YMCA Camp Colman

Become a Staff Member for Summer 2012!

2012-02-24T15:48:00.003-08:00

Are you interested in becoming a staff member at YMCA Camp Colman? We have a wide variety of positions available and are hiring now! If you are interested in applying, please go to www.colmanstaff.blogspot.com to find out more, to apply, and to set up an interview! You can also call our office at 206.382.5009!

Sign-Up for Mini Week!

2012-02-23T15:52:00.004-08:00

Not quite ready for a whole week away? Sign up for our Mini Camp! This is a three night, condensed camp experience. July 1st through 4th! Experience everything that a full week of traditional camp has to offer, and still be able to get home for the 4th of July fireworks!

visit www.campcolman.org to find our online brochure and a registration form.

Is Your Camper Ready to Jump Right In?

2012-02-16T10:00:00.001-08:00

Are you and your family trying to decide what age is best to send your kids to overnight camp? It can be a tough decision. Every kid is ready at their own pace and we want to help you determine when is best for your child.

Check out this article in Seattle's Child Magazine - I am quoted along with other camp professionals who want you to make the best decision for your camper!

Still have questions about if your camper is ready? Please contact me, Alicia Hogl, the Summer Program Director and I will be happy to talk with you and tell you about our strategies to help your camper at camp, including our "First Time Camper Overnight Weekend" and our "Mini Week!"

Happy Valentine's Day!

2012-02-14T16:51:00.000-08:00

Consider making a gift to the camp you LOVE today – you’ll be supporting a camper who need financial assistance.

Atty and Taya were bright-eyed campers in the youngest group. At the end of the week, no language barrier could conceal their mom’s gratitude for the opportunities camp provided. Before entering the Hopelink program the family struggled with homelessness, and their mother credits camp for helping rebuild the girls’ self-esteem, confidence and independence. Partnering with Hopelink is one way we ensure your annual campaign gift directly supports a child to camp. Please consider making a gift today. $100 supports one day of summer camp, and $680 funds a week.

Our goal is to provide financial assistance to 1 in 7 summer campers as well as 2 of every 3 OEE school groups.

Make a gift or learn more about our annual campaign at

http://www.supportcampers.blogspot.com/

Polar Bear Plunge!

2012-02-10T11:01:00.001-08:00

One of our favorite camp traditions is coming to Seattle this weekend! If the Polar Bear is one of your favorite activities at camp, make sure to sign up today or go watch and support Special Olympics in Washington Saturday, February 11th. This is a fun way to support a great cause and experience a fun campy activity in the winter.
Check out the website for more details.

Explore the Outdoors this Winter!

2012-02-08T12:21:00.000-08:00

Check out amazing places to snowshoe in the local area to spend time outdoors with your camper! The summer offers so many outdoor experiences at camp - try some new activities during the winter as well!

Seattle's Child Magazine has great ideas and information.

Click HERE to read more.

Sign Up for Summer 2012

2012-02-07T16:59:00.001-08:00

Come Visit Us, Saturday, February 4th!

2012-02-03T10:45:00.001-08:00

Saturday, February 4th we will be at St. Thomas School in Medina, WA for a Camp Fair. Come out and join us as we show Camp Colman to the area. We have great opportunity for interests of all kinds and I (Alicia Hogl, Summer Program Director) will be there to talk and answer any questions that you may have.

Generative Experiences at Camp

2012-01-31T10:31:00.000-08:00

Peg Smith, CEO of the American Camp Association shares some of her thoughts on the impact that the outdoors (camp) has on the overall education and development of kids. We are not just a place to go have fun. We are a place where "young people make mental connections between what they are hearing, seeing, feeling, experiencing, and reading," says Peg.

Read more in her article!

ACA CEO Article

Tell us what you think!

CIT and Intern Programs

2012-01-26T15:10:00.001-08:00

If you are currently a sophomore or junior in high school, check out our Counselor in Training and Intern programs at Camp Colman!

These leadership based programs are 3-4 weeks long and are a great opportunity for teens to learn something new, be part of a strong community, and make a difference in the lives of campers.

If you are interested in either one of these programs, please contact me - Alicia Hogl, Summer Program Director at Camp Colman for more information!

ahogl@seattleymca.org

206.382.5009

Get Your Environmentalist Caps On!

