Art of Nature Day Camp

Kootenai Environmental Alliance’s annual camp in July combines art, science, and nature adventures for children, grades 2-6. This summer’s theme is “Underwater Adventure” and focuses on fish habitat and biology. Kealliance.org.

Between the Rivers Gathering

At this 6th annual Primitive Skills & Self-Sufficiency Workshop, parents and children can attend a week-long experience, May 28-June 2, with hands-on daily classes to learn wilderness survival, primitive, and homesteading skills, among other related subjects. Kids program is provided, and when families register for the full event, children under age 8 are free. Includes primitive camping sites and two daily meals. Daily registration also available. Between the Rivers is based in Valley, Wash., north of Deer Park. Betweentheriversgathering.com.

Bloc Yard Climbing Day Camp

The Bloc Yard Bouldering Gym, a family-friendly climbing space located in north Spokane, offers 5-day indoor climbing camps for ages 6-17. Bouldering doesn’t require ropes or climbing equipment other than climbing shoes, and walls are no higher than 15 feet. Camp includes lessons about climbing technique, safety, and etiquette, and kids get a free t-shirt and pizza party at the end. Blocyardgym.com.

Camp Sweyolakan

Camp Fire Inland Northwest’s secluded Camp Sweyolakan (Swe-o-la-kan) on Lake Coeur d’Alene—accessible only by boat—offers a variety of overnight camp sessions. Options include Outbacker Day Camp (grades 1-6), and a “You and Me Kid Family Camp.” Recreation and activities include canoeing, kayaking, fishing, low and high ropes challenge courses, archery, and STEM activities. Science and nature-based education includes learning about forestry, native fish species, how to clean and cook fish, and outdoor skills like campfire building and cooking. American Red Cross swim lessons are also available. Campfireinc.org.

Camp Spalding

Camp Spalding, located at Davis Lake near Newport, Wash., offers a unique Pioneer Camp, where kids sleep in authentic 18’ Sioux tepees, cook meals over campfire, and hike to an overnight campsite. Sessions are offered for different age groups (grades 2-4, 5-6, 7-8, and 9-12). Spalding, a Presbyterian-affiliated Christian camp, hosts other camp sessions where kids stay in cabins and eat in the dining hall. All campers enjoy nature program and waterfront activities, such as canoeing, along with other recreation options such as horseback riding, rock climb rappelling, archery, and more. Family sessions include a “Mom, Dad, & Me Overnight” in June (children entering grades K-2) and an all-ages 4-night Family Camp in August. Campspalding.org.

Camp Four Echoes

It’s all about G.I.R.L. Power – “Go-Getter, Innovator, Risk-taker, Leader” – at this beautiful resident camp along Lake Coeur d’Alene in Worley, Idaho. Girl Scouts of Eastern Washington and Northern Idaho offers a full summer of programs for girls entering 1^st-12^th grades. (Troop membership is not required.) Activities include waterfront recreation like kayaking, canoeing, sailing, and windsurfing; nature exploration, hiking, biking, and outdoor skill-building; and STEM activities. For grades 10-12, there are leadership camps and counselor-in-training opportunities. There are also 3-day weekend Family Camps in May and August, and a “Just the 2 of Us” camp for a girl to attend with mom, dad, grandma, or aunt, etc. At Camp Four Echoes, girls will enjoy staying in whimsically-named campsite sections, such as Teepees in Sky Meadows, Treehouses in Smugglers Cove, and Cabins in the Singing Pines & Sherwood Forest. Gsewni.org.

Camp Gifford

At The Salvation Army’s camp at Deer Lake, campers stay active with swimming, paddling, fishing, hiking, archery, climbing, and zip-lining. Discovery camp sessions are for children ages 7-12, while teens, 13-17 years old, experience the Camp Cougar wilderness program, which provides age-appropriate challenges and adventures. Located just a 15-minute walk away from Gifford’s main camp, Camp Cougar resembles a primitive site (no electricity or running water) but includes cabins, bathrooms, and a dining hall. Campers learn wilderness, camping, and survival skills, and about flora and fauna identification and foraging. Swimming, paddling, and high and low ropes course activities are also included. campgifford.org.

Dart-Lo Day Camp

Camp Fire’s 51-acre forested camp along the Little Spokane River offers nature-based outdoor fun for children ages 3-18. Recreation includes swimming in an outdoor pool, low ropes challenge course, and archery. Campers are also provided environmental education and activities to learn about leadership and team-building. American Red Cross swim lessons are also available. Transportation is provided to and from camp from locations around Spokane and Spokane Valley, or parents can personally drop-off and pick-up. Extended hours are also available. Campfireinc.org.

Girl Scouts Day Camp

At the regional Girl Scouts program center, near downtown Spokane, day camps are offered from June 18 through August 24 for girls, ages 5-17. Different sessions include STEM activities and swimming, and learning about survival skills, geology, physics, and much more. Gsewni.org.

Idaho Discoveries Day Camp

Hosted by Kootenai Environmental Alliance, “Meet the Mammals” is the theme for campers (ages 4-10) as they explore forest, field, and wetland habitats at Fernan Family Farm in Coeur d’Alene. Kealliance.org. 

KEENs Pond to Pines

Based in Ellensburg, Wash., the Kittitas Environmental Education Network (KEEN) is offering 9 weeks of summer day camps for 1^st-9^th graders – plus a half-day preschool camp – at Helen McCabe State Park. Each week offers a different theme, such as Survivor Kid, Outsider Art, Dirty Jobs, and Junior Ranger. Ycic.org.

