Sam Owen Campground 

Located near Hope, Idaho, this semi-rustic campground sits on a peninsula of Panhandle National Forest land on the northeast side of Lake Pend Oreille. One of the best amenities is the dog-friendly beach. (There is another beach where dogs are not allowed.) While the bathrooms don’t have showers – only flush toilets and sinks – when you’re swimming every day, who cares? Bring blow-up floatables and kayaks or stand-up paddleboards and enjoy the ocean-like expanse of Idaho’s largest and deepest lake and the wilderness views across the water. Don’t miss: Sunset view from the beach or dock. Watch out for: Black bears – keep a clean campsite and secure your food. Recreation.gov.

Beaver Creek Campground 

Located near Nordman, Idaho, off Highway 57 about 90 miles northwest of Spokane, this rustic campground is on Priest Lake’s northwest shore. This U.S. Forest Service campground is known for being well-maintained with clean vault toilets. Kids will enjoy riding their bikes around the campground loops, swimming, playing at the beach and hiking in the woods. Don’t miss: Hiking or mountain biking either the northbound Navigation Trail or southbound Lakeshore Trail.

Bonus adventure: Hanna Flat Cedar Grove Interpretative Trail to see 200- to 800-year-old western white pine and western red cedar trees. Fs.usda.gov and recreation.gov. 

Edgewater Campground

This rustic campground within the Colville National Forest provides a base camp for exploring north Pend Oreille County. Situated on a 2,000-foot bluff of the Pend Oreille River’s east bank, Edgewater Campground provides opportunities for hiking, boating and fishing. In July, September and October, the North Pend Oreille Valley Lions Club hosts scenic 90-minute train rides that will make everyone in your family feel young at heart (Lionstrainrides.com). Don’t miss: Visiting Box Canyon, Boundary Dam Vista House or Gardner Cave at Crawford State Park Heritage Site near the Canadian border (tours available Memorial Day through Labor Day). Look for: Wildlife – you might see moose, deer, elk, bears and many species of birds and other wildlife. Recreation.gov.

Heyburn State Park

Located 37 miles south of Coeur d’Alene, between the towns of Plummer and St. Maries, Idaho, Heyburn is the oldest state park in the Pacific Northwest. It encompasses over 5,000 acres and includes waterfront on Lake Chatcolet and Benewah Lake – two small lakes located south of Lake Coeur d’Alene. Choose from three campgrounds within the park. There are also rental cabins and cottages available. Amenities include a marina and boat launch, docks, playground and restrooms with showers. Rocky Point Marina rents canoes, kayaks, paddleboats and rowboats. Don’t miss: Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes for biking or walking. Watch out for: Mosquitos. Parksandrecreation.idaho.gov/parks/heyburn.

Farragut State Park

Located at the southern end of Lake Pend Oreille near Athol, Idaho, 20 miles north of Coeur d’Alene, Farragut is a long-standing summer camping tradition for many Inland Northwest families. This 4,000-acre park, converted from a World War II naval training station, has four campgrounds. Whitetail is the primary one for tent camping and is geared toward families with its playground suitable for small children. The small lakefront town of Bayview and Silverwood Theme Park and Boulder Beach Water Park are both only minutes away, in opposite directions. Don’t miss: Playing at one of the three disc golf courses and touring the Museum at the Brig. Watch out for: Crowds at Beaver Bay Beach. Parksandrecreation.idaho.gov/parks/farragut.

Riverside State Park

Washington’s second-largest state park is a short drive from Spokane’s urban core. There are four campgrounds within its 14,000 acres, the most well-known being the Bowl and Pitcher campground. It offers tent and RV campsites. There are also the Equestrian, Nine Mile Recreation Area and Lake Spokane campgrounds, the latter having 11 primitive campsites and two boat-in only sites.

Don’t miss: Mountain biking or hiking the park’s trails, especially in the Deep Creek Canyon area. Look for: Wildlife, including osprey birds and their nests in trees along the Spokane River. Parks.state.wa.us/573/Riverside. //

Tips For Fun Family Camping

• Travel Time and Location: A seemingly short road trip can morph into one that takes twice as long when traveling with young children. This can complicate your entire schedule, especially with meals and recreation. Other important considerations when camping with kids include access to grocery stores and urgent care clinics near your final destination.
• Reservation Options: There is no greater disappointment than getting to a campground only to learn that all the sites are full. It’s best to choose one that allows you to reserve a campsite online or by phone; many popular campgrounds fill up during the summer, especially on weekends.
• Bathrooms: Flush toilets vs. vault toilets? Hygiene routines can make or break a camping trip. Warm showers are nice but not always essential. Vault toilets are not too bad, despite their ominous descriptor.
• Safety: Campgrounds aren’t childproof; there are always inherent risks. Establish and communicate physical and behavioral boundaries for your children, and get to know your campsite neighbors. Camping provides practice in fresh-air parenting – giving your kids freedom to explore and experience appropriate risk-taking, like climbing and jumping off big rocks.
• Recreation Opportunities: Pick a campground that offers activities you know your kids enjoy, like swimming and biking, and ones you want them to try, such as fishing and geocaching.

