Our Story

How Far
We’ve Come

Camp Gallagher belongs to the people who believe in it. When Camp faced an uncertain future, it was this incredible community who stepped forward to preserve it. What we’ve achieved so far has been remarkable: from 188 campers in our first summer back to more than 400 each summer today. And now, it’s time to build what comes next.

1963

The CYO begins bringing campers to the Case Inlet property as a satellite site.

1970

Camp Gallagher is officially established as its own summer camp.

Five young women singing together at Camp in 1970, one playing a guitar
People carrying boards beside a flagpole on the shore in 1970, with the water and mountains behind

Opening summer, 1970

2010

Camp Gallagher closes.

2015

Alumni and community members refuse to let Gallagher disappear, and launch its first capital campaign.

A Facebook post from February 19, 2015 by Alison Mohrbacher, sharing the Buy Gallagher fundraiser and the vision of bringing the Gallagher experience to campers for generations to comeA round Jump In! pin showing a sailboat on the water at sunset

The post that launched the effort to buy Gallagher, February 2015

2015

Friends of Camp Gallagher sign a historic 30-year lease.

2016

The community celebrates with a kickoff event in Seattle.

Three women laughing and singing at the kickoff event, one wearing a Gallagher sweatshirt
Four people playing guitars and singing at the kickoff event

Kickoff event in Seattle, January 2016

2016

Camp Gallagher runs its first summer season as an independent camp, serving 188 middle and high school campers across four sessions, and additional participants through family and grownup programs.

The first session of campers and staff back at Camp in 2016, gathered on the steps of a lodge
The first group of campers on the bus to Camp for Session 1 in 2016, smiling and waving

Session 1, 2016

Today

Camp Gallagher serves more than 550 summer participants each year, including more than 400 middle and high school campers across six sessions. Families, adults, and young adults are also served through family and grownup camps, young alumni expeditions, and a Leadership Development Program.

A long row of campers sitting on a driftwood log on the beach at sunset, arms around each other, looking out at the water
Campers painting at a picnic table under a canopy at Camp

Our Partnership

The property partnership and lease

[Paragraph about the property partnership: who Camp Gallagher partners with, and what the partnership makes possible.]

[Paragraph about the lease: its terms and what it means for Camp's future.]

Placeholder. Final wording coming from Patrick.

Where We’re Going

Tomorrow

By 2029, Camp Gallagher runs programming in every season, not just summer, on facilities built to last and a financial footing that doesn’t depend on any single fundraising cycle. Every camper who wants to be at Camp can be, regardless of ability to pay; every adult knows there’s a place to come home to; and our education partners know Camp is a place where learning can grow.

See the plan
Watercolour concept rendering of the Lilliwaup shelter with campers gathered at the fireplace

Join Us

If Camp Gallagher shaped your life or that of a loved one, or if you believe more young people deserve that chance, this is the moment to invest.

Every generation of Camp’s community has been shaped by the generosity of those who came before them, who built the cabins, maintained the trails, kept the kitchen running, and showed up year after year to make sure Camp was ready.

This campaign is our opportunity to continue that legacy so that new generations of campers can find their home at Camp.

Give to the campaign Find your lodge