Summer Camps for Every Kid

WRITTEN BY COCOA LANEY

SUMMER HAS ARRIVED in earnest, which means that school’s out for the season and, for better or worse, kids have a lot of time on their hands. Hoping to help your kids get the most out of their break? Summer camps are a surefire way to keep them social, active, and challenged. There are plenty of camps to choose from locally, but if you need a bit of guidance to get started, we’ve put together a round-up of some of our very favorites.

For the Outdoors Lovers

Wild Whatcom is a port of call for all community members who want to get better acquainted with the nature that surrounds us and yes, this includes the littlest among us. Their three-day camps are aimed at grades 1–3, whereas older kiddos (up to grade 8) have several of five-day camps to choose from. Camp themes vary by age group, but topics include everything from marine life to the art of stealth, storytelling and nature connection, and even wilderness survival.

Dragonfly Kayak Tours offers their Happy Orcas

Adventure Camp at Larrabee State Park during the summer months. This day camp is a great way for little ones to get acquainted with all the adventures that the Salish Sea has to offer, from tidepooling to snorkeling and (of course) kayaking. Kids will also participate in arts and crafts and learn how to be good environmental stewards. (P.S.: You can learn more about what Dragonfly has to offer grown-ups on p. 54!)

Camp Fire Samish has been around since 1910, and they offer a wide variety of both day camps and sleepaway camps through their Camp Kirby programming. Camps take place on the 47 acres of forest, grasslands, and beach that spread 1 ½ miles along beautiful Padilla Bay. Given this unparalleled access to the wilderness, it’s no surprise that activities tend to be nature-centric, with a focus on both providing an outdoor living experience and helping youth to build resilience and self-confidence.

Last but not least, Vamos Outdoors Project provides not just outdoor recreation opportunities but mentorship and academic programs. They have a priority of service for Latine, migrant, multilingual, newcomer, and low-income families, and while programming is year-round, their summer activities include instruction in everything from boating to backpacking. Best of all, programming is free of cost to participants and includes necessary gear, food, and even transportation.

For the Athletes

If your kiddo is looking for new ways to get active this summer, Whatcom YMCA is a great place to start. They offer sports camps and clinics in everything from track and field to basketball, soccer, and even a multi-sport day camp. Not so much into sports? Perhaps Adventure Camps are more up your kid’s alley. These field-based day camps take place at outdoor locations across the country; for example, the Trail Blazer Adventure Camps get kids out and about on local trails for four days of hiking, exploration, and play.

Up-and-coming soccer players can get excited about Whatcom FC Rangers’ Junior Rangers Summer Program, which provides an approachable introduction to competitive soccer for players born between 2015 and 2011. Whatcom Sports and Recreation also holds youth soccer camps at the Bellingham Sportsplex not just during the summer but during all school break periods.

The Bellingham Bells Baseball Club has several day camps throughout the summer, including a beginner’s camp in June and a softball camp in July. Basketball players will want to check out iHOOP Training for their all-levels day camps throughout June and July. Skagit Valley College is also holding camps for grades 2–9 in June and August through the Cardinal Summer Basketball program.

But camp options aren’t limited to team sports. North Coast Gymnastics Academy holds four-day camps all throughout the summer for aspiring gymnasts, whereas Mount Baker Gymnastics holds classes and camps for kids in Skagit County. Additionally, VITAL Climbing Gym in Downtown Bellingham has four-day summer camps for climbers ages 6–12 in June, July, and August.

For the Budding Scientists

Tech-minded young ones will find their community at Bellingham + Skagit Coding + Robotics Club camps, which combine intro coding, STEM, and robotics with outside sports and activities. In 2023, they’re offering camps in not just one but three locations to serve families across both Whatcom and Skagit counties.

In the summer months, Whatcom Community College gives grade schoolers a taste of higher ed with their Kids’ College and Teen Programs. Classes cover a variety of subjects, though many are geared towards STEM and technology.

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The SPARK Museum of Electrical Invention has a “choose-your-own-adventure” day camp for kids ages 8–12. Sessions occur in mid-July, and both programs culminate in campers building their own physical game using basic coding and simple circuits.

Nestled in the foothills of the North Cascades, Camp Saturna is ideal for groups of junior scientists who want more hands-on opportunities. Their environmental education camps are specialized for kids grades 5–8, with curriculum covering topics such as local and regional geology, ecosystem relationships, forest succession, natural resource management, and much more.

For the Artistically Inclined Creative-minded kids are sure to feel right at home at the Bellingham Arts Academy for Youth, which has been offering instruction in performing and visual arts since 2006. Topics for this summer’s week-long day camps include Junior Comedy Camp, Disney Dance and Drama, and Camp LarraBAAY: Broadway Hits. Unique Technique Studios and Dancing 4 Joy also offer day camps specifically geared towards young dancers.

Kids with big imaginations will be also well-suited to summer camps at Majestic Adventures. They’ll be offering day camps for 10 weeks throughout the summer of 2023, and each one is centered around a different fantasy “quest” that allows kids to be the heroes of their own adventure. The Whatcom Museum’s week-long summer day camps are also adventure-oriented, and we’re especially excited about their Cinematic Swashbucklers camp this August. The program takes inspiration from famous films and guides kids in developing a trailer for their very own movie.

For visual artists, Inner Child Studio has a range of oneand two-day camps for kids, including a summer art camp. For something even longer, Gabriel’s Art Kids holds weeklong camps during school breaks. Pace Atelier Art Studio also has summer art camps for kids and teens, and participants can experiment with mediums ranging from painting to ceramics, mixed media, and much more.

Last but certainly not least, Bellingham Girls Rock Camp (BGRC) uses music as a method to empower girls and queer youth ages 8–17. During this week-long day camp, kids learn instruments, attend workshops, form bands, write songs, and even perform them at the camp’s conclusion. But BGRC is about more than just music alone: Attendees also gain tools for self-expression, critical thinking skills, and leadership skills.