Outdoor Summer Day Camps 2025
Nature-Based Learning and Discovery
Camp registration will open February 28 at 10am.
IslandWood’s outdoor Summer Day Camps on our Bainbridge Island campus and at the Brightwater Education Center in Woodinville boost children’s imaginations in rich natural settings. Our instructors are experienced environmental educators with a passion for creating experiences that unlock curiosity and understanding about the environment and the world.
We are committed to making summer camp accessible and offer financial assistance. We encourage families to apply early and will do our best to support as many children as possible.
- When applying for assistance, you’ll have the option to apply for 25%, 50%, or 75% off one week of camp per camper. Please choose the option that best fits your needs.
- Decisions are made on a first come first serve basis, until all financial assistance funds have been awarded.
- Applications will be accepted starting January 15. The first round of financial assistance will be awarded on February 4th, and any remaining applications will be accepted and approved on a rolling basis.
Apply for financial assistance here
Camps on Bainbridge Island
Through hands-on exploration that builds important social and academic skills, we offer a range of camps from marine science to cooking to art — something to inspire every child!
Please note — we hold multiple spots per week for children attending via IslandWood financial assistance. If you see a camp that is sold out but that works for your child, please reach out to IslandWood Registrar.
Our camps run from the last week of June through the first week of August. All camps run Monday through Friday, except for the week of June 30th.
- Full-day camps run from 9:00 am – 3:30 pm, and are offered for campers entering 1st – 8th grades.
- Half-day camps run from 9:00 am – 12:00 pm and are offered for campers beginning at 4 years old.
Aftercare will be held from 3:30pm- 5:30pm Monday- Thursday of each camp week for campers in grades 1st-8th. The cost will be $25 per day and include an afternoon snack. Sign up details coming soon!
We offer full day camps for campers entering 1st through 8th grades and half day morning camps for campers beginning at age 4.
OUTDOOR ADVENTURES – Pre-K – Kindergarten – $268
Inspire wonder, curiosity, and imagination through outdoor play in the Outdoor Adventures program. Campers will participate in forest ecology themed games, activities, and art projects.
WILD DISCOVERY – 1st – 2nd graders – $368
Take your observation skills to the next level as you dive into the science and tools used by zoologists around the world. Get out your binoculars, focus your microscopes, and dust off your field guide for a week of immersing yourself in nature.
BUILDER’S QUEST – 3rd – 4th graders – $368
Have you ever thought about how an animal builds its home? Or how IslandWood designed a suspension bridge to fit over the ravine? These are just some of the many questions you will explore in this building focused camp. Campers will study how natural and human structures are created and use their engineering minds to make their own original designs.
FOREST TO SOUND – 5th – 6th graders – $368
Explore the intricate connections of the Pacific Northwest’s ecosystems, from deep within the forest down to the Puget Sound. Search for old-growth trees, explore forests, and comb our beaches all while practicing real-life science techniques on your quest for knowledge.*
*Note this camp features a walking field trip requiring end of camp pick up from Fort Ward Park. Campers must be willing and able to walk 4 miles.
EARTH ART – 7th – 8th graders – $368
Get creative in this camp for artists who are ready to think outside of the crayon box! Test out new ways to express yourself from making natural pigments, weaving with plants, and much more as you drawn inspiration from the natural world!
ENCHANTED FOREST – Pre-K – Kindergarten – $336
Who says fairytales aren’t real? See the forest in a whole new way as you search for gnomes, build houses for fairies, and befriend a pond mermaid in this truly unique camp for kids with big imaginations.
MAKE A MESS ART – 1st – 2nd graders – $460
Don’t hold back as you experiment with lots of different ways to make art. Nature is full of textures and colors and we will get messy exploring art and nature.
WHAT STINKS? – 3rd – 4th graders – $460
Embark on a stinky and gross adventure to discover the fascinating and sometimes foul-smelling world around us. From funky flowers to stinky animal habitats, we’ll explore how the scents in the natural world play an important role in survival, attraction, and even communication.