2012-01-19T15:32:00.001-08:00

The Outdoor Environmental Education season is just around the corner and as we prepare to have groups of kids out to camp to learn science in the out of doors, what a better movie to prepare them than the Lorax, by Dr. Seuss!

The Lorax will be coming out on March 3rd in theaters. Make sure to read the book and check out the movie to get your environmentalist cap on for the spring!

Click HERE to check out the trailer

Snow at Camp Colman!

2012-01-18T13:10:00.001-08:00

We are shivering, awating the sunny summer season!

We're Back!

2012-01-13T08:38:00.000-08:00

We are back and ready to jump right into the new year and all it has to offer!

We are working hard to recruit amazing staff for the summer of 2012, preparing for Outdoor Environmental Education staff training, and filling up our weekends with retreat groups for the spring.

As we continue preparing for our upcoming seasons, we are also working hard to raise funds which enable us to send kids to camp! Partners With Youth, our annual campaign, has been kicked off and is off to a strong start. If you are interested in helping us raise funds for camp, please visit the link below to create your own online giving page to then send to friends and family!

Create your own ONLINE GIVING PAGE

If you are simply interested in giving and supporting camp, please contact me, Alicia Hogl, Summer Program Director at ahogl@seattleymca.org or at 206.382.5009.

Have a Fantastic Winter Season!

2011-12-08T09:48:00.000-08:00

We wish you all a very happy holiday season from Camp Colman! The blog will pick back up in the new year.

REMINDERS:

Campers and Parents - register before December 31 to get the early bird discount! (Information found on the November 28th blog post)

Potential Staff - check out www.colmanstaff.blogspot.com for information on how to apply for the summer!

Intentional Deafness Disorder

2011-12-05T13:19:00.000-08:00

As you can imagine, some rules or directions to campers can go "in one ear and out the other," just like it can with everyone else.

It can be frustrating when a younger sibling, husband, wife, student, child, or camper doesn't pay attention to what you are saying, especially when you are giving direction. I personally tend to think they don't care about what I'm saying or that they are trying to frustrate and anger me... but maybe that isn't always the case!

Intentional Deafness Disorder - New York Times Article

This New York Times article takes a deeper look into this fact of human nature, which we often view as an issue. Take a peek!

Students Standing Up

2011-12-02T09:22:00.000-08:00

Budget cuts have been hurting local Seattle schools time and time again and this group of Garfield High School students have had enough.

As a camp that serves the students of the Greater Seattle area, we are behind you, Garfield!

Your actions are not only proving your leadership in standing up for yourselves but also in bettering the lives of future Garfield students and beyond, many of which attend Camp Colman.

Read this article from Seattle's Child Magazine to learn more about the voice of Garfield High Schoolers.

Garfield students protest more cuts to schools

Connect With Family During the Holidays

2011-11-30T10:04:00.000-08:00

With the holidays among us, there is great opportunity for families to come together.

Read this article and check out additional links about spending time with your family through the holidays and other special occasions.

Celebrating Holidays and Special Occasions

Early Bird Registration - DON'T MISS IT!

2011-11-28T10:36:00.000-08:00

Make sure to catch the early bird registration discount for summer camp, 2012! $50 off if you register before January 1st!

Click here to look at our online brochure and learn more about Camp Colman.

Then go to the online registration portal by clicking here!

OR

Call our Camping Services Office at 206.382.5009 to register over the phone and get questions answered.

Happy Thanksgiving!

2011-11-21T12:12:00.000-08:00

As we close up our blogging for Thanksgiving week, check this stuff out:

- Hosting your very own Thanksgiving celebration? Check out this article with tips on running a successful Holiday!

- Thinking of working at Camp Colman? Head to the Colman Staff blog to find out more and apply while you are home for the Holiday! Colman Staff blog

- Make sure to show your thanks for the people in your life this week. Thanksgiving is just three days away. What/who are you thankful for?