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#1 Experience a River of No Return Jet Boat Tour

Experience Idaho’s famed Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness and the wild Salmon River on a 1-3 day jet boat tour out of Riggins, Idaho this spring or summer. The tours are a safe and fun way for families to visit the river canyons and remote wilderness beaches to hike, fish, swim, sightsee, view wildlife and relax. Overnight tours include all-inclusive accommodations at either China Bar Lodge or Mackay Bar Lodge. Half-day tours are also available. More info: 1-888-892-2820 or at Salmonrivertour.com and Mackaybarlodge.com.

#2 One-Stop Family Fun in Fernie, B.C.

A little over four hours north of Spokane, Fernie, British Columbia, may be the ultimate summertime destination for outdoors-loving families. The exceptionally scenic mountain town situated in the dramatic Canadian Rockies has developed a well-earned reputation as mountain biking meca (so bring the bikes), but the town and surrounding mountains also offer a wide range of inexpensive and often free family-orientated recreation opportunities and outdoor activities.

Being an old mining town, Fernie has a lot of engaging history. The Fernie Museum is a great place to start exploring the town’s past. James White Park sits right on the picturesque Elk River and is home to the Fernie Frisbee Golf course, which is free. Easy, signed family nature and hiking trails are located in the nearby Mount Fernie Provincial Park, and Fernie Alpine Resort has chairlift rides and hiking and biking trails. Kids fishing adventures, river floats, Arts Station tours, dirt jump and skate park trips, the Fernie Waterpark and Aquatic Centre, or family biking along the dyke in James White Park are just some of the fun family times to be had in Fernie. Everything is in close proximity to town, allowing for low-stress mini-adventures from your hotel or campground between naps and mealtimes. Tourismfernie.com.

 #3 Go Hiking and Bird Watching in Leavenworth

The central Cascade mountain town of Leavenworth is a hiking family’s dream. Explore the trails in the Icicle Creek Canyon area (including some challenging options), the Icicle River Nature Trail near the Leavenworth National Fish Hatchery or the forested riverbank trails of Enchantment Park and Waterfront Park’s Blackbird Island close to downtown. The Sleeping Lady Resort also hosts free Saturday morning bird walks with Heather Murphy, a local wildlife biologist, nature journalist and artist. Over the past 25 years she has recorded 109 species of birds in the Sleeping Lady area, which is documented in the Citizen Science eBird program at Cornell Lab of Ornithology. The tours run May 7 and 21 as well as the first and third Saturdays in June and September. Don’t forget binoculars!  Sleepinglady.com.

#4 Spokatopia Outdoor Adventure Festival (July 9 2016)

Introduce your kids to outdoor recreation activities like stand up paddleboarding, rock climbing, kayaking, geo-caching, slacklining, canoeing or disc golf at the Spokatopia Outdoor Adventure Festival at Camp Sekani Park along the Spokane River. There will also be over 40 outdoor-lifestyle oriented exhibitors to visit, with many of them offering demos, samples and other activities. Kids will also enjoy watching mountain bikers fly through the air at the Spokatopia Jump Jam and listening to live music all day long. The festival runs from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and general admission is $5 per person (5 and under are free). Some clinics and activities cost extra and require advance registration (most sold out last year). Camp Sekani is located between downtown Spokane and Spokane Valley on Upriver Drive. Info and outdoor activity registration at Spokatopia.com.

#5 Fly Through the Trees with Mica Moon Zip Tours 

Last summer Mica Moon started offering zipline and canopy tours in the mountains above Liberty Lake between Spokane and Coeur d’Alene. The 2.5 hour tours include eight ziplines, seven tree-top platforms, two short hikes and a UTV 4×4 ride up the mountain to start off the tour. The course threads through scenic forest, over a mountain stream and near historic moonshine camps. The season kicks off in April and runs all summer long. Micamoon.com. 

