Camp Korey

May 2, 2013 – Barn Roof Restoration Project

Justin Huguet — Fri, 03 May 2013 16:54:21 +0000

It’s a beautiful day and our roofing project is underway! Carnation Farm’s Great Barn, originally built in 1914, is now home to Camp Korey’s sports and rec activities including a climbing wall and basketball court. Please join us in giving a special thanks to our project’s sponsors and partners M. J. Murdock Charitable Trust, Axiom Construction & Consulting, Bayley Construction and ARC Architects.

April 2013 – Special Thanks to KeyBank

Justin Huguet — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 20:36:17 +0000

Camp Korey is grateful to KeyBank for hosting our campers and families for a wonderful and entertaining performance of War Horse at the Paramount Theater in Seattle. We would also like to thank Seattle Theatre Group (STG) for their ongoing support.

“The evening was full of joy and excitement for us all. It was a unique and special opportunity for our Campers and Families to connect with each other outside of our typical program, and experience a spectacular performance!” – Camp Director

You’re Invited!

Justin Huguet — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 19:46:33 +0000

Join us for a summer kick-off celebration honoring our entire Camp Korey family (that’s you!) with camp activities, food and entertainment.

March 2013 – Diane Rich & Pet Therapy

Justin Huguet — Wed, 20 Mar 2013 21:08:54 +0000

Diane Rich has been involved with Camp Korey as our Pet Therapy program coordinator since our first summer. Diane has over 20 years of experience training dogs and she is passionate about bringing joy into the lives of our campers. Thanks to Diane and her team of volunteers and certified therapy pets, campers have to opportunity to connect with many breeds of dogs, a miniature pony and even a llama! We interviewed Diane and have shared her words and wisdom below.

“Pet Therapy is one part of the total camp experience. Nothing compares to the non-judgmental, unconditional love and acceptance of a pet. Despite the many medical conditions serves at Camp Korey, our animals do not see differences, they just see kids. Our therapy animals are incredibly patient, receptive and attentive to each and every camper and can connect with children who may be shy, slightly intimidated or even non-verbal. The pets can bring about positive changes in children and in some cases are the best medicine of all. Our volunteer pet handlers are also fantastic with the children and try to make each visit a memorable one.”

“I love seeing each group of campers make a beeline to the visitation area to see the therapy animals. Some return campers even recite each pet’s name they remember from the previous year. It is a privilege to be involved with Camp Korey and I look forward to every season.”

Camp Korey is grateful for Diane Rich and all of our incredibly kind and dedicated volunteer handlers and their pets for making a difference for our campers. Thank you!

Interested in learning more about our Pet Therapy program or volunteering?

Contact Diane Rich at askdiane@aol.com.

February 2013 – Angel Flight West

Justin Huguet — Tue, 19 Feb 2013 21:34:24 +0000

Camp Korey is proud to feature Angel Flight West. Angel Flight West arranges free air transportation in response to health care and other compelling human needs and has been working with Camp Korey since 2007. Pilots donate their time, aircraft and fuel. There is never a charge for an Angel Flight West flight.

Local Angel Flight West pilot Paul Danis has been flying Camp Korey campers since our very first summer program. Paul has been a pilot for over 14 years and in 2012 alone he flew 10 campers from all corners of the Northwest to and from Camp Korey. “This is WAY better than the biggest pay check I’ve ever gotten. These campers really touch my heart,” says Paul.

“Sometimes they’re a little nervous about flying, especially because this could be the first time they’re leaving home for an overnight experience away from their parents. The parents may also be nervous because of their child’s medical condition.”

“I assure them everything will be okay and tell them that every camper comes back saying ‘this was the best week of my life’. I honestly can’t say that there’s one kid who didn’t have a life-changing experience.”

Angel Flight West also partners with Alaska Airlines to extend their reach. If you or someone you know would like to donate air miles to benefit Camp Korey campers please click here. After you make your donation online, please send an email to our Camper Recruiter, Emma Thier (ethier@campkorey.org), with your name, the date of your donation and the amount of miles. Our staff work with Angel Flight West and Alaska Airlines to direct your donation to our campers.

A heartfelt thank you goes out from Camp Korey to Angel Flight West, Paul Danis, and all Angel Flight pilots for bringing our campers’ dreams to life. We encourage you to visit Angel Flight West online to learn more about their important mission.

October 2012 – Nikki Burns

eva — Thu, 25 Oct 2012 17:45:24 +0000

This month Camp Korey would like to honor and thank our friend Nikki Burns. Nikki works as a Nurse Practitioner at Seattle Children’s Hospital and has been an important member of the Camp Korey family since the very beginning of our programs! In 2007, Nikki served as a medical volunteer for our “Camp Korey on the Road” program, bringing future CK campers to experience a week at our sister Camp in California.

Since then, Nikki has been instrumental in helping to coordinate our Summer program for children who have received solid organ transplants. From camper recruitment, to volunteering each and every summer, to being an amazing overall advocate for our campers, families, and CK programs—Nikki has done it all! We are so grateful for her years of Camp Korey support and enthusiasm. Thank you, Nikki!

