“My 10-year-old daughter has always been fiercely independent and has gone to summer camp since she was barely 6 years old…her choice, not mine! Camp Spalding is the one she has attended the past three summers—and will attend again this summer. This is her favorite part of summer. She has made valuable friendships…and enjoys participating in activities she might not otherwise have a chance to experience, such as archery, sand volleyball, and horseback riding. She loves to be outdoors where she can enjoy nature and sing campfire songs.

My 8-year-old son…was ready last summer to attend Camp Spalding’s Junior II camp [3 days and 2 nights]. He grew in independence and self-confidence…learned to care for his possessions and stay organized while at camp—amazingly, he made it home with everything he took to camp! He is excited to return this summer.” – Julie Kaczmark

“My 11-year-old son has been going to Twin Eagles Wilderness School day camps every summer since 2015, and this summer my 6-year-old daughter will also go. Twin Eagles allows kids to be exploratory, which I think is pretty unheard of for camps. ‘Exploratory’ can be scary for some parents because it allows room for risk and the unknown. My agenda for choosing Twin Eagles is so my kids become more comfortable in the outdoors. They love to be outside and these camps enhance that love. The staff care about the whole child and teach lifelong skills. Twin Eagles impacts the spirit and soul of children.” – Amy Gustafson //

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Michele Dao has three children who have done a number of camps with Twin Eagles, including winter survival and a Father’s Day camp. “It is an amazing program. They allow them to do things that, as a parent, put me on edge but are good for them. They’ve made spears and throwing sticks; they make fire and use knives to whittle wood. Every experience has been really worthwhile.”

Twin Eagles’ Tim Corcoran, who co-founded the school with his wife, Jeannine Tidwell, says that participants gain a lot of self-confidence. “We all need to be challenged in meaningful ways,” he says, adding that through age-appropriate challenges kids and adults gain both resilience and better problem-solving skills.

“We work on creating a conscious mentoring culture. How we’re interacting is as important as what we’re teaching, so the benefits are very holistic,” says Corcoran. “Inside a mentoring culture, we are conscious about naming our emotions in healthy ways. There is an emotional maturity that comes out of that.”

When asked about the mental and emotional benefits of their experiences, Dao told me about her husband and sons at a Father’s Day camp last year. “It was transformative,” she says, adding that her sons still mention that weekend as one of their favorite memories. Rylan, Dao’s 11-year old son, was very positive, “My favorite is making fires. Tim has taught me to be patient. And Jeannine tells good stories.” //

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Julianne Clark is St. George’s School’s Summer Program Coordinator. She emphasizes camps not only give kids a chance to explore activities and subjects they really love, but also dip their toes in the water and try something unusual or new. The bonus, Clark adds, is that they get to meet new people beyond their regular circle.

Lani Nachtsheim, who coordinates and runs Girl Scout Day Camps, says that their goal is creating connections. For their camps, the group has created partnerships with community experts who give the girls a new perspective outside of school. “It’s really nice when the partnerships are with women in the community because it lets them see their options and what they can be. We hear a lot about how girls have gained their confidence. Day camps give them strength to use their inner voice and speak up about what they want to get out of their experience,” says Nachtsheim.

More than anything day caps stimulate lifelong learning. Clark adds, “As a teacher I love to encourage curiosity and continued learning. Camps definitely reinforce this over the summer months.”

St. George’s offers a wide variety, from academic skill and tech-driven camps to sports camps like volleyball. Also offered this year is a robot battle camp called Sumo Brawler, and a dramatic improv camp (“Making It Up Just Like We Planned”).

Girl Scouts has a STREAM (science, tech, recreation, art, and math) weekend event, April 13-14, at St. George’s, for girls in grades 6-10, to learn about stream ecosystems and fly fishing. //

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Between the Rivers Gathering

Annual Ancestral Skills & Self-Sufficiency Gathering for families, May 27-June 1, with hands-on daily classes to learn wilderness survival and homesteading skills, among other related subjects. Event takes place at Grouse Creek Farm in Valley, Wash., north of Deer Park. Children under age 8 are free when families register for the full event; includes primitive camping sites and two daily meals. Daily registration also available.

Bloc Yard Bouldering Gym Day Camp

Family-friendly climbing space located in north Spokane that offers 5-day indoor climbing camps for age 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.