#6 Take a National Park Family Vacation

2016 marks the 100th anniversary of the National Park Service, and what better way to celebrate and take advantage of many special anniversary events and activities than to plan a national park vacation this summer. Several of the nation’s most popular parks, including Glacier, North Cascades and Yellowstone, are an easy day’s drive from Spokane and can make a memorable family trip, especially with the right planning and information.

Spokane couple Harley and Abby McAllister are a self-described adventurous husband and wife duo who drag their four kids outside as often as they can. After visiting Yellowstone National Park several times and having struggled to find quality information geared towards visiting national parks with kids, they decided to write a guidebook to help other families plan a Yellowstone trip.  Their book, “Yellowstone National Park with Kids” (available from Amazon.com) includes travel tips, top sights, fun adventures, a section on backpacking with kids, a guide to the geysers and sample trip itineraries. The information in the book is divided by regions of the park so that all of a day’s planned activities can be organized by location, enabling you to make the most of your time in the park. The McAllisters have a second book, “Utah’s Big 5 National Parks with Kids,” which covers Arches, Bryce, Zion, Canyonlands and Capitol Reef. Learn more about the books and the McAllister’s family adventures at Our4outdoors.com and about national parks at Nps.gov.

#7 Spend the Day at Silverwood Theme Park

Silverwood is the Northwest’s largest theme park, located in a fairly rural area in North Idaho. The park features over 200 acres of fun and over 70 rides, slides, shows and attractions. You can experience world-class coasters, hair-raising attractions, kiddie adventures, a 1915 steam engine train, live award-winning entertainment, restaurants and more. Visitors can also cool off at Boulder Beach Water Park with two massive wave pools, thrilling water slides, children’s water features and an endless lazy river. New to Boulder Beach for 2016 is a 400 foot-long slide standing nearly 60 feet tall. The new mat racing water slide will feature 6 side-by-side racing lanes for kids to compete against one another. Admission covers both Silverwood and the Boulder Beach Water Park. Silverwood operates seasonally from May through October just minutes north of Coeur d’Alene. For more information and the best price on tickets, visit Silverwoodthemepark.com or call 208-683-3400.// (Wil Wheaton)

Spokane Parks and Recreation—Outdoor Programs for All Ages

Spokane Parks and Recreation has offered outdoor recreation activities and programs since 1989, and many of them are perfect for kids and families. Explore Spokane’s plentiful outdoor recreation opportunities with a guided group of like-minded parents. Spokane Parks and Recreation offers affordable hiking, biking, paddling, rafting, climbing and other adventures, and for many of them equipment, instruction and guidance is included in the trip. Here is a sampling of some of the adventures and camps being offered this year. Details and the full list of spring and summer activities at Spokanecity.org/recreation/outdoor.

• Paddleboarding at Fish Lake (ages 8+): Learn the basics of stand up paddleboarding on the peaceful, smooth waters of Fish Lake near Cheney. All equipment and group instruction provided. June 29 and July 26 (6-8 p.m.). $19 per person.
• Introduction to Rock Climbing (ages 8+): Instructors teach basic climbing techniques at Minnehaha Climbing Area. Rappel, climb, belay and practice climbing skills during this 5-hour course. July 23 (10 a.m. to 3 p.m.). $42 per person.
• Spokane River Rafting & BBQ (ages 5+): Wiley E Waters river guides will take you down the Lower Spokane River through fun class II and III rapids. Enjoy wildlife sightings, beautiful scenery and a post-trip BBQ. All equipment included. July 3 (10 a.m. to 2 p.m.). $55 per person.
• Family Kayaking on the Little Spokane River (ages 8+): Paddle tandem sit-on-top kayaks on the meandering, mellow waters of the crystal-clear Little Spokane River as it flows through a pine-studded natural area teeming with wildlife. Equipment provided. Multiple summer trip dates. $29 per person.
• Prehistoric Camp (ages 6-11): Kids will learn about paleontology and animals that inhabited the planet millions of years ago – including dinosaurs, fish, amphibians and birds – at the Corbin Arts Center. August 8-12 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. $124 per child.
• Archery Introduction (ages 5+): Learn the basics of archery in a beautiful, safe setting with the skilled professionals from Evergreen Archery Club (near Palisades Park in Spokane). June 4 and August 6 (9 a.m. to noon). $29 per person.
• Teen & Youth Outdoor Adventure Camps (ages vary): Kids learn team building, self-confidence and outdoor skills all while exploring different outdoor sports and activities. (Multiple dates and pricing options available.)

