Camp Siberia




		For twenty years the communities of Bainbridge Island, Washington and Novosibirsk, Russia have been cultivating cross-cultural relationships through theater, artist and student exchanges. Some of those have focused on the needs of Russian children who have been especially hard hit by the massive changes in the post-Soviet Russian economy. It is those children who sparked the idea for Camp Siberia. Starting in 1999, Janie Ekberg in Washington and Natasha Syrykh in Novosibirsk laid the groundwork for Camp Siberia. Since then, dedicated volunteers in both countries have brought their dream into reality. Now in its 8th year of operation, Camp Siberia provides an American-style summer camp experience for Russian orphans between the ages of 5 and 17. Each fall, students from Bainbridge Island compete for Counselor positions through a rigorous application and interview process. The outstanding young people selected then embark on a program of community service, training and team building, leading up to their departure for Russia in early July. In addition, they are charged with the goal to raise the funds to cover their own travel and camp expenses and to help underwrite the costs of their Russian campers. Since 2003, Camp Siberia’s program has also included vital support for our orphans as they leave the orphanage and attempt to build productive lives on their own. Vocational and academic opportunities are sometimes available to these young people, but without homes or family support, many would be unable to follow that course. Our Russian partner, Natasha Syrykh, meets regularly with our ‘scholarship’ recipients, mentoring them and providing life skills training to enable them to pursue their academic and vocational dreams. We currently support students following courses in agricultural management, teaching, medicine, cosmetology, costume design and sports training. Camp Siberia is a registered 501(c)3 organization. Tax-deductible donations are essential to supplement the fundraising efforts of Counselors, parents and the Board. Your help is greatly appreciated in keeping this wonderful dream a reality!


		Janie Ekberg, fiber artist, business owner, teacher and passionate volunteer, began visiting Russia in 1990 as a delegate in various art and theater exchanges. Janie accompanies each year’s team of Counselors to Russia and oversees the daily operation..
		Allison Ekberg Dvaladze is Educational Outreach Coordinator at the Ellison Center for Russian, East European and Central Asian Studies in the Jackson School of International Studies at the University of Washington. Prior to joining the UW, Allison worked for the National Democratic Institute for International Affairs in Washington D.C. and the Caucasus where she focused on civil society development and election reform. She was also editor-in-chief of The Messenger, Georgia’s English-language daily newspaper, and AmCham News magazine. Allison spent her first year after high school living in Novosibirsk, dancing with the Globe Theater and studying Russian. She is a graduate of the School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University.
		Natasha Syrykh has been an educator and theater executive in Novosibirsk, Siberia. Throughout her life, Natasha has had a deep concern for orphans and she has initiated numerous programs to bring theater and art to children. As our on-site partner throughout the year, Natasha works closely with our ‘scholarship’ recipients and Russian staff.
		Over the years of their shared love and concern for children, Janie and Natasha have delivered money, medicine – and now fun and joy – to some of Russia’s most forgotten children!


	Janie Ekberg Founder and Managing Director Ellin Spenser President	Cherie Charvet Allison Dvaladze Luka Dvaladze Debbie Ehrig-Seidl Pam Gidari Omie Kerr	Jocelyn Maher (2007) Anna Neff Jilli O’Mara (2006) Cassie Picha Shannon Potter Sarah Powers (2007)	Kyle Scoble (2007) Matt Scoble Riley Smith (2007) Natasha Syrykh Tom White


		“Behind the Scenes” Pasha Harin Jenya Miller Lena Miller Natasha Syrykh (mother) Natasha Syrykh (daughter)	“At Camp” In addition to those listed to the left Taya (cook) Ala (doctor)	Anton (translator) Dasha (translator)


	Camp Siberia 2006		Camp Siberia 2005
	John Baggett Cassey Charyn Jessica Dale Anna Houk Phoebe Lentz Max McDermott Callie McKenzie Jilli O'Mara Lucas Pearl	Maggie Pool Andrew Powers Nash Reijnen Tess Sadowsky Lilly Schneider Graham Schneider Bevan Taylor Nicolai Wallace Natalie Willits	Colton Callahan Austin Charvet Jenna Conrad Ryan Dardis Molly Dwyer Carol Earnest Tierney Faulkner Beau Green Claire Hosterman	Peter Huisinga David Kroman Mary Masla Tim Spenser Robbie Stevenson Jack Walsh Emma White Austin Wood Arthur Yang
	Camp Siberia 2004 Photo Album '04 Chaperones Allison Ekberg Janie Ekberg Jenny Ekberg Luka Dvaladze Rick Torseth Theresa Torseth Annika Torseth Counselors Michelle Baggett Sean Brachvogel Kaitlyn Curtin Sydney Dale Taitea Dykstra Win Doerschuk Cameron Gidari Amy Gulbranson Jake Hinton Stephanie Holliday Ben Knight Tristan Owens Allie Picha Jessica Pool Jori Saeger Alexa Seidl Kelsey Sterrett Taylor Strauss	Camp Siberia 2003 Photo Album '03 Chaperones Allison Ekberg Janie Ekberg Karen Conoley Art VerHaren Counselors Martha Cadden Taryn Hadfield Rachel Johncock Devin McDermott Amanda McNeil Brett Mendenhall Aaron Olanie Tristan Owens Carrie Parsons Leah Preble Hannah Raymond Carl Shorett Kara Smith Kelsey Sterrett Cassidy Ugles Alex Whedbee	Camp Siberia 2002 Chaperones Allison Ekberg Janie Ekberg Tom Fowler Annie Mendenhall Jim Stoetzer Kathy Stoetzer Steve Stolee Counselors Amanda Allender Mike Braun Jane Brinkley Jack Coombes Erin Gallagher Taryn Hadfield Kate Kuchin Lars Lagerloef Lindsey Mundt Liz Poland Rob Spenser Michele Strickland Cassidy Ugles Zoe Wadkins Tyler Weitzel	Camp Siberia 2001 Chaperones Allison Ekberg Janie Ekberg Laurel Herriott Kathy Martinez Rick Torseth Counselors Emily Angell Mike Botefuhr Scott Burkland Jane Brinkley Jay Clark Kyle Elmquist Andy Kelly Courtney Kimball Kate Kuchin Matt Kuchin Lars Lagerloef Eddie Pasquale Joe Picha Teddy Picha Christine Schwager Kara Somsen Rob Spenser Michele Strickland Cora Weed


		You can help make Camp Siberia happen! Volunteers can serve as chaperones, fund-raisers, trainers for counselors, and in countless other capacities. For more information or to volunteer, contact Janie Ekberg, Founder and Managing Director, at (206) 842-7707, or email at janie@bainbridgeisland.net. Camp Siberia is a registered 501(c) 3 organization. Tax deductible donations may be sent to Camp Siberia, P.O. Box 10851, Bainbridge Island, WA 98110

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