Do you have a child who would enjoy a unique summer experience? If so, summer camp could be just the ticket. There are many amazing Whatcom County youth summer camps including overnight camps, day camps and sports specific and academic-based camps. Your child can have virtually any experience they want this summer tailor-made to his or her own interests!
Here are just a few of the many options in our area:
Fir Creek Day Camp
Fir Creek, located near Lake Whatcom in a grove of fir and cedar trees, offers a variety of activities for campers from 1st through 8th grade. Providing an environment for fun, new friendships and finding new interests, Fir Creek offers kids the opportunity to grow and experience new things.
Activities at Fir Creek Day Camp include water sports like ski boating, aqua jumping and tubing as well as land activities like giant tree swinging, rock climbing and zip lining. They also offer activities from the other end of the spectrum like drawing, ceramics, tree houses, sports, games and a lot more.
Each week has its own crazy theme with equally crazy adventures so kids and families can choose which one works best for them. Fir Creek Day Camp is now taking registrations.
YMCA Summer Adventure Camp
The YMCA Summer Adventure Camp offers kids the opportunity to meet new friends and learn new skills in an exciting and fun outdoor environment. They offer great activities such as archery, hiking, kayaking, cooking, science, art and much more.
Hope Thompson, Adventure Camp Coordinator, says the camp curriculum is built on the key components of achievement, relationship and belonging with a focus on the YMCA Core Values of honesty, caring, respect and responsibility. Their open house on June 17 from 1 to 3 p.m. is a great opportunity to meet the staff and learn about their summer program.
The Seekers (for children entering grades 1 and 2) learn new skills, work on projects with new friends and enjoy some undirected time in an environment perfect for fostering resilience and confidence.
The Explorers (grades 3 to 5) learn to respect and enjoy nature through hiking, crafting, field trips and other activities based on exciting themes that change weekly.
And the Challengers (grades 6 through 8) get the opportunity to explore the community through learning a new talent such as art or tennis. They also head outdoors for some adventure and new friendship cultivation. Each week sees a new theme that shapes each day’s plans.
Adventure Quest
Adventure Quest has been offering programs in Bellingham since 2011. They offer a great opportunity for kids to experience a mythical and magical world as they overcome challenges and solve riddles to become the heroes of their quest.
Each week of the camp entails a different “quest” or interactive story involving games and acting in an environment promoting good sportsmanship and respect for others along with creative conflict resolution and problem solving. Activities include magical dueling with foam swords and fending off ogres and bands of pirates. Campers leave feeling excited and empowered and ready to share the story of their mythical adventure with you!
Summer camps are now open for registration for ages 6 to 16.
Wild Whatcom
Wild Whatcom summer programs are all about adventure. Days exploring our local forests, rivers, meadow, waterfalls and beaches provide a mentor-led opportunity to learn and experience our local surroundings.
The day camps are all three to five-day adventures (sometimes including an overnight) with facilitated learning. These day camps are open to kids grades 1 through 8.
Also available to kids grades 5 through 11 are Wilderness Explorations featuring three to eight- day backpacking trips full of facilitated learning opportunities.
With separate camps for girls and boys, the types of adventures and locations vary. Many sessions are available for each adventure in a variety of locations.
Registration is now open for all summer camp sessions. Your adventure awaits!
These are just a few of the camps around town. Check local resources, such as schools, churches and local businesses like Bellingham Bay Gymnastics, to get the latest information on available summer camp options for your family.