SOIL TO SNACK- 5th – 6th graders – $460
Roll up your sleeves and see where your food really comes from. Explore edible plants in the forest, harvest exotic species from the garden, and turn it all into a tasty snack each day. Combine cooking with science in a week of delicious discovery.
WILDERNESS SURVIVAL SKILLS – 7th – 8th graders – $480
Get ready for the ultimate wilderness experience! Campers will master essential survival skills, from building shelter, to tracking animals and foraging for wild edibles. Learn how to assess risks in the wild, build fire with natural materials, and practice Leave No Trace principles to protect nature. With hands-on activities like shelter building, rock and tree hazard spotting, and even cooking over a fire, this camp will equip you to thrive in the great outdoors!*
*Campers will receive a small knife to use throughout this camp that they get to take home. Please do not sign up if your camper is not ready to learn knife safety. This camp is the SAME as the Wilderness Survival Skills camp offered in Week 4. Activities will not change, and therefore it is not recommended to sign up for both weeks.
BUILDER’S QUEST – Pre-K – Kindergarten – $336
Have you ever thought about how an animal builds its home? Or how IslandWood designed a suspension bridge to fit over the ravine? These are just some of the many questions you will explore in this building focused camp. Campers will study how natural and human structures are created and use their engineering minds to make their own original designs.
ENCHANTED FOREST – 1st – 2nd graders – $460
Who says fairytales aren’t real? See the forest in a whole new way as you search for gnomes, build houses for fairies, and befriend a pond mermaid in this truly unique camp for kids with big imaginations.
EARTH ART – 3rd – 4th graders – $445
Get creative in this camp for artists who are ready to think outside of the crayon box! Test out new ways to express yourself from making natural pigments, weaving with plants, and much more as you drawn inspiration from the natural world!
MASTERS OF THE SKY – 5th – 6th graders – $460
Dinosaurs are extinct, right? Think again, because high above the earth, dinosaurs continue to soar – we just call them “birds” now. Discover your inner bird nerd during this week all about avian adaptations and the remarkable life of our feathered friends.
FOREST TO FARM TO TABLE – 7th – 8th graders – $480
Learn how healthy forests and farms can co-exist in our watersheds. We’ll explore sustainable farming practices by visiting local farms, harvesting wild edibles from IslandWood’s forests, and getting a behind the scenes look at how different types of garden opperate. The final day of camp will bring together all the harvested ingredients from the week to create an elaborate community meal.*
*Note this camp features off site field trips to local farms
MAKE A MESS ART – Pre-K – Kindergarten – $336
Don’t hold back as you experiment with lots of different ways to make art. Nature is full of textures and colors and we will get messy exploring art and nature.
WHAT STINKS? – 1st – 2nd graders – $460
Embark on a stinky and gross adventure to discover the fascinating and sometimes foul-smelling world around us. From funky flowers to stinky animal habitats, we’ll explore how the scents in the natural world play an important role in survival, attraction, and even communication.
SOIL TO SNACK – 3rd – 4th graders – $460
Roll up your sleeves and see where your food really comes from. Explore edible plants in the forest, harvest exotic species from the garden, and turn it all into a tasty snack each day. Combine cooking with science in a week of delicious discovery.
ISLAND ODYSSEY – 5th – 6th graders – $460
This camp is about the journey – not the destination. Explore animal tracks, follow deer trails, use a compass to navigate, and explore areas of IslandWood no camper has dared to venture!*
*Note this camp features a walking field trip to Rockaway Beach that requires end of camp pick up from Blakely Harbor. Campers must be willing and able to walk 4 miles with elevation gain.
WILDERNESS SURVIVAL SKILLS – 7th – 8th graders – $480
Get ready for the ultimate wilderness experience! Campers will master essential survival skills, from building shelter, to tracking animals and foraging for wild edibles. Learn how to assess risks in the wild, build fire with natural materials, and practice Leave No Trace principles to protect nature. With hands-on activities like shelter building, rock and tree hazard spotting, and even cooking over a fire, this camp will equip you to thrive in the great outdoors!**
**Campers will receive a small knife to use throughout this camp that they get to take home. Please do not sign up if your camper is not ready to learn knife safety. This camp is the SAME as the Wilderness Survival Skills camp offered in Week 2. Activities will not change, and therefore it is not recommended to sign up for both weeks.
