By Aaron Allen, The Seattle Medium
Last week, The YMCA held its grand reopening of Camp Kilworth, a youth and family destination for outdoor adventure and learning. Located on the Puget Sound shoreline in Federal Way, this revitalized 25-acre camp provides programs where youth and their families can participate in resident camp activities, environmental conservation, and outdoor expeditions. Programs also instill relationship building, where according to Yeadon, “conversations are facilitated to promote learning, leadership, equity, and social justice”.
In 2023, the YMCA of Greater Seattle signed a long-term lease to create youth camps, environmental education, and a community open space. After years of care, collaboration, and restoration, Camp Kilworth in Federal Way is honored to be part of its next chapter.
According to Loria Yeadon, President and CEO of the YMCA of Greater Seattle, the importance of this project is to address the challenges youth are facing today and the build an environment centered around connection and belonging.
“This is important because getting youth into the great outdoors is critically important, especially in this moment,” says Yeadon. “Young people have so many challenges and needs around connection. Not just for the sake of connection, but connecting with nature, connecting with each other. Connecting with things that give them a sense of belonging. They have that here. This place has been designed to make that happen.”
1934, Camp Kilworth was developed for the Boy Scouts of America Troops of Tacoma, which included Browns Point and Dash Point until 2016. It was one of five camps operated by the Pacific Harbors Council of Tacoma, BSA National. Camp Kilworth includes two historically significant buildings, Timber Wolf Lodge and Rotary Lodge.
The Rotary lodge that sits on a bluff overlooking Puget Sound is one of King County’s first historical landmarks. In 2022, Forterra, an organization that innovates and scales land-based solutions to address the climate crisis, conserves and cares for wild and working lands, successfully purchased Camp Kilworth, laying the groundwork for the restoration of the property.
According to Josh Sutton, facilities executive for YMCA of Greater Seattle, the Y was actively engaged with the community in the development and design of Camp Kilworth. Their focus, creating an environment that meets the needs of local youth, families, and neighbors.
Partnering with local community-based organizations, non-profits, and schools, the YMCA implemented offering opportunities and activities to diminish barriers and create genuine opportunities to develop life skills and a sense of belonging.
With YMCA Day Camp launching this summer, kids will once again explore the woods, dive into environmental education, and create lifelong memories on this historic property. This endeavor offers many ways for the community, especially young people, to get involved and support this effort. Camp Kilworth mission is to get more kids outside launching a new era of adventure, learning, and connection.
As it relates to support and involvement Yeadon emphasizes that not only will camp provide opportunity for growth in skills and leadership, the Y also is a major employer of youth.
“Something else to keep in mind is we are a youth employer,” says Yeadon. “We hire kids starting at age 16 and there will be openings all over. So, summer jobs, camp counselors, we welcome them. So, I urge young people to connect with the Y.”
“For the YMCA to have a presence in Federal Way among one of the more diverse cities in our state, is critically important, so that we can reach everyone,” says Yeadon. “So that we can do our part to meet needs, so that we can be here for youth and families that need us the most,” Yeadon concludes.
