Five Fires Foundation

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Five Fires Foundation

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The Five Fires Foundation was created by long time YCamp supporters and is dedicated to preserving the more than 100 year legacy of YCamp in Boone, Iowa by ensuring that it continues to serve children and families for another 100 years and beyond.

01/26/2026

Sargent Lodge is looking better than ever ✨🏕️

A fresh facelift at Des Moines Y Camp has transformed this space into an even more welcoming hub for community, connection, and camp memories. From updated finishes to brighter, more open vibes, Sargent Lodge is ready for countless gatherings, from playing bloopers and rainy-night evening programs to late-night conversations and future traditions.

We’re so excited to see this space come to life again—what’s your favorite Sargent Lodge memory?

08/19/2025

Happy ! Over the past couple of months we have introduced our team to you. This photo is from our August board meeting at Camp during week. Several of the board members were staying there all week. We were just missing two for this photo. Camp looked beautiful and was full of spirit!
, Alex Kretzinger, Spencer Cox, , Emily Osweiler, Meredith Beasley Boesen, , Sophia Gustafson, Kirk Hartung (missing Bop Sapp and Amy Skogerson)

08/04/2025

Our final spotlights Emily Osweiler. The invitation to join the Five Fires Foundation Board two years ago was one of the easiest YESes Emily has ever said! ✨ She has fond memories of church camp with her family when she was younger and so she jumped at the chance to introduce her husband and daughter to Family Camp at Y-Camp in 2015… and this past week they just enjoyed their 11th Family Camp in their home-away-from-home! ❤️

Emily’s personal mission is to help create spaces for people to find belonging and connection and that is exactly what this special place does. Emily calls it a place of pure soul-shine and goes on to say that “it creates the opportunity for you to disconnect from the frenetic day-to-day and tap into something gentle and grounding that helps you want to share your authentic self, find ease in being present, and truly . It’s easy to be an advocate for a place that brings out the best in everyone who walks its trails.” While she may be the board member with the least amount of Camp years, we know her love for Camp runs deep and we are happy to have her in the Camp family!

Emily is a social worker and the founder of a nonprofit called Greater Des Moines Supportive Housing which is working hard to develop new units of supportive housing and community for people who have experienced homelessness or other housing barriers. Thank you Emily for sharing your passion and expertise with the Five Fires Foundation! 🙌 🔥

07/21/2025

As a 3rd Generation Y-Camper, this year will mark Spencer Cox’s 50th year at the ! 🤩 His grandparents, Lois and Doc Wheeler, began attending Y Camp in the 1950’s and quickly passed on their love and passion for Camp to others including their children, grandchildren, and now great-grandchildren. Lois and Doc gave their time, talent, and treasure to Y Camp with their first traceable gift dating back to the pool renovation in 1978.

Spencer joined the Y Camp Board of Directors in 2003 and has never looked back. He immediately began chairing the Annual Campaign for several years raising well over $2 million for camp scholarships and support and finally beating all fundraising goals. Spencer was awarded the inaugural Tom Hamilton YMCA Spirit Award in 2009 recognizing his exceptional volunteerism.

Spencer continued to serve and became the Chair of the Y Camp board. He spearheaded family projects at Y Camp including: 3rd Circle improvements and renovations, the building of Survivors Gazebo, and most recently the renovation of the old health lodge now known as Thornton Lodge.

One of his favorite memories was serving as Mayors of Family Camp for the 100 Year anniversary with his wife Stephanie and their four children: Logan, Kennedy, Tatum, and Harper. “That special week is a core memory that I will carry with me for the rest of my life,” reflects Spencer.

But perhaps his most meaningful accomplishment and commitment is his involvement in the Five Fires Foundation. When times were tough, a group of amazing past leaders and philanthropists strategized and created a solution for all parties involved. And now they are building and executing on plans to continue the legacy of Y Camp for the next 100 years.

“I feel safe, secure and full of faith and hope at Y Camp where I’m able to shelter from outside noise and soak in all the happiness that Camp brings. My mother, Cyndee Cox, has always said that there is something uniquely spiritual about being at Y Camp.” Spencer hopes this generational love and passion for Y Camp has and will continue to pass on to his kids, his grandkids and someday his great grandkids. And he hopes to be there to enjoy it alongside them all.

Thank you Spencer for everything you have done and will continue to do! You truly and have created lasting impact in many ways! ❤️

07/07/2025

🌟 Meet the Board Monday 🌟

Kate Rodriguez’s camp story started when she was just 10 years old—and it’s been going strong ever since! From feeling like she “won the lottery” when she was called to be a leader (a proud dishwasher!) at 15, to spending seven summers on staff and even living at Camp through high school and college, Kate’s love for Camp runs deep. 🏕️

Now the secretary for the Five Fires Foundation, Kate continues to give back to the place that gave her a world of family and connection. She’s a dedicated Family Camper, a proud Camp mom, and a passionate ambassador always ready to welcome new folks into the Camp family. ❤️

When she’s not at Camp, Kate’s shaping young minds as a teacher in Des Moines—where she’s been inspiring students for 26 years!

06/30/2025

Happy !

Bob Sapp has been quietly working behind the scenes to continue Y Camp’s legacy as the . He spent four summers during his college years as a Leader at Y Camp and the experience had a dramatic impact on his life. He came face-to-face with God and says that’s when his Christian faith became very personal to him. When asked why he serves the Five Fires Foundation and Y Camp, he says, “I’m so grateful that in some small way I can provide an opportunity for others to have a similar experience to mine. Faith becomes personal through the act of serving others. Y Camp gives every camper the opportunity to serve and work with others and that is why it is such a special place for so many.”