BUGS, SLUGS, AND GRUBS – Pre-K – Kindergarten – $336
Roll up your sleeves and get ready to leave no stone unturned! This week we are searching high and low for critters, crawlers, squirmers, and slimers as we learn all about the small creatures in our forest. .
GARDEN EXPLORERS – 1st – 2nd graders – $460
Step into the world of plants! This exciting week will have campers engaging in hands-on activities, nature scavenger hunts, and gardening projects while discovering plant life cycles, the vital role of pollinators, and the magic of a flourishing garden ecosystem.
FOREST TO SOUND – 3rd – 4th graders – $460
Explore the intricate connections of the Pacific Northwest’s ecosystems, from deep within the forest down to the Puget Sound. Search for old-growth trees, explore forests, and comb our beaches all while practicing real-life science techniques on your quest for knowledge.*
*Note this camp features a walking field trip requiring end of camp pick up from Fort Ward Park. Campers must be willing and able to walk 4 miles.
EARTH ART – 5th – 6th graders – $460
Get creative in this camp for artists who are ready to think outside of the crayon box! Test out new ways to express yourself from making natural pigments, weaving with plants, and much more as you drawn inspiration from the natural world!
CAMPOLOGISTS – 7th – 8th graders – $480
Whether you have attended IslandWood camps for years, or are brand new, this camp offers a unique experience to study local ecosystems with the aid of scientific instruments and guest scientists. Campers will get a rare opportunity to walk into the bog, take tree core samples, and examine tidal creatures from beyond the shoreline. This camp is designed to inspire the next generation of environmental scientists!**
**Note this camp features a walking field trip to Rockaway Beach that requires end of camp pick up from Blakely Harbor. Campers must be willing and able to walk 4 miles with elevation gain.
GARDEN EXPLORERS – Pre-K – Kindergarten – $336
Step into the world of plants! This exciting week will have campers engaging in hands-on activities, nature scavenger hunts, and gardening projects while discovering plant life cycles, the vital role of pollinators, and the magic of a flourishing garden ecosystem.
BUILDER’S QUEST – 1st – 2nd graders – $460
Have you ever thought about how an animal builds its home? Or how IslandWood designed a suspension bridge to fit over the ravine? These are just some of the many questions you will explore in this building focused camp. Campers will study how natural and human structures are created and use their engineering minds to make their own original designs.
MASTERS OF THE SKY- 3rd – 4th graders – $460
Dinosaurs are extinct, right? Think again, because high above the earth, dinosaurs continue to soar – we just call them “birds” now. Discover your inner bird nerd during this week all about avian adaptations and the remarkable life of our feathered friends.
INVENTORS AND ENGINEERS – 5th – 6th graders – $460
Everyone can make a difference. Explore the amazing ways scientists, engineers, and architects innovate to create a healthier planet for us all. This camp for budding change-makers combines leadership with imagination, as you collaborate as a team to craft ways to make the world a better place.
WILD JOURNALING – 7th – 8th graders – $460
Spend a week exploring the natural world through art. Campers will make a nature journal from start to finish, explore concepts such as paper making, bookmark weaving, book binding, water coloring, biodiversity counts, poetry, and so much more! We invite all artists and nature enthusiasts alike to sign up for this camp!
Bainbridge FAQS
Everything you need to know about IslandWood summer camps on our Bainbridge Island campus!
Processing fees ($100 per camp) are non-refundable and non-transferable. If a cancellation is made by April 4, a full refund will be issued (less $100 processing fee per camp). If a cancellation is made by June 6, a 50% refund will be issued (less the $100 processing fee per camp). Cancellations made after June 6 are not eligible for refund, unless due to medical circumstances.