Camp Four Echoes

At this Girl Scout camp along Lake Coeur d’Alene in Worley, Idaho, girls sleep in whimsically-named areas, like Teepees in Sky Meadows or Treehouses in Smugglers Cove. The regional Girl Scouts of Eastern Washington and Northern Idaho offers a full summer of programs for girls entering 1^st-12^th grade (troop membership not required for participation). Themed camp sessions include activities such as waterfront recreation (kayaking, canoeing, sailing, and windsurfing); nature exploration, hiking, biking, and outdoor skill-building; and STEM activities.

Adventure-based sessions for girls in grade 7-9 include Idaho Adventures with ziplining, lake canoeing, and biking the Hiawatha Trail, and Canoe North Idaho to review the basics of canoe paddling and navigating on moving water before experiencing a multi-day canoe trip off-site. Teens in grade 9-12 can join leadership camps to learn skills to be a Counselor Assistant and practice advanced outdoor cooking techniques and how to belay on the rock-climbing wall. Family camp weekends are in May and August.

Camp Gifford

The Salvation Army’s camp at Deer Lake offers zip-lining, climbing, archery, swimming, paddling, fishing, and hiking recreation. Sessions include Discovery Camp (age 7-12) and Camp Cougar (age 13-17), where teens learn wilderness and survival skills and experience high and low ropes-course activities.

Camp MiVoden

Located in the forest along the northern shore of Hayden Lake, Idaho, Camp MiVoden offers overnight camps for age 8-16. Traditional sessions are Adventure, Junior, and Teen Camp; and Ultimate camp sessions include Cowboy Camp for age 10-16 (horsemanship, riding, and equestrian skills). There are also Extreme Teen Camp sessions—that include whitewater rafting, rock climbing, and learning survival skills—and Wakeboard Camp sessions (age 12-16). Operated by the Seventh-day Adventist church, there are also summer Family Camps.

Camp Spalding

Located at Davis Lake near Newport, Wash., Spalding offers a unique Pioneer Camp, where kids sleep in authentic 18’ Sioux teepees, cook meals over campfire, and hike to an overnight campsite. Sessions are offered for different grade-based age groups. Spalding, a Presbyterian-affiliated Christian camp, hosts traditional sessions for campers entering grades 2-12, where kids stay in cabins and eat in the dining hall. All campers enjoy nature 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 (for children entering grades K-2) and Family Camp in August.

Camp STIX

This specialized one-week camp for youth living with Type 1 diabetes, age 9-18, takes place at Camp Reed (STIX is an independent non-profit organization and not affiliated with YMCA). It provides 24-7 medical care and diabetes education, as well as the traditional camp experiences, with the support of volunteers, medical staff, social workers, cooks, and program staff. Camp TWIGS Day Camp is for T1 kids age 6-8, at Camp Dart-Lo.

Camp Fire Inland Northwest

Only accessible by boat, Camp Sweyolakan (Swe-o-la-kan) on Lake Coeur d’Alene has overnight camp sessions for boys and girls age 6-18, and camps for families and adults. At Dart-Lo Day Camp, located along the Little Spokane River, children age 3-18 enjoy outdoor activities like games, pool swimming, and a low ropes course.

Girl Scouts Spokane Program Center

At the regional program center, near downtown Spokane, there are summertime Day Camps for girls, grades K-8 and grades 9-12. For the younger girls, there are camps like Leave No Trace, which focuses on hiking and activities to learn about cooking outdoors, shelter building, and other outdoor skills; and The Great Outdoors, which includes compass navigation with hiking and geocaching. For teen campers, adventurous activities like canoeing, sailing, and kayaking; hiking; and low and high ropes challenge courses are included in day camp sessions.

KEENs Pond to Pines

Based in Ellensburg, Wash., the Kittitas Environmental Education Network (KEEN) offers summer day camps with nature-based, hands-on learning for K-9^th graders, at Helen McCabe State Park. Each week offers a different theme, such as Survivor Kid and Junior Ranger.

Lutherhaven 

A variety of programs are offered by this Christian camping organization among its three properties in North Idaho, which includes its main camp at Lake Coeur d’Alene, Shoshone Creek Ranch Camp, and Shoshone Mountain Retreat.Sessions for teens, grades 7-12, include Trek Camp, with camping and river-rafting along the Clark Fork River, ziplining, and canoeing; and Wake on the Lake Camp, which focuses on powerboat watersports.

