MARINE LECTURE SERIES: JANUARY 11th

Humpbacks of the Salish Sea
From the SeaDoc Society

Lecture with Dr. Jeremy Goldbogen

Most people think of killer whales when they think of the Salish Sea, but in the early 1900’s humpback whales were one of the most common large whales seen in the region. Whalers killed them off by the 1950’s and erased them from most people’s memories. We began seeing humpback whales again in the San Juan Islands late in the 1980’s, and the population is now rebounding.

On Tuesday, January 11th at 7:00 pm Dr. Jeremy Goldbogen of Cascadia Research will give a presentation on humpback whales that will endear you to this amazing whale and will make you cheer their recovery. In a feat that makes Olympic distance runners seem like toddlers, humpback whales migrate every six months between their summering grounds in the North Pacific and their wintering grounds in Hawaii or Southern Mexico. That’s quite a journey, even for a whale that is 1.5 times as long as a school bus. Dr. Goldbogen will entertain you with stories about the singing of male humpbacks, their interesting feeding behaviors and new findings on these amazing whales that, like killer whales, can be identified individually.

Jeremy Goldbogen, a whale researcher at Cascadia Research Collective in Olympia, was a 2010 Scripps Postdoctoral Research Fellow in marine biology. He received a B.S. and Ph.D. in Zoology from the University of Texas at Austin and the University of British Columbia, respectively.
The 2010/11 Marine Science Lecture Series was created to inspire the general public and to highlight the amazing fish and wildlife of our region. Lectures are free. Please park in the upper parking lot at Camp Orkila. Shuttle service from the parking lot to the talk is available before and after the lecture.

The lecture Series is presented by program partners The SeaDoc Society and YMCA Camp Orkila. It has been made possible through generous sponsorship by Tom Averna (Deer Harbor Charters), Eclipse Charters, West Sound Marina and co-sponsorship by Barbara Brown, The Kingfish Inn and Shearwater Kayaks.

Article from Bull Wings: Orcas Issues, Views, and News

TOWER CONSTRUCTION CONTINUES

This is the terminal platform which is 1000 feet from the tower where zipliners end their zip. Can you see the tower in the distance on the bottom photo?

BLOG TRANSFORMATION

To prepare for the unveiling of the new look for the YMCA of Greater Seattle... this blog will be undergoing some changes over the next week. On January 4th, all branches in the Seattle area will kick-off the transformation - feel free to visit one!

Stay tuned...

MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM GERMANY

Merry Christmas from Germany.

Best wishes for a Happy New Year!

Dimitri and Family

EARLY BIRD SHIRTS

Continuing on with the tradition, if you register by the end of the 2010 a free t-shirt will be yours! Each camper will receive a special "early bird" t-shirt if registered by December 31st, 2010.

NOTE: It will be much cooler than the pic of the shirt to the right!

CHALLENGE TOWER CONSTRUCTION CONTINUES

Looking down the inside from the top deck.


Entrance to the inside


Climbing holds on, zip lines and terminal shelter coming soon.

Several photos stitched together. Taken from the 24' level looking down and up.

MARINE LECTURE @ ORKILA

THE LIFE AND HARVEST OF SPOT PRAWN

From the SeaDoc Society



You know you love to catch and eat local Spot Prawns, but do you REALLY know as much as you want to about them? Did you know they are usually born male, reproduce for a few years, then become female and reproduce for a few more years before they die at the early age of 5? Did you know that Spot Prawns are actually shrimp, not prawns, and that they are the largest of the 7 shrimp species commercially harvested in the area? Now is your chance to learn more about this fascinating and tasty local crustacean. On Tuesday, December 7 at 7:00 pm, Rich Childers from the Department of Fish and Wildlife will speak on the life of the Spot Prawn.


This fascinating and fun talk also will include information about how the State regulates Spot Prawn harvest. These shrimp are recreationally and commercially harvested in traps set from 55 to 90 meters (180 to 295 feet) deep, usually in areas where the seafloor is rocky. Be a good listener and you might even pick up a few tips to increase your own Spot Prawn harvest.
The 2010/11 Marine Science Lecture Series was created to inspire the general public and to highlight the amazing fish and wildlife of our region. Lectures are free. Please park in the upper parking lot at Camp Orkila. Shuttle service from the parking lot to the talk is available before and after the lecture.


The lecture Series is presented by program partners The SeaDoc Society and YMCA Camp Orkila. It has been made possible through generous sponsorship by Tom Averna (Deer Harbor Charters), Eclipse Charters, West Sound Marina and co-sponsorship by Barbara Brown, The Kingfish Inn and Shearwater Kayaks.


Article from Bull Wings: Orcas Issues, Views, and News

125TH ANNIVERSARY OF YMCA CAMPING

In October nearly 500 YMCA Camp Staff and Volunteers gathered in Colorado to celebrate the 125th Anniversary of YMCA Camping. The following video was produced for the event. Camp Orkila is well represented in photos, songs and words. Check out the credits at the end and pay close attention to the final song. How many Camp Orkila photos do you recognize?

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

From all of us at YMCA Camp Orkila to all of you... HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Note: This marvelous snowman appeared at Camp today. He loves kayaking (see the paddle!) and he always keeps his activities safe (see the helmet!). Over these past few days Camp has become a winter wonderland!

LET IT SNOW

We have a great snow storm at Camp last night. 2-3 inches of snow everywhere. Wish you were all here to share in the excitement.

Orkila Can Act!

Orkilans Excel Onstage

Orkila Alumni Eli Zavatsky and Andrew Guy performed a bit of Shakespeare over the last two weeks, as they helped Garfield High School put on a modern rendition of "As You Like It."

A huge kudos to these gentlemen and a big thank you to Garfield High School for an excellent show. For their next showing check out http://garfieldstage.org/.

Eli was an Orkila Summer Intern this past summer where he practised his theatrics and antics for his role as Touchstone the clown. Andrew excelled as Charles, the wrestler, and was a Counselor in Training this past summer.

If you know of Orkilans who are active in the community, who would like to share their excellence, please e-mail djarashow@seattleymca.org with the story.

CHALLENGE TOWER CONSTRUCTION UPDATE

The new challenge tower is almost finished. Zipline testing began today. Check out the video and pictures below.

Erik tests one of the zip lines

The Tahminawi Expedition is enjoying the sunshine this weekend here at Camp Orkila! We were able to open up BMX for one last ride around the track before it closes for the season. We've also been pressing the apples from our orchard and making cider out of them. If you were a part of the Tahminawi Expedition, click here to use your password to look at (and download!) photos from this past weekend:http://camporkila.smugmug.com/(Go to the Adventure Guides Gallery, then click on "Tahminawi Fall 2010" and enter your password).

University Rainier & Mighty Alki Expeditions

We are currently having an amazing weekend with the University Rainier (Part Two!) and Mighty Alki Adventure Guides Expeditions here at Camp Orkila. The snazzler has not yet been found, but I suspect that it will be found soon after dinnertime.

If you were a part of the University Rainier or Mighty Alki Expeditions, click here to use your password to look at (and download!) photos from this past weekend:http://camporkila.smugmug.com/(Go to the Adventure Guides Gallery, then click on "University Rainier and Mighty Alki" and enter your password).

The University Rainier (Part One!) Expedition Adventure Guides were here at Camp Orkila this weekend! If you were a part of the University Rainier Expedition, click here to use your password to look at (and download!) photos from this past weekend:http://camporkila.smugmug.com/(Go to the Adventure Guides Gallery, then click on "University Rainier Expedition Part One Fall 2010" and enter your password).