We are committed to making summer camp accessible to as many families as possible, which is why we are excited to offer financial assistance to help cover the cost of attendance. We encourage families to apply early and will do our best to support as many children as possible.
- When applying for assistance, you’ll have the option to apply for 25%, 50%, or 75% off one week of camp per camper. Please choose the option that best fits your needs.
- Decisions are made on a first come first serve basis, until all financial assistance funds have been awarded.
- Applications will be accepted starting January 15. The first round of financial assistance will be awarded on February 4th, and any remaining applications will be accepted and approved on a rolling basis.
We highly encourage all campers to bring their own sunscreen and gear (hats, sunglass, sun shirts, etc.) to help protect them from sunburn and heat related illnesses. Our instructors have sunscreen to provide campers who need it, and campers will be reminded throughout the day to reapply.
Sunscreen is considered a medication, and our policy is that we will not apply any topical medications to campers. We will model how to re-apply sunscreen at lunch time, but instructors will not put it on directly.
We follow the CDC guidelines for campers and staff:
Your camper should STAY AT HOME if they are experiencing the following symptoms:
- Fever, including a fever with a new rash.
- Vomiting more than twice in the preceding 24 hours.
- Diarrhea that causes ‘accidents’, is bloody, or results in greater than two bowel movements above what the child normally experiences in a 24-hour period.
- Skin sores that are draining fluid on an uncovered part of the body and are unable to be covered with a bandage.
- Respiratory virus symptoms that are worsening or not improving and not better explained by another cause such as seasonal allergies.
Your camper may RETURN to camp if:
- The child has not had a fever (and is not using fever-reducing medicine) for at least 24 hours.
- Fever with a new rash has been evaluated by a healthcare provider and fever has resolved.
- Uncovered skin sores are crusting, and the child is under treatment from a provider.
- Vomiting has resolved overnight and the child can hold down food / liquids in the morning.
- Diarrhea has improved, the child is no longer having accidents or is having bowel movements no more than 2 above normal per 24-hour period for the child. Bloody diarrhea should be evaluated by a healthcare provider prior to return.
- Respiratory virus symptoms are getting better overall for at least 24 hours. Students and staff returning after a respiratory illness can consider additional actions to reduce spread.
Can I get a refund if my camper cannot attend camp due to an illness?
Unfortunately, we cannot provide a refund but are sometimes able to transfer your camper to a different week of camp. Please email [email protected] for more information
IslandWood puts several measures in place to help campers avoid heat related illness:
- Camp staff are trained on the signs and symptoms of heat illness and will intervene immediately if symptoms occur
- Field groups spend a lot of the day in the woods to avoid long periods of time in the direct sun
- Campers have mandatory water breaks when they are playing large group games in direct sunlight
- Instructors carefully monitor campers’ water bottles to ensure they are hydrated
Throughout the summer, IslandWood staff will monitor local Air Quality Indexes for the existence or potential for poor air quality conditions as a direct result of wildfire smoke, which could adversely impact safe operations of IslandWood programs or facilities. At levels between 100 and 300 PPM (for PM2.5 particulate), activities will be adapted and moved indoors. At levels over 300 PPM, or if activities cannot be moved indoors, IslandWood will plan to cancel camp activities for as long as unsafe conditions persist.
If IslandWood cancels camps due to Air Quality safety concerns, a full refund/credit will be offered for the cancelled activity. If a participant chooses to withhold their child or themselves from an activity due to concerns about health, but the local air quality does not meet our wildfire smoke safety thresholds, we unfortunately cannot offer a refund.
IslandWood does not have a nurse onsite. All of our camp staff have CPR and First Aid training. A large portion also have Wilderness First Aid or Wilderness First Responder Training. We ask that children who require medication take it before or after the camp day. If this is not possible for your child, please reach out so we can discuss if we can accommodate your camper’s needs during the camp day.