Lutherhaven

A variety of outdoor-centric programs, for all ages, are offered by this Christian camping organization at its three properties. At Camp Lutherhaven on Lake Coeur d’Alene, recreation includes watersports on the lake, a climbing tower, zip line, mini golf, low ropes course, and more. At Shoshone Creek Ranch Camp, kids who like horses and riding can enjoy a western dude ranch experience. And at Shoshone Mountain Retreat, kids will swim, hike, float down the North Fork of the Coeur d’Alene River, and ride horses. Lutherhaven.com.

Spokane Parks & Recreation Outdoor Adventure Camps

Spokane Parks & Recreation offers day camps for youth and teens, ages 8+, with sessions organized according to recreation focus: hiking and paddling, rock climbing, horseback riding, and disc golf. Some camp options provide a mix of activities like rafting, rock climbing, and learning outdoor survival skills. Spokanecity.org.

Peak 7 Adventures

Experienced outdoor teens, 15-19 years old, who are ready for a hardcore challenge can apply to join the Bower Adventure Course (BAC) – a 50+ day outdoor expedition leadership program to learn backpacking and mountaineering skills, experience rock climbing and whitewater rafting, and become certified in Wilderness Medicine. Based in Spokane, Peak 7 also offers Junior Guide Training (ages 15-18) and a 5-day North Cascades National Park backpacking trip. Peak 7 also helps families and youth groups plan an unique, personalized adventure trip – such as rafting (April-August; min. 12 people, age 5+), rock climbing (April-October, age 8+), or backpacking (May-August). They also provide multi-day rafting trips that includes camping. Peak7.org.

Selkirk Outdoor Leadership & Education (S.O.L.E.)

Based in Sandpoint, Idaho, this non-profit organization offers in-depth, hands-on Junior Naturalist day camps at Round Lake State Park—Nature Detective (ages 4-6+) and Nature Explorers (ages 7-10+). Transportation provided from Sandpoint to and from camp. These outdoor science camps balance experiential education with outdoor free-play, with daily theme lessons. For ages 14-17, there is S.O.L.E. Teen Trek—6-7 day backcountry expeditions to Montana’s Cabinet Mountains and Idaho’s Upper Priest Lake, with different trips for males and females. Participants learn outdoor travel and living skills, as well as leadership. The experience culminates with a service-project. Soleexperiences.org.

St. George’s Adventure, Science, and Soccer Camps 

St. George’s School, located along the Little Spokane River in north Spokane, offers an Adventure Camp (3^rd-5^th grade) that includes hiking, rock climbing, geocaching, kayaking, fort building, and more. A “Rock, Dirt & Mud!” Camp (grades K-3) focuses on dirt-science with hands-on learning activities and rock art. Science Camp is designed to be fun yet rigorous as campers (grades 3-6) use field- and lab-based scientific methods to learn about organisms, biological communities, current issues about local wildlife and plants, and more. There’s a 6^th-12^th grade Soccer Camp as well as a session for children in grades 2-6) that includes fun activities like tie-dying shirts and making ice cream, in addition to soccer instruction and skill development. Sgs.org.

Twin Eagles Wilderness Adventure Camps

Based in Sandpoint, Idaho, Twin Eagles Wilderness School specializes in helping children connect with nature, develop self-awareness, and participate in a strong community. Guided by adult mentors, campers experience nature-based activities and wilderness and adventure challenges, and learn survival skills, such as foraging, wildlife tracking, natural shelter building, making fire by friction, and much more. Day camp sessions (ages 6-13) in Spokane and Sandpoint (plus 1 session in Coeur d’Alene) are offered according to three different themes: Nature Adventurers, Wilderness Survival, and Nature Ninjas.  Overnight camps (ages 10-18; 5-6 nights) include challenging activities such as nighttime scout games, wilderness survival camp-outs, and archery games. Older teens can experience wilderness survival solos. This spring, the Father-Son Wilderness retreat, for boys age 7-12, is May 4-7. Twineagles.org.

West Valley Outdoor Learning Center

Learn about animal adaptations, nature’s engineers, and how birds fly during a June 25-28 day camp for ages 7-13. Kids can come for one day or all four. Olc.wvsd.org.

Wild Walls Indoor Climbing Camp

Youth ages 9-14 will experience bouldering, top roping, knot typing, belaying, ascending, rappelling, slacklining, and crate stacking at day camps hosted by Wild Walls Climbing Gym, in downtown Spokane. Wildwalls.com .

WSU Cougar Kids Camp 

Sponsored by Washington State University (Pullman campus), in partnership with the Outdoors Program, children entering grades 3-6 can experience morning, afternoon, or al-day camp sessions. One of the weekly themes is “Nature Unleashed Week.” Optional overnight adventures include a camping trip in June, among other choices. Urec.wsu.edu.

