CHIMACUM — More than 50 people — including board members, volunteers, families, past and new campers, former counselors and other officials from Jefferson and Clallam counties — attended the open house of the new bunkhouses at Camp Beausite NW on Saturday.
Each of the two new bunkhouses, built by G. Little Construction of Port Townsend, sleeps 20 people and includes a central restroom with adaptive shower and a propane fireplace to heat the four wings, according to a news release.
The structures replace worn group tents that campers had used for the past 28 years.
Several businesses from around the region donated furnishings and supplies to finish the buildings, including Mattress Ranch of Port Orchard, which donated 40 mattresses, comforters, mattress coverings, sheets and pillows; Carl’s Building Supplies of Port Hadlock, and Mountain Propane.
Lakeside Industries of Port Angeles paved the pathways. Milgard discounted the windows. Ikea of Renton donated 40 pine nightstands. Walmart of Sequim discounted lamps and gave a $500 grant for supplies. First Federal Community Foundation gave $25,000.
Additionally, United Way of Clallam County has granted funds for scholarships for eight to 10 Clallam County residents with special needs to attend summer camp this year, said Cheryl Smith, director of programs.
Buckhorn Chapter of Backcountry Horsemen raised more than $1,500 to build a new round corral where campers will mount their horses to ride the surrounding trails, or brush and pet the horses if they’d prefer, said officials.
Kiwanis Clubs from Port Angeles, Sequim, Port Townsend and Gig Harbor donated funds and hundreds of volunteer hours to ready the bunkhouses for campers.
“This is a huge milestone for Camp Beausite to be able to offer these comfortable accommodations for our exceptional campers and wonderful counselors,” said Claudia Edmondson, executive director, in welcoming the crowd.
Camp Beausite, formerly Northwest Kiwanis Camp, will offer five week-long overnight sessions of summer camp for 20 campers each week beginning July 3. Each week serves a different age group, from six to 65, said Smith. All sessions were full as of late March.
During the week, campers make arts and crafts, ride horses, swim at Mountain View Pool, visit historic Fort Worden, perform in skits and talent shows, learn new skills, connect with old friends and meet new ones.
Campers will come from throughout Western Washington and present with a wide variety of special needs, including medical, physical and developmental, said the news release.
The camp hires a full-time onsite nurse, a cook and 18 camp counselors to provide direct assistance and support to the campers as needed. This year’s hires include counselors with backgrounds in wilderness therapy, speech therapy, caregiving and special education.