Communication is key to helping all campers have a great time at camp. Please reach out if your camper might need extra support for handling any of the following situations:
- Campers will be hiking 2-4 miles on a typical camp day
- Campers walk on a variety of surfaces including dirt, gravel, and uneven trails with roots and rocks.
- Campers will need to use composting toilets and porta potties
- There will be times each day when campers are in large groups playing field games. This can be a loud and overwhelming environment for campers with sensory challenges. Campers are always welcome to sit out, but they will still be close to the action.
- Campers make a lot of transitions from location to location throughout the camp day. Campers must stay with their groups at all times.
Campers spend the majority of their day in small field groups of 12-16 campers lead by 2 instructors. They will hike all over our 255 acre campus and sometimes beyond to nearby parks and beaches. They stop throughout the day to play games, participate in science activities, and have free explore time in nature. We have scheduled times throughout the week that they combine with other field groups to play large group games. Additionally, they will have scheduled times in our garden kitchen and the art studio. Each instructor pair is responsible for designing the camp day to meet the theme of the week and the needs of the group. If your camper signs up for multiple weeks they will experience different activities based on the theme, but some of the games will repeat.
Please send your camper to camp with a lunch and full reusable water bottle. IslandWood provides additional snacks to help campers maintain energy levels throughout the day.
Camps at Brightwater Education Center in Woodinville
IslandWood will be offering summer camps in 2025 for 1st – 6th graders and half day morning camps for campers beginning at age 4, all at the state-of-the-art Brightwater Education Center in Woodinville.
The campus features seventy-two acres of forest and three miles of trails, streams, hills, and ponds set the perfect backdrop for a summer full of adventures, learning, and fun!
Our camps run from the last week of June through the first week of August. All camps run Monday through Friday, except for the week of June 30th.
- Full-day camps run from 9:00 am – 3:30 pm, and are offered for campers entering 1st – 6th grades.
- Half-day camps run from 9:00 am – 12:00 pm and are offered for campers beginning at 4 years old.
Aftercare will be held from 3:30pm- 5:30pm Monday- Thursday of each camp week for campers in grades 1st-6th. The cost will be $25 per day and include an afternoon snack. There is an option to sign up for aftercare during registration, or you can decide to sign up day-of, when your camper arrives to camp.
We offer full day camps for campers entering 1st through 6th grades and half day morning camps for campers beginning at age 4.
WILD DISCOVERY – Pre-K – Kindergarten – $225
Roll up your sleeves and get ready to leave no stone unturned! This week we are searching high and low for critters, crawlers, squirmers, and slimers as we learn all about the creatures in our forest and the habitats they depend on!
WILD DISCOVERY – 1st – 2nd graders – $375
Roll up your sleeves and get ready to leave no stone unturned! This week we are searching high and low for critters, crawlers, squirmers, and slimers as we learn all about the creatures in our forest and the habitats they depend on!
WILD DISCOVERY – 3rd – 4th graders – $375
Uncover nature’s weird, surprising, and downright gross phenomena in this camp for young scientists and engineers who aren’t afraid to get a little dirty. Search for insects in the leaf litter of the forest, discover the best habitat for snakes, or build a home for favorite creatures. There’s no shortage of ways to experience the outdoors at Brightwater.
WILD DISCOVERY – 5th – 6th graders – $375
Brightwater is home to amazing creatures and plants, from singing frogs, to giant trees and our always-building beavers, each with their own unique roles in the ecosystem. Journey through the incredible world of our local forests using art, hands-on investigations, engineering challenges, and wild games.
WATER WONDERS – Pre-K – Kindergarten – $275
Join us as we splish and splash our way through the science of the outdoors. Through games, songs, and science experiments, we’ll get to know the water creatures who call Brightwater home.
WATER WONDERS – 1st – 2nd graders – $475
Join us as we splish and splash our way through the science of the outdoors. Through games, songs, and science experiments, we’ll get to know the water creatures who call Brightwater home.
