Rekindling Campfire Dreams: How YMCA Camp Kitaki Built a Legacy of Growth
Imagine children gathered around a campfire, faces glowing as they share stories and build life-long friendships. For generations, this scene has defined many summers for kids at Camp Kitaki. But what happens when this cherished gathering place begins to wear down?
When Executive Director Jason Smith—once a camper himself—faced the deterioration of Kitaki’s beloved campfire amphitheater, it became the “spark” that ignited a fundraising journey to revitalize the camp’s facilities so kids could keep enjoying it for many years to come.
What began as a mission to rebuild a special gathering place turned into a comprehensive approach to development that has helped his team build stronger relationships with their donors and change the entire landscape of the camp!
This is the story of how a camp director discovered that fundraising isn't just about asking for money—it's about offering people the opportunity to build confidence in kids’ lives and be part of something meaningful.
YMCA Camp Kitaki
YMCA Camp Kitaki is a resident summer camp facility located in the southeast corner of Nebraska, serving children ages 7-17. Founded in 1953, Camp Kitaki runs 10 one-week sessions each summer, hosting nearly 300 campers per week.
Beyond summer programming, they offer outdoor education programs, holiday-themed campouts, and a year-round counselor-in-training program with approximately 150 teens.
Background: Why Their Work Matters
"Camp is my happy place. Camp is the place where I feel like I can be myself." This sentiment, which Jason Smith hears regularly from campers, captures the essence of Camp Kitaki's impact. For many children, camp represents their first opportunity to develop independence, practice social skills, build self-confidence, and discover who they truly are.
The impact is visible to parents, too. As Jason recalls, "One of the things that I hear from parents when we're standing around on checkout day is something like 'you look taller.'" While a week isn't enough time for significant physical growth, what parents are actually seeing is their child's newfound confidence and independence—the real growth that happens at camp.
“Camp is about finding who you are from the kid-focused perspective,” Jason continues. “And then the other side of it is practicing who you want to become and practicing the skills of being an adult and being independent."
The impact that camps have on kids' lives is why we love working with camps across the U.S.—it’s ultimately about the kids and building into their future.
Challenge: Aging Facilities & Limited Funding
Despite Camp Kitaki's long history and strong programming, they faced significant challenges in maintaining and improving their aging facilities. The camp, which started in 1953, had buildings ranging from decades-old to relatively new, all requiring maintenance and updates to meet the evolving needs of campers.
"Kitaki has been around for many years and has a big network of people who have attended camp. But we weren't doing a great job of remaining in contact with alumni, and we weren't necessarily great at storytelling and keeping people involved in feeling like they can have an impact at camp," Jason explained.
One particular area of concern was the campfire amphitheater—a space central to the camp experience where opening and closing ceremonies take place. "Our amphitheater at the time was showing its age. It was made primarily out of railroad ties that were rotting and falling over. Camp was also getting larger, with more kids attending, so fitting onto the benches during campfire gatherings was a problem, too," Jason shared.
With a small staff, limited fundraising experience, and a desire to create meaningful spaces for kids to gather, Jason sought guidance on how to approach these capital needs strategically.
Ultimate Goal: A Sustainable Approach to Capital Development
Jason's immediate goal was to address the deteriorating campfire amphitheater, but his broader vision was to develop a comprehensive approach to funding Camp Kitaki's ongoing needs. He wanted to learn proven practices for capital development that would allow the camp to grow and thrive for generations to come.
"What you need in order to run a camp has changed dramatically as kids' needs have changed and society's needs have changed. And so we're constantly working through how to improve and care for our facilities so that kids can keep coming back,” Jason explained.
What made this solution particularly effective was our commitment to understanding Camp Kitaki's context. As Jason noted, “The thing that stood out to me the most right away is DBD Group wasn't just a company that was like, 'We know what to do. Here's what you should do.' But the consultant that we were working with most directly, Mike Bussey, really took a lot of time to get to know us, what we were trying to do, and to understand Camp Kitaki specifically."
Once we understood the camp’s unique needs, our team worked with Jason to define the project and develop a plan to revitalize their facilities.