YMCA Camp Reed

Located at Fan Lake, north of Spokane in Pend Oreille County, this wilderness-setting camp offers 2-night mini (entering grades 1-2 in the fall) and traditional camps (grades 3-9). Campers stay in rustic cabins and enjoy waterfront activities such as canoeing, hiking, mountain biking, climbing wall, a ropes course, and more. Horse camps and trail rides are also available. Older campers also get to experience an overnight camp-out under the stars. There are also 2-week Counselor in Training (CIT) programs for teens entering 10th grade. The second CIT week is a 200-mile bike trip to North Idaho with overnight stays at lake locations. There are also a Junior Counselor program (grades 11-12) and a Family Camp in August. Ymcaspokane.org. // (Amy S. McCaffree)

Benefits of an Overnight Camp Experience

“A quality camp provides awesomely-fun summer camp adventures in…a safe, supervised outdoor setting where kids can experience a degree of independence away from home, allowing them to gain confidence that they have what it takes to successfully navigate their world,” says Andy Sonneland, executive director of Camp Spalding. Preparing for his 27^th summer as director (he was also once a young camper and summer staffer at Camp Spalding), Sonneland personally knows how spending a week at camp “will be among your son or daughter’s fondest childhood memories.”

In particular as a Christian (Presbyterian) camp, he says that because Spalding campers and college-aged staff talk daily about life from a standpoint of faith, Spalding is where many campers feel like they truly belong. “Peers and staff come to know and genuinely care about them.” //

Encouraging Girls to Explore the Great Outdoors

Girls are already drawn to the outdoors, and today’s modern girls want “more high-adventure experiences,” says Nicole Wood, director of marketing and philanthropy for Girl Scouts of Eastern Washington & Northern Idaho. Whether it’s rock climbing or backpacking, she says, “Girls’-inclusive programming works in a way that co-ed doesn’t, especially when girls are in the [self-conscious] pre-teen phase. It provides a safe place that frees girls to take risks, learn leadership skills, gain confidence in themselves, and feel powerful and strong and able to be themselves. They’re not afraid when they’re with an all-girls group…and they’re not competing with boys” for activity time and opportunities.

These skills carry over to their school and classroom experiences and “prepares them for adulthood,” according to Wood. Courageous outdoor girls become brave women who continue those active pursuits.

In addition, with near epidemic levels of obesity and diabetes in youth nationwide, Wood says that “Addressing these health issues is critical—promoting body positive images and making sure girls are healthy and safe. Outdoor programming offers a fun way for girls to be healthy and fit.” //

Feature photo: Game time for young campers at Camp Spalding// Amy McCaffree

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Washington State Parks Free Admission Days (select dates, April-Sept): No Discover Pass required on April 14 (Spring Day), April 22 (Earth Day), June 2 (National Trails Day), June 9 (National Get Outdoors Day), June 10 (Fishing Day), August 25 (National Park Service 102^nd Birthday), and Sept. 22 (National Public Lands Day).

National Park Week Free Admission Day (April 21): No entrance fees at select national monuments, historical parks, recreational areas, and national parks, including Glacier and Yellowstone national parks in Montana, and Mount Rainier and Olympic national parks in Washington. (Sept. 22 is the next free admission day.)

Earth Day Fair (April 22): Live music, yoga, arts and crafts, and more at the Coeur d’Alene Library and McEuen Park, noon-4 p.m., hosted by the Kootenai Environmental Alliance.

Spring Dash 5-mile Kids Run & Tot Trot (April 22): Run alongside your child on a beautiful course through downtown Coeur d’Alene, starting from McEuen Park. Free to participate in the quarter-mile Tot Trot. Unitedwayofnorthidaho.org

Spokane Kids Fishing Day (May 4): The 4th annual Spokane Kid’s Fishing Day at Clear Lake (west of Spokane near Cheney) is sponsored by the Inland Northwest Wildlife Council, Kalispel Tribe of Indians, Neis Family Memorial, and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. Each participant gets to fish with help from seasoned anglers and take home a t-shirt and a rod and reel, included in the $10 per child cost (free for all current and former Ronald McDonald House kids and their families). Wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/youth.html 

Lilac Bloomsday Run (May 6): Run or walk with your kids or push them in a stroller. There are many delights along the 12k course, such as live music, friendly volunteers, and Otter Pops for sale. If your kid can walk around Disneyland all day, he or she can do Bloomsday. Bloomsdayrun.org

Glow For Hunger (May 11): A pre-race party and evening 1-mile kid’s run, at Spokane’s Joe Albi Stadium, to support Northwest Harvest. Parents are free with registered child. Nsplit.com

Kidical Mass (May 12): Family 3-mile bike ride through Spokane’s Chief Garry neighborhood, 1-3 p.m., starting from Chief Garry Park. Decorated bikes are encouraged. summerparkways.com/kidical-mass.

Lilac Century Family Fun Ride (May 20): The 25^th annual Lilac Century Bike Ride includes 15 and 22 mile rides that have been redesigned to be even more family friendly. The new courses are nearly flat and the 15-mile course avoids road traffic altogether. Both routes follow the paved Fish Lake Trail from the trailhead near Sunset Hill to Scribner Road and back. The 22 mile route is the same as the 15 mile route with the addition of a 3.2 mile section from Spokane Falls Community College along Government Way past the cemeteries and returning the same way. Enjoy a bake potato feed with other riders of all ages at the end of the event. All proceeds benefit local charities supported by the Spokane Aurora Northwest Rotary Club. Lilaccentury.com.

Wednesday Night Mountain Bike Race Series at Riverside (May & June): Kids age 17 and younger, all levels and abilities, participate for free at this loosely-described “race” series at Riverside State Park. Ride one or two laps, as fast or as casual as you want, along a 7-11 mile course (new one each week). Meets Wednesday evenings at the park’s 7 Mile Area (“old airstrip”). Weekly registration starts at 5 p.m.; racing starts at 6:30. runsignup.com.

