KIWANIS CAMP WA-RI-KI
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Mission Statement
It is our mission to provide an outdoor experience that offers optimal development of at-risk youth and our communities’ through recreational, educational and leadership opportunities.
About This Cause
Kiwanis Camp Wa-Ri-Ki is located in Washougal, Skamania County, Washington on 18+ acres of beautiful land in the heart of the Gifford Pinchot National Forest. It is our mission to provide an outdoor experience that offers optimal development of at-risk youth and our communities’ through recreational, educational and leadership opportunities. We offer programs in four categories: Nature-based Learning; Leadership and Personal Development; Fun, Exploration and Adventure and Outdoor Skills. Many camp activities integrate with local school’s STEM and STEAM curriculum. Our business model is premised on three key concepts which weave together multiple strategies to create a strong, sustainable nonprofit organization. The key concepts are: 1) Adoption of American Camp Association (ACA) accreditation standards; 2) Integration of STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) and STEAM (STEM plus Arts) activities and life skills programs that meet public school curriculum standards while providing tools for positive human growth; and 3) Put into practice community outreach strategies that builds diversified participation in governance, programs and property usage. Through strategic leadership development we will strengthen our Board of Directors and initiate a Counselor-in-Training program for youth ages 14-18. We will also work with local colleges and universities to recruit leaders-in-development through such programs as social work, recreation, health, physical fitness, life sciences and STEM programs. We will build on the wisdom and skills of experienced adults while providing a pipeline for young, emerging leaders to lead, learn and grow. Our camp has been in continual use since its inception in the 1950s as the Larch Mountain Honor Camp for Inmates. Infrastructure needs are many as we work to protect the environment and grow programs based on learning to respect the elements represented at camp – water, air, fire, food, forest, and personal growth. The growth we project requires significant financial investments including a minimum annual operating budget of approximately $200,000 and capital projects of more than $625,000. The annual operating budget will grow commensurate with staff growth. Care of the land requires upgrading environmental impact systems (water, sewage, garbage) as well as rehabilitation of aging existing structures. New structures planned will expand accessibility, increase age appropriate activities, and improve onsite housing. By expanding overnight camp experiences, increasing number of day camps offered and strategic partner rental agreements we will strengthen our financial position. Only by developing diversified income channels such as donor programs, business support, special events, merchandising and capital investments - our mission will be fully funded. Our curriculum includes but is not limited to the following subjects and areas of interest. Many areas are developed through a partnership with the NASA GLOBE Goes to Camp program. Nature-based Learning Flora & Fauna Identification Forest Health and Ecosystems Indigenous and Cultural Awareness Days Nutrition and Food Systems Small-scale Biological Survey Leadership and Personal Development Challenge Course CPR/First Aid (Level I: Basic | Level II: Certification) Life Skills Training Tai Chi and/or Yoga Meditation Retreat Team Building Skills and Challenges Fun, Exploration and Adventure Angler Education Archery Hunter Education Nature Made Arts and Crafts (rock painting, pinecone decorations, etc.) Nature Photography and Photojournalism Outdoor Cooking Sketching and Journaling Stars and Stellar Exploration Outdoor Skills Camping Basics (Shelter set-up, fire safety, tool use/safety, etc.) Cartography and Earth Observation Systems Orienteering and Geocaching - Basic Unit and Advanced Unit Survival Skills - Short Unit and Long Unit What Knot to Use Counselor-In-Training (CIT) Program: Creating a leadership pipeline while providing meaningful relationship building, life skills training and deepening respect for the great outdoors is a top priority for Camp Wa-Ri-Ki. We are following nationally recognized curriculum to develop our CIT program. Following ACA Youth Outcomes Battery (YOB) we will measure how our programs impact participants. The YOB provides standardized measures for youth aged 6 years through 17 years. We will focus our programs on these demographics. Our goals for pre-school aged children (3-6 years) are simple and engaging. Following the model set forth by the Corvallis Environment Center who explains their pre-school program as: “Activities, games and art focus on place-based learning through inquiry and investigation of nature’s seasonal cycles. We learn the alphabet through nature’s themes, and identify letter sounds and small words as they are ready. Math concepts such as counting, measurement and early literacy are integrated throughout the curriculum. Experiments and nature games prepare students for following directions and improving social skills like sharing and teamwork.” We also provide programs for adults using standards created through local outdoor education programs and partnerships. The results of these evaluations are shared with the Board of Directors and Staff through dashboard reporting and in documents like our annual report. Our vision is clear - serve our communities through Kiwanis values that call on us to improve ourselves and the condition of our neighbors; strive to meet high standards of professionalism and nurture mutual respect for all. We invite you to be a part of Kiwanis Camp Wa-Ri-Ki’s continuing story. Come meet us at Camp – it will change your life.