Outdoor Environmental Education (OEE) has been part of life at Camp Seymour since the 1960s. For generations of local fifth graders, a few days at camp has meant time outside, hands-on science, teamwork, and confidence that carries back to the classroom.
In 2021, Washington State passed the Outdoor Schools for All bill, creating funding so every fifth or sixth grader could access overnight outdoor education. The investment reflected what educators already knew: Students who participate in multi-day outdoor learning show stronger engagement, improved attendance, and meaningful academic growth.
Then in April 2025, that funding was cut in full for two school years.
Scott Gjertson, Senior Outdoor Environmental Education Director for the YMCA of Pierce and Kitsap Counties, recalls how quickly the impact of that cut became real. Emails began arriving almost immediately. Some schools canceled reservations. Others called with the same question. “What happens now?”
One principal shared that asking families to cover hundreds of dollars per student didn’t feel possible. Scott listened, then asked a different question. What would it mean for students to miss this experience altogether?
Ten days later, that same principal called back. The school had met with families, and the parents had agreed to fundraise. “We’re coming,” he said. “We’re going to make it happen.”
That conversation became a turning point. It showed what was possible when schools, families, and community partners realized what was at stake.
The Y reinstated financial aid options for OEE right away, eventually providing more than $50,000 in relief to schools. Calls and emails kept coming, and Scott's conversations focused on practical next steps, from community fundraising to identifying scholarship support. Seven new schools joined the program in 2025, filling the spaces made by cancelations. Community members stepped up as donors when they understood what was at stake, and grant funding was secured to help ensure that Tacoma Title I schools could still attend. By the end of the 2025 season, more than 3,700 students from across 50 schools were able to enjoy Camp Seymour.
Across the state, other OEE programs saw significant reductions in attendance or closed entirely. At Camp Seymour, the season remained full.
For Alicia Holt, a fifth-grade teacher at Mullenix Ridge Elementary, the impact is clear. “I can’t imagine not bringing kids out here every year,” she said. “It’s life-changing for them.”
At camp, fifth graders set aside technology and step fully into the outdoors. Over the course of several days, they explore tide pools, hike forests, and conduct hands-on science. Group challenges require communication and cooperation. Cabin time builds independence. Confidence grows quickly, often visible before students even board the bus home.
Teachers notice the shift when students return. Participation increases. Peer relationships strengthen. Students carry a stronger sense of belonging back to school.
OEE expands what learning can look like. It builds resilience, strengthens connection, and deepens engagement in ways that last well beyond a few days away from the classroom. You can support this program by donating today.