No matter when you worked at Deer Valley or what your role was the Boathouse is likely part of your camp story.

Maybe you taught campers how to tie nautical knots, rigged sailboats or led a canoe-swamping adventure. Maybe you brought your kids group down to search for pirates on the island, watched young campers bury one another in the sand or met friends on the dock after a long day.

Even if you never worked on the Waterfront, the Boathouse is one of those special places that makes Deer Valley feel like home.

For generations of campers and staff, it has been more than a building. It has been the center of the Waterfront and the backdrop for friendships, laughter, hard work and memories that last a lifetime.

The Boathouse Needs Our Help

After decades of faithful service, the Boathouse’s foundation has deteriorated significantly. The structure is slowly sinking into the shoreline and, unfortunately, cannot be repaired.

It must be replaced to ensure the Deer Valley Waterfront remains safe, welcoming and ready for future generations of campers.

Deer Valley YMCA Family Camp is launching a campaign to build a new Boathouse, and we are asking former staff to help make it possible.

Our Boathouse Campaign Goal

The estimated total cost of the Boathouse replacement project is $350,000. Our goal is for the Deer Valley former staff community to help raise $200,000 toward that cost.

The new Boathouse will:

• Preserve the familiar character and design of the current building
• Provide additional space and storage
• Better serve campers, families and Waterfront staff
• Protect the traditions that have made the Waterfront special for generations

We will also carefully move the summer staff name panels to the new Boathouse, preserving an important Deer Valley tradition and continuing it for future staff members.