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This year’s event will take place on May 7 at the Fairchild Air Force Base Clear Lake Recreation Area. The $10 registration gets you a Zebco rod and reel, all the bait you need, and a cool T-shirt. Each participant can catch up to three rainbow trout, and no license is needed to fish as part of the event.

The best part is that volunteers are there to help, so no fishing experience is required on the part of the child or the adult who comes with them. WDFW Fisheries Biologist Randall Osbourne said that the volunteer staff onsite, all of whom are anglers and many of whom are also biologists, often will pay extra attention to participants who are having trouble and help them along. If a rod breaks, the event staff will replace it so the person can keep on fishing.

There is a cleaning station where the fish will be cleaned for free. You can take them home to enjoy your catch, or you can leave the fish in a cooler next to the cleaning station and donate them to the local food bank.

Osbourne said that the purpose of the event is to get kids outside and to provide them with the tools to do so. There are seven net pens off the docks and the larger beach area. Personal floatation devices are provided, and all children are required to wear a PDF when out on the dock. Osbourne emphasized that the event is all about the kids having fun and being safe.

There are approximately 6,000 rainbow trout of various sizes for the kids to catch. The organizers expect about 800 people to attend the event, though they are capable of accepting registration for 1,000 participants. Most participants are new but some come back year after year.

The event is made possible by numerous local organizations and individuals, with all funding coming from donations and volunteer efforts. In the past, the Kalispel Tribe has provided a generous amount of support, as have the volunteers who return year after year. Fairchild AFB has been generous about allowing event organizers to use the location each year.

Paid registration is due by April 20. A registration form can be obtained from the Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife website (Wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/kids/events.html), or you can pick one up at the WDFW Regional office at 2315 N. Discovery Place in Spokane Valley. //

[Feature photo courtesy of Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.]

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“My daughter can hike over 2 miles of real trail all on her own, and usually keeps up with most adults. This group keeps me healthy, not only physically, but mentally. It is wonderful having this group of women to talk to with no judgment about the difficulties, joys or unexpected moments of parenting, and it is so refreshing to know we are not alone in this crazy adventure called parenting,” says Dorrell, who recently gave birth to her second daughter and continued hiking throughout her pregnancy.

The Spokane branch of HiB was formed in 2014 by MaryBeth Bryant after she heard about the organization from a friend in California. “Hike it Baby has taught me to slow down with my child and let him have unstructured time in nature,” says Bryant about her 2 year-old son. “If we want our kids to embrace nature, we have to let them embrace it in their way. I’ve learned its okay to make it 100 feet down a trail, spend an hour playing on the rocks, then head back home. The trail will be there tomorrow. Allowing myself to slow down and rediscover nature through [my son’s] eyes has been a humbling process. I feel like this particular lesson has been so crucial in shaping who my child is and how he engages the world around him.”

HiB is not just for moms and their babies and toddlers, though. A broad age-range of adults and children are represented, from expectant mothers to parents of high schoolers, Bryant says. “We also have lots of grandparents, aunts, uncles and other caregivers join us.” Today, there are about 1,900 families who are involved in the Spokane HiB branch and about 500 families with the Coeur d’Alene branch.

Hike It Baby is open to anyone with children, regardless of hiking experience or fitness level. “We truly have something for every level – leisurely paced ‘urban strolls’ that are stroller-friendly, walks where your kids get to set the pace and explore the world around them, and trail hikes to explore some of the best areas of Spokane,” she says. “We never leave anyone behind. We always finish together. It’s so humbling to see how everyone steps up to support and help one another.” Hike it Baby-Spokane can sometimes have over 25 group hikes each week during spring, summer and fall, Bryant says, and in the winter there are usually 5-15 hiking events. “Don’t be afraid of being too out of shape, or not having the right equipment, just get out there and try it out,” Dorrell says. “There will always be someone there waiting with you in case you need to change a diaper, feed a baby, deal with a toddler tantrum, or if you just need to catch your breath.”