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 helps families and youth groups plan personalized adventure trips.

Saint George’s School—Summer Day Camps 

Located along the Little Spokane River in north Spokane, Saint George’s offers sessions for campers in grades 3-5, such as Adventure Camp, which includes hiking, rock climbing, kayaking, and fort building; and Outdoor Math Enrichment Camp, which applies math concepts in the great outdoors. For older youth, there is Rocket Camp and Science Camp, with field- and lab-based activities to learn about local wildlife, plants, and more. There is also Soccer Camp and Lifetime Sports Camp, which teaches badminton, pickleball, archery, indoor bowling, and disc golf (grades 6-12).

S.O.L.E.—Selkirk Outdoor Leadership & Education

This Sandpoint, Idaho-based non-profit outdoor education organization has summer Junior Naturalist Day Camp sessions for age 4-9; Leader of the Day Camp for age 10-12; and Teen Trek for age 13-16, with separate sessions for males and females.

Spokane Parks & Recreation—Outdoor Adventure Camps

Day camps for age 8+ include activities like paddling, hiking, rock climbing, horseback riding, and disc golf. There is also Advanced Youth Wilderness Survival Camp, Adaptive Summer Adventure Camp, and Horseback Riding Camp (for ages 8-13). For youth and families, there are 1-3 day adventure-trips to experience stand-up paddling, whitewater rafting, kayaking, canoeing, and hiking.

Twin Eagles Wilderness School—Day & Overnight Camps

Based in Sandpoint, with program events in Spokane, Twin Eagles specializes in helping children connect with the natural world and develop self-awareness through nature-based activities, wilderness and adventure challenges, and survival skill-building, such as foraging, wildlife tracking, and fire and natural shelter-building. Week-long Day Camps (age 6-13) are offered with three different themes: Nature Adventurers, Wilderness Survival, and Nature Ninjas—with sessions in both Sandpoint and Spokane. Overnight camps (age 10-18) include nighttime scout games and wilderness survival camp-outs. There are also skills workshops and retreats for adults and families, including mother-daughter and father-son wilderness programs every spring.

West Valley Outdoor Learning Center

In addition to spring open house events for families (April 13, May 18, and June 22), there is Animal Summer Camp, June 17-20, for ages 7-14 to learn about animal adaptations, nature’s engineers, and how birds fly.

Wild Walls Indoor Climbing Camp

Youth age 9-14 will learn top roping, knot typing, belaying, ascending, rappelling, bouldering, slacklining, and crate stacking at week-long day camps at Wild Walls Climbing Gym, in downtown Spokane.

WSU Cougar Kids Camp 

Themed day camps at Washington State University’s Pullman campus, hosted in partnership with the Outdoors Program, are tailored for children entering grades 3-6.

Washington Trails Association (WTA)—Youth Volunteer Vacation

Trail work crew projects for teenagers, ages 14-18, are week-long opportunities to 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.

YMCA Camp Reed

Located at Fan Lake, north of Spokane, YMCA hosts overnight mini (grade 1-2) and traditional camps (grade 3-9), where campers enjoy canoeing, hiking, mountain biking, ropes course, climbing wall, and horseback trail rides.

NATURE SCHOOLS

Looking to make the outdoors part of your child’s everyday life? Try one of these education and childcare programs that provide experiential, play-based outdoor learning opportunities and incorporate environmental curriculum topics.

Harvard Park Children’s Learning Center North

Offers preschool (age 2.5+), before/after school care, and summer camps, featuring a hands-on learning environment and park-like playground for daily outside play. Summer Camp (mid-June through August) includes science experiments, weekly field trips, water play, games, and gardening.

Into the Forest Outdoor Learning Center and Preschool

Founded in August 2017, this year-round center and private school—on Spokane’s South Hill—provides programs for three age-groups: 1-2 years old, 3-5 years (preschool), and age 6+/elementary-school (before/after-school).

Little Woodland Adventures Forest and Nature School

This newly-founded private school—affiliated with Into the Forest (above)—is enrolling now for summer camps and for its fall preschool program. It provides play-based outdoor learning experiences using the natural world to educate the whole-child and deepen children’s connections with nature. Curriculum includes place-based activities, life skills, gardening, and more.

