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).

UP, UP AND AWAY

Check out the view from the top of the new Challenge Tower!

Orca Expedition visits Camp Orkila

The Orca Expedition Adventure Guides were here at Camp Orkila this weekend! They brought along some serious snazzler hunters and ended up bagging TWO very impressive snazzlers. Here, we see Kristen vividly acting out one of Orkila's three respects: Respect the Environment. If you were a part of the Orca 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 "Orca Expedition 2010" and enter your password)

CHALLENGE TOWER UPDATE

The framing begins.

Husky Expedition Adventure Guides

The Husky Expedition Adventure Guides visited Camp Orkila this weekend! If you were a part of the Husky Expedition, click here to use your password to look at photos from this past weekend:

http://camporkila.smugmug.com/

(Go to the Adventure Guides Gallery, then click on "Husky Expedition" and enter your password)

CLIMBING TOWER UPDATE

The work on the new Climbing Tower (and Zipline!) continues. Check our Orkila Construction Site for updates throughout the building process.

MISTY MAGICAL MORNING/DAY

Yesterday (and today) - the entire Camp and Island was engulfed by a misty fog. It felt so mystical all around Orkila... all day long. For example, in the pic above... you can't even see the other islands - or the horizon line!

HAPPY LABOR DAY