While free to join, before arriving for your first HiB event, all new members are asked to sign and submit an online waiver available at Hikeitbaby.com. Keep up on scheduled hikes through the local HiB Facebook group. //

Family-Friendly Outdoor Recreation Groups

• Spokane Mountaineers: This local branch of the national organization offers dues-paying members group activities such as hiking, backpacking, rock climbing, biking, paddling and more. Spokanemountaineers.org
• Washington Trails Association: Join other volunteers on projects to improve public trails at parks and public lands around the region. Day work parties are open to ages 10+ (some physical requirements apply). Wta.org/volunteer/volunteering
• Dishman Hills Conservancy: Volunteers are needed for service day events, adopt-a-trail projects and more. Dishmanhills.org
• No Child Left Inside (Inland Northwest): Based on the national movement, this is a local coalition of parents and community members who are committed to providing local children environmental education opportunities and outdoor recreation and nature-based activities year-round. Facebook.com/groups/NoChildLeftInside.InlandNW
• Every Kid in a Park: This national program provides free entrance to national parks, forest land and more for children in fourth-grade (through August 31, 2016). For parks and sites that charge per-person entrance fees, a pass admits all children in a group/family who are under age 16 and up to three adults for free. Everykidinapark.gov

[Feature photo by Shallan Knowles]

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Centennial Trail

As the most well-known paved pathway in Spokane – with numerous access points along its 37.5-mile span, from the Washington-Idaho state line to Nine Mile Falls – this primarily flat trail along the Spokane River is a great choice for families. spokanecentennialtrail.org

North Idaho Centennial Trail 

Extends 24 miles from the Washington-Idaho state border and the Centennial Trail to Coeur d’Alene. nictf.org

Prairie Trail

The Prairie Trail in Coeur d’Alene is a 4-mile spur trail off the North Idaho Centennial Trail, making it a quintessential family bike path. Two kid-friendly access points include Riverstone Park (1805 Tilford Lane) and Ramsey Park (3525 N. Ramsey Road). Both provide restrooms and playgrounds. As you follow Prairie Trail northwest through town, it becomes more rural and scenic, eventually ending at Huetter Road.

Long Bridge Trail

Long Bridge, at Sandpoint’s U.S. Highway 95 south entrance, includes a right-of-way for bikers and pedestrians that parallels the highway and is separated by a concrete barrier. After crossing the 2-mile bridge, continue biking along Bottle Bay Road around the lake’s south shoreline. A parking lot to access the trail is located in downtown Sandpoint, one block east of 1st Avenue and Superior Street.

Fish Lake Trail

With trailhead access only minutes from downtown Spokane, Fish Lake Trail is popular and well-used. The trailhead is off S. Milton Circle, one block south of where Sunset Highway intersects with Government Way. Restrooms and a water fountain are available. After heading south for a few miles, adjacent to Highway 195, the trail becomes more woodsy and scenic as it veers west toward Cheney. 7.4 miles of paved trail are open to the public.

Columbia Plateau Trail State Park

Access points can be found near Cheney for this historic trail, though only 23 miles are currently open for public use between Cheney and Lincoln County. 4.75 miles pass through Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge. A Discover Pass is required for parking. Parks.state.wa.us/490/Columbia-Plateau-Trail

Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes 

This rustic yet scenic 72-mile paved trail extends from Mullan, Idaho, southwest to Plummer. Family-friendly access points for the trail are located in Kellogg and Wallace, as well as Heyburn State Park where the trail crosses the historic Chatcolet Bridge, which marks the southern end of Lake Coeur d’Alene. The trail follows the lake shoreline through Harrison, where you can stop and enjoy ice cream from the Creamery & Fudge Factory. Pack along all the water your family needs – water is unavailable at trailheads, though you can refill your bottles at bike-friendly businesses in small towns along the trail route. Pay attention to posted warnings along the trail advising visitors to not touch any rocks or dirt along the trail that might be contaminated with heavy metals from past mining activities in the area. Friendsofcdatrails.org

Hiawatha Trail

Named a “Hall of Fame” trail by the Rail-to-Trail Conservancy, the historic 15-mile Route of the Hiawatha runs along the crest of the Bitterroot Mountains. It opens May 28 for the season (daily, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.) and is operated by the Lookout Pass Ski and Recreation Area. Starting at the East Portal trailhead, enjoy riding downhill the entire way, at a 2 percent grade or less, while passing through 10 train tunnels and riding over seven awe-inspiring trestles. The totally dark yet straight Taft Tunnel (1.66 miles) is an adventurous highlight – bike-lights and helmets are required and warm clothing layers are recommended, as the tunnel is cold even during hot summer days. Trail passes are available at Lookout Pass lodge (children age 5 and younger are free). Bike rentals are also available from the Lookout Pass lodge. You can also purchase a shuttle pass that provides your family and your bikes a bus ride back to where you started. Ridethehiawatha.com //