September 2012 – Gretchen & Rebecca

Justin Huguet — Fri, 28 Sep 2012 22:32:45 +0000

This month Camp Korey is proud to honor Gretchen Wittenberg and Rebecca Hancock for helping to make Camp Korey’s annual dinner and fundraiser, Grow, our most successful evening to date (over $870,000 raised!). Both Gretchen and Rebecca were integral in the planning and execution of every aspect of the event. Thank you for your vision, hard work and dedication to Camp Korey’s mission.

Learn more about Grow

On September 15, 2012 over 400 guests gathered to celebrate a fruitful summer season and toast to future growth. The evening kicked off with counselor-guided camp tours, during which guests enjoyed hors d’ouerves and tasted local wines.

Guests truly got a look into the heart of Camp Korey during our special Camper Stage Night. Seven campers were invited back to camp to showcase their talents to the welcoming crowd. Singing, dancing, piano, and violin all brought down the house with standing ovations.

Thank you to our table sponsors, table captains, volunteers, Chef Jason Stoneburner, Rebecca Hancock and Gretchen Wittenberg for making Grow 2012 a huge success.

Grow Title Sponsor

Thank you to our Sponsors: Newman’s Own, Brita, KeyBank, John L. Scott Foundation, Wizards of the Coast, Warehouse Demo Services, StockPot Soups, Great Landscape Services

In-Kind Sponsors: Bastille Cafe & Bar, The Design Poole, El Zacatecano, Fall City Roadhouse & Inn, Foraged and Found, Hedges Family Estate, Hyatt Regency Bellevue, Poquitos, Salish Lodge & Spa, Skagit River Ranch, Starbucks Coffee Company, Skagit River Ranch, Talking Rain, Participating Local Wineries

August 2012 – Michelle Poole

Justin Huguet — Fri, 24 Aug 2012 15:51:55 +0000

Michelle Poole has generously donated her talent and artistic vision from the beginning. “I wanted to put Tim Rose’s ideas on paper using color and type,” says Michelle. The result was Camp Korey’s brand identity and a happy and uplifting logo to reflect Korey’s fun and vivacious spirit.

Over the years Michelle has created original artwork for countless CK projects including Washington Wine Festival, GROW, Fall Festival and Team Korey.

“I am inspired by people that do what they are passionate about for a career. And photographing Paul Newman was of course a career highlight for me.”

“When I was a kid my mom would bring me to gallery exhibits and I remember being in San Francisco at a textile exhibit and staring at the beautiful colors. I knew then I wanted to be an artist,” recalls Michelle. “I would go around the neighborhood by the third grade and sell the arts and crafts that I made. My most successful project was a knitted piggy bank – brown, pink and white striped. They sold for $2 each!”

We are honored to feature Michelle in our Supporter Spotlight blog, and encourage you to visit her website The Design Poole to learn more about her work.

July 2012 – Morgan Stanley Smith Barney

Justin Huguet — Mon, 16 Jul 2012 17:15:09 +0000

From July 13-15, 2012, hundreds of Morgan Stanley Smith Barney employees worked together to successfully traverse Washington state and part of Idaho in the inaugural Silverdale to Coeur d’Alene Relay in support of Camp Korey. The event kicked off Friday morning at MSSB’s Silverdale, WA branch.

Participants walked and biked their way through Silverdale, Poulsbo, across the Agate Pass Bridge and Bainbridge Island.

They ferried across Puget Sound and docked in Seattle…

…where they were greeted by a large group of coworkers eagerly awaiting the next leg of the journey!

Here is the group walking through downtown Seattle.

Everyone was elated when the clouds and rain cleared up for what would become a beautiful day!

The Silverdale to Coeur d’Alene Relay was spearheaded by Alex Burlingame, Seattle Complex Manager, and fellow regional managers at Morgan Stanley Smith Barney. Here is Alex enjoying the walk with Camp Korey’s Executive Director, Hillary Carey, and Event Manager, Dawn Draves.

Cyclists climbed the Cascades and crossed Washington all the way to the outskirts of Spokane.

Here is the group walking to Spokane.

At the finish line: Coeur d’Alene!

To date, the Silverdale to Coeur d’Alene Relay raised over $92,000 directly benefiting Camp Korey. Camp Korey would like to thank all of the participants and donors for making a difference in the lives of our campers!

T-shirt screen printing by TRiG Graphics.

June 2012 – Seattle Theater Group (STG)

Justin Huguet — Mon, 16 Jul 2012 17:10:14 +0000

The generous folks at Seattle Theatre Group hooked us up with a sound system, microphones and lighting for Camp Korey’s universally accessible stage. Thanks STG!

Each camper looks forward to performing on stage during the final night of camp. At Camp Korey, we call it “Stage Night.” The evening consists of singing, dancing, comedy, skits, music, cheering and much more!

“I’m so excited for Stage Night. Singing with my friends is the best part of camp.” – a camper

Let the standing ovations begin!