One of the Snoqualmie Valley YMCA’s yearly children’s program, an overnight camping trip to Orcas Island, may not return in 2017.
The “Snoqualmie 50” is a program in which elementary school counselors in each of the five schools in the Snoqualmie Valley School District nominate 10 students to go to Camp Orkila on Orcas Island each summer.
Nate Smith, executive director of the Snoqualmie Valley YMCA, said the YMCA learned the program would not be receiving the funding for the program, which has been granted by the Snoqualmie Tribe in previous years.
“In the past we have received funds from the tribe, so we submitted our application for funding… Last year, we were (lucky) enough to receive it and this year, we did the same and got a letter in the mail stating that we weren’t selected,” he said. “What we’ve received from the tribe in the past was $100,000 to do these things.”
Smith explained that those funds mainly funded the Snoqualmie 50 program and now the YMCA is deciding what next steps to take.
“Although disappointed we won’t be receiving the tribe’s support this year, we are hopeful about the program’s continued success and are currently looking for alternative funding sources,” he said. “The board and staff are trying to figure out what the next steps would be, what does that look like and how do we either cut the program back or how do we fund it.”
Although they did not receive funding for the program this year, Smith emphasized that the YMCA is grateful for the support it has received from the tribe since the organization began operation in 2012.
“We are confident that we can continue to have a supportive relationship with the Snoqualmie Tribe in the years to come and are thankful for their many years of support,” he said.
Smith said the YMCA is open to any individuals or groups in the Valley who would like to hep out in some way to continue the camping program.
“We are open to anyone else interested in helping us continue the program, alternative funding sources to help make sure that stays as a part of what the Y does,” Smith said. “Now it’s starting to come up with alternative ways that the program can continue. So we are in that phase right now thinking of alternative ways to ensure those kids are able to have that experience.”