Finding the Right Children’s Bike Helmet

When it’s time to shop for bike helmets for your kids, keep in mind that local bike shops sell higher quality helmets than retail chain stores. “All helmets are regulated by the government, but certain helmets are safer than others,” says Brenda Mangine, owner of North Division Bike Shop. A good child’s bike helmet, she says, is adjustable like an adult helmet with side latch flip-locks, with retention systems on the back of the helmet so that the helmet shapes to the head. “Bell makes an inexpensive brand of helmet for big-box stores – they don’t have a retention system or locking straps,” says Mangine. Children’s helmets are sized in centimeters according to head circumference at the widest part of a child’s head. Here are some of the best options in the $30-$40 range that you can find at many local bike shops:

• Bell: Zipper, 47-53cm; Sidetrack, 50-54cm.
• Bontrager: Solstice for age 7+ (comes with visor), 48-55cm.
• Giro (pronounced “jeer-oh”): Me2 for infants, 48-52cm; Rodeo for age 2-5 approx., 50-55cm; Scamp, two sizes, 45-49cm and 49-53cm; and Raze, 50-57cm.
• Specialized: Small Fry, comes in a toddler size, 47-52 cm, and child, 50-55 cm; Align (universal adult helmet), 54-62 cm.

Family Bike Events

• May 21: Kidical Mass at Chief Gary Park, 1 p.m. summerparkways.com/kidical-mass
• June 21: Spokane Summer Parkways – Manito and Comstock neighborhoods, 6-9 p.m. summerparkways.com
• July 9: Spokatopia Outdoor Adventure Festival at Camp Sekani Park, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. spokatopia.com
• September 11: SpokeFest, Kendall Yards. spokefest.org
• September 17: Kidical Massive 3-mile scenic ride starting in Kendall Yards, 1 p.m.

[Feature Photo by Amy McCaffree]

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Wild Walls Climbing Camps

Wild Walls Climbing Camps are designed to offer both new and experienced climbers ages 8 to 14 the tools they need to climb to their fullest potential, all while having loads of fun. Camp participants will spend the week covering a broad variety of skills from basic climbing, to belaying, to climbing-specific games and techniques. No experience is necessary, just an interest in climbing (most kids love to climb trees, rocks, walls, whatever). Climbing is excellent exercise for kids of all ages and helps them develop strength and better control over their bodies and minds. Camps run from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the following weeks: June 20-24, June 27 – July 1, July 11-15, and July 18-22. Wildwalls.com

Twin Eagles Wilderness School

Children learn wilderness survival skills, animal tracking, natural shelter building, foraging, traditional archery and much more through various overnight and day camp programs provided by this Sandpoint-based wilderness school. This spring, Twin Eagles is offering a weekend teen rendezvous (April 15-17) for ages 13-18, and mother-daughter (April 22-24) and father-son (May 27-30) wilderness weekend retreats, for children ages 7-12. Twin Eagles’ summer camp programs include themed day camps for ages 6-13 in both Sandpoint and Spokane, and overnight outdoor adventure camps for ages 10-18. With a one-to-five staff to camper ratio, children and teens enjoy personalized attention with adult mentors as they explore, learn and develop deeper connections with nature. Twineagles.org

Skyhawks Youth Sports Camps

More than 30 years ago, Skyhawks had the vision that every child should experience the joy and benefits of sports. Skyhawks youth sports camps are committed to providing a safe, fun and skill-based experience for kids between the ages of 3 and 12. What started as a regional soccer program here in the Pacific Northwest has evolved into a youth sports program that offers 12 different sports camps and programs, including traditional weeklong summer day camps covering multiple sports and activities, including swimming, cross-country, basketball, baseball, soccer, golf, lacrosse, flag football and other offerings. Skyhawks.com

Camp Spalding

Located on 500 wooded acres by Davis Lake at the foot of the Selkirk Mountain Range, near Newport, Wash., this Christian camp offers a specialized Pioneer Camp with different sessions for various school-age groups, starting with second grade. Different from Spalding’s regular program, Pioneer campers sleep in an authentic 18’ Sioux tipi, cook meals over an open campfire, and hike to an overnight campsite. Camp Spalding’s full summer of programming also offers a “Mom, Dad, & Me Overnight” for children entering grades K-2 (June 17-18), an all-ages Family Camp (August 17-21), as well as 3-6 night camps for different developmental ages: Discovery (three nights, children entering grades 2-4), Junior (six nights, grades 5-6), junior high and senior high. Overnight accommodations include the Clearwater Lodge or cabins. Campspalding.org

