A sea life touch tank, big slides and a rock climbing wall are some of the changes that Camp Casey regulars and newbies will find when they return to the historic camp this summer.

Tuesday afternoon, community members learned about the YMCA of Snohomish County’s plans for the $12.7 million property, which was taken over by the nonprofit in January after 68 years in the care of Seattle Pacific University.

Under the new owners, the camp will continue to welcome people of all ages who come from Whidbey and beyond, serving as a summer camp, retreat and conference destination for youth sports teams, nonprofits and school and church groups while also offering new programs and amenities.

As it settles in, the “Y” will get to know the island community, seeking to fill any gaps in services and opportunities. According to Snohomish County YMCA CEO and President Peyton Tune, the nonprofit has received numerous calls and messages from Whidbey residents who wanted the YMCA to come to the island.

Now that it’s settled in, the nonprofit plans to transform Camp Casey into “the premier camp” in all of the West Coast, Tune announced to the crowd Tuesday.

Jake Carlson, executive director of YMCA Camp Casey, told the News-Times the site will feature a rock climbing wall and two 60-foot slides before the overnight camp program kicks off this summer. The high ropes course will be ready by the summer of 2026.

Rob Millard, vice president of property management, told the News-Times the touch tank will debut by the end of March, giving visitors the opportunity to touch and see the Salish Sea’s critters up close. Each creature will be fished out of the sea with a permit and returned to their habitat, he clarified.

“I love that this is a place where kids have always come and will continue to come, and I love that we’re able to just bring a little more life back into this place,” Mallard said.

Standing on the shiny gymnasium floor, he explained the original 1905 floor has been resurfaced and painted to host indoor pickleball, basketball and volleyball games. The outdoor courts will be resurfaced as well.

The basement of the gymnasium building will be renovated to host more programs, he said, while more bathrooms will be added to the barracks.

On top of new showers, lighting and fencing in the pool area, the pool itself is being replastered and is expected to reopen by May 30, Millard and Carlson said.

The pool will be open for lap swim sessions and open swim fun, as well as swimming lessons taught by a certified instructor, according to information presented at the event.

Carlson said he is most excited about introducing the overnight camp program. While the site has hosted overnight camp experiences, it has never run its own program, he said.

YMCA Camp Casey’s very own overnight camp is expected to host 150 young campers each week between July and August, according to Carlson and information provided at the community kickoff. This program offers two-, four- and five-night sessions to children in first through 11th grade, according to a flyer provided at the community kickoff.

The Outdoor Day Camp program, open to children in grades 1-6, will consist of weekly sessions offered Monday through Friday from July 21 to Aug. 22, featuring traditional camp activities, according to a flyer.

Between May 30 and June 1, YMCA Camp Casey will host its first Family Camp, a weekend where families of all ages can enjoy activities like archery, arts and crafts, hikes and campfires, according to a flyer.

From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on April 19, the camp will also celebrate its first Earth Day event, an event featuring various Whidbey organizations and a number of activities, immersive experiences, bird walks and walks on the beach, forest and prairie.

Those who missed the community kickoff will get a second chance to learn and ask questions at the community open house, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on May 3. Visitors can explore the camp, try some of the new activities and get a preview of the new programs, according to information provided at the event.

For more information about YMCA Camp Casey, email Whitney Butterfield at wbutterfield@ymca-snoco.org or visit ymcacampcasey.org.

YMCA Camp Casey welcomes community members to make a donation to the Community Campaign, an annual fundraiser that provides financial assistance to people who would otherwise be unable to enjoy the camp’s programs. The goal is to raise $50,000, according to information presented Tuesday.

To make a donation, visit ymca-snoco.org/give, visit the camp or mail a check to the YMCA of Snohomish County c/o Donor Services, PO Box 419 Everett, WA 98206.

Note: This story was edited Saturday to clarify that the high ropes course will be installed before the summer of 2026, not 2025.