On the evening of Saturday, June 15, we experienced a fire at our beloved YMCA Camp Northern Lights. The Orion building was destroyed and rendered a total loss.
As you may know, Orion was an essential space at camp. This building played a dual role. It housed our Leadership Development Program’s sleeping quarters and served as our only commercial kitchen, nourishing our LDP participants, families who rely on our food service to have the best possible camp experience, and team members.
The impact of this incident has been truly challenging, but we are incredibly grateful for the support we’ve received from so many community partners, donors, volunteers and staff members.
- Our kitchen operations have now shifted to the Ely Senior Center. We are so grateful for their flexibility and genuine hospitality.
- A huge thank you to Gardner Builders. They were able to quickly help us build three decks for our platform tent village that now houses our LDP (Leadership Development Program).
- To all those that donated food to our staff team in the days immediately following the fire, thank you. Every snack and meal was thoroughly enjoyed.
- Since the fire, over 100 donors helped us raise $50,000. Thank you to every person for helping us get back on our feet and create the momentum we needed to move forward with phase one of overall capital campaign.
Camp Northern Lights was already engaged in our Be the Light Campaign, and this fire has caused us to expedite our plans. We’re shifting the focus of this campaign to address the most urgent need which is feeding our staff, LDP’s and campers.
If you would like to support the Camp Northern Lights community and team, please consider making a gift to our Be the Light Campaign today.
Gifts to the campaign will:
- Fund the construction of a commercial kitchen which will kick off phase one of the overall Dining Hall - Lodge Project
- Replace kitchen equipment and materials