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Camp Kirby - It's a Wrap!
Every year, it feels like I blink my eyes and the summer has flown past in an instant. Our staff describes it by saying, “A day at Camp feels like a week, but a week feels like a day.” This was a summer full of new and exciting changes. Our MuaMi campers lived in new platform tents, and we were able to expand the HiTor unit to accommodate another eight campers each session. We also added three new programming areas: Outdoor Cooking, Science & Nature, and Beachcomber archery. Overall, this summer was EPIC! We continued our growth trend from the past few years, and served an amazing 535 campers through Resident Camp, many of whom returned for more than one week. Each week brought its own unique inside jokes, traditions, and memories.
While all of these things are great, they would not be possible without the incredible staff and volunteers who give their time to Camp each summer. They are the ones that light the spark within our campers, and keep the Kirby magic flowing. I want to extend a HUGE thank you to everyone who helps make this program possible. I also want to thank all of our campers and their families for allowing us to have such a fun time at Kirby this year. We are already looking forward to the future, and can’t wait for summer 2018!
At the end of each week I address our campers and staff, and I share the lyrics to a song I once heard. It ends with a verse that I find incredibly fitting for this exact moment.
WoHeLo, Kathryn "KitKat" Luera,
Camp Kirby Resident Camp Director
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 Community Appreciation Day
Camp Fire Samish is hosting a Community Appreciation Day on Sunday, September 24th from 11:00am to 3:00pm at Camp Kirby. A complimentary BBQ lunch will be served between noon and 1:00, with tours available sporadically if you’d like a more in depth peak at camp. Please come and discover the treasures that Kirby has to offer. Enjoy the beach, take a hike, or just come for a tasty meal with friends. We’d love you to join us!
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 Announcing Our Newest Staff Member!
We would like to introduce Jenny Funderburg as the Whatcom Membership Manager. Jenny has been involved with non-profit organizations for the last 15 years and has lived in Whatcom for the past 6. Before that, she was a teacher in Montana. Jenny is ready for the adventures that Camp Fire Samish has to offer. She and her family are looking forward to making new friends and meeting the Clubs in Whatcom County.
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Camp Fire Club News:
This year, Camp Fire Samish has a fun calendar of events for Clubs. Some of the activities include Ice Skating, a Bead Bazaar, and Camporees.
Registration for Clubs starts on September 1st this season and the membership team is excited to help Clubs get READY so leaders can SET the Club programming and be ready to GO! Click here for more information on Camp Fire Clubs.
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Our Wish List items are an excellent way to give outside of traditional cash donations. These items are needed specifically for Camp Kirby. The list is on Amazon and can be shipped directly to Camp Fire Samish. Maximize your gift using Amazon Smile where .5% of your purchase is donated to the charity of your choice.
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Remembrances
Amidst the joy of summer and children’s laughing, Camp Fire Samish is also grieving from the recent loss of several members of our Camp Fire family. Sadly, we lost Helen Rudy, a faithful Wakumi Alumni member, Chuck Davis, longtime supporter and neighbor, and Ursula Greenough, past Membership Manager in Island County. Our hearts also grieve for John and Kim Gallagher’s grandchildren, who were to attend Camp Kirby for the first time this summer. Kim is a former Camp Fire Samish board member. Please join us in expressing our deepest sympathies to the families who have lost loved ones.
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Day Camp
During the first week of summer, Jedi’s, Minions, Men in Black, and over 100 kids were having fun at Camp Kirby’s Day Camp. This year theme's “Space was the Place,” allowed kids to look towards the stars and let their imaginations soar. The youth also realized that there was no limit to what they could accomplish such as: Hitting the target at archery, getting their rocket to go further, or even just participating in a group game and succeeding. These are memories that they will treasure for a life time.
I am so thankful for all the volunteers that made camp a success. Without each one of you, we would not be able to host a Day Camp at Kirby. I am excited to invite everyone back next year as Day Camp takes us to “Neverland"!
WoHeLo, Heather “River” Lindsay
Day Camp Director
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