Wednesdays in the Woods at Riverside State Park (June-August): Starting Wednesday, June 13, REI’s Spokane store will host educational, interactive presentations by guest speakers at the Bowl & Pitcher outdoor amphitheater every Wednesday throughout the summer. Topics include regional wildlife (moose, cougars, and bears), camp cooking, Leave No Trace, kayaking, and reptiles and birds of prey featuring experts from West Valley Outdoor Learning Center. Rei.com/Learn

Free Family Night Out at Camp Dart-Lo (June 15): 5:30-8 p.m. at Camp Fire’s day camp property along the Little Spokane River.

Summer Parkways (June 21): Pedal, walk, jog, scooter, roller-blade, or skateboard along a 4-mile car-free route through the Manito and Comstock neighborhoods. Activities include a kid scavenger hunt, goodies, and games provided by local business and organization booths along the route. 6-9 p.m. Summerparkways.com

Spokatopia Outdoor Adventure Festival (July 7): This outdoor recreation festival at Camp Sekani Park and Boulder Beach on the Spokane River is the place to try new outdoor activities and bikes and enjoy kids activities and live music from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Free general admission. Spokatopia.com 

Summer Fun Run Series (July 11, 18, 25): Youth age 18 and younger participate for free in 5k fun runs (also a 1-mile run option) organized by U-District PT and Negative Split. nsplit.com/udistrictsummerseries.

Toyota Tuesdays at Silverwood (July 17 & July 24): Pack the family up in any Toyota and save on a day enjoying the rides, waves, and attractions at Silverwood Theme Park. The driver of any Toyota gets in free with a voucher that can be picked up at your local Inland Northwest Toyota Dealer starting June 1 (one voucher for the driver only).

Spokenya 7k Run/Walk for Clean Water (July 21): Course begins and ends at Life Center’s parking lot for this Spring of Hope International fundraiser, to support its clean water efforts in rural Kenya. Strollers and wheelchairs are welcome. During the last quarter-mile, participants can experience carrying a 5-gallon bucket of water on their heads to finish the course (smaller buckets available for kids). Race includes the CAL Cup competition—$1,000 prize awarded to the high school with the most points, based on participation numbers (students, coaches, alumni, faculty, or staff) and fastest finish times (ages 14-18). spokenyarun.org.

Spokane Valley Cycle Celebration (July 29): Includes a 10-mile ride, beginning at the Mirabeau North trailhead for the Centennial Trail, as part of ValleyFest.

Huckleberry Color Fun Run & Walk (August 5): Run or walk a 5k or 2.5k course through the forest around Schweitzer Mountain Resort and get all colored up. All participants receive a t-shirt, sunglasses, a powder pack for the color toss, and a full-day scenic foot passenger lift ticket to the top of the mountain good for August 6. Schweitzer.com

Paddle, Splash, and Play (August 11): Spokane Canoe and Kayak Club hosts its annual free kids’ event at Nine Mile Recreation Area, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. (Discover Pass required). Bring your PFDs and paddle with your kids while trying out canoes, stand-up paddle boards, and all types of kayaks, including sea, whitewater, inflatable, and recreational. Sckc.ws

SpokeFest (September 9): Includes a family-friendly 9-mile course option and free Strider balance bike demos. Spokefest.org

Global Kidical Massive (September 15): Family bike ride of about 3 miles along the Centennial Trail, 1-3 p.m., starting at Kendall Yards. Meet at Spark Central. summerparkways.com/kidical-mass.

Sekani Kids’ 1k, 5k, & 10k Trail Run (September 30): Free 1k adventure run/hike/walk along dirt trails at Camp Sekani Park. Proceeds from the 5/10k runs benefit Franklin Elementary school’s APPLE program. Sekanitrailrun.com

National Public Lands Day (September 30): Free admission to Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge to celebrate National Public Lands Day. // (Amy S. McCaffree)

4^TH Annual Spokatopia Outdoor Adventure Festival (July 7)

Spokatopia is a one-day outdoor recreation festival where adults and kids can explore all kinds of outdoor activities, clubs and organizations, and outdoor gear and bikes in a fun, family-friendly setting. Try all types of bikes, stand-up paddleboards, and kayaks; sign up for an adventure clinic with Spokane Parks & Recreation and learn a new activity like rock climbing, canoeing, paddleboarding, kayaking, geocaching, and more; enjoy live music and over 50 outdoor-oriented exhibitors; enter to win awesome outdoor gear prizes given away each hour; watch mountain bike stunts and give rock climbing on a bouldering wall, slacklining, and other free kids’ activities a try; or show up for a free morning yoga class for everyone from beginners to expert. Ride your bike to the festival as a family along the Centennial Trail from one of the park and bike locations nearby and take advantage of a free, secure bike coral. Spokatopia runs from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. at Camp Sekani Park and Boulder Beach on the Spokane River along E. Upriver Drive. General admission and many activities are free but some guided activities and demos have a cost. Learn more at Spokatopia.com // (OTO)

Mountain Adventures for the Whole Family

Aerial Adventure Park and Summer Tubing at Whitefish Mountain Resort

Experience an aerial adventure in the trees with five courses that will challenge and delight the whole family. Cross cable bridges, climb rope ladders, swing on a trapeze and more while safely secured with a full-body harness. The park is a great activity for families with over 60 obstacles ranging from easy to difficult.

