SEATTLE — Seattle Pacific University announced the sale of its historic Camp Casey and Fort Casey Inn properties on Whidbey Island to the YMCA of Snohomish County for an undisclosed fee in a memo released Friday, Oct. 25, 2024. According to the memo sent to the SPU community the YMCA will take over operations beginning January 1, 2025. 

Seattle Pacific University purchased the decommissioned military fort in 1956 and the adjacent Fort Casey Inn in 2000. The properties have served as an extension of SPU’s main campus, hosting camps, classes and retreats — while also serving the local Whidbey Island community.

Although no specific reasons for the sale were announced, Kim Sawers, special assistant to the president for property transactions, noted the diligence involved in the decision making process.

“Seattle Pacific has been evaluating the best use of Camp Casey for many years and brought a high level of diligence to the decision to sell,” Sawers said. “We are thankful to find that partner and ideal steward in the YMCA of Snohomish County, an organization that will honor the beauty of the property, invest in improvements and carry forward a nonprofit retreat and camp that serves youth and the community.”

The YMCA will begin offering programming at Camp Casey in 2025 with youth overnight camps opening to registration in November 2025.

The YMCA will retain all current Camp Casey staff, who will transition to becoming YMCA employees.