KEEN's - Pond to Pines Camp Yurt Project
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Right now, two yurts are sitting on a contractor’s property outside Ellensburg.
They’re finished.
Built.
Ready.
Waiting.
Those yurts are destined for KEEN’s Pond to Pines Summer Camp in the Yakima River Canyon—a place where kids will fall asleep to the sound of the river, wake up to birdsong, and experience the outdoors in a way that many never have before.
For some children, this will be their first night outdoors.
The yurts are built.
The platforms are ready.
The design and permits are complete.
But before we can open the camp, we must complete the life-safety infrastructure required for public occupancy.
Kittitas County requires a fire truck turnaround, standpipe access for fire protection, and an ADA-accessible parking space so emergency responders and visitors can safely access the site.
Because of changes in how the state is administering our grant funding, KEEN must now raise $175,000 to complete these required safety improvements before the project can move forward.
Without this infrastructure, the yurts cannot be installed and the camp cannot open.
With it, hundreds of kids will experience the Yakima Canyon in ways that shape their confidence, curiosity, and connection to nature.
Campfires.
Friendships.
Discovery.
A lifelong love of the outdoors.
For more than 26 years, this community has helped KEEN connect kids with nature.
Now we need your help to make the camp safe and ready for them.
If 1,750 people gave $100, we could complete the safety infrastructure.
If 350 people gave $500, we could open the camp.
If 70 people gave $2,500, we could finish the project.
Every gift moves us closer.
Help us bring these yurts home to the Yakima Canyon—and open the doors to a new generation of outdoor learners.
Donate today and help us open Pond to Pines Camp.
Join the Final Push: Finish the Yurts at the Yakima Canyon Interpretive Center
The dream of the Yakima Canyon Interpretive Center (YCIC) has been decades in the making. For more than 25 years, the Kittitas Environmental Education Network (KEEN) has worked to connect children and families with the incredible landscapes and wildlife of the Yakima River Canyon. Now, with your help, that dream is becoming real.
A critical first step in this vision is the yurt project. These yurts are designed as flexible, all-weather learning spaces—classrooms in the wild where summer camps, school programs, workshops, and community events can bring the canyon to life for everyone who visits. They’re more than structures; they are the gateway to hands-on environmental education, inspiring curiosity and stewardship in the next generation.
Thanks to the generosity of our community and KEEN’s own investment, we’ve already committed $870,000 to bring these yurts to life. The yurts are ready to be put up, the raised platforms are designed, and permitting has been completed. The excitement is real—but we’re not finished. To fully complete the yurts, we still need $175,000.
This is where you come in. Every donation, large or small, pushes us closer to opening these doors for kids and families across Kittitas County. By contributing, you’re not just funding construction—you’re creating a space where children can explore nature, where families can connect with the outdoors, and where our community can gather to learn and celebrate the canyon we all love.
We’re calling on the community to rally together and meet this final challenge. Can we raise the last $175,000 and finish the yurts? With your support, yes—we can.
Be part of this moment. Make your gift today and help KEEN complete the yurts. Together, we’ll create a lasting legacy of learning, wonder, and connection in the Yakima River Canyon.
Imagine generations of children sleeping under the stars, sharing stories, and learning about the wild spaces that make Kittitas County so special. Help us build a legacy of learning, community, and connection to nature. Help us build the heart of camp. Inspire a future.
Big News: Yurts Coming to Pond to Pines Camp This Spring!
We are excited to share that construction of two yurts at KEEN’s Pond to Pines Summer Camp will begin this spring! These yurts will become the heart of camp life—providing safe, comfortable overnight accommodations that open the door to expanded programming for youth in our community.
With these new spaces, KEEN can:
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🌙 Host overnight camp sessions, helping kids connect more deeply with nature.
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🏕️ Offer weekend retreats and outdoor learning opportunities year-round.
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✨ Provide KEEN members with exclusive opportunities to rent the yurts for their own overnight stays, creating new ways to enjoy Helen McCabe Park and support KEEN’s mission.
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🌟 Strengthen the foundation for the Yakima Canyon Interpretive Center (YCIC) by showing how immersive, nature-based education can thrive right here at Helen McCabe Park.
The yurts are more than just buildings—they are a step forward in KEEN’s vision for outdoor education, habitat connection, and community impact. As we continue to build momentum toward the future YCIC, these yurts represent an exciting milestone: moving from plans on paper to structures on the ground that will serve kids and families for years to come.
Stay tuned this fall as the yurts take shape—and as always, thank you for being part of KEEN’s journey in building a stronger connection between people, place, and nature.