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Packing Lists, Forms, & Travel

Travel Info

Transportation

New for 2025! KEEN has acquired a passenger bus from Hopesource and we'll be offering busing to camp this summer from downtown Ellensburg!

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If your household needs transportation assistance for summer camp, KEEN is offering morning and afternoon busing options for campers in 2025.

Buses will pick up and drop off at a centralized location (SAFEWAY DOWNTOWN).

The cost will be $20/week.

Spaces will be limited to 14 campers per week, so register early to reserve your spot!

You MUST be already be registered for Pond to Pines to get a bus spot.

CAMP LOCATION

Pond to Pines summer day camps are 100% outdoor immersion held at the Yakima Canyon interpretive Center in Helen McCabe Park, just five miles south of Ellensburg (I-90). Pond to Pines is from 9am-3pm M-F between June 23-August 1, 2025. Each camp is carefully constructed to provide the ultimate nature-based learning environment while providing a FUN hands-on experience!

Directions to YCIC @ Helen McCabe Park (Pond to Pines Summer Day Camp)

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From Ellensburg

Follow Canyon Road south from town, about 5 miles to YCIC @ Helen McCabe Park (just before the canyon).

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From Yakima

Take I-82 north towards Ellensburg

Take Exit #3: Thrall Road

Turn right onto Thrall Road

Turn left onto Canyon Road

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Parking

For check-in and check-out, please park in the main park entrance on Canyon Road, near the pond and pit toilets. Please be cautious when entering and leaving camp areas.

DROP OFF & PICK UP

Camp drop off & pick up is conducted at the main parking lot of the Helen McCabe Park (next to the pond, where the pit toilets are)

Arrival Procedures

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When you arrive at the park, please remain with your child until you are greeted by a counselor. DO NOT simply drop off your child and leave without speaking with a counselor. Please arrive promptly at your designated times each day. POND TO PINES is located at Helen McCabe State Park; please use the main entrance and parking lot by the pit toilets along Canyon Road.

 

BUS DROP OFF: If you have signed up your child for camp busing, please read the following carefully. The KEEN bus will depart from the downtown Ellensburg Safeway at 8:30am every morning. The KEEN bus drive/staff member will be at the Safeway starting at 8:15am for check in (includes paperwork and packing list check). A transportation waiver will be sent to each participating family; form must be completed prior to camper’s first day riding the bus.

 

Checking in consists of:

  • Checking to ensure each camper arrives with a complete packing list;

  • Confirming health forms and waivers;

  • Checking in any medications with staff.

 

IF YOU NEED A LATE DROP OFF AT CAMP, YOU MUST CONTACT JEN SMITH (509-607-0822) THE DAY PRIOR TO ARRANGE DROP OFF.

 

Camp Drop-off           8:45-9:00 am

 

Departure Procedures

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When you arrive at the park, wait until you are greeted by a counselor to pick up your child. When picking up your child, please arrive promptly at your designated times each day. Follow the below instructions to ensure your check out experience is smooth.

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YOU MUST CHECK OUT WITH A COUNSELOR BEFORE LEAVING THE PARK WITH YOUR CHILD.

 

BUS PICK UP: If you have signed up your child for camp busing, please read the following carefully. The KEEN bus will depart from camp at 3pm. Pick up will start upon arrival and continue until 3:30pm promptly.

 

YOU MUST CHECK OUT WITH STAFF BEFORE LEAVING SAFEWAY WITH YOUR CHILD.

 

Checking out consists of:

  • You MUST provide a valid photo ID when picking up your child. We will not release a child to anyone not specifically indicated on the registration form.

  • Collecting any medications.

  • Checking lost and found.

  • Double checking that you have: your child, their extra clothes, their water bottle, and anything else they brought with them.

 

*A $25 late fee will be implemented for any pickup after 3:30pm without prior authorization from the camp director or supervisor. To avoid a late fee, please ensure you have good communication with camp staff and have several backup authorized adults able to pick up your child if an situation should arise (list these on your camper’s health form).

 

Camp Pick-up            3pm-3:15pm

Lists

Packing List for
Day Camp

In order for your kiddo to have a successful experience at camp, they must come prepared! The Scouts aren't the only ones with that motto... PLEASE review the packing list to ensure that your kiddo has everything they need! Campers without the basic necessities will not be allowed to attend camp that day; this is a safety thing!

Please write your child’s name on every item to limit cross-contamination and lost possessions.

  • Water bottle (preferably at least 32 oz.), filled. Camp will have water stations available for refilling.

  • Weather-appropriate clothing, including sturdy close-toed shoes.

  • Summer clothing can include: lightweight t-shirt and shorts, hat, jacket

  • Change of clothes (accidents happen; please send your camper prepared so staff is not forced to contact you during camp hours for soiled clothing)

  • Water Days: water shoes, swimsuit, and towel for pond days, usually Thursdays or Fridays

  • Backpack

  • Sunscreen with your child’s name written on it in permanent marker

  • Hat and/or Sunglasses

  • Bug spray; our mosquitos are hungry. Nothing less than 40% DEET works. Treating clothing with Permethrin before camp is encouraged as well.

  • Breakfast and lunch are provided through the FISH food bank. Please indicate on your health and waiver form if you intend to utilize the free meal option. Any child can bring their own lunch as desired. We will provide two daily snacks. If your child has specific dietary concerns, including allergies, please consider providing extra snacks (or a lunch) for your kiddo.

Forms & Waivers

DIGITAL HEALTH FORMS AND WAIVERS The health & waiver form provides us with pertinent medical information as well as release waivers for programming. Please read everything carefully.

Office & Mailing Address

115 East 4th Avenue, Suite 215

Ellensburg, WA 98926

keen@keenetwork.org

509-551-8807

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KEEN is an exempt organization as described in Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

Our Federal EIN is 22-3849021 

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KEEN's mission is to cultivate an active understanding of the impacts of climate change on the endangered shrub-steppe and foster commitment to environmental stewardship by providing culturally relevant nature-based education. Our main project is to establish the Yakima Canyon Interpretive Center (YCIC) at Helen McCabe Park near Ellensburg, WA.

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