Process: From Storytelling to Successful Fundraising
"DBD Group really worked with us on a pathway to building support and sharing our story," Jason explained. The process began with developing a white paper to define the project. Jason worked closely with DBD consultant Mike Bussey to identify key audiences, develop compelling messaging, and create a strategy for building support.
The cohort structure also provided both accountability and inspiration. "Cohorts come down to a personal touch with group learning. So, it's nice to be able to work through projects and ideas with a peer group. Even though you may be working on different projects, you have the accountability of other peers across the U.S.," Jason shared.
Throughout the process, Jason learned to overcome his hesitation about asking for support. "I think one of the biggest learnings was just in growing comfortable with the idea of asking people to support a project that you believe in. It’s something that I still find intimidating on some level, but I also have a much better understanding.
“I realized that when we make an ask like that, we're basically offering somebody the opportunity to be involved, and people love being involved and having that opportunity!"
Outcome & ROI: $1.5 Million in Capital Improvements
What began as the successful renovation of the Campfire Amphitheater has grown into a comprehensive approach to capital development that has transformed Camp Kitaki. Since working with DBD Group, Jason and his team have raised approximately $1.5 million for capital improvements, including:
- A completely refurbished campfire amphitheater that can accommodate more campers and will serve the camp for years to come
- A new camp administration/welcome center that has fundamentally changed how the camp operates year-round
- Several yurt structures have added approximately 200 spots per summer to the camp's capacity
"I'm actually talking to you today in a building that we completed two years ago that didn't exist when we started. Just to have a real tangible space to be is a great indicator of its success," Jason reflected.
In fact, the new welcome center has allowed the camp to shift its administrative operations from a facility almost an hour away to the camp itself. "To be able to shift all of the camp team to being here year-round and to be able to focus on our programming here in this space has been a dramatic shift in our approach to our year and how we run programs," Jason explained.
Key Learnings & Discoveries
Through his work with us, Jason discovered several important insights that transformed his approach to fundraising:
1. Fundraising is about offering opportunities
Jason learned to reframe his perspective on asking for support. Rather than viewing fundraising as an uncomfortable request, he now sees it as offering people a chance to be part of something meaningful. "When we make an ask," Jason explains, "we're basically offering somebody the opportunity to be involved, and people love being involved and having that opportunity."
2. Rejection isn't final
One of the most valuable mindset shifts Jason experienced was understanding that hearing "no" from a potential donor doesn't mean the end of the relationship. The DBD team helped him recognize that rejection often simply means "not now" or "not yet" - a perspective that helped him overcome his hesitation about fundraising conversations.
3. Personalization matters
Jason appreciated how our approach wasn't one-size-fits-all. Their consultants took the time to understand Camp Kitaki's specific context and needs, which made their guidance more relevant and effective.
4. Capital development is a journey
Both Jason and the DBD team recognized that building a sustainable approach to fundraising requires patience and persistence. As Mike Bussey noted, "Connecting and implementing a consistent and well-thought-out financial development program is a journey. It’s a marathon, not a sprint." Jason now embraces this long-term perspective in his ongoing development work.5. Cohort learning creates accountability and inspiration
The structure of learning alongside peers while receiving individualized coaching proved particularly effective. Jason values how the cohort approach provided both group accountability and personalized guidance: "Going in that small group structure and then having a coach who's specifically checking in with you and your project helps translate all of the big ideas into specific steps for your camp. You don't get lost in a conversation that is three steps past where you currently are."
Conclusion: Building a Legacy That Lasts Starts With A Relationship
Our partnership has not only resulted in improved facilities but has fundamentally changed how Jason approaches fundraising and capital development. The camp now has a sustainable approach to meeting its capital needs, ensuring that future generations of campers will continue to benefit from the camp experience.
"If you'd like a coach in your corner who's going to get to know you as an individual and the needs of your organization, DBD Group is a great fit to bring their knowledge and expertise and to tailor it to your specific needs," Jason shared.
For us, working with passionate leaders like Jason Smith exemplifies why we do what we do—helping mission-driven organizations achieve greater impact through personalized, practical guidance.
Your cause matters. Let's ensure it's thriving!
If you're ready to transform your approach to capital development and build a legacy that lasts, we’re ready to help you create your own success story.