

Twin Lakes

Camp Orkila owns property at Twin Lakes in Moran State Park on Orcas Island. Typically campers involved in our teen leadership programs make the trek into our campsite at the state park. Our bus transports them to Mountain Lake, where the trail head to Twin Lakes begins. From there campers hike in roughly two miles along Mountain Lake and through the forest, eventually reaching the campsite right next to the lake. We have a site complete with pit toilet and sleeping shelter! This site is a perfect location for group to go and bond... and maybe even have a s'more. Because the campsite is located at the bottom of Mt. Constitution, a sunrise hike up the mountain is often part of the trip's experience!

Volleyball

 

We have a volleyball court at Camp Orkila! It's located in mid camp, right next to the Gaga Ball pit. It's available for anyone to use, all they need to do is grab a ball from the box next to the net and serve!

                        

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Consider making a gift to the camp you LOVE today – you’ll be supporting a camper who needs financial assistance.

Atty and Taya were bright-eyed campers in the youngest group. At the end of the week, no language barrier could conceal their mom’s gratitude for the opportunities camp provided. Before entering the Hopelink program the family struggled with homelessness, and their mother credits camp for helping rebuild the girls’ self-esteem, confidence and independence.

Partnering with Hopelink is one way we ensure your annual campaign gift directly supports a child to camp. Please consider making a gift today. $100 supports one day of summer camp, and $680 funds a week.

Our goal is to provide financial assistance to 1 in 7 summer campers as well as 2 of every 3 OEE school groups.

Make a gift or learn more about our annual campaign at:

www.supportcampers.blogspot.com

High Ropes

We have a variety of different high ropes elements at Orkila. The Adventure Team facilitates all of these areas and centers the experience around determining what your individual challenge is and pushing yourself to face that challenge. Located just past the barn we have: the Grapevine (a high wire between two trees with ropes to grab onto to help progress across the cable), the Pirate's Crossing (two high cables that form an X between two trees and a rope above to grab onto), the Crouching Tiger (a high cable between two trees and two ropes on either side to grab onto), and the Catwalk (a high balance log between two trees). Each high ropes element offers a similar experience, but each one is unique in design.

Expedition Skills

Before our expedition trips go out, participants are briefed on the equipment they will be using. Learning more about the boats they will be using as well as tips and techniques sets up our participants for a successful trip.

                  

                  

Pool Party!!!

 

Campers have the opportunity to use the pool during Open Rec, however they may also get the opportunity to use the pool during a POOL PARTY!!! Pool parties are held for a unit or two at a time to allow for some quality time to be spent with peers.

Campfire

Campfire is a time for everyone to come together, enjoy skits, sing songs, and watch the sun go down. The first night campers arrive is unit intro campfire in which each group of staff introduce who they are through a performance, during the middle of the week campfires are often themed, and on the last night is closing campfire that combines camper performances from each unit and a closing ceremony. Do you or your camper have a favorite campfire memory?