West Valley Outdoor Learning Center

WVOLC offers programs related to the center’s bird sanctuary and other on-site animals, including a bird-sketching class, summer camps in July, and two program events for REI’s “Wednesdays in the Woods” at Riverside State Park (June 29, birds; July 15, reptiles). Beginning June 20, the center will present “Tortoise and Hare” programs for City of Spokane branch libraries for children to learn about animal adaptations and visit with a live 30-year-old, 50+ pound tortoise. On July 8, the center’s “Builders Quest” themed open house will offer activities for children to build beaver dams, spider webs and bird nests. Olc.wvsd.org

Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area Activities

America’s National Park Service turns 100 this year. To celebrate, Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area is hosting several special events this summer, including a free Junior Ranger Day Camp in June; “Ranger on the Porch” activities at Fort Spokane Visitor Center every Sunday to learn historical skills such as paper making, gold panning and pine needle basket weaving (June-August); ranger-led canoe trips; and astronomy programs, July 1-3. A big NPS centennial celebration will be held on August 25 and will include living history interpreters, Spokane and Colville tribes’ cultural displays and tours of Fort Spokane. Nps.gov

Peak 7 Adventures

Based in Spokane, Peak 7 is a faith-based non-profit organization that offers guided outdoor trips for families and youth, such as family rafting trips on the Grand Ronde or Clark Fork rivers (age 13+) and a three-day father-son rafting and camping trip (age 8+) on the Deschutes River in Oregon. There is also a junior guide program (ages 15-18) and five day North Cascades backpacking trip (ages 13-18), as well as a new eight week excursion-based Bower Adventure Course (ages 15-18) that begins June 20. Peak7.org

Kootenai Environmental Alliance

“Trees for the Earth” Earth Day celebration for the community takes place on Sunday, April 24, 12-3 p.m. at the Coeur d’Alene Public Library (702 E. Front Avenue). KEA’s Art of Nature summer day camp for 2nd-6th graders, July 11-15, combines art, science and nature adventures. Kealliance.org

Northwest Museum of Arts & Culture

A variety of adventure, natural science, and art camps are offered for children in grades 1-6 over the course of seven weeks, starting June 20 and ending August 12. Campers will enjoy outdoor activities on the museum’s five-acre campus and surrounding neighborhood, and some camp sessions include a field trip to Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge. Northwestmuseum.org

WSU Cougar Kids Camp

“Cougar Survivor” is the theme for July 5-8 at this day camp based on the Washington State University campus in Pullman. Children entering grades 3-6 will learn Leave No Trace principles, campsite setup and outdoor cooking and compass and map navigation. Cougarkids.wsu.edu/cougar-kids-camp

Camp Lutherhaven

A variety of outdoor-centric programs are offered by this Christian camping organization at its three properties. At Camp Lutherhaven on Lake Coeur d’Alene, there are two unique opportunities: Pioneers and Lutherhaven Villages camp sessions, where children sleep overnight at either the mountaintop Homestead Village or the Treehouse Village. At Shoshone Mountain Retreat, there is an all-ages Family Camp (July 15-17) and Kindercamp. At Shoshone Creek Ranch Camp, kids who like horses and riding can enjoy a western dude ranch experience. Lutherhaven.com. // (Amy Silbernagel McCaffree and Derrick Knowles)

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But all this adventure planning and doing can be exhausting and frustrating. On some camping trips, my kids get grumpy and start fighting each other and don’t follow directions, and my husband and I wish we were anywhere but in the woods without access to television, a box of toys and private bedrooms. Sometimes while on family bike rides, one kid will whine most of the way or have to go to the bathroom miles down a trail after refusing to use the facilities at the trailhead. We’ve eaten breakfasts and dinners in our tent to escape aggressive bees. I’ve mistakenly left a kid’s underwear at home for a week-long camping trip. I may have even said, in exasperation, “We are never going camping again.” In fact, most days of the week, my kids and I aren’t blissfully hiking trails and catching butterflies in the wilderness. It’s tempting to let my kids binge-watch PBS and call it good. Super Mom is a myth I’ve stopped chasing.

Recently, a sunny afternoon inspired me to take my son and daughter on an exploration near the Spokane River. Along with our dog, we started at People’s Park, crossed Sandifur Bridge and followed the trail to where it intersects with the Centennial Trail. We came upon a rock pile and my kids immediately starting climbing all over it, finding “cool rocks” and telling stories – about how one looked like a volcano rock and another like a dinosaur rock with a fossil texture. I didn’t need to craft some game to engage their interest. I didn’t need to hover nearby to ensure their safety or tell them where to walk or what to touch. All I had to do was be present with them. And I realized two things: a simple adventure is better than none at all, and my kids were already nature explorers. Over the years, through our shared experiences at parks, in forests and on trails, they had acquired adventurous spirits and became “nature kids.” The process, still ongoing, is easier than I ever imagined it to be.