If you’re looking for something closer to the ground, Whitefish Mountain Resort is adding tubing as a summer activity option this year. Ride the Big Easy Carpet to the top of the hill and then fly down a 300-foot slippery surface while bouncing and spinning over bumps and rolls to the bottom. And then do it again and again. Packages are available that also include scenic chairlift rides, the Alpine Slide, and other activities. Summer attractions open Memorial Day weekend—Saturday and Sunday only—and then weekends through June 10 followed by daily operations June 16 through September 3. Skiwhitefish.com

Ride the Route of the Hiawatha

Biking the 15-mile-long Route of the Hiawatha through the Bitterroot Mountains near Lookout Pass may be the highlight of your family’s summer. By taking advantage of the bus shuttles, the entire ride through 10 train tunnels (including the 1.66-mile-long Taft Tunnel) and over seven trestles is all downhill. Trail passes, shuttle tickets, and mountain bike rentals with lights are available at Lookout Pass Ski Area just off I-90 on the Idaho-Montana state line. The trail is open daily starting May 26 (projected opening) through September 23. Ridethehiawatha.com

Ride the Zip Line at Schweitzer Mountain Resort

Schweitzer’s dual 700-foot zip line feature allows two people to blast down the mountain side-by-side while enjoying beautiful lake views together. One ride is $12 or an Ultimate Fun Pass includes unlimited zip line and foot-passenger lift rides as well as access to the climbing wall, Trampoline Jumper, and Sluice Box for the day for $35 (riders must be at least 8 years old). Open daily June 22 through September 3, 2018 (weather permitting). Schweitzer.com

Trail Work Summer Vacations

Washington Trails Association offers “Youth Volunteer Vacations” for teenagers, ages 14-18. These week-long trips develop outdoor and leadership skills while building and maintaining hiking trails as a team. (Students earn a Northwest Forest Pass, and service hours can be applied to school requirements.) Destination options include Sullivan Lake in northeast Washington, North and Central Cascades, Mount St. Helens, Mt. Rainier’s Wonderland Trail, and the Olympic Peninsula—including an all-girls trip to Lake Crescent. Wta.org

Silver Mountain Bike Park

With over 35 singletrack trails and the Chair 3 Zone that offers shorter, less committing trails, Silver Mountain Bike Park is a great place for families to mountain bike together or break out onto different trails that match the skill level of varying abilities. Clearly marked trails, free trail maps, rental bikes and gear, and instructors for hire make Silver a welcoming place for any level of rider. Trails at Silver are rated just like ski runs, with green runs for easiest, blue for difficult, black for more difficult, and double black for experts only. The newly rebuilt Crescent Trail offers an incredible beginner experience with a wider path, corners that can be ridden flat or on the berm above, and a mellow enough grade to let riders get comfortable on their bike. This is the perfect place to start, and it’s designed so that new riders can ride with more experienced partners and everyone will have a great time. Silver Mountain recommends giving Payday a try after Crescent, which is just as wide, but loses elevation a little faster and is designed to have riders take advantage of the berms more with greater terrain variety. Silvermt.com // (OTO)

Feature photo: Huckleberry Color Fun Run & Walk // Courtesy of Schweitzer Mountain Resort

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Pioneer School

Grades K-5, max class size of 16 students. Pioneerschool.com 

Pioneer school is an accredited, non-profit educational organization with high academic standards that’s all about getting kids into the world for unique experiences. Students go biking on the Centennial Trail, roller skate, and ice skate. They cross-country ski at Mount Spokane and downhill ski at Schweitzer. They have jump rope day and hike at Dishman Hills. The school also takes annual week-long camping trips with 4^th and 5^th grade students and a week-long trip to Yellowstone National Park every other year.

“We believe children learn and grow by being out in nature. Students who are physically active are more focused in class and ready to learn,” says Betty Burley-Wolf, founder and current director at Pioneer. “Our thematic style of learning involves field trips to places like the Gardner Caves for geology or the Turnbull Wildlife Refuge for birds. Each topic involves multiple field trips to enhance classroom learning.”

Emily Jack, parent of two Pioneer students, says that Pioneer’s learning atmosphere greatly improved her children’s education after she removed them from a stressful traditional school environment. “I love that our kids get out into the world, experiencing the community in all its diversity and beauty, and learning to be respectful of public spaces, other cultures, and the natural world.”

Windsong School

Parent-child class for ages birth-3; preschool; mixed-age kindergarten; and grades 1,2,3,5 and 6 (for 2018-2019 school year). Spokanewindsongschool.org

A Waldorf education school, Windsong works to “educate toward freedom.” Part of that freedom is outdoor time; all early childhood classes begin the day outdoors with a nature walk, and have at least one hour of outdoor time during the school day. At Windsong, outdoor time is seen as a vital component in the daily rhythm of the students. “Our culture is fast and anxious, and being in nature calms the nervous system,” says Windsong kindergarten teacher Dr. Lauren Bergstedt. “Nature also provides an endless playscape for children as it shifts through the seasons and with the weather. Rain, mud, snow, sun, and wind each provide a different opportunity for the senses and for play.”

St. George’s Outdoor Club

St. George’s is an independent, college-preparatory day school for grades K-12. Sgs.org.

St. George’s offers a variety of outdoor experiences to various ranges of students. The outdoor club offers classroom and elective opportunities, from weekend trips to climbing the school’s indoor rock wall. Last summer, students went sea kayaking and backpacking in Alaska. Director of outdoor adventure Melanie Mildrew says she offers a new trip every summer. Two past adventures included climbing Mount Baker and covering 100 miles in the Bob Marshall Wilderness on foot and in pack rafts. Trips this summer include rock climbing at Skaha in British Columbia, camping at Steamboat Rock, and a spring break climbing trip to Smith Rocks. “Students need to get out of cell range to decompress and recharge,” says Mildrew. “The goal of the outdoor program is to educate young people so they’re equipped with the knowledge and skills to recreate…while being aware of the environment and ecology.”

