Camp Seymour

Camp Seymour is a YMCA camping facility located in Washington state. It is considered a branch of the YMCA of Pierce and Kitsap Counties.

History

In the summer of 1903, philanthropist W.W. Seymour allowed a group of youth from the Tacoma YMCA to camp on his farm property on Balch's Cove (now known as Glen Cove).

The relationship between the Tacoma YMCA and W.W. Seymour grew, and two summers later, in 1905, YMCA camping for local Tacoma boys officially began with one tent on the same part of Seymour's property where Camp Seymour ia currently located. The first crude cookhouse/dining pavilion was constructed in 1908 with over 60 boys in ten tents attending camp that summer.

In 1918, Claude E. "Pops" Drake joined the Tacoma YMCA. In his new position as Boys Work Secretary, part of his responsibility was the continuation of the boys camping program. With Pops' leadership from 1918 until 1938, YMCA Camp Seymour firmly established itself with improved facilities and programs. Pops convinced W.W. Seymour to deed 125 acres (0.51 km2) to the Tacoma YMCA for the sole purpose of boys summer camping, and the following year, an additional 25 acres (100,000 m2) was added to the deed. Improvements during Pops tenure included a freshwater well, and the number of buildings grew to total 18.

The Tacoma YMCA officially named the property "Camp Seymour" in 1926, to recognize W.W. Seymour for his generous gift. W.W. Seymour died in 1929.

In 2005, YMCA Camp Seymour celebrated its 100th anniversary with events for the community, friends, family and alumni. YMCA Camp Seymour is one of only five YMCA camps in the nation to celebrate 100 years of camping on its original property.

In 100 years, YMCA Camp Seymour has grown significantly in facilities and service. During 2003 over 12,500 youth, teens and families through outdoor and environmental education, summer camping, family camps, and contracted user groups were served.[1]

Facilities
  • 160 wooded acres
  • Large playfield, known as the "ball field"
  • 1/2 mile of Puget Sound shoreline
  • Outdoor heated pool
  • Heated cabins each with indoor bathrooms and showers
  • Dining Hall
  • Five large yurts and one small yurt, usually used by older campers during the summer
  • High and low challenge courses
  • Archery range
  • Living history center
  • Basketball, pickleball and gaga ball courts
  • Arts and crafts center, and darkroom
  • Marine education center
  • Climbing wall

References
  1. "About us" section of YMCA Camp Seymour official website. "History"

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