... We'll be back next week. Thanks Colman fans - Alicia, Summer Program Director

Keeping our Kids Safe Away from Camp

2011-11-17T16:29:00.000-08:00

At Camp Colman, we take extreme measures to ensure your campers are safe for the time they are with us. With the recent Penn State case and disturbing allegations of child sexual abuse, it can be frightening to think about the safety of our children when they aren't in a safe place, such as camp.

Take a look at this CNN article to read the top 10 ways we can keep our children safe from sexual predators:

CNN - How to keep your child safe from sexual predators

Share your thoughts:

- What are some ways that your family ensures safety?

- Are you comfortable with your child staying the night with a friend whose parents you have never met?

Summer Staff 2012

2011-11-16T09:10:00.001-08:00

Applications for 2012 summer staff positions will be available by December 8th, 2011. To apply and find out more information about being a staff member at Camp Colman, go to our staff hiring blog at www.colmanstaff.blogspot.com.

Partners With Youth

2011-11-14T11:35:00.000-08:00

Our annual campaign is right around the corner. This is our time to raise money to give the opportunity of camp to summer campers, outdoor environmental education schools, and individuals participating in our family camp and women's wellness weekends.

We are currently recruiting volunteers for this campaign. If you are interested, please e-mail Alicia Hogl at ahogl@seattleymca.org and read below for an inspirational story from Ben.

Ben has worked at summer camp for two years and has also been a staff member during the conference and retreat seasons at Colman. He was a dedicated 2011 Partners With Youth volunteer and is this year's Camp Colman Partners With Youth Division Chair!

Ben's Impactful Story:

This summer as a cabin counselor, I distinctly remember my cabin of thirteen year old boys and the strong bond we came to share. What sticks out most to me was their ability to interact with and befriend Jack, a camper who has Asperger’s Syndrome. This was Jack’s first year being at camp and his first experience being away from home for an extended period of time. He had previously been a victim of repeated bullying and had tremendous difficulty with social interaction. Through value circles each night, Jack was really able to express himself to our cabin and in turn, the other campers went out of their way to make sure he felt included and knew that he had made friends.

I received a letter from his parents a few weeks after, telling me how much being at camp and making those friends meant to Jack. It’s campers like these that make me so passionate about working for camp. The experiences that we create and share within the camp environment, extend back into daily life and allow that child to grow and become a better citizen. The maturity and growth I see within these children make me wish I were able to have gone to camp when I was their age.

Construction is a Rollin' - Our First Walls are Up!

2011-11-09T15:35:00.000-08:00

Fall Crafts for the Family

2011-11-02T08:34:00.000-07:00

If you can't join us for Women's Wellness Weekend - enjoy some similar crafts to what we will be doing in the comfort of your home with family!

Check out some neat ideas at Disney's Family Fun website:

http://familyfun.go.com/autumn/fall-crafts/best-fall-crafts-938044/

Try the items that we will be creating this weekend at camp:

- Fall wreaths

- Scented candles

- Jewelry

- Vintage hairpins

- Ornaments

- Holiday gift bags

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!

2011-10-31T11:32:00.001-07:00

Women's Wellness Weekend

2011-10-27T08:24:00.000-07:00

November 4-6 we are hosting our annual Fall Women's Wellness Weekend. We will have special volunteers to offer amazing treatments and activities such as acupuncture, yoga, manicures and pedicures, and massage therapy. These relaxing offerings combine with our traditional camp activities of canoeing, rock climbing, archery, and making gourmet s'mores to create a lovely weekend away.

Bring a friend with you and each of you get $40 off!

http://camping.seattleymca.org/0216.cfm

2011-10-26T09:18:00.000-07:00

Camp Colman's Anderson Lodge expansion is under way! We are working hard to prepare for winter construction. In the spring we will have a new octagon lounge, expanded space for dining, and believe it or not.... bathrooms!

