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 Us Make Hands-on Outdoor Education More Accessible by Donating to the Wa-Ya Scholarship Fund!
The Wa-Ya Scholarship Program provides camp scholarships to support children whose families may not otherwise be able to afford a camp experience.
It is part of our mission at Wa-Ya to make camp accessible to every child and we do this through the generous contributions of members of our community. Every dollar donated goes into our scholarship fund.
Our goal is to be able to provide $20,000 in scholarships each summer. In 2025, 80 campers who would not have otherwise been able to come to Wa-Ya were able to attend at a reduced rate thanks to these funds. Help us do it again in 2026!
Please consider donating today. Thanks for helping us ensure that everyone has an opportunity to experience the magic of Wa-Ya!