Reimagining Summer | Supporting Healing and Recovery for Families through the Outdoors
Last updated: May 21, 2021, at 10:55 a.m. PT
Originally published: May 4, 2021, at 12:09 p.m. PT
The Y has partnered with Turning Point Seattle for several years, to help provide scholarships to a diverse population in the Shoreline area. Turning Point builds relationships at every level – with students, parents, teachers, principals, family advocates and community partners to help kids engage in tutoring and STEM programs throughout the year. The goal is to ensure that these brilliant, culturally, ethnically, and economically diverse youth can thrive.
Typically, the Y’s partnership has helped send youth to overnight summer camps, but with the COVID-19 pandemic, everyone shifted gears. The Y offered family cabin rentals and financial assistance for entire families. Lynn Newcombe, Turning Point Executive Director, was thrilled to be able to offer this experience and she and her husband joined a group of 4 other families who went to Camp Colman for the same family camping week. She shared this about her experience:
“These families have been the hardest hit from COVID. One of the husbands of a family is a trucker for the Port of Seattle, and his income has dwindled to an average of $10 a day, while his wife has been at home with 4 kids managing online learning, where English is not her first language. This opportunity was such a gift for this family. For the first time, someone else was handling their meals and the adults got to actually play with their kids and be with them in ways they just hadn’t had a chance to do; after 4 months of being sequestered and under intense anxiety it was a fabulous experience.”
Another family who went to Camp Orkila emailed Lynn when they got back, and shared:
“Camp is such a great place to go to enjoy all of creation - nature, wildlife, breath-taking sunsets and beautiful night sky; we had a cabin on the beach and we experienced peace and so much gratitude for this gift.”
Lynn reiterated that she was so thankful for the Y’s ability to pivot and provide these opportunities for these families when this experience is typically reserved for just their children; “I applaud the Y for this and to all donors who are giving to provide scholarships for these families.”
Learn more about YMCA Family Camp.