— from Meredith Griffith —

This year’s Camp Chelan will be held at 90-acre Daroga State Park on the Columbia River. Middle and high-school kids will enjoy boating, water skiing, swimming, water slides, cosmic bowling, ice skating, ziplining, a hoe-down, great food, great music, and “real talk” in the evenings. It’s a great time to have fun and meet new friends from a local church in Omak.

“I love camp not only because of the beautiful sunny days and good food, but also because it brings people together,” says island teen Rowie Lister. “There’s no forced assimilation. There’s no forced smiles. You go to camp on the 20th, and on the 24th, you leave surprised at how many friends you’ve made. How many bonds you’ve strengthened. Camp Chelan is amazing not just because of the water slides, the games, or white water rafting. It’s amazing because, as you’re running through the dark, playing capture the flag at night, or you’re in the chapel praying, you can look around you, and see all the people, the friends that you have made.”

Camp will run June 20-24. The cost to attend is $220. For more info or to register, visit www.orcasyouth.com.