West Valley Outdoor Learning Center

Connecting students of all ages to nature through experiential learning. Olc.wvsd.org

Programs include habitat/conservation, birds, water, and miscellaneous programs such as wilderness preparedness, fossils, and tree rings. Kids explore these concepts in tactile and interactive ways such as STEM-friendly, bird-themed scavenger hunts or creating an edible aquifer out of ice cream and candy. Monthly “Open House” opportunities are available to the public.

Harvard Park Children’s Learning Center

2.5 years and older. Harvardparkpreschool.com 

Harvard Park offers preschool and before and after school care with daily outside play time, regardless of weather. Weekly field trips and cooking projects enhance what children learn in the classroom and out on the large, park-like playground. Full and part-time summer camp programs include science experiments, weekly field trips, water play time, and activities such as chef challenges, gardening, and boat building experiments.

North Wall Schools

3 months-6^th grade. Northwallschools.com

All classes have scheduled outdoor time on the school’s 2.5 acres with zones for different ages and a zip line, tree fort, organic garden, and nature trail with over 75 varieties of signed plants. There’s also a k-6 summer program with weekly field trips and regular after-school enrichment programs such as Fit for Bloomsday.

Tinkergarten Classes

Ages 18 months to 8 years old. Tinkergarten.com

Students experience outdoor activity-based classes lead by local Tinkergarten Leaders at Manito Park, John A. Finch Arboretum, Dishman Hills, Mirabeau Point Park, and elsewhere.

Twin Eagles Wilderness School

Preschoolers and ages 4-6. Twineagles.org

The Twin Eagles forest kindergarten program in the Spokane area meets one Sunday per month from 9 a.m.-1 p.m., October through May. Activities include gathering seasonal foraged foods, crafting toys from nature, and other outdoor learning. //

Feature photo: Courtesy of Twin Eagles Wilderness School

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Albeni Cove:

A small rustic campground located near Oldtown, Idaho, along the Pend Oreille River, near Albeni Falls Dam (overseen by U.S. Army Corps of Engineers). Enjoy mountain views, fishing, and wildlife. Recreation.gov

Bannack State Park:

On the way to Yellowstone National Park, near Dillon, Montana, is “Old West” Bannack—the state’s best preserved ghost town and site of a 1862 gold rush. The campground, along Grasshopper Creek, which includes a rental tipi, is just down the road from this National Historic Landmark. Stateparks.mt.gov

Beaver Creek:

Priest Lake, big beach, and national forest backcountry where you can hike or bike or paddle the Thorofare to reach Upper Priest Lake. https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/ipnf/recarea/?recid=6770

Big Arm State Park:

Enjoy Montana’s Flathead Lake, the West’s largest natural freshwater lake. This park offers three rental yurts, and is on the way to Glacier National Park. Stateparks.mt.gov

Charbonneau Park:

Located along Lake Sacajawea in Walla Walla County, east of Pasco, Wash on the Snake River, this day-use park and campground is overseen by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and includes a playground and marina. Usace.army.mil

East Sullivan Lake:

A rustic campground with a big beach and access to Colville National Forest hiking trails. Located near Metaline Falls, Wash., it’s close to Crawford State Park and Box Canyon and Boundary Dams for day trip outings. https://www.recreation.gov/camping/east-sullivan/

Fort Spokane:

Most beloved for boating and fishing opportunities, this campground is near the confluence with the Spokane River. Visit the historic Fort Spokane Visitor Center and Museum. Nps.gov

Heyburn State Park:

Located near Plummer, Idaho, choose from three campgrounds. Bring gear to enjoy paddling or boating in Chatcolet and Benewah Lakes, hiking, biking, and fishing. Bike the Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes, and visit the playgrounds—one each at Chatcolet boat launch and Rocky Point Beach. https://parksandrecreation.idaho.gov/parks/heyburn

Indian Creek:

One of three campgrounds within Priest Lake State Park, situated along the lake’s east shoreline, families enjoy the sandy beach, sport courts, and rental cabin options. https://parksandrecreation.idaho.gov/parks/priest-lake

Kit Price:

River tubing and fly-fishing families revere this quiet, rustic campground along the North Fork of the Coeur d’Alene River, in the Panhandle National Forest. https://www.fs.usda.gov/

Pioneer Park:

Close to Newport, Wash., this Colville National Forest campground along the Pend Oreille River boasts good fishing and the Pioneer Park Heritage Trail. https://www.fs.usda.gov/

Riverside State Park:

Choose from three family campgrounds—Bowl & Pitcher, Nine Mile Recreation Area, and Lake Spokane’s primitive campsites. Enjoy hiking, mountain biking, paddling, fly-fishing, and rock climbing in the area. Be sure to visit the Spokane House Interpretive Center at Nine Mile Falls. http://parks.state.wa.us/573/Riverside

Round Lake State Park:

Included on Reserve America’s 2009 list of Top 100 Family Campgrounds, you’ll find a quiet fishing lake and hiking trails at this campground southwest of Sandpoint. https://parksandrecreation.idaho.gov/parks/round-lake

Sam Owen:

Situated within the Panhandle National Forest along Lake Pend Oreille near Hope, Idaho, families enjoy stunning lake views and a dog-friendly beach. https://www.fs.usda.gov/

Whitetail:

This campground in Farragut State Park, near Athol, Idaho, is popular because of its playground and access to Lake Pend Oreille, and close proximity to Silverwood Theme Park. https://parksandrecreation.idaho.gov/parks/farragut //

5 Family Camping Gear Favorites

Above and beyond the essentials, bring these pieces of camping gear along on your next trip to make your overnight out in nature more fun and comfortable.

