Register for Bainbridge Island Camps Register for Brightwater Camps
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.
Registration for Summer Camp is open!
The safety of your children is always of the utmost importance to us. We have carefully reviewed COVID-19 health and safety guidance from the CDC, Washington State Department of Health, King County Public Health, Kitsap Public Health District, and the American Camp Association in developing our safety policies and procedures for running camps. If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our Camp Registrar, at [email protected].
We hold multiple spots per week for children attending via IslandWood financial assistance, so if you see a camp that is sold out that works for your child, please still reach out by emailing our IslandWood registrar, at [email protected].
Processing fees ($100 per camp) are non-refundable and non-transferable. If a cancellation is made by April 1, a full refund will be issued (less $100 processing fee per camp). If a cancellation is made by June 1, a 50% refund will be issued (less the $100 processing fee per camp). Cancellations made after June 1 are not eligible for refund, unless due to medical circumstances.
If you have questions, we’re here to help. The best way to reach us is by emailing our IslandWood registrar, at [email protected]. It’s harder for us to return phone calls, but easier to return emails!
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 July 1st.
Aftercare will be held from 3:30pm- 5:30pm Monday- Thursday of each camp week for campers in grades 1st-8th. There is a question in our registration process that allows you to express your interest in aftercare. In late May we will reach out and give interested families more information. The cost will be $25 per day and include an afternoon snack
We offer full day camps for campers entering 1st through 8th grades and half day morning camps for campers beginning at age 4.
BUGS, GRUBS, and SLUGS! – Pre-K – Kindergarten – $325
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.
ENCHANTED FOREST – 1st – 2nd graders – $445
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.
SOIL TO SNACK – 3rd – 4th graders – $445
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.
FOREST TO SOUND – 5th – 6th graders – $445
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 walking field trips requiring end of camp pick up from Fort Ward and Blakley Harbor on some days. Both Blakley Harbor and Fort Ward Park are 3-5 minute drives from IslandWood.
*Please note: Camps this week will not run on July 4th and the camp fee is reduced by 20%.
BUILDER’S QUEST – Pre-K – Kindergarten – $260
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.
SLUGS, BUGS, and GRUBS! – 1st – 2nd graders – $355
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.
WILD DISCOVERY – 3rd – 4th graders – $355
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.
INVENTORS & ENGINEERS – 5th – 6th graders – $355
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.
MAKE A MESS ART – Pre-K – Kindergarten – $325
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.
WATER WONDERS- 1st – 2nd graders – $445
Take a break from the summer heat in this cool camp all about water! Campers will examine incredible creatures under microscopes, learn all about the adaptations aquatic plants and animals must make, and make a splash with wet and wacky games!
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!
SOIL TO SNACK – 5th – 6th graders – $445
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.
WATER WONDERS – Pre-K – Kindergarten – $325
Take a break from the summer heat in this cool camp all about water! Campers will examine incredible creatures under microscopes, learn all about the adaptations aquatic plants and animals must make, and make a splash with wet and wacky games!
EARTH ART – 1st – 2nd 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!
FOREST TO SOUND – 3rd – 4th graders – $445
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 walking field trips requiring end of camp pick up from Fort Ward and Blakley Harbor on some days. Both Blakley Harbor and Fort Ward Park are 3-5 minute drives from IslandWood.
ISLAND ODYSSEY – 5th – 6th graders – $445
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!
CAMPOLOGISTS – 7th – 8th graders – $445
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, examine tidal creatures from beyond the shoreline, and help move science forward by participating in a Citizen Science Project. This camp is designed to inspire the next generation of environmental scientists!**
**Note this camp features walking field trips requiring end of camp pick up from Blakley Harbor on some days. Blakley Harbor is a 3-minute drive from IslandWood.
ENCHANTED FOREST – Pre-K – Kindergarten – $325
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.
BUILDER’S QUEST – 1st – 2nd graders – $445
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 – $445
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
EARTH ART – 5th – 6th 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!
FOREST FARM TO TABLE – 7th – 8th graders – $445
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 IslandWood’s garden runs. 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 walking field trips requiring end of camp pick up from Blakely Harbor on some days. Blakely Harbor is a 3-minute drive from IslandWood.
OUTDOOR ADVENTURES – Pre-K – Kindergarten – $325
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.
MASTERS OF THE SKY – 1st – 2nd graders – $445
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
BUILDER’S QUEST – 3rd – 4th graders – $445
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 – 5th – 6th graders – $445
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
Aftercare will be held from 3:30pm- 5:30pm Monday- Thursday of each camp week for campers in grades 1st-8th. There is a question in our registration process that allows you to express your interest in aftercare. In late May we will reach out and give interested families more information. The cost will be $25 per day and include an afternoon snack
IslandWood is offering summer camps for 1st – 6th graders at the state-of-the-art Brightwater Education Center. 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!
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 first week of July through the second week of August. All camps run from 9:00 am – 3:30 pm, Monday through Friday, except for the week of July 1st, where we will not host camp the day of July 4th.
