As IslandWood camps wrap up this summer, I wanted to reflect on what I blast I had! This year, we reintroduced our program for 7th and 8th graders and we had exciting new excursions here on Bainbridge Island, such as Fort Ward and Suyematsu Farms!

This summer starred weekly themes for each group: Slugs, Bugs, and Grubs made for some slimy observations and clay creations; Masters of the Sky featured handmade binoculars for trips to the bird blind; Builder’s Quest led to some incredible architectural feats—bridges, beaver dams, and model canopy towers.

A camp favorite has been the Enchanted Forest theme, which featured some guest appearances from IslandWood Staff. Magical creatures popped up around camp, including the Mac’s Pond Mermaid, the King of the Pond, and a Wondrous Warlock in the Dining Hall Wild Zone.

IslandWood has been branching out (pun intended!) to new locations on the Island, adding a thrilling sense of adventure to our summer. Campers got a brand new perspective on PNW ecosystems through adventurous hikes to Fort Ward and meeting with a scuba diver at Blakely Harbor. Our trip to Suyematsu Farms let campers explore a large-scale flower and fruit farm, sparking their curiosity and love for nature.