Remember when summer camp meant macramé, camp songs and s’mores? Well, welcome to summer camp 2019.
Your kid could learn video production in order to start their own YouTube channel, or how to build up the strength to conquer that next big rock-climbing challenge. Maybe they’ll use math to create miniature doll toys or design their own clothes, learn debate and research skills or take on a weeklong backpacking expedition. Our area is blessed with plenty of options, so we’ve done our best to pick six novel camps you may not have heard of.
Up for debate
Perfecting presentation and debate skills and building self-esteem take center stage at Capitol Debate’s Public Speaking and Debate Camp. Hosted at Cornish College of the Arts in Seattle, this camp teaches kids how to structure arguments, research evidence, write rebuttal briefs, articulate ideas and be a more effective communicator. By the end of camp, students will be prepared to join their school’s debate or speech team, or participate in its Model United Nations activities.
Ages: Middle school and high school
Cost: Prices vary, with overnight camp costing more. Check website.
Dates: July 28–Aug. 9, 2019
The sky's the limit
Campers build strength and skill with climbing, obstacle courses, relay races and more at Seattle Bouldering Project (SBP). Camps will be divided into groups according to age and ability to provide a safe and fun environment for all campers.
Ages: 6–12 (for ages 13–18, check out the training camps that run every other week in summer)
Cost: $275 per week ($235 for youth with current SBP membership)
Dates: Monday–Thursday, 9 a.m.–2 p.m., 10 weeks of camps, June 17–Aug. 22, 2019
Howlin' good time
Learn to survive in the wild at Wolf Camp. With a 1-to-6 instructor-to-camper ratio, the camp teaches skills in wilderness survival craft, wildlife search and rescue, wild cooking, herbology and animal tracking. There are four- and eight-week options at locations outside of Puyallup and Lake Sammamish, respectively. For older kids (ages 9–17), Wolf Camp offers overnight options outside of Yakima, Mount Rainier and Lake Sammamish. Also, check out the family camps.
Ages: 6–11 (some flexibility), 9–17
Cost: Day camp, $235–$400 per week, depending on location and time of registration. Overnight camp, $775–$800 per week, Sunday–Friday.
Dates: The Puyallup day camp runs July 8–Aug. 16, 2019. The Lake Sammamish day camp runs July 24–Aug. 30. Overnight camps run June 24–Aug. 30.
Let 'em lead
Have your camper learn the essentials of camping, hiking and backpacking while enjoying the natural beauty of the Pacific Northwest at the YMCA Seattle’s teen outdoor leadership camps. Younger campers will learn the basics and work up to one overnight backpacking adventure, while older teens can go on backpacking expeditions, learn to rock climb and even kayak. The camp offers male-only and female-only camps as well as coed options.
Ages: Most camps are for grades 9–12, with a few for grades 6–8. Leadership training camps for college-age kids are also available.
Cost: $795–$1,145 for one-week expeditions and $1,525–$2,225 for two-week adventures
Dates: One- and two-week camps are offered from June 23 to Aug. 30, 2019.
Rock math
At Girls Rock Math’s summer day camp, girls learn by applying math concepts to beading, crafting, nature, origami and fashion design. The program offers 12 different camps. First- and second-graders create miniature food, toys and games for a beloved stuffed animal. Second- and third-graders learn about math and symmetry in nature while making flower hair accessories. Fourth-, fifth- and sixth-graders explore fractions and infinite divisibility through art.
Ages: Grades 1–6
Cost: Seattle/Shoreline location, $350 per week; Eastside location, $365 per week
Dates: Check website.
YouTuber wannabe?
Current YouTubers and wannabes alike learn the basics of establishing a brand, the fundamentals of pre-production and composition and other aspects of video production at this ID Tech summer camp. Your tween will learn how to capture, edit and produce a video that is perfect for vlogging, documentaries and more.
Ages: 10–12
Cost: $1,029
Dates: Three weeklong sessions offered at Bellevue College: July 1–5, July 15–19, Aug. 5–9, 2019. Nine consecutive sessions offered at the Seattle campus of UW starting the week of June 24–28 and ending with an Aug. 19–23 course.
