Registration opens Thursday, February 1, 2024 (Central Time). Please note central time is 10:00PM Wednesday, January 31 (Pacific Standard Time).

Summer Camps

Looking for preschool summer camps for ages 3-5? Visit our Preschool Summer Camps page.

Grades 1-8* | 5-Day | Weekdays | Max. 12 Participants

*based on participant’s grade in Fall 2024

• All-day outdoor adventures

• Mentor-facilitated learning, games, and discovery

• Wilderness skills including carving, fire-making, harvesting, navigation, tracking, and more!

Grades 1-3 (5-day campS)

Grades 3-5 (5-day campS)

Grades 6-8 (5-day campS)

Friend/Sibling Requests

Camps may have more than one group per session. To make a friend request or let us know if you prefer siblings be together or in separate groups, please have all families involved email preferences to camps@wildwhatcom.org or send one email with all families involved cc’d on the email. Thank you!

Scholarship requests available during registration.

Summer 2024 Scholarship Update: As of March 1, 2024, we have made all initial summer scholarship awards. Due to an increase in requests, it is unlikely we will have additional scholarship funds for summer 2024. If you have questions about scholarships or registration, email info@wildwhatcom.org. 

Already know what you are registering for? Register or sign up on a waitlist here.

Grades 1-3* | Monday-Friday | 8:30-2:30PM | $500

*based on participant’s grade in Fall 2024

Investigate the incredible invertebrates living all around us! From the soil to the sea, let’s explore the distinct habitats of worms, insects, barnacles, sea slugs, and more! As we meet and study these creatures, we’ll compare diets and physical adaptations through games, and learn how each organism contributes to its community in a big way. This camp is not only great for kiddos who love to get their hands dirty, but also for those looking to build comfort with our tinier, crawling community members!

Sample Itinerary | Incredible Invertebrates Daily Itinerary

Grades 1-3* | Monday-Friday | 8:30-2:30PM | $500

*based on participant’s grade in Fall 2024

Dive into the world of mammals, discovering their animal “superpowers.” From the silent walk of the fox to the acute hearing of a deer to the insulated pelt of a coyote. Through play, exploration, and games, we’ll learn what our furry animal friends eat, discover how they communicate, practice how they move, and investigate and build mammal homes. 

Sample Itinerary | Magnificent Mammals Daily Itinerary

Grades 1-3* | Monday-Friday | 8:30-2:30PM | $500

*based on participant’s grade in Fall 2024

Start each morning listening to a story about a sea critter, then spend the day exploring the beach with dip nets and buckets in hand. Meet the charismatic crab and build “crabitats,” search for sea stars and anemones as we go on a marine scavenger hunt, and explore sand dollar and barnacle colonies! 

Sample Itinerary | Beach Buddies Daily Itinerary

Grades 3-5* | Monday-Friday | 8:30-3:00PM | $525

*based on participant’s grade in Fall 2024

Embark on a grand adventure full of role play, epic stories, and endless opportunities for imagination. We will use stories to practice navigating through our real and imagined landscape, build community, meet and learn about mysterious creatures of land and sea, and complete survival skills and team building challenges. First time adventurers will enter an unknown magical realm, while returners will meet new challenges in a world with familiar characters.

Sample Itinerary | Storytelling and Nature Connection I Daily Itinerary

Grades 3-5* | Monday-Friday | 8:30-3:00PM | $525

*based on participant’s grade in Fall 2024

Disappear into your surroundings. Move stealthily through the woods, and hide in plain sight. Campers will learn how to build sturdy, protective shelters and craft ghillie suits that help them to camouflage among the trees while playing games. We will find and identify animal tracks, learning about and mimicking their movement patterns. Embark on a final journey through the woods, completing challenges and evading detection for ultimate stealth glory.

Sample Itinerary | Art of Stealth Daily Itinerary

Grades 3-5* | Monday-Friday | 8:30-3:00PM | $525

*based on participant’s grade in Fall 2024

Practice two ancient arts: carving and making and respecting fire! Learn how to create kindling bundles and construct a fire. Explore safe fire management practices and learn how forest fires spread. Campers will also have the opportunity to practice safe carving and work on completing a carving project if they are ready to safely take on the challenge.

Note: before any camper is permitted to handle a knife, they must watch our Knife Skills video. Carving knives provided.

Sample Itinerary | Carving and Fire I Daily Itinerary

Grades 3-5* | Monday-Friday | 8:30-3:00PM | $525

*based on participant’s grade in Fall 2024

Develop the skills you need to be bold in the backcountry! Meet your basic needs for food, water, and shelter with limited tools and thorough knowledge of your environment, within the safety and beauty of our local parks. Whether preparing for day hikes, weekend backpacking adventures, or wilderness survival challenges, Bold in the Backcountry is a great step in preparing participants for a life full of outdoor adventure!

Sample Itinerary | Bold In The Backcountry Itinerary

Grades 6-8 | Monday-Friday | 8:30-3:00PM | $525

*based on participant’s grade in Fall 2024

Embark on a grand adventure full of role play, epic stories, and endless opportunities for imagination. We will follow stories as we traverse through landscapes both real and imagined. Throughout the journey we will build community, meet and learn about mysterious creatures of land and sea, and complete survival skills and team building challenges. First time adventurers will enter an unknown magical realm, while returners will meet new challenges in a world with familiar characters.

Sample Itinerary | Storytelling and Nature Connection II Daily Itinerary

Grades 6-8* | Monday-Friday | 8:30-3:00PM | $525

*based on participant’s grade in Fall 2024

Read the land to navigate through wild spaces while foraging for sweet berries and medicinal plants. Camouflage yourself to disappear into your surroundings. Build shelters, carve tools, and create firestarter materials you’ll need to prepare for the last day, where your skills will be put to the test in the ultimate Wilderness Survival Challenge!

Sample Itinerary | Wilderness Survival Daily Itinerary

Grades 6-8* | Mon-Fri | 8:30-3:00PM | $525

*based on participant’s grade in Fall 2024

How many ways do you know to start a fire? Have you ever wondered about the lifecycle of a carving from start to finish? During this camp, we will build kindling bundles, learn safe fire management practices and how forest fires spread, and will complete a carving project from start to finish.

Note: before any camper is permitted to handle a knife, they must watch our Knife Skills video. Carving knives provided.

Sample Itinerary | Carving and Fire II Daily Itinerary

COST

Keeping your child safe is our highest priority. Therefore, much of the cost of our programs support staff training and pay to provide a livable wage for highly qualified mentors. Learn more about our staff and their qualifications on the staff page of our website.

Grade 1-8 summer camps include groups of up to 12 participants and two Wild Whatcom staff members. 

$500-525 / session depending on grade.

Scholarship requests available during registration.

Summer Camp Pack List

A complete list of what to bring for your summer camp is here.

LOANER GEAR 

Wild Whatcom has loaner gear available. You do not need to purchase gear to participate in our programs. To request loaner gear, please fill out this form and we will reach out to you. Please let us know at least five (5) days prior to your camp if you need to borrow gear/clothing.

Gear Discounts

Visit Outdoor School Shop and use code: WHATCOM for 15% off your order.

Resources

Policies

Scholarships

Mottos

Summer Camp Pack List

Questions

camps@wildwhatcom.org