Summer CampS 2026 Preview!

Save the dates!

Camp Registration Opens February 15th!

Our popular day camps return this coming summer, offering children and families even more ways to explore, play, and connect in nature.

And we have new camps in the works and some new West Seattle camp locations!

*New* Hidden Worlds

• Ages 4-6

• Me-Kwa-Mooks Park in West Seattle

• July 6-10

• 9:00am-1:00pm

Hidden Worlds Summer Camp blends hands-on science tools and nature discovery with storytelling, art, games, and songs, inviting children to explore the tiny ecosystems—and magical hidden realms—thriving all around them.

*NEW* Teen Shadow Camp (Including one overnight)

• Ages 13-15

• Vashon Island

• July 27-31

• 9:00am-3:00 M-T, overnight Thursday, pick up Friday 3:00pm

What does it mean to move with the shadows? This immersive wilderness camp invites teens to challenge themselves in a supportive, well-guided outdoor setting. Participants will learn and practice camouflage, quiet and mindful movement through the woods, navigation skills, teamwork, intuition, awareness, and natural movement. Each day offers hands-on challenges that build toward an exciting culminating overnight adventure on Thursday. Campers leave with greater confidence and resilience, deeper self-awareness, a stronger connection to nature, empathy for the more-than-human world, and lasting bonds with their group—plus plenty of fun along the way.

*NEW* Nature Adventure: Survival Camp

• Ages 9-12

• Vashon Island at Island Center Forest + Point Robinson Beach Field Trip

• July 20-24

• 9:00am-3:00

This day camp combines practical wilderness survival skills with games, play, song and fun!

Herbal Camp

• Ages 10-13

• Vashon: Island Center Forest + Sister Sage Farm

• July 20-24

• 9:00am-3:00pm

The plants have special messages for you, and the trees speak of a mysterious mission. Come enter the hidden world of the greenwood! In this farm and forest adventure we’ll learn the secret language of plants and discover their healing power. We’ll make fairy feasts, forest folk remedies, flower essences, and more. Come discover the magic of the herbal world around us and our unique relationship with these green beings!

Nature Crafting Camp

• Ages 10-13

• Vashon: Island Center Forest + Point Robinson Beach Field Trip

• July 13-17

• 9:00am-3:00pm

Wandering with wild keen senses we will seek what nature offers. Harvesting with care,  preparing what we find, and creatively crafting them into cordage, baskets, paper and whimsical weavings. This camp is for those that love to create with their hands and enjoy the challenge and focus that crafting requires.

SUMMER CAMPS

We’re looking forward to another outstanding summer with your kids!

About our Day Camps

The Vashon Wilderness Program’s summer day camps are a place for children to make real and deep connections with nature, while having a great time learning about the mystery and magic of the local ecology.  VWP’s incredible nature connection mentors spark kids’ curiosity and unveil the secrets they need to: discover the tracks and trails of local mammals; forage safely for food and medicine from the forest; stay found while traveling in totally unknown territory; build shelters; decode the language of the birds; and so much more. Beyond these lessons learned, kids awaken to their own aliveness that comes from being truly immersed and engaged in the natural world. Come have a blast, learn and grow with VWP this summer!

Our mentors

Our camps are led by our awesome mentors and highly skilled teen Young Mentors. All adult mentors maintain CPR/First Aid certification, and many also maintain addition certification in Wilderness First Aid or Wilderness First Responder. Our summer camp staff are typically the same seasoned staff that work in the field all school-year.

Young Mentors Leadership Program

Teens interested in being a Young Mentor please apply here.

GROUP SIZES

We maintain small groups called pods: 1 adult + 1 teen per 7 campers ages 4-6 years; and 1 adult + 1 teen per 10 campers ages 7-13.

LocationS

Most all of our camps take place on beautiful Vashon Island, just s short ferry ride from Seattle or Tacoma. This year we are adding a new location for a couple camps at Me-Kwa-Mooks Park in West Seattle, and Fly Fishing Camp starts at Lincoln Park and explores other waterways in the region.

Our summer day camps are held at Island Center Forest, a 370-acre working forest and nature preserve featuring various forest stands, meadows, the Mukai Pond and Meadowlake Pond wetlands, and home to the headwaters of Judd Creek. Field trips (ages 4-13) are held at Point Robinson Park, a 10.0 acre shoreline park and historical and marine conservancy.

Thank you to King County Parks & Recreation for helping us get more kids outside and connected with nature, community, and themselves!

OUR SUMMER GUARANTEE

CANCELLATION POLICY

If you need to cancel your registration for any reason, normal cancellation fees apply:

• 30 days or more prior to the camp start date: 75% refund

• 16-29 days prior to the camp start date: 50% refund

• 15 days or less prior to the camp start date and once the course has begun: no refund

looking CAMP on vashon during camp?

Blue Moon Farm is a private campground with amenities offering space to gather with up to 10 of your favorite humans.

Maury Island Marine Park offers campsites without amenities in this spectacular park; a forest walk descends to the beach where Mount Tahoma welcomes you.