Today's Opportunity

For more than a century the YMCA has created life-changing outdoor experiences for young people and their families. Building on our historic strength, the new Mineral Lake Camp and Outdoor Environmental and Education Center will enable the Y to expand our impact to communities not currently served while developing future generations of youth and families more deeply connected to the great outdoors. This camp will serve young people from throughout the Puget Sound region as well as those living right in Lewis County.

Today’s Growing Challenges

At the Y, we know that young people thrive in an outdoor environment and that the environment will benefit from expanded and equitable youth outdoor leadership. We must redouble our efforts and continue to do what we do best.

kids outside exploring the woods with an adult

Youth who play outside are happier, better at paying attention, and less anxious. Spending time in nature builds confidence. In nature, there can be less structure than most types of indoor play, allowing youth to choose how they interact with nature around them. This gives them practice managing their own actions and encourages creativity and imagination.

Across the United States, the number of young people getting outside every day has dropped in half over the last generation, creating a nature deficit in youth and especially youth of color. At the Y, we are committed to serving BIPOC youth who face multiple barriers in accessing culturally responsive outdoor education.

We know that access to outdoor school is not currently distributed equitably by race and income. The proximity to communities from Seattle and southward will allow the Y to provide outdoor education to youth, families, and school districts not previously well served.

We Need You to Help Realize this Vision

Purchasing 500 acres on the shores of Mineral Lake, near Mt. Rainier, in the fall of 2021, secured the central camp. Then in 2022, we secured the remaining 1,600 acres, committing the full 2,100 acres to Y stewardship.

Ensure a natural, forested buffer surrounding the central camp property, and protect the land from logging and future development.
Enable expansion of youth leadership development through Y wilderness exploration, develop deeper understanding and appreciation of indigenous cultures, and create environmental education programming for youth of all ages.
Allow the Y to expand outdoor programming to youth, families, and school districts not currently well served by the existing resident camp properties.

Phase	Project	Dates	Approximate Cost
Phase 1	Acquire initial land of 500 acres	Completed 2021	$14 million
Phase 2	Acquire additional land of 1,600 acres	Completed 2022
Phase 3	Launch initial program use	Spring/Summer 2023
Phase 3	Master Plan development	2024 - 2025
Phase 4	Infrastructure Investment	2024 - 2032	$36 million
Phase 5	Central Camp Facilities Developed	2024 - 2032	$36 million
	TOTAL FUNDING REQUIRED		$50 million

Invest in the Future of Our Youth and Our Natural Environment

Camp and outdoor education make a difference in the lives of youth and families. Please join us in realizing this significant opportunity that will serve youth, families, and the environment for generations to come.

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