Thank you!
We offer full-day camps for campers entering 1st through 6th grades.
*Please note: Camps this week will not run on July 4th and the camp fee is reduced by 20%.
SUPER CRITTERS (1st-2nd grade) $355
Ever wish you had super strength? How about the ability to stick to walls? To fly? To disappear? Spend the week exploring the animal kingdom’s most bizarre real-life superpowers in this camp that unveils nature’s coolest critters.
NATURE QUEST (3rd-4th grade) $355
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. Dip for bugs in the pond muck, discover the best habitat for snakes, or build a home for favorite critters. There’s no shortage of ways to experience the outdoors at Brightwater.
ECOSYSTEM INVESTIGATORS (5th-6th grade) $355
Brightwater is home to some 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.
BRIGHTWATER BIRDERS (1st-2nd grade) $445
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.
MASTERS OF THE SKY (3rd-4th grade) $445
Dinosaurs are extinct, right? Think again! High above the earth, dinosaurs continue to soar – but now we just call them “birds”. Discover your inner bird nerd during this week all about avian adaptations and the remarkable life of our feathered friends.
WOODS2WATER (5th-6th grade) $470
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!
WOODLAND WIZARDRY (1st-2nd grade) $445
Transport yourself into a magical world of spells, potions, and enchantments in this camp that looks at science in a whole new way. Earn your membership in IslandWood’s Young Naturalists of Magical Affinity throughout this week of exciting exploration.
SQUIRMY, SLIMY SCIENCE (3rd-4th grade) $445
Uncover nature’s weird, surprising, and downright gross phenomena in this camp for young scientists who aren’t afraid to get a little dirty. Do worms really have five hearts? Why do slugs produce slime? What is an owl pellet made of? Hold your nose and dive into these and plenty of other strange questions.
DESIGN AND DISCOVER (5th-6th grade) $445
The world around us is full of astounding structures and amazing adaptations, especially when it comes to water. Use your scientific skills to explore what it means to be an engineer, whether you’re a beaver building a dam or a human designing a treatment plant. You’ll also use scientific tools to study the streams and ponds at Brightwater and design solutions that can help keep our water clean.
EARTH ART (1st-2nd grade) $445
Get creative in this camp young artists. Test out new ways to express yourself from creating natural sculptures to weaving with plants as you explore the natural environment.
EYES OF THE FOREST (3rd-4th grade) $445
Get ready to look at art in a whole new way using Brightwater as your canvas. Taking inspiration from nature, we will use natural materials and pigments to hone our skills in visual arts and construct our own creative pieces for an end-of-the-week art gallery.
EXPEDITION ART (5th-6th grade) $470
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!
CLAWS, PAWS, AND JAWS (1st-2nd grade) $445
Head out on a forest safari all about wild creatures. Learn what life is like for mammals, birds, invertebrates, and fish as you explore the awesome adaptations of nature’s coolest predators.
FANTASTIC FAUNA (3rd-4th grade) $445
Curious what lies beneath the surface of the stream? Wondering who wanders the wetlands? Dip into the ponds and take to the trails in search of Brightwater’s fantastic fauna and learn more about where you can find them.
WILD DISCOVERY (5th-6th grade) $445
Take your observation skills to the next level as you dive into the science and tools used by zoologists around the world. Set camera traps, whip out your magnifying glass, focus your binoculars, and dust off your field guide for a week of immersing yourself in nature.
WATER WONDERS (1st-2nd grade) $445
Uncover the mysteries of what’s beneath the surface, check out incredible aquatic creatures, and explore the wonders of water in this wet and wacky week.
UNDER THE SURFACE (3rd-4th grade) $445
Ponds, and streams, and wetlands, oh my! Take a dip into the watery worlds of Brightwater to find out what makes this place so incredibly cool. We’ll investigate all our different aquatic ecosystems and learn about who lurks under the surface through art, science, and exploration.
FOREST2SOUND (5th-6th grade) $470
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!
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.
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.
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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IslandWood acknowledges that we live and work on the ancestral land of the Coast Salish people, who have been stewards of this region's land and waters since time immemorial, and who continue to protect these lands and waters for future generations, as promised by the Point Elliott Treaty of 1855, the Treaty of Point No Point of 1855, and the Treaty of Medicine Creek of 1854.
While the majority of our work takes place on Suquamish (suq̀ʷabš) and Duwamish (dxʷdɐwʔabʃ) land, we also conduct programs on the land of the Snohomish (sduhúbʃ), Puyallup (spuyaləpabš), Muckleshoot (buklshuhls), Skokomish (sqoqc’bes), and S’Klallam (nəxʷsƛ̕ay̕əm) peoples.
IslandWood is a registered 501(c)(3) charitable organization. Our tax ID number is 31-1654076.
4450 Blakely Ave. NE, Bainbridge Island, WA 98110 206.855.4300
When you give $150 or more over twelve months, you become a Friend of IslandWood. You’re supporting our environmental education programs throughout the region AND you’ll have special access to our Bainbridge trails. Learn more!