Summer Programs
Step outside this summer.
2012 Summer Camp Registration now open!
Summer camp at the Washington Park Arboretum is bounding into its second year with more weeks offered and new programs. Come join us for a week (or more!) of fun and educational adventures in our 230 acre outdoor classroom located in the heart of Seattle. Our day-camp curriculums are designed in support of our mission: to promote environmental conservation through education and recreation. To achieve this we focus on hands-on exploration, play and experiential learning. Depending on the weekly theme, campers may become ethnobotanists, artists, urban farmers or field biologists all while learning about the importance of teamwork and sustainability.
ONLINE REGISTRATION for Summer Camp
For more information, e-mail uwbgeduc@u.washington.edu or call 206-221-6427
WHO: 1st – 6th graders (ages 6 – 12)
Max. 36 campers per week
WHAT: Environmental Education Summer Day Camp
WHEN: July 9 – August 10; Mon – Fri; 9am – 3pm
WHERE: Washington Park Arboretum; pick-up & drop-off at the Graham Visitors Center
HOW MUCH: $250 per week
(15% discount available to UW employees and Arboretum Foundation members)
*Extended Camp*: Before & after care will be available if 6+ campers sign up.
Before Camp: 8am - 9am; Cost: $25
After Camp: 3pm - 5pm; Cost: $50
About Field Groups and Staff
Each camper will be part of a small field group based on age for their week at camp. Each group will be led by an experienced environmental educator and a Jr. Summer Camp Guide creating a counselor to camper ratio of 1:6. Our education team members are all well-trained and experienced environmental educators chosen for their expertise and commitment to improving the world by facilitating meaningful learning experiences in nature. In addition to their dedication, our Summer Garden Guides are CPR and first aid certified.
Week 1: July 9-13 - 1 spot open! Call (206) 221-6427 to register
1st – 3rd: Woodland Wonders
Through inspirational stories, game playing, crafts and hands-on activities, our woodland campers will expand their nature awareness. Going on berry hunts, finding out what plants can heal us, learning our native trees, acting out and telling native plant stories, and fire-making will grab at our natural curiosity, hone our natural intelligence, and strengthen our connection to natural world.
4th – 6th: Native Plants and People
Ever wonder how people survived before shopping malls and grocery stores? These places have only been around for a few generations, yet people have had to satisfy the same basic needs for millennia. During this week of camp, we will learn how to use our environment to obtain the things we need. From edible and medicinal plants, to basket weaving and fire-making, campers will come to view the forest through new eyes. Mornings will be spent focused on our own Puget Sound Region, while afternoons will take advantage of our Pacific Connections Garden and look at plant uses from around the Pacific Rim.
Week 2: July 16-20 - 4 spots available! Call (206) 221-6427 to register
1st – 3rd: Arboretum Detectives -
As our human population continues to grow, so do our cities and towns. What does this mean for the other living organisms we share this Earth with? Where do they go? While some relocate to find more space, many remain and take up residence in our yards, parks and green spaces - the nooks and crannies of urban nature. If your kid likes exploring the back yard, poking at animal scat or peering through binoculars and magnifiers, he/she will love this week. Each day will be dedicated to learning about and looking for a different taxa group: bugs, birds, mammals, mushrooms, reptiles & amphibians. This week is like one big scavenger hunt!
4th – 6th: Arboretum Explorers
Building on the theme of urban biodiversity that is the focus of our Arboretum Detectives camp for younger ages, Arboretum Explorers will crank it up a notch using technologies, both old and new to map out our 230 acres. Daily scavenger hunts will provide ample opportunities for campers to gain practical orienteering skills as well as a sense of place in a fun, hands-on way. In addition, campers will take part in our SEASONS project (Seattle Survey of Native Species), that aims to create a phenological calendar based on the observable seasonal fluctuations of our native flora and fauna (nature + technology = fun). This week is like one big scavenger hunt!
Week 3: July 23-27
1st – 3rd: Woodland Wonders
Through inspirational stories, game playing, crafts and hands-on activities, our woodland campers will expand their nature awareness. Going on berry hunts, finding out what plants can heal us, learning our native trees, acting out and telling native plant stories, and fire-making will grab at our natural curiosity, hone our natural intelligence, and strengthen our connection to natural world.
4th – 6th: Native Plants and People
Ever wonder how people survived before shopping malls and grocery stores? These places have only been around for a few generations, yet people have had to satisfy the same basic needs for millennia. During this week of camp, we will learn how to use our environment to obtain the things we need. From edible and medicinal plants, to basket weaving and fire-making, campers will come to view the forest through new eyes. Mornings will be spent focused on our own Puget Sound Region, while afternoons will take advantage of our Pacific Connections Garden and look at plant uses from around the Pacific Rim.
Week 4: July 30 – August 3
1st - 3rd: Urban Farmers
As environmental movements go, no other has more momentum right now than the local food movement, and with good reason. Growing your own food leads to healthier diets, healthier communities and a healthier planet. And on top of all that, it’s fun! During this week of camp, we’ll be getting our hands dirty learning all about vegetable gardening! What is a seed? What does it need to become food? What parts of a plant can I eat, and how do I cook it? These are just some of the questions we’ll explore, as we grow our green thumbs and try to inspire the next generation of urban farmers.
4th – 6th: Art in the Park
We will tap into our right brains during this week of camp and use our creative spirit to experience nature through various artistic mediums. What do giant sequoias look like in clay or Rhododendrons in watercolors? How can we make our vegetable garden a source of both nourishment and creative inspiration? In addition, how can we use our vegetable-palette to create edible masterpieces? Our wetlands, forests, meadows, ponds and trails abound with natural beauty. Campers will play, discover and inquire at the intersection of creativity and nature, the culmination of which will be an art show to share with the community.
Week 5: August 6-10
1st – 3rd: Arboretum Detectives
As our human population continues to grow, so do our cities and towns. What does this mean for the other living organisms we share this Earth with? Where do they go? While some relocate to find more space, many remain and take up residence in our yards, parks and green spaces - the nooks and crannies of urban nature. If your kid likes exploring the back yard, poking at animal scat or peering through binoculars and magnifiers, he/she will love this week. Each day will be dedicated to learning about and looking for a different taxa group: bugs, birds, mammals, mushrooms, reptiles & amphibians. This week is like one big scavenger hunt!
4th – 6th: Arboretum Explorers
Building on the theme of urban biodiversity that is the focus of our Arboretum Detectives camp for younger ages, Arboretum Explorers will crank it up a notch using technologies, both old and new to map out our 230 acres. Daily scavenger hunts will provide ample opportunities for campers to gain practical orienteering skills as well as a sense of place in a fun, hands-on way. In addition, campers will take part in our SEASONS project (Seattle Survey of Native Species), that aims to create a phenological calendar based on the observable seasonal fluctuations of our native flora and fauna (nature + technology = fun). This week is like one big scavenger hunt!
Explorer Packs
Explorer packs are also available in summer for self-directed learning perfect for small groups.