SUMMER 2012 BROCHURE

2011-10-20T08:29:00.001-07:00

‎2012 summer brochure is printed, and on-line! Not only great programs lined up for next summer, but great photos that will make everyone want to return to camp! Check out the cover shot of the Colman climbing wall.

http://camping.seattleymca.org/files/40/campingservices_ONLINE.pdf camping.seattleymca.org

University Co-Op School

2011-10-19T10:31:00.000-07:00

Camp Colman just finished an amazing weekend retreat. We had the University Cooperative School K-2nd grade parents and students out to camp to bond, play games, have fun and build a community! This is a strong community where parents and kids are involved in the educational experience of all. Check out the amazing and unique experience that they provide!

http://www.ucoopschool.org/index.html

Fall is Here

2011-09-24T14:55:00.000-07:00

Camp Colman has transitioned into the fall season by beginning our Outdoor Environmental Education and Conference and Retreat programs. We currently have a fantastic group on site working with women veterans. The group is through the Women's Wilderness Institute based out of Colorado. This organization brought their own staff to Colman to lead women veterans through a fun and relaxing recovery retreat. We are happy to provide a calm and nurturing setting for such an experience.

We are also looking forward to welcoming more YMCA Adventure Guide Groups to camp along with the school groups coming for a science based experience!

2011-08-24T11:52:00.000-07:00

RED

BLUE

It's Navigator and Pioneer Week here at Colman and the teams are thriving with energy team spirit! We are split up into two teams: the Navigators, also known as the blue team, and the Pioneers, also known as the red team. We have competitions planned for the entire week including ultimate capture the flag and raft building, as well as some times to join together to make purple with activities such as our purple dance and campfires.

Welcome to Hogwarts

2011-08-17T21:43:00.000-07:00

It all began with a row across the Black Lagoon for the first years and a ride on the Knight Bus for the second and third...

The Wizards are making their wands...

Meeting Harry Potter himself...

Defending themselves against the Dark Arts...

And casting spells left and right!

Harry Potter week has been a hit and the Wizards here at Hogwarts are having a blast!

SUPER HEROES

2011-08-03T20:31:00.000-07:00

Our teens have paired up with our minis this week to create superheroes! We set them up with a stage and a prop shed and let the creativity roll!

Out Trip

2011-07-24T22:50:00.000-07:00

Our first off site trip of Summer 2011 was a success! The Leaders in Training went canoeing through the Case Inlet to Camp Gallagher and had a blast.

Rrrrrrrr

2011-07-20T22:41:00.001-07:00

Once upon a time there was a hugely powerful Pirate Empress, master of the seven seas. Many battled for her place as leader of the pirate world, and all who tried failed. She commanded a fleet of ships so vast and powerful that her foe's shivered at the thought her path. With all the power of the seas in the palm of her hand, her life was bountiful and magnificent, allowing her to pillage and gather a wealth of treasure. She treated her crew well and in turn she had their unquestionable respect and worship.

One day a terrible storm raged through the seas. Ravishing all that was unlucky enough to be in its wake. The Pirate Empress fleet was destroyed almost in an instant, with giant waves swallowing ships like they are skittles. Only 2 ships managed to brave the storm, and though they were battered and somewhat broken, they were still afloat. One was a huge strongly built ship known as the "Sea Serpant" that used its brute strength and might to overcome the storm. Upon this fine ship was the pirate crew.

The other was the Hydra, a ship faster than ANY other that had ever set sail on the seven seas. It used its agility and speed to dart through the giant waves almost untouched.

These two ships searched far and wide for their master, and her treasure. Their journey eventually saw them run out of food and supplies, and so the current brought them to the shore on the Puget Sound, where lived a small village of non pirates that they would have to live amongst for a week. Little did they know when they set shore on Camp Colman, that it would be the beginning of the biggest adventure they would EVER be a part of...

Wrapping Up

2011-07-15T14:29:00.001-07:00

Wrapping up our week here at Colman, we have the amazing products of one of our indy recs! "Your Worst Knightmare" was a hit. Jousting with fun noodles and creating their own shields of armor were highlights of the week and we are now enjoying a fun afternoon of competitions to go along with the theme!

S'MORES

2011-07-13T18:21:00.000-07:00

Camp isn't the same without S'MORES!

There's nothing like a gooey Camp Colman s'more raosted over the fire at sunset

Kicking off Summer 2011

2011-07-03T20:59:00.000-07:00

Here at Camp Colman, we just began our summer with an amazing week! We hosted Camp Oasis, our annual partnership with the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America. We met some talented, creative, and energetic campers and volunteers and we're now ready for eight more weeks of sunshine, camp songs, skits, and most importantly, happy campers! Session A, here we come!

