Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Find the answers you need to our most frequently asked questions, including directions to camp and more. If you still have questions, please don't hesitate to contact us via email or by calling our main camping office at (206) 382 5009.

Handbooks

Download our handbooks for Weekend Family Camps and Women's Wellness Weekends to learn more about each program.

 

 

What programs do Camp Orkila and Camp Colman offer?

We believe that there is a need for meaningful and fun outdoor experiences. We are excited to provide families with a fun-filled camp experience at YMCA Camp Colman and Camp Orkila. We offer a variety of Family Camps and Retreat weekends in the spring and fall seasons.

 

How does the Y support minorities who have been traditionally excluded from the outdoors?

The work of decentralizing whiteness in the outdoors is an ongoing process, but at the Y, our commitment to inviting and supporting more kids and families from all communities, especially Black and brown communities. We want all people to feel the lifelong connection to the earth and to themselves which these expeditions offer. We have a zero-tolerance policy for racist comments or jokes, which can result in the offending individual being removed from the property or a trip. YMCA Camp Orkila and Colman also provide financial assistance which reduces the barrier for entry for families new to camping.

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Arrival, Check-In, and Packing Details

Is there anything I need to do before arriving at camp?

Yes, we need all groups to fill out and return meal and health and safety forms. These are typically emailed out 2 weeks prior to the start of your program with us.

How do I get to Camp Colman?

Address

20016 Bay Road KPS | Longbranch, WA 98351 

Driving Directions from Seattle, Tacoma, and Olympia

  1. Follow I-5 into Tacoma and take the Gig Harbor/Bremerton exit (#132) onto Hwy 16.
  2. Go over the Tacoma Narrows Bridge and through Gig Harbor. Take the Purdy/Key Center (Hwy 302) exit into Purdy.
  3. Turn left at the first stop light to cross over the Purdy Spit.
  4. Cross the water and make no turns. You will be on this road for approximately 20 minutes. The Joemma State Beach signs along the way will aid you in getting to Camp since Camp is adjacent to this park. Hwy 302-Shelton exit will veer to the right, continue to travel straight into the town of Key Center.
  5. Travel through the town of Key Center (you are now 10 miles from camp). Continue on and through the towns of Home and Lakebay
  6. In Home/Lakebay, you will pass a gas station. Go over the bridge and turn right on the sec­ond road past the bridge, Whiteman Road. Whiteman Road is approximately one mile past the gas station and has signs indicating Camp Colman and Joemma State Park.
  7. Whiteman Road bears to the left as you pass Lake Road. Do not follow Lake Road. Instead, continue on Whiteman Road to Bay Road (the next road), approximately one mile from the Lake Road junction.
  8. Make a sharp right on Bay Road and follow it until you come to a gravel road on the left. This gravel road is the entrance to camp and is indicated by a Camp Colman sign.
  9. Follow the gravel road along the beach and into camp. Check the notice board at the first parking lot for check-in information.

Driving Directions from Bremerton

  1. Follow Hwy 3 east past Bremerton. Take Hwy16 east towards Tacoma.
  2. Take the Purdy/Key Center exit into Purdy.
  3. Turn right at the stop-light.
  4.  See numbers 4-8 to the left (from Seattle directions)
     

Driving Directions from the Southworth Ferry

  1. From the ferry landing, take a left onto Sedgewick Road and follow to Hwy 16.

 

How do I get to Camp Orkila?

Address

484 Camp Orkila Road | Eastsound, WA 98245

Drive

If you choose to drive to camp, plan to arrive at the Anacortes ferry landing at least an hour or two before sailing times listed on the WSDOT ferry schedule. Take any ferry bound for Orcas Island. Reservations are strongly encouraged. 

