More Than a Fundraiser: How Dancing with the W2 Stars Creates Life-Changing Experiences

For nearly five years, Joe Zarate has grown through the ranks at Valley Residential Services, starting as a Direct Support Professional (DSP), working at the front desk, managing client financial reconciliation, coordinating activities, and now serving as both Program Manager and Activities Director.

Today, he oversees three residential homes, supports staff, manages client plans and assessments, and helps create experiences that many individuals served by VRS might not otherwise have access to.

One of those experiences has quietly become one of the agency’s most meaningful traditions: Camp Kiwanis.

Each summer, VRS hosts a three-day overnight camp at Camp Kiwanis, giving individuals served by the agency a chance to unplug, connect, and simply enjoy being outdoors.

The camp includes swimming, outdoor games, campfires, bingo, movies under the stars, shared meals, and time to relax in nature. Approximately 15 individuals stay overnight, while as many as 30 attend daytime activities.

What many people don’t realize is that the funding for this experience comes directly from Dancing with the W2 Stars.

“Dancing helps pay for camp, just like it helped cover experiences like Jurassic Quest,” he explained. “It covers staffing, food, activities, everything that makes these experiences possible.”

That support also allows VRS to extend opportunities beyond its residential programs.

Last year, VRS opened Camp Kiwanis to members of the broader disability community, inviting participants from the Walla Walla disability network and from the agency’s weekly cooking and craft classes.

While transportation limited attendance to only two community participants last year, the team is already working on solutions for this summer.

“Our goal is to make transportation easier so more people, other than clients, can attend,” he said. “We don’t want transportation or cost to be the reason someone misses out.”

For many participants, camp offers something simple, but incredibly meaningful.

“A lot of our clients just enjoy getting out and doing something they might not otherwise have the opportunity to do. Everyone’s happy. Everyone relaxes. It’s rewarding for all of us.”

What began as a camp experience is quickly becoming something even bigger, a place of inclusion, community, and connection.

And thanks to the support of Dancing with the W2 Stars, that tradition continues to grow.