Friends of Lake Wenatchee Y Camp

Vision Statement:

“A future where the Lake Wenatchee Y Camp legacy lives on forever; where nature, friendship and personal growth flourish together”

Our Mission

We exist to honor the transformative spirit of Lake Wenatchee Y Camp by uniting alumni, preserving our cherished history, championing outdoor environmental education/recreation and developing future leaders.

Geographic reach

Our campers come from all over mostly Washington State. Our leaders are world wide.

Our equity statement:

All are welcome who welcome all.

Purpose

• Develop a business model to ensure sustainable operations, stewardship of funds raised and continued positive relationships with stakeholders.
• Preserve the 98-year history of Lake Wenatchee YMCA Camp in digital format.
• Engage Alumni of Camp, with reunions (virtual or in-person), which will have a service-oriented project identified.
• Raise funding and distribute proceeds to organizations who operate outdoor environmental education and recreation experiences.
• To facilitate the transition of the Lake Wenatchee YMCA Camp to a future in which it continues to enhance the lives of youth and families and remains accessible to all, regardless of income status.

Intent

Pursue congruent pathways of saving camp and forming a 501c3 organization to achieve the above goals through one of the following:

• Purchasing the Lake Wenatchee YMCA Camp property and operating it as an independent non-profit providing outdoor education and recreation programs and services. Supporting the transition to the new owner if relevant (via camperships (financial assistance) and knowledge sharing)
• Operating the camp on a state land lease, if the state park acquires the land
• Not being place based because camp is sold to a developer and the opportunity is not available for our Friends group to engage in Place. Our pivot is to support one another and focus then and only then to People and Purpose.
• Not being place based because camp is sold to a developer and the opportunity to operate camp is unavailable. We would pivot to offering or funding camping opportunities at other locations.
• Forming a collaboration of like-missioned stakeholders to own & operate the camp collectively.

About us (all volunteer led)

Friends of Lake Wenatchee Y Camp is a newly formed organization (nonprofit status pending with the IRS) dedicated to preserving the legacy and continuing the mission of Lake Wenatchee Y Camp. The organization represents nearly a century of individuals of all ages (including outdoor education, rental groups, family camps, and work party participants), Y staff, volunteers, board and committee members, and community members (from the lake and surrounding areas) whose lives were transformed by their experiences with Lake Wenatchee YMCA Camp of Washington State.

Our Journey and trigger:

In January of 2025, Wenatchee Valley YMCA Board of Directors voted to put the Y Camp up for sale. Alumni and Friends began to form to create two pathways (1) formation of a 501c(3) nonprofit (status pending) and to launch a Save Our Camp Campaign. The Board of Directors will be announced mid August.

How can you help?

*Create awareness*volunteer*Donate* Introduce us to people who can support us*