Citizens in Action

Camp Fire capital campaign to benefit Camp Killoqua

Snohomish County leaders of Camp Fire USA gathered at Camp Killoqua Thursday, September 6 to celebrate the first milestone of the organization’s capital campaign, Camp Fire Delivers.
As dozens of Board members, volunteers and staffers applauded, a bright yellow bulldozer smashed into the outdated boys’ restroom and shower building, reducing the structure to a tidy pile of rubble within minutes.

Toby Brown, capital campaign coordinator, talked about the organization’s $2.7 million goal for improvements to the 165-acre camp. “Camp Killoqua is the crown jewel of Snohomish County. In addition to providing a valuable resource for Camp Fire participants, the camp hosts more than 66 non-profit agencies, schools and faith-based organizations every year.”

The capital campaign will fund the construction of five main structures, replacement of six roofs, an update to the lodge kitchen and other necessary repairs.

The new buildings planned include the Hill House shower and rest rooms in the boys’ area, a multipurpose pavilion that will be used for after-school programs and other activities, a covered welcome center to help keep kids dry during drop-off and pick-up, the Tyee Building which will replace several campsite platforms without roofs, and a Leadership Center to house eight staff members and free up space for an additional 33 campers.

Rich Boyden of Boyden Robinett LLC, an Associate member of the Camp Fire Board of Directors, pledged to cover the entire cost of the tear-down and rebuilding of the boys’ shower facility. The price tag for the project is estimated at $220,000. Addressing the supporters who came to witness the impressive kickoff, Boyden said he was “privileged to give something back to the community.”

Snohomish County Camp Fire executive director Dave Surface added that the funds raised in the capital campaign will allow the organization to “do more than just build structures.” With the county’s population expected to increase by 39% by 2016, Camp Fire’s offerings will also grow.

“Our goal is to increase participation by 38 percent, from 286,500 hours per year to 395,000 hours per year over the next decade,” said Surface.

Camp Killoqua has hosted generations of campers and created thousands of lasting memories. Nancy Stuchell Kniest, co-chair of the capital campaign steering committee, said, “Camp Fire has been a great multi-generational part of my family’s life. Both of my grandmothers, my parents, all of my sisters, my husband, my stepdaughter and my two daughters have been involved in Camp Fire – four generations of Camp Fire involvement.”

Long time Camp Killoqua volunteer Ann Wilson attended the ceremonies with her daughter Marianne, a camper who grew up to be a summertime staff member at the camp. As they were leaving, Ann reminded her daughter to wave goodbye to Chief Killoqua, the spirit residing in a stately poplar tree in the center of the lawn.

No doubt he is satisfied with the stewardship Camp Fire is providing at the camp, and looking forward to hearing the laughter of children for generations to come.