Bob is retired now after 7 years as a high school teacher and coach and 38 years in the insurance business. We are so lucky to have him pouring his time and talent into Camp!

06/26/2025

🔥 Gather ’round!

The new fire pit by Chase Lodge is officially complete — just in time for s’mores, songs, and stories under the stars. Huge thanks to everyone who helped bring this cozy camp classic to life. We can’t wait to see the memories made here! 🌲✨

06/23/2025

🌟 Meet the Board Monday 🌟

From mini-camper to program manager, Sophia R. Gustafson’s Y-Camp journey started at just 5 years old and hasn’t slowed down since! 🏕️ From 2017–2021, she helped shape the next generation of campers as a leader, LIT Coordinator, and Manager of Programs.

Now a fierce advocate for injured workers at Bribriesco Law Firm ⚖️, Sophia brings her heart for justice and community everywhere she goes. She’s also a national park explorer 🏜️ and proudly overpacks Band-Aids—because workers' comp law taught her to always be prepared. 😉

We’re lucky to have Sophia’s leadership, compassion, and camp spirit on the Five Fires Foundation Board! 💛🔥

06/16/2025

Happy !

If you have been a part of any piece of Y-Camp over the years, then you likely know The Amazing Meredith Beasley Boesen! She has been a Family Camper for 44 years! She was a Leader for 3 years in the 90’s and she’s been a board member of Y-Camp, the Y of GDSM, and the Five Fires Foundation. She is a 4th generation camper and her kids are 5th generation campers. INCREDIBLE! When asked WHY she is serving in this capacity she says…

“My great grandfather E.I. Sargent was on the board of directors for the Y in 1919 when Y-Camp was opened, and was the lead gift for the YWCA. Y-Camp and the YMCA are part of my family’s DNA. My grandfather (not E.I.'s son, but the man that would later become his son in law) was on staff at Camp in the 1940's. My father's family attended Family Camp in the 60's and my sisters and I started going to Family Camp in the 80's with my parents and more aunts, uncles, and cousins than I can count. We all worked at Camp with many of our cousins in the 90's and JR and I started bringing our girls to Camp in 2012. I do not remember a time in my life that I was not being impacted by the YMCA and Y-Camp or that my family wasn't supporting the life-changing work that happens through the programing....programming that has changed the lives of everyone in my family going back 105 year this summer.

In 2020 I was the board chair of Y-Camp and on the board of the YMCA, and at that time COVID had shut down most of the YMCA branches and programming including Y-Camp's programs. The Y was already under financial strain and this was adding fuel to that fire. The sale of properties was something that was already in discussions but now Y-Camp was becoming part of the conversation. I knew that the Camp family needed to try and buy camp but I didn't know what that would look like. I called the past 6 Y-Camp board chairs on an emergency zoom and filled them in. We asked the CEO at the time if our group started a non-profit, could we have the opportunity to buy Camp or at least have a first right of refusal and she said ‘YES!’ The Five Fires Foundation was formed and after many months of negotiations we closed on our beloved Y-Camp with the help of hundreds of donors, volunteers and the amazing Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation.

My hope is that my great grandchildren will someday walk the same path that their great, great, great, great grandfather did back in 1919 and that the same life-changing programing will be influencing their lives. Y-Camp is truly a glimpse of Heaven on Earth.” ✨ ❤️ 🥹

Thank you Meredith for all you do… you have impacted so many lives! Drop your favorite Arty Show skit that Meredith has been in in the comments!

06/09/2025

Happy ! 🎨🌲

Rick Lozier has Y-Camp in his blood—literally! As a fourth-generation camper turned counselor (aka the legendary Tie-Dye Man), Rick spent his childhood exploring creeks, riding horses, and crafting memories at camp. Now his sons, Jackson and Walker, carry on the tradition as fifth-generation Y-Campers!

Rick joined the Y-Camp Board in 2015, became Chair in 2020, and helped launch the Five Fires Foundation to keep the campfire burning bright for generations to come. 🔥

When he's not building legacy at camp, he and his wife Kathryn run a commercial photography studio in Des Moines. Say cheese, Rick! 📸

Drop a 🎨 or 🔥 in the comments to show Rick some love!

06/02/2025

Happy ! ✨

AJ Skogerson began attending Y Camp as a gymnastics camper at the age of 8. After eight seasons as a camper, she became a Y Camp Leader under then Director Wyatt Pugh. AJ served as a Y Leader for a total four years during both summer and off-season sessions. She later joined the Y Camp Advisory Board, serving as its first female Board Chair in 2017-2018! During the 2019 COVID pandemic, AJ became one of the founding members of the Five Fires Foundation (FFF) where she continues to serve on the Board of Directors today.

AJ is an attorney, settlement advocate, educator, and consultant. She is a contributing author to the recently released ABA book “Design Your Law Practice: Using Design Thinking to Get Next Level Results.” AJ also serves on the Board of Directors for the International Academy of Collaborative Professionals.

Thank you AJ for your love, support, and service to Camp for so many years!

05/28/2025

🚧🔨 Big things are happening at Y-Camp!

The new deck on Chase Lodge is officially underway — bringing fresh life to one of camp’s most historic buildings. Built in the 1930s, Chase Lodge has been a place of community, connection, and campfire stories for generations. This renovation helps preserve its legacy while creating more space for campers to gather, laugh, and make memories. ❤️🌲

Drop your favorite Chase Lodge memory in the comments! ⬇️

Address

1192 166th Drive
Boone, IA
50036

Telephone

+15157838777

Website

https://www.fivefiresfoundation.org/

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