About Us
Coodinator: Didier Gincig
Advisory Committee: Bob Eagan, Joe Gaydos, Emilie Gincig, Bob Phalan, Lynsey Smith, Kevin O'Brien, Vicki Vandermay and Valerie Harris
Mission Statement
The Orcas Island Recreation Program welcomes youth, teens, adults, and families to our year-round programs. Our programs are open to people of all experience and skill levels. Each activity is led by instructors who value everyone’s participation. Individuals will be supported and encouraged to play and develop skills at a level that reflects individual personal achievement. We are committed to creating an environment that supports individuality, cooperation, safety, trust, and respect.
Message from the Coordinator
Be it theater, field trips, sports, adult or youth sailing, music, nature walks, cooking, art, or learning about medicinal uses of plants, there is something for everyone. There are programs for adults, teenagers, youth, and for the wee young ones. We're excited about collaborating with Orcas Center again for Theater Camp—Cirque d’Orcas-- continuing last year's circus theme, the 2008 Theater Camp will feature teaching artists from the thrilling DREAM SCIENCE CIRCUS. Orcas Island is a great place to be this summer and there are plenty of fun and interesting opportunities including sailing (adult and youth), British Soccer Camp, Basketball Camp, a new Golf Clinic, Tennis Clinic, delicious cooking classes, backpacking for teens (in collaboration with San Juan Island), field trips, new and interesting art classes. Skyhawks Multi-Sports Camp returns for its second year after strong reviews from last year. The summer comes to a close with the 10th Annual Steve Braun Memorial Triathlon.
We are enthusiastic about being a part of F.E.A.S.T. (Farm Education and Sustainability for Teens), a summer program focusing on sustainable living skills, growing food, preservation & distribution, natural building, alternative energy systems, leadership development, and sustainability. Students will be offered a unique opportunity to connect in a meaningful way to their community, each other and the land and engage in important issues of sustainability. Read more in the guide and check out the F.E.A.S.T. public programs.
It is our goal to offer a wide variety of fun, educational, and meaningful opportunities for children, teens, and adults. Much gratitude goes to everyone who is part of the Orcas Island Recreation Program. There are so many who share their enthusiasm, skills, and love of community. We’re pleased that children have opportunities to sail, make music, perform in theater, cook, discover new places and new people, learn about nature, make pottery, have fun with others, and discover creativity. It is because of caring people, who love children and enjoy sharing skills, enthusiasm, and guidance, that these opportunities are available. We are fortunate to be on this island with people who work so well with kids. It’s a pleasure to watch how each program offers a different mix of people coming together. Children who visit relatives on the island connect with local children; adults and young adults form friendships.
We are now in our fifteenth year helping to provide a pleasant upbringing for children on this beautiful island and making life on the island rich in many ways. Community donations have kept the doors open for the Orcas Rec. Program, making this possible. We are a county program--about 16% of our funding comes from the county. Community donations, grants, and registration fees help us keep our prices as affordable as possible while offering scholarships so every child may participate. We have included a donations page in the summer guide. Please support us in what we do. It makes a difference in children's lives.
Find what you enjoy, take a risk, and join in the fun this summer!
Didier Gincig, Coordinator