LED lanterns and headlamps: Lanterns light up large spaces (including the interior of a dark restroom), and headlamps provide hands-free convenience. Most have at least three light modes: high, low, and night-vision red. Equip each child so he/she can be more independent after dark.
Hammock: Good for napping, reading, and swinging, a lightweight hammock delights both kids and adults.
Water sandals: Rocky shorelines with jagged or slippery rocks require safe, comfortable, waterproof, strap-on footwear. Keep flip-flops for hanging out at the campsite.
Handheld two-way radios: Older kids can experience more free-range independence with a walkie-talkie as they bike or walk around a campground. At remote campgrounds without cell service, these allow family groups and friends to stay in contact.
Portable charger: If you plan to use your phone for its camera and apps, like a GPS, throughout a multi-day trip, you’ll need to re-charge your battery. Which is difficult at a rustic campground with no electricity. You could use your vehicle charger, or bring along a small portable charger or solar charger with built-in USB ports to keep your phone, two-way radios, and any other devices ready to use. //

Feature photo: East Sullivan Lake Campground // Amy McCaffree

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WASHINGTON

Bowl & Pitcher Loop / Trail #25, Riverside State Park: After crossing the swinging bridge and going up the steps, turn downriver (right) onto trail #25. Down the steep bank, the river rages wild—enjoy it only with eyes from the safety of the trail. Venture further to see Devil’s Toenail, a huge rock formation jutting out from the middle of the river. After another trail marker, take the next junction to return back where you started (trail #211). Altogether, this makes for a 1.7 mile loop. If with a stroller, take trail #211 downriver, which is wider and has a gentle grade. https://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/riverside-state-park

Spokane River Trail #100: Trailhead begins off the Centennial Trail around mile 27.5 near the T.J. Meenach Bridge. This forested stretch of land is managed by Riverside State Park, and there’s a parking lot located at the bottom of N. Pettet Drive (no pass required) across the river from the trail (walk across the bridge and down to the trail). Everyone will enjoy this scenic dirt trail, especially in spring when Arrowleaf Balsamroot  flowers are blooming. After about 2 miles, you’ll reach a large river bend, which makes a great destination and turn-around point. In summer, when the river is low, a beach appears at this eddy.  

Little Spokane River Natural Area: The Spokane River Trail begins at Indian Painted Rocks. (Avoid the Knothead Trail loop, which is steep and long.) The Waikiki Springs Trail is suitable for strollers but not beyond the river. Discover Pass required for trailhead parking. https://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/little-spokane-river

Ben Burr Trail: A 1-mile trail that connects Liberty and Underhill city parks, in Spokane’s east-central area. Stroller friendly. https://www.traillink.com/trail/ben-burr-trail/

Spokane Finch Arboretum: Lots of easy dirt paths to explore and allow toddlers and young kids to wander. Stroller friendly. https://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/finch-arboretum

People’s Park & Centennial Trail: Located on a peninsula at the confluence of Latah Creek and the Spokane River, People’s Park is only minutes from downtown Spokane but feels miles away. Numerous trails crisscross the wooded area, and you can take Sandifur Bridge (a pedestrian bridge) to access more trails on the north side of the Spokane River. Follow the paved switchback trail uphill to the Centennial Trail. (Although it’s generally a safe park during daytime, be cautious of garbage hazards and possible transient camps.)

Fish Lake Trail: With its tree-lined, shaded, flat route; trailhead restrooms and water fountain; trail markers and benches; and location minutes from downtown Spokane, no wonder this trail is popular with all types of users. Be aware of cyclists and runners, and stay to the right. Explore out and back as far as you like. Stroller friendly. https://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/columbia-plateau-trail

Columbia Plateau Trail State Park: The closest trailhead to Spokane is located near Fish Lake County Park (Discover Pass required). You can also access a paved 4.75-mile section through Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge from a second trailhead near Cheney on the Cheney-Spangle Road. Stroller-friendly.

Pine Ridge Trail, Kamiak Butte: Though technically a “steptoe,” this 3,641’ geological feature—the second highest point in Whitman County—provides great views of the surrounding Palouse. Trailhead is at Kamiak Butte County Park, near Colfax and Pullman. https://www.trails.com/tcatalog_trail.aspx?trailid=HGW293-044

IDAHO

Priest Lake-Lakeshore Trail: The rolling grade of this smooth, wide trail makes it a wilderness paradise for kids. Located in the Panhandle National Forest along the northwest side of Priest Lake, the south trailhead is near the town of Nordman, and the north trailhead is at Beaver Creek Campground (7.25 trail miles away), which has a great day-use swimming beach.

Deep Creek & Chickadee Trails, Kootenai National Wildlife Refuge: Both of these flat trails provide opportunities to spot the over 200 bird species and 45 animal species in the area. Deep Creek Trail is just over 4 miles round-trip, while the paved Chickadee Trail is only 1,000-feet long. Stop by refuge headquarters to pick up a Refuge Explorer Day Pack and animal track cards for children. Stroller-friendly.

