Not everyone wants a traditional summer camp experience. And what better time than summer to try out something completely new? Your camper can try circus arts, learn French, master high ropes courses, be a ninja warrior, explore queer history and more at these unusual camps.
Pratt Fine Arts Center, Teen Summer Classes and Camps (Seattle)
These arts focused camps are unique and challenging enough to engage teens, and that’s saying something! Let your teen explore the world of leather crafting, glassblowing, metal work and blacksmithing, even taxidermy! Some camps are full-day, while others offer morning or afternoon sessions.
Dates: Classes offered weekly, June 24–Aug. 16
Ages: 13–17
Cost: $495–$240 (note that some classes have an additional supply fee). Teen scholarships are available throughout the year, see the website for details.
High Trek Adventures (Everett)
High Trek Adventures offers day camps, each three days long (Monday–Wednesday), that include a high ropes course, zip lines, a climbing wall, laser tag, mini golf, a bouncy obstacle course and other exciting outdoor games. With both youth and teen camp offerings, there is something for everyone.
Dates: Various
Ages: 7–15
Cost: $300–$350
Seattle Rhythmic Gymnastics (Seattle)
Multilingual coaches teach rhythmic gymnastics in weeklong (five-day) half-day and full-day camps. Campers will learn ballet, ribbon, hoops and tumbling, and participate in other exciting camp activities, such as arts and crafts. Each camp concludes with a showcase performance for parents.
Dates: July 1–5 and 8–12; Aug. 26–30
Ages: 4–10
Cost: $50–$600
Kong Academy (Seattle)
Kong’s wildly popular day camps are held at Seward Park and Carkeek Park. Kids will learn parkour and other fun activities through a story that connects the activities. This year the theme will be “ninjas,” with the Japanese Cultural Center and the International Ninja Research Center serving as cultural advisers.
Dates: Weekly, starting June 24; July 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29; Aug. 5, 12, 19 and 26
Ages: 6–12
Cost: $315–$525
SANCA and Emerald City Trapeze Arts Circus Camps (Seattle)
Campers of all skill levels are introduced to age-appropriate circus and acrobatic skills, including juggling, aerial arts, trampoline, tumbling and tightwire. Circus camps help young people develop physical skills, build confidence and self-esteem, and get physically fit. Full-day camps are offered at both SANCA and Emerald City Trapeze Arts, the latter of which will also feature the flying trapeze!
Dates: Weekly, starting June 24; July 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29; Aug. 5, 12, 19 and 26
Ages: 6 and older
Cost: $289–$590
Canoe Island French Camp (Orcas Island)
In these themed camps, kids will learn about French culture and to speak French with native speakers, along with a multitude of classic camp activities tied to the camp theme. There is a free family open house on June 22 for more information. Tuition is offered at three levels, and financial assistance is available.
Dates: June 23–July 4; July 7–25; July 28–Aug. 15; Aug. 18–29
Ages: 9–16
Cost: $2,700–$4,700
Proud 2 Be Me (Vashon Island)
This camp offers gender-inclusive cabins, staff-facilitated and -supervised discussions about identity and queer history, along with classic camp favorites such as overnights, archery, arts and crafts, and more. Campers can expect value sessions centered on being queer in the outdoors, and a safe space to try on new names, identities or pronouns.
Dates: July 8–13 and July 29–Aug. 3
Grades: 6–12
Cost: $1,035–$1,235
Nocturnal Camp (Vashon Island)
At Nocturnal Camp, campers get a chance to learn about the nighttime world and explore Camp Sealth while everyone else is sleeping. Activities include night hikes, astronomy, night photography, night canoeing and stand-up paddleboarding, and more. Nocturnal campers will stay up late each night and sleep in every morning.
Dates: July 22–27; July 29–Aug. 3; Aug. 19–24
Ages: 7–10
Cost: $1,155–$1,355
Summer Filmmaking Camp at MoPOP (Seattle)
In these filmmaking camps, kids will be introduced to production planning, location scouting, hands-on tech and gear tutorials, introduction to industry standards, screenwriting, project management and so much more. They will work in small teams to produce short films to share. Digital shorts, narrative filmmaking and cinematic filmmaking are the three sessions offered this summer.
Dates: June 24–28; July 8–12 and 22–26
Ages: 12–17
Cost: $699
Drag-tastic: The Art of Drag Camp at MoPOP (Seattle)
Don your best wig and most glittery outfit, because self-expression is the theme of this Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP) camp. Seattle performer Joshua Hancock guides campers through the history of drag, and campers get to create their own drag persona, including a name and stage presence. The week ends with a private showcase.
An advanced Drag-tastic camp with featured artists D’Mon and Viper Fengz will be offered for kids ages 14–18 on Aug. 5–9.
Dates: June 29–Aug. 2
Ages: 12–18
Cost: $400 ($20 discount if you register before May 30)
