About NRYC
The Natural Resources Youth Camp (NRYC) was founded by a group of resource
professionals in 1983. Together, they developed a camp designed to provide
Western Washington youth learning experiences in the understanding,
interrelatedness and wise use of natural resources.
The goals of NRYC are:
- To provide hands-on experiences that will whet the interest of the participants to learn more about the natural resources;
- To provide participants with an appreciation of natural resources and promote good management and wise use of natural resources throughout their lives;
- And, at a minimum, the camp will help participants to better cope with the ever increasing human pressures on all natural resources.
Who are we?
The Natural Resources Youth Camp has a resident camp manager, camp director, nurse, registrar, recreation coordinator, program coordinator, CIT Coordinator, at least 3 board members, six counselors-in-training, and minimum of six counselors 24 hours per day. Career resource professionals are on site two or more days during the week. Each dorm has at least two resident leaders.
These enthusiastic natural resource professionals serve as the Board of Directors.
| Board of Directors | |
|---|---|
| Kathleen Whalen, Chair | Thurston Conservation District |
| Debbie Smith, Vice Chair | Tumwater Stream Team |
| Kahle Jennings, Treasurer | City of Centralia Utilities Dept. |
| Sara Carter, Secretary | Thurston Conservation District |
| Tom Fox | Tree Management Plus |
| Christine Redmond | WA Dept of natural Resources |
| Amy Grotta | WSU King Co. Extension Forest Stewardship |
| Bill Wamsley | Lewis Co. Noxious Weed Control Board |
These Associate Members provide valuable input and direction for the camp program and are active participants in the program.
| Associate Members | |
|---|---|
| John Bergvall | Society of American Foresters |
| Janet Pearce | WA Dept of Natural Resources |
| Danielle Warner | Lewis County Community Forest Stewardship Program |
These Supporting Members provide input and direction for the camp program. They, too, are active participants in the program.
| Supporting Members | |
|---|---|
| Jim Murphy | |
| Lee Boad | |
| Lois Ruskell | Snohomish Conservation District |
Where are we?
The camp is held at the Cispus Learning Center, which is located on a tree-clad 45-acre site in beautiful Gifford Pinchot National Forest, in the southeastern portion of Lewis County. This unique facility includes heated dormitories, dining hall, education building, gymnasium, nurses station, library, campfire, amphitheater, and trail systems. The Cispus River Valley is covered by dense second-growth forest consisting primarily of conifers, but with a scattering of deciduous trees. The Center is bordered by the Cispus River on the north and by Yellowjacket Creek on the east. There are several waterfalls and a cave located near the camp.