Trapper’s Trail, Round Lake State Park: This 1.8-mile forested trail takes you around the lake and through the marsh. Look for skunk cabbage, beaver dens, and a resident moose. Parksandrecreation.idaho.gov

Beaver Bay Shoreline Loop Trail, Farragut State Park: This 4-mile loop along Lake Pend Oreille connects with the Beaver Bay Beach swimming area. Additional kid-friendly trails within the park are Squirrel Cache Nature Trail and Willow Lakeview Trail. https://www.outdoorproject.com/adventures/idaho/hikes/beaver-bay-shoreline-trail

Lakeshore Loop & Plummer Creek Trails, Heyburn State Park: Lakeshore Loop is an easy 1.3-mile trail that links Hawley’s Landing Campground to Plummer Creek Trail—an easy, half-mile trail along the creek’s marshland (look for signs of beavers). http://visitnorthidaho.com/activity/576/

More hike details and trailhead directions are available from Washington Trails Association (wta.org) and Washington State Parks. //

Leave No Trace Principles for Kids

• Know Before You Go
• Choose The Right Path
• Trash Your Trash
• Leave What You Find
• Be Careful With Fire
• Respect Wildlife
• Be Kind To Other Visitors
• Learn more at: LNT.org.


Feature photo: Bowl & Pitcher is perfect for toddler led hiking. // Shallan Knowles 

The post Best Hiking Trails with Kids & Strollers appeared first on Out There Venture.

Experience an urban river adventure with thrilling class I-II rapids. It’s easy with FLOW Adventures, which provides big tubes, PFDs, and shuttle transport (flow-adventures.com). Rent a cooler tube for cold beverages and snacks during your 2-hour float trip, and be sure to wear strap-on water sandals. If you choose to do-it-yourself, always wear a life-jacket (required by law, for all ages) and wait until early July when water levels are typically lower—check flow status at waterdata.usgs.gov.

Zipline through the Trees:

Enjoy super high adventure with Mica Moon Zipline Tour in Liberty Lake, Wash. (micamoon.com) or Timberline Adventures in Coeur d’Alene (ziptimberline.com). Suitable for children ages 7+.

Explore a Cave:

Crawford State Park Heritage Site near Metaline Falls, Wash., offers free guided tours of Gardner Cave. Take a short hike to the U.S.-Canada border—no passport required!

Tour an Underground Mine:

Learn how miners worked in the 1880s during a guided tour of Crystal Gold Mine in Kellogg, Idaho (goldmine-idaho.com).

Go Fishing:

Williams Lake, near Cheney, Wash., is annually stocked with rainbow and cutthroat trout. Launch your own non-motorized boat from the state water access site (wdfw.wa.gov, Discover Pass required), or fish from the dock at Klink’s Resort (klinksresort.com).

Bike the Route of the Hiawatha:

Add this iconic ride on your to-do list, because it really is epic and something nearly everyone can do. Along the crest of the Bitterroot Mountains, at the Idaho-Montana border, this scenic, gravel wilderness trail travels through 10 train tunnels and over seven trestles. Learn historical facts and stories about the trail’s railroad days as you journey. Be prepared for a rough and bumpy, no-restrooms-available route. Use a mountain bike, and bring your own first-aid and bike-repair kits. Although there are trail marshals, you’re pretty much on your own. Celebrating its 20^th anniversary, the Hiawatha re-opens May 26 for the season. Trail permits are required; shuttle passes recommended. Ridethehiawatha.com

Paddle the Little Spokane River:

Canoe or kayak (rent or use your own gear) and use Spokane Parks & Recreation’s low-cost shuttle service to take you from the Nine Mile take-out site (Discover Pass required) to the St. George’s school put-in. New this summer: shuttle service will be offered both Saturdays and Sundays, June 30-Sept. 2, 2018. Pre-register at spokaneparks.org, or show up and pay with credit/debit or check (no cash). Spokaneparks.org

Explore the Lewis & Clark Historical Trail:

National Register Sites, day-use state parks and campgrounds, and official water trails provide lots of adventure opportunities (nps.gov). In Idaho, visit the Nez Perce National Historical Park’s Weippe Prairie and Canoe Camp. In Washington, camp at Lewis & Clark Trail State Park near Dayton, Wash., or hike and swim at Sacajawea Historical State Park, near Pasco, Wash.

Hike at Mt. Spokane State Park:

Choose your own adventure among the miles of trails, using a detailed park map to plan your route. (Trail guide: mountspokane.org; detailed map: parks.state.wa.us.) An easy plan is to hike around Bald Knob Campground or the summit area, including the Vista House and the alpine ski trails or Upper Trail 140. Bring a bucket for huckleberry picking. Other easy routes are Entrance Loop Trail (1.5 miles) and Burping Brook Loop (3 miles). Watch out for moose!

Camp at Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area:

There are 15 campgrounds at this 130-mile long lake, which was formed out of the Columbia River with the construction of Grand Coulee Dam. All of them have boat launches but only a few have swimming beaches, including Kettle Falls, Evans, Fort Spokane, and Spring Canyon Campgrounds. Bring your paddling gear or motorized-boat, fishing supplies, and explore. Nps.gov. //

Feature photo: Another summer adventure that’s family friendly paddle the Spokane River with Fun Unlimited rentals. They make it easy, take a picnic to enjoy while you float back. // Derrick Knowles

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