A few weeks ago, we were excited to hold the first African American Males Weekend at Camp Orkila in partnership with the organization 100 Black Parents. We had about 160 males come to camp for a weekend of bonding, fun, and learning. 

Saturday was filled with Ziplining, the Giant Swing, archery, riflery, rowboats, pottery wheels, and more. Some police officers from the Seattle Police Department visited for a workshop with the kids in our Marine Salmon Center. Kids and parents ate together in the dining hall, slept in our cabins (some open-air!), and ended each night with a campfire full of skits and songs.

              

“Through our efforts to create sustainable, thriving communities we have to first look at the structure of the family and create a sense of community amongst them,” says Bookie Gates, African American Father and one of the main coordinators of the event. “We put nearly 200 African American men and boys in the same place where the expectation was nothing but family, fun, and empowerment and that’s amazing!”

It was the first of what is now an annual event, and we look forward to May 2018 for next year's African American Males Weekend!

They Are Women, Hear Them Roar!

The sun came out to play with us as we celebrated Women’s Wellness Weekend. Held once in the spring and again in the fall, this weekend brings women from all over together to connect, recharge, and try something new. Here were some of the many highlights during the retreat:

Friday night started off with s’mores, yoga, needle felting, and karaoke!

Saturday showed off the many skills of both staff and participants; activities like jewelry making, kayaking, hula hooping, cooking and crafts were so fun….it was hard to choose which one to do!

It wouldn’t be a camp experience without overcoming challenges, and these ladies sure did with kayaking, the giant swing, zipline, high circuit and the climbing wall!

Saturday night really peaked the excitement with continued crafting, Bingo with prizes from the camp store, and even an excursion to the Doe Bay Soaking Tubs!

Sunday morning wound down with meditation, exploration of sea life in the Marine Salmon Center, and packing that good ol’ sack lunch for the ferry ride back home.

Thanks ladies for a wonderful spring weekend, and we hope to see you in the fall!