WATER WONDERS – 3rd – 4th graders – $475
Come explore beneath the surface of the ponds and at the edges of the wetlands to learn about the water-dwellers at Brightwater! We will use art, science, games and engineering to discover the watery world around us – you might get wet when you enter the science splash zone!
EXPEDITION ART: MOUNTAINS TO SEA – 5th – 6th graders – $495
Ever dream of working for National Geographic magazine? This camp combines writing, photography, art, and observation skills to help you become a master explorer and produce your own magazine in this project-based camp. This camp includes off-site field trips!
BRIGHTWATER BIRDERS – 1st – 2nd graders – $475
Caw-caw-caw-ling all bird lovers: learn about our feathered friends at this camp! We will play games that put us in touch with how birds survive, will design and build a bird feeder suited for our local birds, and we will camoflauge ourselves and observe the wild birds of Brightwater.
BRIGHTWATER BIRDERS – 3rd – 4th graders – $475
This exciting camp will take you into a world of birds, nature, and creativity, all while having tons of fun! We will hike through forests, fields, and wetlands and learn how to identify different bird species by their songs, feathers, and nests. We will use science, art, and engineering design activities to understand the amazing adaptations of our feathered friends!
BRIGHTWATER BIRDERS – 5th – 6th graders – $475
Break out your binoculars and practice using a field guide as you wander the woods and waterways in search of Brightwater’s winged wonders! From the ponds to the trees, discover the different adaptations birds have to help them call this place home. We will dissect owl pellets, use engineering design practices to explore birds’ adaptations, and will study and interpret bird language.
WILD DISCOVERY – Pre-K – Kindergarten – $275
Roll up your sleeves and get ready to leave no stone unturned! This week we are searching high and low for critters, crawlers, squirmers, and slimers as we learn all about the creatures in our forest and the habitats they depend on!
WILD DISCOVERY – 1st – 2nd graders – $475
Roll up your sleeves and get ready to leave no stone unturned! This week we are searching high and low for critters, crawlers, squirmers, and slimers as we learn all about the creatures in our forest and the habitats they depend on!
WILD DISCOVERY – 3rd – 4th graders – $475
Uncover nature’s weird, surprising, and downright gross phenomena in this camp for young scientists and engineers who aren’t afraid to get a little dirty. Search for insects in the leaf litter of the forest, discover the best habitat for snakes, or build a home for favorite creatures. There’s no shortage of ways to experience the outdoors at Brightwater.
WILD DISCOVERY: FOREST TO SOUND – 5th – 6th graders – $495
Explore the intricate connections of the Pacific Northwest’s ecosystems, from deep within the forest down to the Puget Sound. Search for hidden streams, explore urban forests, and comb our beaches all while practicing real-life science techniques. This camp includes off-site field trips!
WATER WONDERS – Pre-K – Kindergarten – $275
Join us as we splish and splash our way through the science of the outdoors. Through games, songs, and science experiments, we’ll get to know the water creatures who call Brightwater home.
WATER WONDERS – 1st – 2nd graders – $475
Join us as we splish and splash our way through the science of the outdoors. Through games, songs, and science experiments, we’ll get to know the water creatures who call Brightwater home.
WATER WONDERS – 3rd – 4th graders – $475
Come explore beneath the surface of the ponds and at the edges of the wetlands to learn about the water-dwellers at Brightwater! We will use art, science, games and engineering to discover the watery world around us – you might get wet when you enter the science splash zone!
WATER WONDERS – 5th – 6th graders – $475
Come explore beneath the surface of the ponds and at the edges of the wetlands to learn about the water-dwellers at Brightwater! We will use art, science, games and engineering to discover the watery world around us – you might get wet when you enter the science splash zone!
BRIGHTWATER BIRDERS – 1st – 2nd graders – $475
Caw-caw-caw-ling all bird lovers: learn about our feathered friends at this camp! We will play games that put us in touch with how birds survive, will design and build a bird feeder suited for our local birds, and we will camoflauge ourselves and observe the wild birds of Brightwater.
