*** Registration OPENS FEB 15th ***
Summer Camp 2025
“VWP Summer Camp is a place for kids to connect with their own true nature while in the wilderness! It’s an amazing way to spend a week and the instructors and mentors are truly passionate about their roles!”
Nature Mysteries Camp
Ages 4-6
July 7-11 | July 14-18 | July 21-25 | July 28-Aug 1
Island Center Forest + Point Robinson Beach Field Trip
9:00am-1:00pm
$440/week, Equitable Access Funds available
The natural world holds many wonders and surprises, if only one knows how to find them. We will learn the quiet, mysterious ways of the forest to become invisible, follow the hidden trails of our animal friends, create forest feasts, and construct ephemeral shelters. We'll take a field trip to the beach to uncover marine mysteries and enjoy the magic of the Salish Sea! As always, story, song, gratitude, and more help us build community during this fun-filled week!
Herbal Camp
Ages 11-13
July 21-25 | July 28-Aug 1
Island Center Forest + Sister Sage Farm
9:00am-3:00pm
$495/week, Equitable Access Funds available
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 11-13
July 7-11 | July 14-18
Island Center Forest + Point Robinson Beach Field Trip
9:00am-3:00pm
$495/week, Equitable Access Funds available
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.
NATURE ADVENTURERS
Ages 7-10
July 7-11 | July 14-18 | July 21-25 | July 28-Aug 1
Island Center Forest + Point Robinson Beach Field Trip
9:00am-3:o0pm
$495/week, Equitable Access Funds available
Our classic camp for young nature lovers! Each day we'll adventure among Vashon’s beautiful forests and focus on a differnt mission: to decode the language of the birds, unravel the mysteries of the mammal tracks, discover nature’s apothecary, eat at hidden woodland cafes, and more. Games, stories, songs, and gratitude help us build community and have so much fun! We'll take a field trip to the beach to uncover marine mysteries and the magical Salish Sea!
VIEW OTHER PROGRAMS
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.
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.
Location
All camps take place on beautiful Vashon Island, just s short ferry ride from Seattle or Tacoma. 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.