4/10/08

Tribe's donation boosts Camp Fire campaign  

The Snohomish County Council of Camp Fire USA is the recipient of a $250,000 leadership gift by the Stillaguamish Tribe in support of the Camp Fire Delivers capital campaign. The fundraising effort will increase services and upgrade facilities at Camp Killoqua in north Snohomish County.

Families who are interested in finding out more about Camp Killoqua are invited to attend an Open House from 2-4 p.m. on Saturday, May 3. Visitors can tour the camp, meet the staff and enjoy the 185-acre natural setting.

Killoqua offers day and resident camp programs for youth throughout the summer. No reser­ vations are needed to attend the open house. Call (425) 258-5437 for driving directions.

Camp Killoqua, operated by Camp Fire USA Snohomish County Council since 1941, offers year-round programming focused on youth: summer resident and day camps, outdoor education, leadership programs and unique retreat space for youth organizations.

The Stillaguamish Tribe’s donation matches an earlier $250,000 gift from a private donor, and is the largest amount the Camp Fire Council has ever received.

The tribe’s donation brings the campaign total to $1.7 million of the $2.7 million stretch goal to prepare Camp Fire USA for the growing need in Snohomish County. Five new structures plus improvements at Camp Killoqua in Stanwood and repairs at the Training and Resource Center in Everett will allow Camp Fire USA to increase services from 286,500 to 395,000 hours each year. This additional 100,000-plus hours per year will provide services to 12,000 youth, up from the current level of 8,400 children served by the program. About half the youth involved with Camp Fire receive financial assistance.

Executive Director Dave Surface said, “Together with the Stillaguamish Tribe, we look forward to continuing to explore our shared values of protecting and nurturing our youth and caring for our precious natural resources.”

For information on the Camp Fire Delivers capital campaign, contact campaign coordinator Toby Brown at (425) 258-5437, ext. 227.