BRIGHTWATER BIRDERS – 3rd – 4th graders – $475
This exciting camp will take you into a world of birds, nature, and creativity, all while having tons of fun! We will hike through forests, fields and wetlands and learn how to identify different bird species by their songs, feathers, and nests. We will use science, art and engineering design activities to understand the amazing adaptations of our feathered friends!
AVIAN ADVENTURES: FROM PIGEONS TO PELICANS – 5th – 6th graders – $495
Discover the vast variety of birds of the Pacific Northwest, from deep within the forest down to the Puget Sound. Explore urban forests for woodpeckers and comb our beaches for osprey all while practicing real-life science techniques. This camp includes off-site field trips!
Brightwater FAQS
Everything you need to know about IslandWood summer camps at the Brightwater Education Center in Woodinville!
Processing fees ($100 per camp) are non-refundable and non-transferable. If a cancellation is made by April 4, a full refund will be issued (less $100 processing fee per camp). If a cancellation is made by June 6, a 50% refund will be issued (less the $100 processing fee per camp). Cancellations made after June 6 are not eligible for refund, unless due to medical circumstances.
We are committed to making summer camp accessible to as many families as possible, which is why we are excited to offer financial assistance to help cover the cost of attendance. We encourage families to apply early and will do our best to support as many children as possible.
- When applying for assistance, you’ll have the option to apply for 25%, 50%, or 75% off one week of camp per camper. Please choose the option that best fits your needs.
- Decisions are made on a first come first serve basis, until all financial assistance funds have been awarded.
- Applications will be accepted starting January 15. The first round of financial assistance will be awarded on February 4th, and any remaining applications will be accepted and approved on a rolling basis.
We highly encourage all campers to bring their own sunscreen and gear (hats, sunglass, sun shirts, etc.) to help protect them from sunburn and heat related illnesses. Our instructors have sunscreen to provide campers who need it, and campers will be reminded throughout the day to reapply.
Sunscreen is considered a medication, and our policy is that we will not apply any topical medications to campers. We will model how to re-apply sunscreen at lunch time, but instructors will not put it on directly.
We follow the CDC guidelines for camper and staff illness.
Your camper should STAY AT HOME if they are experiencing the following symptoms:
- Fever, including a fever with a new rash.
- Vomiting more than twice in the preceding 24 hours.
- Diarrhea that causes ‘accidents’, is bloody, or results in greater than two bowel movements above what the child normally experiences in a 24-hour period.
- Skin sores that are draining fluid on an uncovered part of the body and are unable to be covered with a bandage.
- Respiratory virus symptoms that are worsening or not improving and not better explained by another cause such as seasonal allergies.
Your camper may RETURN to camp if:
- The child has not had a fever (and is not using fever-reducing medicine) for at least 24 hours.
- Fever with a new rash has been evaluated by a healthcare provider and fever has resolved.
- Uncovered skin sores are crusting, and the child is under treatment from a provider.
- Vomiting has resolved overnight and the child can hold down food / liquids in the morning.
- Diarrhea has improved, the child is no longer having accidents or is having bowel movements no more than 2 above normal per 24-hour period for the child. Bloody diarrhea should be evaluated by a healthcare provider prior to return.
- Respiratory virus symptoms are getting better overall for at least 24 hours. Students and staff returning after a respiratory illness can consider additional actions to reduce spread.
Can I get a refund if my camper cannot attend camp due to an illness?
Unfortunately, we cannot provide a refund but are sometimes able to transfer your camper to a different week of camp. Please email [email protected] for more information
IslandWood puts several measures in place to help campers avoid heat related illness:
- Camp staff are trained on the signs and symptoms of heat illness and will intervene immediately if symptoms occur
- Field groups spend a lot of the day in the woods to avoid long periods of time in the direct sun
- Campers have mandatory water breaks when they are playing large group games in direct sunlight
- Instructors carefully monitor campers’ water bottles to ensure they are hydrated
Throughout the summer, IslandWood staff will monitor local Air Quality Indexes for the existence or potential for poor air quality conditions as a direct result of wildfire smoke, which could adversely impact safe operations of IslandWood programs or facilities. At levels between 100 and 300 PPM (for PM2.5 particulate), activities will be adapted and moved indoors. At levels over 300 PPM, or if activities cannot be moved indoors, IslandWood will plan to cancel camp activities for as long as unsafe conditions persist.