  • Directions:
    • Take I-5 to Exit 230, which is north of Mt. Vernon. The exit will say Burlington, Anacortes, San Juan Ferry.
    • Turn left at the end of the exit onto Highway 20.
    • Drive west about 20 miles to Anacortes.
    • Follow the signs in Anacortes to the San Juan Ferry.
    • When you purchase your ticket at the ferry landing, indicate your destination as Orcas Island. The Anacortes ferry landing is about 90 minutes from Seattle. The ferry ride from Anacortes to Orcas is about 45-80 minutes, depending on the number of stops at other islands.
    • When you arrive at Orcas and depart the ferry, turn left and stay on the main road (Horseshoe Highway), following the signs to Eastsound for about 10 miles. The road takes a few 90-degree turns along the way..
    • At Eastsound, the road you are following becomes Lover’s Lane. Stay straight on Lover’s Lane, going toward the airport. Do NOT turn right into town. (If you come to a stop sign, you have gone the wrong way.)
    • Just before the airport, the road curves to the right. Do not curve to the right! Instead, turn left onto Mt. Baker Road.
    • Proceed up the hill about one mile. Camp Orkila will be on the left, at the end of Mt. Baker Road.
    • Drive into camp and follow the signs to the parking lot. Please park in designated areas only. Use the luggage carts provided to transport luggage to your cabin.

Shuttle Service from Orcas Ferry Landing

Camp Orkila will provide shuttle service from the ferry for the 3:40pm ferry leaving Anacortes, and the 8:45am and 12:25pm ferries leaving Orcas for those who would prefer to park in Anacortes and walk on to the ferry. If you are flying, or arriving on a different ferry, you'll want to coordinate transport from these locations to camp by calling one of the taxi services on the island in advance of your arrival for best results:

  • New Orcas Taxi Tours - 360 298 1639
  • Orcas Island Scenic Shuttle - 360 298 8414
  • Orcas Island Taxi Service - 360 376 8294
  • San Juan Transit & Shuttle - 360 378 8887
What time is check-in and check-out?

Camp Colman

All groups must be checked in by 6:00 pm on arrival day. Check-out time is 11:00 am.

Camp Orkila

Please arrive at camp no earlier than 4:30pm. Check-out time is 11:00 am.

 

What should I bring to camp?

Suggested Items:

  • Clothes for warm, wet, and cool weather
  • Rain gear
  • Toiletries
  • Sunscreen
  • Sturdy, comfortable, closed-toe shoes
  • Long pants
  • Flashlight or head lamp
  • Water bottle
  • Towel & washcloth
  • Pillow
  • Sleeping bag or linens for twin-sized bed

Optional Items:

  • Travel mugs for hot beverages
  • Camera
  • Bug spray
  • Shower shoes
  • Musical instruments
  • Good book
  • Swimsuit
  • Backpack or small bag to carry items around with you
  • Portable crib or pack-and-play for your little one
  • Life jacket for baby/toddler 
Are pets allowed?

Only professional, assistive service animals are allowed at our camps. Please let us know if such an animal will accompany you.

Is there cell phone reception at camp?

Cell phone reception can be spotty at both Camp Colman and Camp Orkila but generally most carriers work.

Our camp staff can provide you with a phone to use for emergency calls, if necessary. Important incoming messages for participants may be left on the camp voicemail and will be relayed at meal times.

Camp Colman: (253) 884-3844
Camp Orkila: (360) 376-2678

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We enjoyed the scheduled activities a lot. Those combined with just getting to enjoy camp really made for a magical weekend. I really enjoyed getting to spend time at camp with my family. Thanks so much for the opportunity!

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STAY ENGAGED WITH THE Y

BOLD & GOLD

Boys, Girls, and All Gender Outdoor Leadership (BOLD & GOLD) expeditions inspire youth ages 11 to 18 to be their most courageous and confident selves as they explore some of the most beautiful and natural places in the Pacific Northwest.

Overnight Camp

Camp Colman and Camp Orkila offer kids and teens the chance to explore their individuality, become a part of their own community, and enjoy the classic camp experience of archery, rock climbing, and s’mores over the campfire.

Day Camp

Offering active days spent learning new skills and making lifelong friends, Y Day Camps offers fun camp activities to engage brains, exploration rotations to encourage kids to try new things, and plenty of physical activity and games to keep bodies moving.

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