Registration for summer 2026 opens Sunday, February 1, 2026 (Central Time). Please note central time is 10:00PM Saturday, January 31 (Pacific Standard Time).

Note: Camp registration closes up to two weeks prior to start.

Summer Camps

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

Grades 1-8* | 5-Day | Monday-Friday | Max. 12 Participants | Cost: Varies

*based on participant’s grade in Fall 2026

• Building friendships through outdoor exploration!

• Mentor-facilitated exploration, learning, and games.

• Younger camps focus on local plants and animals. Older camps develop bushcraft and backpacking skills, and participate in service projects. 

• Everyone builds community, self-confidence, and connection to the nature around us!

Grades 1-3 (5-day campS)

Grades 3-5 (5-day campS)

Grades 5-8 (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 to be together or in separate groups, please complete that form in registration or email your preferences to info@wildwhatcom.org at least two weeks prior to camp start date. Thank you!

Authorized Pick-Ups List
If your family will be utilizing more than your primary and emergency contacts as persons authorized to pick-up your child after camp, please complete that form in registration if you know it at the time. If you have updates in the week ahead of camp or during camp, please email the authorized person's name and phone to camps@wildwhatcom.org.

Scholarship requests are available during registration.

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

Grades 1-3* | Monday-Friday | 8:30-2:30PM | $000

*based on participant’s grade in Fall 2026

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! 

Beach Buddies Summer Camp | Schedule and Sample Itinerary

Grades 1-3* | Monday-Friday | 8:30-2:30PM | $000

*based on participant’s grade in Fall 2026

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!

Incredible Invertebrates Summer Camp | Schedule and Sample Itinerary

Grades 1-3* | Monday-Friday | 8:30-2:30PM | $530

*based on participant’s grade in Fall 2026

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. 

Magnificent Mammals Summer Camp | Schedule and Sample Itinerary

Grades 3-5* | Monday-Friday | 8:30-3:00PM | $000

*based on participant’s grade in Fall 2026

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.

Art of Stealth Summer Camp | Schedule and Sample Itinerary

Grades 3-5* | Monday-Friday | 8:30-3:00PM | $000

*based on participant’s grade in Fall 2026

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!

Bold in the Backcountry Summer Camp | Schedule and Sample Itinerary

Grades 3-5* | Monday-Friday | 8:30-3:00PM | $000

*based on participant’s grade in Fall 2026

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.

*In the case that a Fire Ban is implemented (Level 2 or higher), the only change in plans will be the actual ignition of a fire - fire safety and construction content will still be implemented, treats will be cooked on a camp stove.

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

Carving and Fire I Summer Camp | Schedule and Sample Itinerary

Grades 3-5* | Monday-Friday | 8:30-3:00PM | $555

*based on participant’s grade in Fall 2025

Get dirty for good! Have a blast playing games and building friendships while exploring our incredible forests and beaches. Use tools and teamwork to dig, pull, plant and get deep in the dirt to make healthier homes for the wild plants and animals that we live with. Learn about our local ecosystems and greater community and find your important place in them. Make awesome memories with your team and with the land. Be the strong, caring Dirt Warrior the eagles, orcas and people need!

Dirt Warriors I Summer Camp | Schedule and Sample Itinerary

Grades 3-5* | Monday-Friday | 8:30-3:00PM | $000

*based on participant’s grade in Fall 2026

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.

Storytelling and Nature Connection I Summer Camp | Schedule and Sample Itinerary

Grades 5-8* | Mon-Fri | 8:30-3:00PM | $000

*based on participant’s grade in Fall 2026

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.

*In the case that a Fire Ban is implemented (Level 2 or higher), the only change in plans will be the actual ignition of a fire - fire safety and construction content will still be implemented, treats will be cooked on a camp stove.

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

Carving and Fire II Summer Camp | Schedule and Sample Itinerary

New! Grades 5-8* | Monday-Friday | 8:30-3:00PM | $000

*based on participant’s grade in Fall 2026

Get dirty for good! Have a blast playing games and building friendships while exploring our incredible forests and beaches. Use tools and teamwork to dig, pull, plant and get deep in the dirt to make healthier homes for the wild plants and animals that we live with. Learn about our local ecosystems and greater community and find your important place in them. Make awesome memories with your team and with the land. Be the strong, caring leaders our community and ecosystem need!

Dirt Warriors II Summer Camp | Schedule and Sample Itinerary

Grades 6-8* | Monday-Friday | 8:30-3:00PM | $000

*based on participant’s grade in Fall 2026

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!

Wilderness Survival Summer Camp | Schedule and Sample 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. 

$000-000 / session depending on grade.

Scholarship requests are 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