If IslandWood cancels camps due to Air Quality safety concerns, a full refund/credit will be offered for the cancelled activity. If a participant chooses to withhold their child or themselves from an activity due to concerns about health, but the local air quality does not meet our wildfire smoke safety thresholds, we unfortunately cannot offer a refund.
IslandWood does not have a nurse onsite. All of our camp staff have CPR and First Aid training. A large portion also have Wilderness First Aid or Wilderness First Responder Training. We ask that children who require medication take it before or after the camp day. If this is not possible for your child, please reach out so we can discuss if we can accommodate your camper’s needs during the camp day.
Communication is key to helping all campers have a great time at camp. Please reach out if your camper might need extra support for handling any of the following situations:
- Campers will be hiking 2-3 miles on a typical camp day.
- Campers walk on a variety of surfaces including dirt, gravel, and uneven trails with roots and rocks.
- Campers may need to use composting toilets and porta potties.
- There will be times each day when campers are in large groups playing field games. This can be a loud and overwhelming environment for campers with sensory challenges. Campers are always welcome to sit out, but they will still be close to the action.
- Campers make a lot of transitions from location to location throughout the camp day. Campers must stay with their groups at all times.
Campers spend the majority of their day in small field groups of up to 10 campers led by an instructors and supported by teen volunteers. They will hike all over the 70 acres of trails at Brightwater–stopping throughout the day to play games, participate in science activities, and have free explore time in nature. We have scheduled times throughout the week that they combine with other field groups to play large group games, as well as times for art activities in the on-site classrooms.
Each instructor is responsible for designing the camp day to meet the theme of the week and the needs of the group and they may make adaptations to the camp activities based on student interest. However, campers who are signed up for multiple weeks of camp should be prepared to visit some of the same locations (e.g., the creek) and repeat some of the same activities. This is especially true if campers are signed up for multiple weeks of the same theme (e.g., Brightwater Birders 7/14-18 and Brightwater Birders 8/4-8). The expectation for campers attending over multiple weeks is that they come ready to participate in the activities their camp instructor has planned–even if it is an activity they have already participated in during a previous camp week.
Summer Employment and Volunteer Opportunities
Do like kids and the outdoors? Come work or volunteer with camp! You’ll work with our educators and gain valuable experience in environmental education.
Summer Programs Instructors are responsible for leading educational programming using a curriculum guide that integrates science, technology, arts, teambuilding, and adventure learning. Our summer programs serve children entering kindergarten through 9th grade.
More information coming soon!
We offer opportunities for rising freshmen, sophomores, juniors, and seniors in high school to explore education as a career path through our Volunteers in Outdoor Leadership (VOL) program on our Bainbridge Island campus. Spend two weeks working closely with our educators and campers to learn teaching techniques for connecting kids with the natural world. Your volunteer hours can be utilized to complete your community service requirement at Bainbridge High School.
Apply for volunteer positions at IslandWood’s Bainbridge campus here.
We offer opportunities for high school students to explore education as a career path through our Volunteers in Outdoor Leadership (VOL) program at the Brightwater Education Center. VOLs are partnered with a summer programs instructor and a field group of campers for the week to learn teaching techniques, lead activities and model excitement for campers as they explore the natural world.
VOLs can receive community service credit from IslandWood.
Want to know more about what being a VOL means? Check out this blog post!
Apply for volunteer positions at the Brightwater Education Center here.
For more information contact Amanda Hipp, Campus Summer Camp & Education Ops Manager at [email protected] for information about Bainbridge Island employment and volunteer opportunities.
For more information contact Kate Martin, Urban School and Community Education Coordinator at [email protected] for information about Woodinville volunteer opportunities.
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