2011-06-10T20:38:00.000-07:00

WORK AND PLAY!

In the true spirit of camp, work and play must go hand in hand. The Assistant Director team just completed a long week of the two. We worked hard training, planning, and preparing for staff and campers to arrive and had some fun of our own playing basketball, Ga-Ga and even going to a Mariners Game!

The Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America were special guests at last Friday's game against the Tampa Bay Rays, and as working partners with the Northwest Chapter of the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America, We decided Colman needed some representation. We met a counselor named Sam who will be volunteering at Camp Oasis this summer, a camper who has been coming to Camp Oasis for two years and will be returning this summer, as well as many other strong supporters of CCFA.
It was a great start to our week of training and now we are ready to head into our next week! More staff arrive at camp to begin training tomorrow!

2011-05-29T13:33:00.000-07:00

A Change in Seasons

Spring is wrapping up here at Camp Colman and as we enjoy the last couple of days of our Memorial Day Yoga Family Camp, we are hoping the sunshine is here to stay. We have been boating out on the lagoon, challenging ourselves on ropes courses, and stretching our minds and bodies through yoga classes led by an amazing YMCA yoga instructor, Yella.

With two more spring weekends ahead and three more weeks of Outdoor Environmental Education, we are gearing up for the summer.

We will have an amazing group of new and returning staff arrive at camp within the next three weeks to prepare for a fun filled summer, so as we get ready for campers, make sure you are practicing your Ga-Ga skills, preparing for the sun, and loosening those vocal chords to sing songs around the campfire!

2011-05-13T20:31:00.000-07:00

Staff Spotlight!

Returning Counselor: Ben LaBouve

Ben has been a shining star at Camp Colman since day one! Last summer was Ben's first at camp, and he already sees it as a second home. He has seen the impact he can have on campers by being a positive influence and a good role model and he feels as though being a camp counselor is not just a job, but a way of life! Camp not only has been a place for Ben to make an impact on, and build relationships with others, but camp has also encouraged him to come out of his shell and be himself!

Favorite Camp Food: "I especially like the chicken nuggets and the morning bowl of oatmeal with cinnamon and cranberries. Yum!"

Favorite Camp Game: "My favorite camp game has to be Pig Hunt because I get to wear leaves and ferns as camouflage. It's the one game where the kids get to go after the counselors."

Favorite Camp Song: "The Jellyfish song is classic, but my favorite song has to be Fred the Moose."

Why he is coming back this summer: "I had the best time last summer and I can't wait to have an even better summer this year. I am going to be a cabin counselor again and I'm really looking forward to having fun with my campers!"

We are excited to have Ben back at Colman this summer!

2011-05-07T10:12:00.000-07:00

First Time Camper Overnight!

This weekend we are hosting our First Time Camper Overnight and Open House! Campers who have never been to Colman are joining us for a weekend of fun activities, a campfire, and a small taste of summer! We are so excited to have new faces experience Colman for the first time and to get pumped up for their time here this summer.

2011-04-28T11:56:00.000-07:00

The Anderson Lodge is E X P A N D I N G!

As we bring more campers to Colman during the spring, summer and fall, we are looking forward to the expansion of our lodge! We are in the early stages of an exciting end result. We will be able to comfortably accommodate a full camp and have restrooms upstairs available for all campers and participants!! We are looking for this amazing project to be complete this winter and ready to use for our centenial year of 2012!!

2011-04-23T09:08:00.000-07:00

Happy Easter!

Camp Colman is enjoying the sunshine and our community members by hosting an Easter Brunch and Egg Hunt! We hope the Easter Bunny hides those eggs well and fills our baskets with lots of goodies!

2011-04-22T10:07:00.000-07:00

Get ready to hop on that bus and ride out to Colman! If you have not yet registered to attend camp this summer, please contact our Camping Services office at 206-382-5009 or visit our website by clicking here !

2011-04-22T08:37:00.001-07:00

Summer of 2011 is just around the corner! Can you believe it is already almost May? We are filled with excitement here at Colman as we plan for some new, traditional, and exciting activities to fill our weeks ahead! The sun is out and we are inching to spread our excitement with the arrival of our summer campers!