I may not be able to give my kids a farm and endless time to play on acres of land, but I can help create just as meaningful outdoor memories. Spending time together in nature strengthens family bonds and helps them appreciate their own curiosity, physical strength and capabilities as they practice courage and creativity. 20 years from now, when my children reminisce about growing up, I hope our family’s outdoor adventures are their treasured highlights – where they learned to be more brave, helpful, kind, grateful and loving while trying new things, getting muddy and overcoming challenges.

I’m still learning how to cultivate and guide my outdoor family. With each attempt, while practicing patience and grace, our adventures get easier. Foremost, I try to remember that my children simply need my undivided attention and love. Time spent in nature with children is never wasted. You don’t have to know how to pitch a tent, own name-brand gear or plan epic adventures – you simply need to have fun outside, playing and exploring together as a family. //

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When my friend Howard called and told me that he had signed my family and his up for a butterfly hike, I wasn’t sure what to think. I’d read Robert Michael Pyle books, and I’d been on my share of birding trips, so I figured I was game for this. But to be honest, I felt totally unprepared. Was there gear I was supposed to bring? I didn’t own any butterfly guidebooks, and our only butterfly net was a cheesy one from the dollar store. Beyond snacks and water, what did I need for my 3- and 8-year-old kids to have a productive hike that didn’t end in whining and complaining? The answer turned out to be an open mind and a desire to learn. John Baumann took care of the rest.

Baumann is president of the Washington Butterfly Association and an amazing lepidopterist. We arrived at the trailhead for the Mt. Kit Carson hike feeling like novices, and we left that afternoon laughing and planning a time when we could buy a butterfly net and do this again. Over the course of the afternoon, we saw swallowtails and parnassians, sulphurs and fritillaries. I watched my daughter sit with an elegant day moth perched on her fingers for almost 20 minutes; the fascination in her eyes became something I will never forget. Even my 3-year-old son was able to look at his fill of butterflies up close in the small bug jar before releasing them back into the air.

Baumann and the members of the Washington Butterfly Association were so welcoming that the kids have jumped at any chance to go on a butterfly walk since then. If you like to hike and are interested in the natural world, pack up your backpack and water bottle and check out one of these events. It’s always a good idea to contact the trip leader ahead of time if possible. // (Crystal Atamian)

Spring and Summer Butterfly Events

Finding Inland Northwest Butterflies: The Community Colleges of Spokane Act 2 program offers this class for adults ages 55+ at the Spokane Falls Community College Magnuson Building. Tuesday and Thursday mornings, May 3-12. This class will also be offered in July. Register online: Sccel.spokane.edu/ACT-2.aspx

Butterfly Class and Field Trip: The City of Spokane Parks and Recreation will offer a class at Finch Arboretum on May 19 and a walk on May 21. One adult may come with two children ages 6–17. Learn how to identify butterflies and use a net, and learn about new local species discoveries. Register at the City of Spokane Parks and Recreation website: My.spokanecity.org/recreation/outdoor

Dishman Hills Butterfly Lecture and Walk: Hosted by the Dishman Hills Conservancy and Inland Northwest Land Conservancy, John Baumann will give a short instructional lecture and butterfly identification talk followed by a walk up the trail at Iller Creek on June 4. All ages welcome. Visit the Dishman Hills Conservancy website for meeting time and details: Dishmanhills.org

Fourth of July Butterfly Count: Akin to the Audubon Christmas Bird Count, this event will take place at the Little Pend Oreille National Wildlife Refuge on July 9. All ages welcome. Meet at the headquarters outside Colville. Visit the Washington Butterfly Association website for meeting time and trip leader contact information: Wabutterflyassoc.org

Washington Butterfly Association Annual Conference: The WBA 2016 Conference will take place on Mount Howard in the Wallowa Mountains of Oregon on August 5–8. The WBA offers scholarships to kids ages 10-17 (along with one parent) that include a one-year WBA membership, conference registration, accommodations and round-trip mileage. Regular registration is $90. Apply for the scholarship on the WBA website: Wabutterflyassoc.org/youth-scholarships-conference-8-5-8-7

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