With 43 Acres on the East Fork of the Lewis River north of Battleground WA (just North of Lewisville Park), the camp is available for all youth and non-profit groups. We have two main sections – The Upper Camp and the Lower Camp. Either one or both areas can be scheduled. The two areas are separated by several acres of trails, including a Gazebo and a connecting road. Please contact
Steve Enyeart, Camp Director, Vancouver Optimist Club at info@vanopt.org for details, camp policies and to schedule use of the camp sites.
The Optimist organization is made up of local service clubs promoting youth and youth activities. The Youth Camp is provided by the Vancouver Optimist club for use by youth groups; or other non-profit organizations and groups promoting activities such as nature and environmental studies, camping, meetings/retreats, and other outdoor related educational and social activities to promote the our youth.
To preserve the primitive and natural environment of the camp, we provide several designated camping areas and limited parking. We ask that all stay on trails, roads and paths and follow other camp policies (see below). The camp access is limited and
all users will conduct their activities so as to be good neighbors to adjacent property owners and residents (see policies below).
The Lower Camp has 2 main buildings one that can be used for a
kitchen (no running water), covered patio with picnic tables and a
Bunk House. Electricity is available in both buildings. The bunk house has 9 bunks and enough room for another 15 people to sleep. The lower camp includes a large fire pit ringed by natural log benches and several secluded tent sites in addition to the Bunk House. There is access to the East Fork of the Lewis River. There are two large open areas for outdoor activities, meetings, camping, etc. There is parking for up to 8 vehicles and one of the open fields can be used for RV’s (summer only).
The
Upper Camp has several fire rings, with areas next to for pitching tents and some isolation between the camp sites. There is a large covered picnic facility with picnic style tables. There is parking for up to 6 vehicles. Several trails into the woods run out from the camping area. The forest is a mixture of many kinds of trees and quite dense in areas leading to a rain forest appearance with lots of moss hanging in the trees and lots of ferns.
Many of these improvements have been made by Boys and Girls youth groups over the years, and we encourage use of the camp for improvement of our youth. One such project is an open air amphi-theater consisting of a pair of camp fire rings, flag poles and several benches for seating groups for instructional or other group activities.
The Vancouver Optimist club sponsors sports teams, youth events and support a Junior Optimist club (JOOI Club). We are really proud of the Optimist Youth Camp, 43 acres on the East Fork of the Lewis River. We would love to show you our Optimist Camp and visit with you about our involvement with “Bringing out the Best in Kids.”
By Providing Hope and Positive Vision, The Vancouver Optimist Club “Brings Out the Best in Kids.”
Camp Policies. The Camp Director will provide a copy of the camp policies for all users (a formal copy of the policies will be provided at the time you reserve the camp site.)
- Pack it in, Pack it out. We require you to police your area and to pack it out. We have toilet facilities at each Camp site, but no drinking water – that you will need to bring yourself.
- Adult Supervision is required at all times.
- Good neighbor – the camp is adjacent to property owners and residents and access is limited to our camp, so we request that traffic be kept to a minimum. Carpooling is highly encouraged.
- No fire arms or other items such as air pistols and rifles. Bows or knives require pre-approval.
- Camp fires are permitted in designated fire pits only. Fire prevention tools must be on site. Some firewood is available but limited – check with the Camp Director.
- No tree or brush cutting. The Camp Director must approve cutting standing trees, and clearing any areas of the camp.
- You must provide your own insurance (accident, property, medical and liability) and submit proof of such.
