For many kids, summer camp is a place to explore, build confidence, and simply be a kid. But for many local military families, access to those experiences is out of reach.
Through a long-standing partnership with the Armed Services YMCA, the YMCA of Pierce and Kitsap Counties is working to change that.
Designed with Military Families in Mind
The Armed Services YMCA focuses on supporting military families, particularly those in lower enlisted ranks who often face greater strain. Together with the Y, this partnership helps remove barriers so more kids can experience camp.
In 2026, the Armed Services YMCA is providing $30,000 in funding to support more than 100 children in attending camp. That funding, combined with YMCA scholarship support, creates a shared investment that makes camp possible.
Families typically pay a reduced rate, while the remaining cost is covered through this partnership. It’s a model designed to stretch resources while maximizing impact.
Camp Experiences for Every Age and Stage
What makes this partnership especially powerful is its flexibility. Kids and families aren’t placed into a separate program. Instead, they’re fully integrated into existing YMCA camp experiences, whether that’s day camp, overnight camp, or family camp.
That means siblings of different ages can choose what works best for them. A younger child might attend day camp at YMCA Camp Lake Helena, while an older sibling heads to overnight camp at YMCA Camp Seymour. Families can also participate together through family camp weekends.
The result is something simple. Program participants aren’t singled out, but a part of camp like everybody else.
Removing Barriers Beyond Cost
This year, the partnership is also tackling another common barrier: transportation. For many military families based near Joint Base Lewis McChord, getting to camp can be a challenge. In response, the Y will offer a dedicated week of transportation from the Lakewood Family YMCA to Camp Lake Helena for day campers.
This pilot effort will bring approximately 20 kids to camp who might not otherwise have been able to attend.
Growing a Stronger Connection
This partnership has been in place since before 2020 and continues to evolve. With the addition of dedicated Armed Services YMCA staff on base in recent years, collaboration has deepened and outreach has expanded.
That growth means more families are being reached and more kids are getting access to experiences that support their wellbeing.
The Impact of Access to Camp
Military families navigate unique challenges, from frequent moves to long separations, and those realities can shape a child’s sense of stability and connection in lasting ways.
“Camp should be something every kid should experience,” says Scotty Jackson, Senior Executive Director at YMCA Camp Seymour. “This partnership with the Armed Services YMCA makes camp access possible for military families by removing barriers and opening the door for more kids to show up, be themselves, and feel like they belong.”
Camp offers steadiness. It creates space for kids to build friendships, gain confidence, and experience a sense of belonging that carries beyond a week of camp.
For military families, that kind of consistency matters. It gives kids a place where they can settle in, be supported, and feel like part of a community, even as other parts of their lives may be changing.