Top-Rated Summer Camps in Greater Seattle, According to Parents

Summer is a great time for kids to explore Puget Sound by attending summer camp. But with so many camps, how do parents know which ones to choose? Families need to consider factors such as cost, age, interests and the personality of their prospective camper. And with such a wide range of summer camps offered around the state, choosing the just-right camp can be difficult.

To get you headed in the right direction, I’ve compiled a list of top-rated summer camps in the Seattle area (in no particular order) based on factors including Google and Yelp reviews, plus prior ParentMap award winners. I also consulted Newsweek’s “Best American Summer Camps,” a guide that includes more than 500 top-rated camps across the U.S., based on a survey of 30,000 parents and over 700,000 reviews on Facebook and Google.

So put your worries away, parents — the collective hive has spoken. It’s time to start planning for your child’s summer camp adventures!

Wilderness Awareness School, Duvall

Not only does this camp have 142 Google reviews averaging 4.8 stars, the Wilderness Awareness School was chosen as ParentMap’s “Best Nature Camp” nine years in a row. Using storytelling and the art of questioning, camp mentors help kids understand and appreciate the natural world. Camps include a wide range of options such as wilderness basics, wildlife tracking, plant identification, ecology and more.

Real parent review: “My 6-year-old daughter did a week of Wilderness summer camp. She had the best time! They explored in forests, played in dirt, learned about plants you can eat, bird calls, etc. The Cougar Mountain camp location was so peaceful and beautiful. This is how kids’ summers should be spent!”

Kong Academy, Seattle

Kong Academy offers day camps for kids ages 4–12 who love to run, jump and climb. With camps in both Seward Park and Carkeek Park, kids will enjoy the outdoors while developing their social, emotional and movement skills through fun activities.

Kong Academy has 177 reviews on Google with an average of 4.9 stars. The video linked on their website gives a great overview of what kids will experience when they attend.

Real parent review: “My daughters (10 and 7) have attended Kong Academy’s Parkour camp at Carkeek Park for three straight years. It has consistently been their favorite week of camp each year. Love the location, highly recommend finding a good carpool buddy. The after-camp care is helpful for us — and gives the kids some unstructured playtime at the end of the day to decompress. We’ll be back next year.

“The instructors and staff communicate proactively, sending regular updates throughout the day, plus detailed recaps. My kids come home excited and exhausted.”

Black Diamond Camp, Auburn

This Christian camp offers day camps for kids ages 5–14. Campers engage in indoor and outdoor activities such as swimming, zip lining, climbing and even axe-throwing, along with group games, camp classics and much more. The camp averages 4.7 stars with 219 Google reviews. In other words, this camp is a good bet.

Real parent review: “Excellent day camp, we book early since popular weeks fill up quickly. Activities varied each day and kids had a lot of fun. Water activities every day were a hit. Looking forward to next year!”

High Trek Adventures, Everett

High Trek Adventures offers fully outdoor day camps Monday–Wednesday throughout the summer for youth (ages 7–11) and teens (ages 12–15). High Trek offers ropes courses and zip lines as well as laser tag, mini golf, Gaga Ball, a climbing wall and group activities. This facility has over 2,000 Google reviews, many mentioning the courteous and professional staff. Reviewers also praise the attention to safety on the ropes course and zip line.

Real parent review: “This was such a fun camp for my two kids (teen and elementary age). They had so much fun with all the activities and felt so safe with the caring and kind staff. I highly recommend it, and my kids wish they could have done more than the three days I signed them up for!”

Snapology, Gig Harbor

Snapology teaches STEAM concepts the way kids learn best, through designing, creating and exploring. Kids ages 4–14 can enroll in half- or full-day camps with themes and activities such as robotics using Lego bricks, making stop motion videos, designing video games, building robots and more. Snapology has 76 Google reviews with a 5-star average.

Real parent review: “My 11-year-old daughter attended the Snapology camp at Pierce College. We did both morning (combat robots) and afternoon (stop motion video making) to make it a full day and it was amazing! She had the best time and I could not be more grateful to Glenda, Alisa and Hailey for providing such a safe and fun environment for my daughter away from her screens (or at least on the other side of them!).”

SANCA, Seattle

The School for Acrobatics and New Circus Arts has earned a reputation around town for great camps and classes. Day camps are available for kids ages 6–15 and require no previous experience to join. Parents like the 6-to-1 student-to-instructor ratio and the fact that aftercare is available. Kids learn balance, coordination and body awareness while trying aerial fabric, static trapeze, trampoline, juggling, German wheel and more. SANCA won ParentMap’s “Sensational Sports Camp” award three times and has an average of 4.9 stars with 71 Google reviews.

Real parent review: “Really amazing day camp for kids here where they get to perform on a trapeze after just a week! Great for building confidence, strength and trust.”

Camp Gallager, Lakebay

Camp Gallager’s classic camp invites middle and high schoolers to embrace nature and expand their comfort zones without the stresses of homework and social media. Campers can enjoy the waters of Case Inlet by paddleboard, kayak, sailboat and canoes. Longer sessions include an overnight Puget Sound trip, where kids camp out and cook over an open fire. Other activities include a ropes course, Gaga Ball and more.

The camp has 82 Google reviews with a 4.7-star average, was a ParentMap award finalist and was listed in the 2023 Newsweek’s “America’s Best Summer Camps.”

Real parent review: “My daughter LOVES her annual week at Camp Gallagher! She’s gone four years in a row and always comes back with a huge smile and stories of adventures and friendship every time.”

Camp Killoqua, Stanwood

This Camp Fire camp is located on 185 acres of forest, wetlands and waterfront in Stanwood. It provides a unique outdoor experience for youth as they sleep in a variety of facilities: cabins, tents, adirondacks, pole houses and even screened-in cabins. They offer both overnight and day camps, plus a three-day, two-night mini camp for first timers. In addition to classic camp, there are many other specialty camps to choose from. Killoqua’s programs are open to all; you do not need to be a current member of Camp Fire to get involved. Camp Killoqua was included in the 2023 “America’s Best Summer Camps” by Newsweek and has 152 Google reviews with a 4.7-star average.

Real parent review: “My boys just spent their second year here at camp this summer! This was the first sleep-away camp my kids have ever been to and they have nothing but good things to say! They come home talking about how much fun they have every year. The counselors are awesome and they have so much to offer. If you’re thinking about sending your kids, do it!”

Four Winds Westward Ho, Orcas Island

Four Winds Westward Ho camp offers kids ages 9–14 the chance to engage with themselves and their community away from the distractions of technology. Campers bunk in smaller cabins or tents that house four to seven campers and one or two experienced counselors.Traditional camp activities fill campers’ days, and those entering the ninth or 10th grade take a six-day canoeing, sailing, kayaking or backpacking trip out of camp.

This camp was included in the 2024 “America’s Best Summer Camps” by Newsweek and averages 4.7 stars over 42 Google reviews.

Real parent review: “You couldn’t ask for your children to have a more magical experience in one of the most incredible places in the world. Beyond magnificent. So much growth and so many lifelong memories happen here.”