summer camps that sizzle

Summer is here and the kids are ready for summer adventures. From hiking to canoeing to coding, summer camp offers many opportunities for adventures and for building new friendships. Programs have been created and adapted for in-person learning environments this summer. Most camps are operating at a limited capacity, so plan ahead and make it a summer to remember.

DAY CAMPS

Cascade Christian Schools Adventure Day Camp

cascadechristian.org Worldwide Fun is this year’s fun-in-thesun theme! Wow! Look what’s included in camp: new and exciting themes each week, educational activities like STEM and reading, nutritional snacks, Sport-tek camp T-shirt, all-district special camp events, weekly field trips, a wonderful and experienced staff, and extended hours.

Hands On Children’s Museum

Grades 1-6 hocm.org Kitsap Forest Theater, located approximately seven miles west of downtown Bremerton, is one of the oldest outdoor theaters in the United States. This year’s outdoor summer program features art, singing, drama, play, hiking, exploring the forest, wildlife and creeks — and just plain fun.

Pierce County Parks

Piercecountywa.gov/parks Calling all explorers! Join Pierce County Parks for one to four action-packed

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weeks of outdoor adventures and exploring the natural environments of four unique Pierce County parks. Hands-on activities, exploration, free-play, and outdoor games will be incorporated each day to help nurture a desire for caring and respect for our natural and human-made environments.

Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium

pdza.org Let’s go to the zoo! Zoo campers participate in lively lessons about animals, ecosystem exploration, creative crafts, and group games. These camps focus on fostering empathy and respect for wildlife.

Tacoma Little Theatre

Grades 1-12 tacomalittletheatre.com Students of all ages are welcome to join Tacoma Little Theatre for their four -week camps that focus on learning about and practicing the process of putting on a musical production and a full show.

City of Olympia

Ages 4-14 olympiawa.gov Do you want to get on the water? The City of Olympia offers beginning and advanced sailing. In addition, kids can explore multi-media art camp, yoga camp, and the annual favorite — Camp Olywahoo!

Tumtastic Summer Day

Ages 6–11 ci.tumwater.wa.us/youth Campers will delight in the fun of water play, crafts, special guests, all things nature, fun field trips and two celebration events. Home base for the camp is Peter G. Schmidt Elementary.

Tumwater Trippin’ Teen Camp

ci.tumwater.wa.us/youth Ages 12–17 Join Tumwater Parks and Recreation for a summer packed full of awesomeness and adventure! Teens will visit new places all around the South Sound and explore some of the area’s most fun spots! Camp home base is Peter G. Schmidt Elementary.

South Sound YMCA

southsoundymca.org Day camp at the Y is led by experienced staff and offers nearly all the benefits of overnight camp – new outdoor experiences, skill–building and lasting friendships – while allowing campers to return home each afternoon

OTHER DAY CAMP OPTIONS

Annie Wright Schools

Grades 1-6 aw.org

Metro Parks Tacoma: Tacoma Nature Center

Ages 4-12 metroparkstacoma.org

City of Puyallup

Ages 5-12 cityofpuyallup.org

OVERNIGHT CAMP OPTIONS

For many kids, summer means attending traditional overnight camp— staying in cabins, singing around a campfire, and making friendships that can last a lifetime.

Tacoma Mountaineers

Ages vary mountaineers.org Campers will learn climbing, hiking, map and compass training, camp cooking, wilderness first aid, fire and shelter building, and explore local geology and ecology. In addition to day camps, Tacoma Mountaineers also has two overnight camps at Mount Rainier (Tahoma).

Washington State University Extension 4-H Camps at Panhandle Lake

extension.wsu.edu Washington State University Extension 4-H Camps at Panhandle Lake extension.wsu.edu Campers spend the week enjoying a myriad of activities, including swimming, hiking, arts, music, cooking, and making new friends! Awaken to birds singing and fall asleep to the stars (or exhaustion).

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