CTBNW Director Karyn Schimmels
Karyn Corpron Schimmels grew up in Yakima, Washington, as the youngest daughter of a third generation family doctor.

Karyn is the youngest of 7 children, has a twin brother Karl, and enjoyed a wonderful childhood full of memories with her siblings. She swam competitively for 15 years in Yakima and in college at WSU. She completed her undergraduate degree in social work at WSU. Upon graduation, she married another Yakima native, Charley Schimmels. Since 1987 they have made their home in Portland, Oregon where they are working and raising three children.

In 2000, Karyn volunteered as a counselor at Camp To Belong for the first time and brought a pair of brothers with her who had not seen each other for over 3 years. It had a huge impact on these brothers and Karyn. Karyn has been volunteering every year since this first camp in 2000. Her dedication to this program brought Camp To Belong to the Pacific Northwest and she volunteers countless hours to serve youth here in the northwest every year. Her leadership skills also serves Camp To Belong International as she was elected as Chair of the International Camp To Belong board of directors.