Wildhorse Foundation powers resilience program for Athena-Weston students

In the small town of Athena, Oregon, the Walla Walla YMCA launched its very first summer program for local youth in 2021—a direct response to the challenges families faced in the wake of the pandemic. What started as a much-needed resource for children in the Athena-Weston School District has now grown into an annual program that continues to serve as a cornerstone of summer learning and resilience.

In 2025, the Athena-Weston Youth Summer Resilience Program enrolled 41 children, ages 5 to 12, offering them more than just a way to pass the summer months.

“As children transitioned from the classroom to summer, the need was no less great for them to have access to caring and skilled staff, to have positive programs that engaged and supported them, and a safe environment where behaviors or other concerns that young people experienced could be addressed in a supportive manner,” said Kim Huling, Director of YMCA Early Learning Center in Milton-Freewater.

Summer can be an especially vulnerable time for young people—particularly in rural communities. Without the daily structure of school, children can lose access to essential services like meals, mental health support, and safe spaces to learn and grow. The Athena-Weston Youth Summer Resilience Program fills that gap.

With the support of the Wildhorse Foundation, which provided $8,000 in 2025, the YMCA was able to cover key program costs including snacks, supplies, and educational field trips. That grant helped keep program fees low ($50 per week) and even allowed some children to attend completely tuition-free.

“Wildhorse Foundation funding was vital … it served as an important bridge from school to summer, and it made the program accessible for the families in the community who felt summer programming was important for their children’s continued development,” said Huling.

The six-week program isn’t just a camp—it’s rooted in STEM education and social-emotional learning. Children participate in hands-on activities including visiting local farms, artist studios, and farmers markets.

“While camp is designed to be fun, it also provides the youth with a framework for personal growth, self-awareness, learning to work with others, and confidence building,” said Huling.

 A mental health specialist is embedded in the program, helping staff respond to children’s behavioral needs with intention. Locally hired staff are trained in behavioral interventions, giving them tools to de-escalate situations when necessary.

“A student who struggled in his interactions with other students, and was prone to both physical and verbal outbursts, would tell his mother about the exciting activities and field trips that he experienced at camp. At the end of the six weeks, his mother shared that she was deeply appreciative of the program; she said that at school her son lacks friends, and she felt that he had made huge strides in controlling both his verbal and physical outbursts,” shared Huling.

Wildhorse Foundation is proud to support impactful programs like these, bringing access to important resources to rural youth. The Athena-Weston program is a powerful example of what’s possible when funding and community partnerships come together.