Welcome to Camp Kilworth

Camp Kilworth is a special place. It is one of the last remaining undeveloped shoreline habitats in Federal Way, with a critical salmon rearing habitat and nearly 30 acres of second-growth high bank forest and home to many native plants and animals, such as bald eagles, blue herons and Townsend’s warblers.

The property had been abandoned and was at risk of being developed. Working closely with community partners, Forterra acquired the 30 acres to conserve the site in perpetuity and meet the needs of the surrounding community. The Conservation Futures (CFT) and Cooperative Watershed Management funded the acquisition of the site.

Thank you for your interest in visiting Camp Kilworth! The property is currently closed and undergoing restoration.

The History of Camp Kilworth

Camp Kilworth lies northeast of Dash Point State Park. For more than 80 years, the property was the venue for a Boy Scouts of America camp. When the camp closed in 2016, nearby residents and former Boy Scouts formed Kilworth Environmental Education Preserve (KEEP), a neighborhood nonprofit, to chart a new direction for the property.

KEEP partnered with Forterra and the YMCA to develop a strategy to conserve the camp and prevent the area from being sold for housing development. Forterra’s strategic purchase prevents residential development at the site. KEEP, Forterra and the Y’s shared vision is to ensure that community and youth will continue to gain valuable outdoor leadership experience for many years to come.

The camp also hosts the oldest structure in Federal Way, a Rotary Lodge built in 1936 — more than 50 years before Federal Way officially became a city. The lodge will be historically restored prior to use by the Y and community.

The Future of Camp Kilworth

The legacy of Camp Kilworth lives on. The YMCA has leased the property from Forterra to host its first outdoor camp in the centralized urban area of South King County. In addition to outdoor programs developed by the Y, the Puyallup Tribe will provide Indigenous outdoor education programs for campers. The Puyallup Tribe will also receive access to the site for cultural purposes.

Camp Kilworth provides a public health benefit, and through a community engagement process, the site aims to meet the community’s needs, continue the legacy of the camp and allow dedicated public access to the property.

The YMCA camp anticipates being in operation the summer of 2024.

About our Partners

Relevant Links

Press Release: Forterra partners with KEEP and YMCA of Greater Seattle to conserve Camp Kilworth in Federal Way

Land Acknowledgement

We gather and live on the plains, plateaus, mountains, and coastal lands that have been home to Indigenous peoples since time immemorial. We respect their Indigenous, Tribal and Treaty Rights while honoring their stewardship and culture today.