Staff Spotlight: Giles Ray

The time for camp is drawing closer and closer! In preparation for this summer we sat down with Giles Ray to see what he has been up to in the past year as well as what he will be doing here at camp!

Giles Ray

Orkila, Orkila: What is your history with camp? What units were you in as a camper, and what have you done as a staff member? What will you be doing this year?

GR: I've been involved with camp since I was only 4 or 5 years old. I was in Y-Guides with my dad until I was finally old enough to go to summer camp and I signed up for that as soon as I could. As a camper I was a Goodie, LizardHead, Mount Baker, GreyWolf, Archery Camp, Farm Camp, LDI, and CIT. As a staff member I have worked with LizardHeads, GreyWolves, A-Team, and Teen Expeditions. This year I am super excited to be working on the A-Team again!

Orkila, Orkila: What have you been up to this year? Where are you right now!?

GR: This year has been a lot of focus on finishing up high school, but in any spare time I have been spending as much time as I can outside climbing, hiking, and skiing. I also have been involved with the YRCLP program with camp as well as volunteering on the PWY campaign in the winter. Right now I'm actually interning with the camp directors at the Seattle offices for my Senior Project!

Orkila, Orkila: What's your favorite part of camp and what keeps you coming back?

GR: For me the greatest thing about camp, and also the thing that keeps me coming back every year is the amazing relationships that you make with all sorts of people at camp, both campers and counselors. Some of my best friends and the most amazing people I know I have met through camp and it is a great feeling. I also love the connection you can make with a camper in just one week and how much of an impact the campers can make on you, not just the impact you can make on them.

Orkila, Orkila: Why can't you ride "my little red wagon?"

GR: I heard the front wheel is broken and the axel may be dragging. But I bet if you ask Steve and Jason really nicely (and maybe bring them some pie) they would be able to fix it right up!

Kayak Expedition Training

Members of the kayak expedition team were out today braving the cold and rainy weather. They practiced many different skills from sea navigation to emergency maneuvers including how to recover from tipping their kayak.

Expedition Color

Brightly colored outdoor gear? Tarp tents under trees? Yoga in the woods? Sounds like the Teen Expedition staff are out at Twin lakes, getting reacquainted with cooking on camp stoves, sleeping outside, and roasting the perfect s'more. We took a break to snap a picture of our colorful wardrobe because, hey, if you're going to be having fun in the wilderness for 1–3 weeks, why not look good too?

The Orca Mosaic

The Orca Mosaic was designed and created a couple years ago by participants of our Teen Leadership Programs. Every year since then, the next generation has taken on the task of refreshing the mosaic by clearing brush and redefining the edges of the Orca. If you ever visit Orkila, be sure to visit the Orca Mosaic!

Riding Lessons

Our Horsemaster campers spend at least half of their day working with our horses. Up at the barn we have two Arenas where riding lessons take place for our Horsemasters.

Trained and talented Riding Instructors design riding lessons for our campers and horses to partake in on a daily basis.

Music!

Music is major part of Orkila. Many campers and staff bring musical intruments and talents to share at camp. Guitars, Ukuleles, Harmonicas, Saxophones, Bagpipes, and even the Didgeridoo have made appearances at Orkila.

Soccer

The fields of upper camp house a lot of different facilities - BMX, The Climbing Tower, The Zipline, Keiter Field, and our Soccer Field.

The Soccer Field is a great place to run around and kick a ball with friends. We have two soccer goals if anyone wishes to play a game, but of course it's a great place to just have fun in as well!

Campfire on the Beach

Some units choose to have small campfires on the beach. The Loowits are our oldest unit of traditional campers, here they are enjoying the sunset, warmth of the fire, and entertainment of one another.