All participants agree to abide by the YMCA Code of Conduct
The YMCA is committed to providing a positive atmosphere that is safe and inclusive to all in our community. The YMCA of Greater Seattle has adopted a code of conduct to govern the actions and behavior of all people while in Y facilities and while participating in Y programs.
NO abusive, harassing and/or obscene language or gestures.
NO possession, sale, use, or being under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs.
NO weapons of any kind.
NO smoking or vaping.
NO damaging or defacing Y property
NO threats of harm, physical aggression, or violent acts.
NO offensive or unlawful conduct.
What if I have more than 1 child in the Lower School and they are in different grades, do I need to bring two adults?
You have two options.
(1) You can have two adults attend – one with each child.
(2) You can determine another attending parent who is willing to be responsible for one of your children throughout the entire camp weekend, including all activities. The parent should have a child in the same grade and in the same gender-cabin as yours.
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 before sailing times listed on the WSDOT ferry schedule. Take any ferry bound for Orcas Island. Reservations highly recommended to avoid multi-hour wait times.
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.
Do I need to make a ferry reservation?
If you plan to drive to Camp Orkila, you will need two reservations: one for Anacortes to Orcas on Friday and one for Orcas to Anacortes on Sunday. Reservations can be challenging to get; they open up in three waves, (1) when the season opens at 10am, (2) two weeks before your sailing date at 7am, and (3) two days before your sailing date at 7am.
Alternatively, you can walk on to the ferry - which does not require reservations - and take the Camp Orkila bus to and from the ferry terminal to camp.
Car reservations can be made via this website: https://secureapps.wsdot.wa.gov/Ferries/Reservations/Vehicle/default.aspx
When do you recommend we leave for the ferry?
That decision is very much a personal decision based on your risk tolerance for traffic, desire for stress, number of times your kid might need to stop for the bathroom, how long it takes your child to pack up at school, etc. Google maps gives some insight into what traffic can be like…and yes, it can range quite a bit. If you get to the ferry terminal early, you can walk around, play on the beach, get a snack, etc — so there’s not much downside to aiming to arrive early. This is a google map which has you arriving at 2:30, a bit over an hour before the 3:40 ferry.
To make the 3:40pm ferry, my child will miss school in the afternoon. Do I need to notify the school?
Yes, please notify the front office to let them know you will be picking up your child early. We have notified SCDS about the trip so they can let teachers know that there will be absentees that afternoon. Many families choose not to send their students to school at all that day.
What should I pack?
Camp Orkila will circulate the Camp Handbook as the trip gets closer. This will provide recommendations. Note that you will need a sleeping bag.
How do I register?
Please see the email about registration that is posted here.
When is payment due?
Payment is due when you register. Venmo $27 per person to Cheryl-Friedman-1 (last 4 digits are 4396). Payment of $200 per person ($400 per parent/child pair) is due directly to Camp Orkila.
Can I get a refund if needed?
Cancellations can be made up to 30 days in advance of the trip. Refund amount is based on cancellation timing.
If you cancel before August 26, you will get a refund minus a non-refundable deposit with Orkila (you’ll need to email us AND cancel directly with Camp Orkila too).
Any cancellations from August 27 onwards may not be refunded. Refunds will be at the discretion of Camp Orkila. The $27 for the event shirt, additional programming, etc, is not refundable in this window.
Is there cell reception at camp?
Cell phone reception can be spotty at Camp Orkila but generally most carriers work.
Can I bring alcohol?
Per the YMCA Code of Conduct (see the top of the FAQs), alcohol is not allowed.
What if I have a medical issue while at camp?
It is the parent’s responsibility to seek medical help for themselves or their child. Camp Orkila will be able to provide first aid items like band-aids but real medical assistance on the island as a whole is very limited. There is an Urgent Care on the island with limited hours. There is a ferry at certain times to San Juan Island and there is a larger medical facility there. Otherwise, it is a matter of calling 911.