Camp Sealth

Camp Sealth is owned and operated by Camp Fire USA, a non-profit youth organization, and located on Vashon Island, Washington. Sealth hosts resident and day camp during the summer, environmental education for school groups during the spring and fall, and is a year-round conference and retreat center. Camp Sealth is accredited by the American Camp Association. [ [http://find.acacamps.org/cgi/details.cgi?id=431 Camp Sealth - An ACA-Accredited Camp ] ]

Location

Camp Sealth is located on Vashon Island, Washington, has 400 acres of forest, wetland and marine environment, and over a mile of waterfront along Colvos Passage in the Puget Sound. Most summer campers travel to Sealth via an Argosy boat affectionately called "Da Boata".

Campers

Camp Sealth is a traditional, coed camp serving children from 4 to 18. The camp has a strong emphasis on diversity and inclusion, and welcomes campers and staff from a wide variety of backgrounds. Camp Sealth has had a strong partnership with the American Diabetes Association, serving campers with diabetes since 1941. Sealth also parners with the American Lung Association, the Gluten Intolerant Group, and the PKU clinic at the University of Washington to support campers with special medical and dietary needs. Scholarships ("camperships") for low-income kids are available.

ummer Staff

Each summer, Camp Sealth hires about 100 seasonal staff as counselors, program specialists, unit leaders and support staff. If you are interested in summer employment at Sealth, visit the website at http://www.campfire-usa.org/camp/employment_seasonal.htm or call 206 463 3174 for more information.

Resident Camp Programs

Description

Sealth is one of the West Coast's largest traditional summer camps. Each session, between 250 and 300 campers attend overnight camp at Sealth. The summer season runs from late June through the end of August, and includes eight sessions ranging in length from 4 to 11 days long. For more information about summer resident camp, visit the website at http://www.campfire-usa.org/camp/index.htm.

Classic Camp

Most campers attend "Classic Camp", consisting of lots of traditional camp activities, including archery, arts & crafts, boating, fishing, swimming, hikes, overnight campouts, outdoor cooking, nature, marine "touch tanks", games, songs, theme meals, and much more. Campers are highly involved in planning their own schedule, and a session at camp is based on what the kids want to do.

pecialty Programs

Wrangler is Camp Sealth's horse camp program for kids ages 9 and older. Kids spend 2-4 hours each day with the horses, including trail rides, arena lessons, horseback games, service projects and ground lessons.

Sealth's boating unit, "Kiwanis" is for middle school and high school youth, and focuses on windsurfing, kayaking and sailing. In addition, two sessions offer a unique "Nocturnal" program where campers stay up at night and sleep during the day.

The Tripping and Outback unit focuses on outdoor living, backpacking, and occasionally leaves camp for one-day or multi-day trips. Past and current trips include backpacking, biking, kayaking, river rafting, climbing, geocaching and more.

Sealth offers many opportunities for teens interested in leadership, including the Counselor-In-Training (CIT), Riding-Staff-In-Training (RSIT), and High School Internship programs. CITs and RSITs are leadership campers that participate in skills workshops and job shadows to learn more about working as camp staff. High School Interns are volunteer junior staff who work alongside counselors and specialists.

Day Camp Programs

Camp Sealth also hosts a summer-long day camp program for kids ages 4 to 12, primarily for Vashon Island youth. Between 20 and 40 campers attend each themed week of day camp. Day Camp themes include "Harry Potter", "Space Odyssey" and "It's a Mad, Mad Science Camp".

History

Camp Sealth was founded in 1920 as the first permanent resident camp for girls in Washington State. It began on Blake Island for the first sesason, then moved to its present location on Vashon Island in 1921. The South End Forest Fire on Vashon burned a good deal of Camp Sealth in 1922, [ [http://www.vashonhistory.com/vashontimeline.htm Vashon ] ] and campers helped fight the fire. Rounds Hall, the dining hall, was built in 1921, and it is dedicated to Edward "Daddy" Rounds. In the 1990s, the present Wrangler unit, barn and riding facilities were built. In 2005, extensive renovation included the new Green Birdcage building which replaced the old arts & crafts building, and renovation of three other buildings, including the dining hall.

Camp Sealth was a girls camp until 1975, when Camp Fire USA became a co-educational organization.

Alumnus

Every two years (odd years) Camp Fire members and Camp Sealth past attendees and staff, gather in September to sing old camp songs, participate in a service project, as well as reconnect with old friends. Those interested in being added to the alumni list may contact the Camp Fire USA, Central Puget Sound office at 206 461 8550 or visit the website at www.campfire-usa.com.

References