Camp Kiwanis

Hello, fellow Washingtonians! When it comes to finding that perfect spot for a memorable gathering, whether it's a family reunion, a youth retreat, or a special group event, our beautiful state offers a diverse range of locations. Today, we're focusing on a unique and highly-regarded option nestled in the scenic Blue Mountains near Walla Walla: Camp Kiwanis. This isn't your typical public campground with individual sites; instead, Camp Kiwanis is a dedicated facility designed to host groups, offering a fantastic blend of natural beauty and structured amenities that make it an ideal choice for organized events. This article aims to provide a clear, engaging, and factual overview of Camp Kiwanis, helping you understand its offerings and why it might be the perfect setting for your next big gathering.

Washington state is a land of incredible natural beauty, from the rugged coastlines to the majestic Cascade Mountains and the rolling hills of Eastern Washington. The Blue Mountains, with their serene forests and picturesque landscapes, provide a wonderful backdrop for escaping the everyday and fostering connection. Camp Kiwanis leverages this stunning environment, offering a dedicated space where groups can come together, enjoy the outdoors, and create lasting memories. It’s a place where the focus is on community, shared experiences, and making the most of a beautiful, private setting.

Unlike many public campgrounds that operate on a first-come, first-served basis for individual campers, Camp Kiwanis operates as a rental facility, primarily for groups. This means planning ahead and booking your dates are essential steps to securing this sought-after venue. Its emphasis on providing comprehensive facilities for various group sizes sets it apart, making it a highly practical and appealing choice for those organizing events in the Walla Walla area. From accommodations to recreational areas, Camp Kiwanis is equipped to handle a wide array of group needs, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable experience for all participants.

For many of us in Washington, fostering community and providing enriching experiences for youth are deeply held values. Camp Kiwanis, originally established by the Walla Walla Kiwanis Club, has a long history of serving these purposes, particularly for young people. This heritage contributes to its reputation as a safe, welcoming, and well-maintained environment. So, whether you're coordinating a youth summer camp, planning a family reunion that requires communal spaces, or organizing a corporate retreat with outdoor activities, let’s explore what makes Camp Kiwanis a truly special and suitable venue right here in our Washington backyard.

Camp Kiwanis is beautifully situated in the Blue Mountains, approximately 13 miles from downtown Walla Walla, Washington. Its address is 10993-10449 Mill Creek Rd, Walla Walla, WA 99362, USA. This location offers the best of both worlds: a serene, natural setting removed from the city bustle, yet still within a reasonable driving distance of Walla Walla for any necessary supplies or additional exploration.

Accessibility to Camp Kiwanis is generally straightforward, being located off Mill Creek Road. The road leading to the camp is typically well-maintained, allowing for easy access by various vehicles, including vans and buses often used for group transport. However, as it is in a mountain setting, visitors should always check local road conditions, especially during inclement weather seasons. The camp has invested in improvements to its infrastructure, including expanding parking areas (both in the back of cabins and street-side) to better accommodate guests. There have also been efforts to improve access around the camp, such as raising the egress off the car bridge for a more gradual descent. While a footbridge over Mill Creek is a future project, these ongoing improvements demonstrate a commitment to enhancing accessibility for all users.

The picturesque drive through the Blue Mountains to reach Camp Kiwanis sets the tone for a refreshing escape. The camp's established presence and its clear address make it easy to locate, ensuring that your group can arrive smoothly and begin enjoying the beautiful surroundings without unnecessary complications. Its location strikes an excellent balance between wilderness immersion and practical convenience for group events.

Camp Kiwanis is specifically designed and equipped to host groups, offering a comprehensive array of facilities and services that go beyond what a typical individual campsite provides. These amenities support a wide range of activities and ensure a comfortable stay for large gatherings.

• Accommodations: The camp features multiple wood-structured cabins, each designed to house between 14 to 28 people with bunk beds. Two of these cabins include their own bathrooms. Additionally, there's a dedicated "tenting village" known as Don's Gathering Place, where children can camp out in tents or a large teepee.
• Bathhouses: There are two main bathhouses, one in the upper camp ("Girls Hill") and one in the lower camp ("Boys Hill"), providing individual toilets and showers.
• Dining Facilities: A large L-shaped Dining Hall can feed up to 200 people. It houses a commercial kitchen, allowing groups to cater their own meals or arrange for catering services (though the camp typically does not provide meal service directly). The Dining Hall also doubles as a rainy-day program area with a stage.
• Recreational Facilities:
  • Swimming Pool: A play pool, 4 feet deep at its deepest point, is available for swimming sessions, supervised by certified lifeguards.
  • Lake Janis: A man-made pond fed by Sash Creek, offering opportunities for canoeing, kayaking, and paddle boating. It also has a fishing dock for catch-and-release fishing.
  • Sports Areas: Extensive spaces for various sports, including a blacktop for basketball and boxball, a baseball field for kickball, and grass areas for volleyball, soccer, rugby, and dodgeball.
  • Amphitheatre: The Ivan Tarnapoll Amphitheatre, completed in 2023, provides an additional activity space.
• Specialty Buildings:
  • Health Center: A remodeled facility (as of 2020) with multiple beds, including an isolation room, staffed by at least one RN overnight.
  • Music/Dance/Drama (MDD) Building: Features a stage and costume closet for performing arts activities.
  • Discovery Center: Houses a camp library and serves as a game room. Campers are encouraged to take books home.
  • Arts & Crafts Shack: A dedicated building for creative activities like tie-dye.
• Meeting Spaces: Beyond the Dining Hall, there are multiple indoor and outdoor group meeting places with seating.
• Utilities: Phones and internet services are available, though occasional outages due to storms have been noted, which is common in natural settings.

