Wilding Summer Camps 2024

Weeklong outdoor adventures in Seattle and Eastside parks

Summer Camp Details

What do we do during camp?

Nature immersion, wilderness skills such as wildlife tracking, plant identification and safe wild foraging, navigation, fire safety and fire-craft (weather dependent), shelter-building (weather and location dependent), and lots more.

Who can sign up?

Children aged 4-12

When do camps happen?

Monday thru Friday, 8:30 am-3:30 pm. Before and aftercare available depending on need. Early pick-up (5-hr) option available to 4-5 year olds. Request for before or aftercare or early pick-up in registration.

Locations and Dates:

  • Carkeek Park (North Seattle)

    July 8-12, July 15-19, July 22-26, August 5-9, 12-16, 19-23

  • Tolt-MacDonald Park (Carnation)

    July 1-3, July 8-12, August 5-9

  • McCormick Park (Duvall)

    July 29-August 2

  • Lord Hill Park (Snohomish)

    August 5-9, August 12-16

Price: $425 for full week (7 hr days);  $325 for full week (5 hr days for 4-5 year olds as needed); $255 for July 1-3

To register, fill out this registration form and pay camp tuition via cash, check made to Wilding Education, or Zelle to admin@wildingeducation.org. Contact us for alternative payment options.

Other Details:

  • Space is limited, we encourage you to register as early as possible.

  • We pride ourselves on our willingness and flexibility to work with families - if your summer plan changes, please let us know as early as possible and we will try our best to work with you to switch.

  • Cancellation before 6/1/2024 will receive a full refund minus $35 service fee.
    Cancellation on or after 6/1/2024 will receive no refund but if we can fill the spot, you will receive a full amount credit at Wilding Education, for any of our future programs.

  • If enrollment is insufficient for some weeks, we reserve the right to cancel those weeks and tuition will be refunded in full for cancelled weeks.

  • In the unlikely case of extreme weather conditions (poor air quality, extreme heat) deemed unsafe to continue outdoor activities, we reserve the right to cancel one or more days of camp or end days early without refund.

Safety Protocols:

  • All hired staff members are trained and certified in first aid and CPR.

  • All hired staff and volunteers complete and pass criminal and sex offender background checks.

  • Campers are supervised at all times to ensure their safety.

  • Safety protocols and plans are in place to address potential emergencies related to park location, weather, injury, and wildlife interaction.

  • Wilding Education has active and up to date insurance coverage to insure financial coverage for effected individuals and families if worst comes to worst while at our summer camps. Please inquire to learn more.

We look forward to welcoming your child to our Summer Camp where they can explore, learn, and connect with nature in a fun and enriching environment. Experience the wonder of the great outdoors with us!

Camp Day Flow

  • Morning drop off paired with a choice between a higher energy movement game and a lower energy learning station.

  • Morning circle where all voices have the opportunity to speak and be heard in gratitude, song, stories, personal check-ins, alongside eating snack and hydrating.  First day includes a focus on group agreements and expectations for the week.

  • Then, depending on the day and group of campers, more focused activities relating to outdoor skills (like firecraft) and naturalist learning (like wildlife tracking and wild edible foraging), often paired and mixed with relevant games to enhance engagement and learning. 

  • Lunch. Students will bring their own lunches.

  • Afternoon post-lunch usually is the most child-led part of the day, where group members practice sharing what they want, negotiating, and compromising with one another with the guidance of their mentor(s).  Woodland wanders, games, riddles and challenges, stories, and free play are popular choices, all supported by a mentor ready to spontaneously motivate and inspire. 

  • Days end with a closing circle where we share about the parts of our days we want to remember, what challenges we meet, and what we want to learn more about…  After a closing song, words, or a clap in unison, we end our day waiting for all parents to pick up their children.