This winter, after a lengthy battle with cancer, we lost a beloved lifetime Camp Fire friend, Jan “Kanga” Milligan. Jan began her journey as a Camp Fire Girl, was a camper, a summer counselor, and came to Camp Sealth as director from 1993-2008. Under her leadership, camp grew exponentially, serving more youth and families.
She established a school-year outdoor education program, added Camp Fire group events, welcomed non-profit group retreats, and grew summer camp participation. The thriving Camp Sealth we know today is due in huge part to Jan’s vision.
Jan’s leadership style focused on the “camper experience”. She embodied the values of Camp Fire and instilled them in her staff, embracing small-group programming, camper choice, and building connections to the natural world. She advocated for kids with disabilities and developed programs to support their inclusion at camp.
Jan led by example and was willing to take on any task, no matter how big or small, with a determination to keep camp running smoothly. She could cook breakfast for a full dining hall, dig a ditch, make a garbage run, or deep clean a bathroom. Perhaps her favorite self-assignment was mowing the grass, including one late-night mower excursion in the orchard.
Along with designing camp programs, Jan was passionate about the site and facilities that supported them. Her attention to detail was apparent throughout camp: refreshed coats of paint in matching colors, thoughtful updates to facilities, the addition of a volleyball court and the GaG Ball pit. The hundreds of wooden bunk beds were a multi-year project, built onsite by our maintenance staff to replace old metal spring cots. Jan was most proud of managing a rebuild of the seawall, removing old timbers and replacing them with more natural rockery.
With her forestry degree and love of the outdoors, Jan encouraged staff and campers to be stewards of Sealth’s woods, wetlands and waterfront. Her handwriting can still be found in parts of camp on carved wooden trail signs.
Throughout her retirement, Jan continued to stay involved at Camp Sealth, most notably organizing the sewing and replacement of curtains in all of the cabins. She and her husband Doug contributed many hours on maintenance projects for the Wrangler unit.
Jan’s commitment to Camp Sealth spanned more than five decades, and she had a unique ability to unite the people and traditions that spanned those years. She appreciated camp’s past as a girls’ camp, its present as a place for all, and envisioned what could be accomplished in the future.
She had a gift for seeing the potential in young people, and for placing them in positions to grow their skills and confidence.
Jan will be missed deeply and we are dedicated to fulfilling her biggest wish of all, that Camp Sealth continues to be a place where young people can go to make memories and friendships that will last a lifetime.
Help Us Honor Jan’s Memory & Celebrate Her Legacy
Share Your Favorite “Kanga” Story
Send to Carriek@campfireseattle.org. These will be compiled and shared at a later date.
Give Service to Camp Sealth
Jan championed camp work parties and expressed a wish to see them grow. Join us on Saturday, April 19th or Saturday, May 3rd (a special day in honor of
Jan!) and help get camp ready for summer.