JUST A REMINDER! Please check the Gold and Fish Phamplet for locations where you can dig and cannot dig. Wetted versus non-wetted areas. ALSO, please fill your dig holes back in when finished! You can find the pamphlet in the members only page.
07-01-2026: Codolences go out to Chris Foster and his family. Chris’s father passed away this week. Thoughts and Prayers are with you Chris.
IMPORTANT MESSAGE FOR CLUB MEMBERS: Portapotty has been placed at HMII today. There is a NEW code for the lock. Please go to MEMBERS ONLY page for details.
It is with heavy heart to announce the passing of long time YPA Club member Steve Curtis. He was such a great friend and member to ALL of us. He was our pro at panning demonstrations! Condolences to the Curtis family.
Elections for 2026 YPA Club Officers were held @ the January 8th, 2026 meeting. The following are the officers: Del Enders, President, Chuck Cady, Vice President, Kathy Griffin, Treasurer, and Chris Foster, Secretary (Shawn Brown will assist in Chris’s absence). Also approved are Ruby Dorning as Events Coordinator and Librarian, Rob Fitzgerald, Claims Manager and Bob Nummerdor, Raffle Manager. Pat Murphy 5th Board Officer
Thanks to ALL Members that were present for the election of officers!
Items for sale @ Club Meetings: Black Sand Magnets $7.00 ea, Plastic Hand Trowels $6.00 ea, Snuffer Bottles $2.50 ea.
SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT: As approved at the March YPA meeting we will NO longer utilize the Selah Civic Center for meetings. We will continue to hold meetings at the Golden Villa Club house. Address is 18 W Washington Ave, Yakima, WA
THIS IS NOW OUR PERMANENT LOCATION! 18 W Washington Ave, Yakima
New YPA Club hats FOR SALE! See Equipment for Sale Page! NOW FOR SALE! $15.00
Welcome to the Yakima Prospectors Association Website
Our club was originally formed in the early 1980’s as a chapter of the Gold Prospectors Association of America (GPAA) and chartered by George (Buzzard) Massie, president and founder of the GPAA. The YPA club is focused on sharing the prospecting history and knowledge on the local area. We are active in promoting prospecting with local events, putting on panning demonstrations and educating the public and youth with our prospecting hobby.
Our club is a member of the Resources Coalition (RC) which is made up of Washington State prospecting clubs and individuals. The primary mission of the RC is to keep an eye on the State and National governments with regulations that limit our congressional rights as prospectors under the mining laws of 1866 and 1872. These rights are given to individuals who are known as “Small Scale Prospectors and miners,” not “recreational miners” who have no rights. There are a lot of groups and organizations that would like to eliminate our activities and close our access to public lands.
We hold monthly meetings and have outings mostly in the fall, spring, and summer months when weather is comfortable to be in the outdoors. Some of our outings involve mine tours, metal detecting, and prospecting on our claims. Our outings usually involve potlucks and families are welcome. We have a Christmas party in December with a potluck at our regular meeting. Outings are a great way to get hands on experience for new prospectors from experienced members.
Thank You for your interest and may the bottom of your pan turn yellow!
Kathy Griffin, Treasurer
Yakima Prospectors Association
Meetings
- Meetings are held the first Thursday of each month. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and meetings start at 7:00 p.m.
- We meet at the Golden Villa 55+ community club house, 18 W Washington Ave, Yakima, WA
- There is a raffle and prizes at each meeting.
Membership
- $25 per year. Includes access to field trips and claims.
- As a member of the Yakima Prospectors Association, you will have full access to all club claims.
- Click here for membership application.
Outings
- Several outings are planned throughout the year: Metal Detecting Outing in May. Nile Valley Days in July. Claim Gold Prospecting in August.
- Members can also enjoy metal detecting and rock hounding activities, as well as prospecting.
- Demonstrations include panning and sluicing at local community events.
- And always, all gold you find as a member on club claims, you keep!
7-24-2024: ATTENTION ALL CLUB MEMBERS! You can now access the GOLD AND FISH pamphlet in the members only page.
