First Light Gathering Place - The Heart of Camp

KEEN's First Light Gathering Place, The Heart of Camp Campaign

Help Build the Heart of Camp at Pond to Pines

Right now, two yurts are sitting on a contractor’s property outside Ellensburg.

They’re finished.
Built.
Ready.

Waiting.

Those yurts are destined for KEEN’s Pond to Pines Summer Camp in the Yakima River Canyon—a place where kids will fall asleep to the sound of the river, wake up to birdsong, and experience the outdoors in a way that many never have before.

For some children, this will be their first night outdoors.

The yurts are built.
The platforms are ready.
The design and permits are complete.

But before we can open the camp, we must complete the life-safety infrastructure required for public occupancy.

Kittitas County requires a fire truck turnaround, standpipe access for fire protection, and an ADA-accessible parking space so emergency responders and visitors can safely access the site.

Because of changes in how the state is administering our grant funding, KEEN must now raise $175,000 to complete these required safety improvements before the project can move forward.

Without this infrastructure, the yurts cannot be installed and the camp cannot open.

With it, hundreds of kids will experience the Yakima Canyon in ways that shape their confidence, curiosity, and connection to nature.

Campfires.
Friendships.
Discovery.
A lifelong love of the outdoors.

For more than 26 years, this community has helped KEEN connect kids with nature.

Now we need your help to make the camp safe and ready for them.

If 1,750 people gave $100, we could complete the safety infrastructure.
If 350 people gave $500, we could open the camp.
If 70 people gave $2,500, we could finish the project.

Every gift moves us closer.

Help us bring these yurts home to the Yakima Canyon—and open the doors to a new generation of outdoor learners.

Donate today and help us open Pond to Pines Camp.