Who We Are:
Wa-Ya is a Native women founded and led nonprofit. Our mission is to weave together outdoor survival, science, and Indigenous culture and perspective to provide all youth regardless of income, an opportunity for learning about outdoor science, connecting with nature; and using that connection to foster a sense of belonging, self-confidence, and stewardship.
What We Do:
Camp Wa-Ya, a nomadic summer camp based in Olympia, takes kids outdoors to hike, swim, climb, kayak, and explore the public lands of the South Sound. All of our programs interweave Indigenous culture, environmental education, and outdoor adventure!
Each week, a Native elder joins the entire camp to share their cultural experience, stories, and music. This connection to Indigenous culture runs through all of our programs and influences everything we do.
It is part of our mission at Wa-Ya to make outdoor education accessible for every child. Through our financial assistance program, we have awarded over $20,000 in scholarships a year to ensure that all youth regardless of income have the opportunity to learn and grow with us!
We offer Day Camps for kids ages 6-13 and overnight Adventure Camp (backpacking and sea kayaking) trips for youth ages 11-17. We also have a paid High School Leadership Internship program and Indigenous Fellowship program.
Wa-Ya is an inclusive camp that welcomes everyone!
Why We Are Asking for Donations:
Help Keep Wa-Ya Moving!
Did you know that your registration fees only pay for about half of the cost of running Camp Wa-Ya’s summer program? Until recently, the other 50% was covered by Youth Programming Grants but in 2025 we saw cuts to our funding and we are facing a $30,0000 budget gap. We need your help to bridge the gap and keep Wa-Ya moving for years to come!
Wa-Ya plays an important role in our community - getting kids outside, sharing Indigenous culture, and providing all kids the opportunity to go to camp through our scholarship program. Please consider including us in your year-end funding.
Here’s some examples of how your donation can make an impact:
$50 buys a Discover Pass for the summer - this allows us to visit State Parks and Boat Ramps for free!
$100 fuels one of our vans for a week - this helps us get our kids out of the city and into the nearby public lands and waterways.
$345 sends a youth in need to camp for a week! We have provided over $20,000 in scholarships a year to youth in foster care, Tribal youth, and low-income families - help us continue to provide this transformative experience!
$500 purchases a new (used) kayak - and gets more kids out on the water!