A milestone on the field
At the foot of the Cascades, YMCA Camp Casey became the setting for Washington’s inaugural high school girls flag football camp, drawing nearly 80 athletes from Henry M. Jackson, Monroe, Everett, Cedarcrest and Olympia high schools.
Over four days the participants moved through position‑specific drills, leadership workshops and classic camp activities, building both skill and camaraderie.
Empowering the next generation
Aria Ludtke, associate director of marketing at YMCA of Snohomish County, said the program was designed to give teenage girls a space to develop confidence and resilience through sport.
Guest speakers addressed leadership, recruiting, mental toughness and the qualities of positive coaching, adding a broader perspective to the on‑field work.
Community support and impact
Community partners such as the Positive Coaching Alliance, Sports in Schools and the Seattle Seahawks contributed resources, mentorship and equipment, underscoring a regional commitment to the initiative.
Tanishia Norman of the King County Play Equity Coalition noted that the camp arrived at a critical moment, as research shows girls are leaving sports at higher rates than boys, and the experience can inspire leadership beyond the game.
Bailey Forsyth, youth sports coordinator at Everett Family YMCA, observed the shift from competing squads to a unified community, describing the camp as a catalyst for lasting bonds.
Looking ahead
Organizers plan to expand the offering into fall sessions for children from kindergarten through twelfth grade, seeking additional coaches, volunteers and financial support.
Prospective participants can register or learn more at www.ymca-snoco.org/sports or by contacting Chris Bellecourt at cbellecourt@ymca-snoco.org.