Camp Kiwanis boasts a variety of features and highlights that make it an exceptional choice for organized groups and family gatherings in Washington. These attributes contribute to its reputation as a "great place for family gatherings" and a "cool lil camp."

• Beautiful Setting in the Blue Mountains: The primary draw of Camp Kiwanis is its stunning natural environment. Nestled amidst the scenic beauty of the Blue Mountains, the camp provides a refreshing escape with fresh air and picturesque surroundings, perfect for outdoor activities and relaxation.
• Dedicated Group Facilities: Unlike public campgrounds, Camp Kiwanis is specifically designed for group use. This means it offers a comprehensive infrastructure, including multiple cabins, a large dining hall, various activity buildings, and sports fields, all geared towards facilitating a cohesive and enjoyable group experience.
• Variety of Activities: The camp offers an extensive range of activities, making it highly versatile for different group interests. These include:
  • Water activities: Swimming in the pool, boating on Lake Janis (pedalboats, kayaks, canoes), and catch-and-release fishing.
  • Sports: Basketball, boxball, kickball, volleyball, soccer, rugby, dodgeball, and other field games.
  • Creative and Educational: Arts & Crafts (tie-dye, friendship bracelets), Music/Dance/Drama, Nature exploration (stream exploration, tree identification, hiking), and a library in the Discovery Center.
  • Outdoor Exploration: Hiking on 104 acres of land, including nature trails and a rope trail.
• Well-Maintained and Clean: Reviews highlight that the camp is clean, indicating a commitment to upkeep and providing a pleasant environment for guests. This is crucial for any group facility.
• Sense of Seclusion and Community: While designed for groups, the camp provides a sense of being a private retreat. This fosters a strong sense of community among guests, enhancing the group experience.
• Historical Significance: Established in 1923 by the Walla Walla Kiwanis Club, the camp has a rich history of providing outdoor experiences for generations of young people, adding to its unique character.

For booking inquiries and general information about Camp Kiwanis, it is essential to contact the Walla Walla Kiwanis Club or the Camp Kiwanis Foundation directly. Given its nature as a group rental facility, availability can vary, so planning ahead is crucial.

Address: 10993-10449 Mill Creek Rd, Walla Walla, WA 99362, USA

Contact Information for Reservations:

Reservation Phone Number: (509) 301-1900

Reservation Email: reservations@campkiwanisww.org

Camp Phone Number (general inquiries, may differ from reservation line): (541) 558-3963

It is highly recommended to check their official website for the current calendar of availability, as colored and shaded dates typically indicate unavailability. Given its popularity for family gatherings and youth camps, booking well in advance, especially for peak seasons, is advisable. Communication via email for reservation requests is also a convenient option.

For us Washingtonians, Camp Kiwanis stands out as an exceptional resource for creating memorable group experiences right here in our beautiful state. Its suitability for locals lies in its unique offering as a dedicated, private facility perfectly tailored for family gatherings, youth camps, and various organizational retreats. Unlike public campgrounds that serve individual parties, Camp Kiwanis provides a comprehensive environment where groups can truly bond and enjoy a structured yet natural outdoor experience. The beautiful setting in the serene Blue Mountains offers a refreshing escape, while the extensive amenities—including cabins, a dining hall with a commercial kitchen, a swimming pool, and a wide array of recreational activities—ensure that all ages and interests are catered to. Its history of community service through the Walla Walla Kiwanis Club also adds a layer of trustworthiness and a sense of shared purpose. For those coordinating events that require a blend of natural beauty, functional facilities, and a private, safe environment, Camp Kiwanis is an invaluable local gem that allows us to come together and make lasting memories in the heart of Washington's scenic wonders.

Camp Kiwanis

10993-10449 Mill Creek Rd, Walla Walla, WA 99362, USA