North Wall Schools

Accredited, private K-6 school and early childhood program (infants, toddlers, preschool), in north Spokane, that serves the needs of gifted and talented learners. School campus includes a Nature Trail for experimental learning about botany and wildlife, and students enjoy active, outdoor playtime year-round.

Pioneer School

A K-5^th grade accredited, non-profit school for gifted, talented, and highly-capable learners. Located in northeast Spokane Valley, it’s known for its high academic standards, small class sizes, and unique, topic-focused experiences that enhance classroom learning—including expeditions, outings, and field-trips for camping, biking, hiking, skiing, and other recreation.

Plum Tree School

A private, home-based preschool for ages 3-6 in Spokane that focuses on play-based learning, creative arts, domestic life skills (e.g., cooking, baking), hands-on nature exploration, and mindfulness. 

Saint George’s School

Located on 120-acres along the Little Spokane River, the campus for this private, independent school (no religious affiliation) is an integral part of the school’s entire K-12 curriculum, providing hands-on experiences to enhance classroom learning related to the sciences, physical education, art, and other courses. For example, students learn paddling skills and then monitor the river’s health, as it flows through campus, for the Spokane Riverkeeper program. The Outdoor Club provides recreation activities and trips for students in grades 8-12.

Tinkergarten

A national network of teachers and child-development experts who facilitate local community, play-based learning experiences for babies age 6-18 months and children age 18 months-8 years old. Using Tinkergarten’s specially-designed curriculum, classes take place locally at John A. Finch Arboretum (Spokane), Rocky Hill Park (Liberty Lake), Broadmoore Park (Hayden), G.O. Phippeny Park (Coeur d’Alene), and the University of Idaho campus in Sandpoint.

Twin Eagles Wilderness School

From October through May, the monthly youth program for ages 6-13 and their families takes place at Indian Springs in Spokane, one Sunday each month (9 a.m.-3 p.m.). Children enjoy nature-connection mentoring and hands-on activities like making fire by friction and building natural shelters, animal tracking, and participating in group challenges. Twin Eagles’ Homeschool Nature Program, for ages 6-13, is organized in three seasonal blocks with one day a week spent with Twin Eagles instructors to learn wilderness and survival skills and experience nature-based mentoring.

West Valley Outdoor Learning Center

Though affiliated with the West Valley School District in Spokane County, the center is available for use by all students of all ages, to connect them to nature through experiential learning. Programs include wildlife habitat, conservation, birds of prey, water ecosystems, and STEM activities. Center hosts monthly, theme-based public open house events.

Windsong School

This private school inspired by Waldorf Education, located on the Mukogawa Fort Wright Institute campus near Spokane Community College, offers parent-child and nursery/preschool (age 3+) programs, mixed-age kindergarten, and classes for grades 1, 2, 3, 4, and 6 for the 2019-20 school year. Students enjoy at least one hour of outdoor time each day. //

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1. Harrison, Idaho, via Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes: Start your ride from the Lake Chatcolet trailhead at Heyburn State Park (Idaho State Park Pass required) for a flat, 9-mile journey (one-way). Pack your own water and Leave No Trace supplies (e.g., toilet paper, digging trowel)—there is no water access or restrooms along this rustic, paved trail. Once you reach the town of Harrison on Lake Coeur d’Alene, take the kids to the Harrison Creamery and Fudge Factory Ice Cream Parlor, famous for its creative flavors. Visit the city’s park, playground, and beach before returning to the trail. For the creamery’s seasonal opening date and daily hours, visit facebook.com/HarrisonCreamery.

• Kellogg & Wallace, Idaho, via Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes: Ride between these small towns on the paved trail and explore family-friendly stops in Wallace such as the Northern Pacific Depot Railroad Museum (open April-October), Sierra Silver Mine Tour (season opening May 1), and Wallace District Mining Museum (open May-October). In Kellogg, visit the Shoshone County Mining & Smelting Museum (season opening May 2) or do the Crystal Gold Mine Underground Tour, and eat at Hill Street Depot—a bistro pub with a great kids’ menu.

• Riverstone & Ramsey Parks via Prairie Trail in Coeur d’Alene: This 4-mile paved spur trail off the North Idaho Centennial Trail is family-friendly bike path with restrooms and playgrounds at each access point.

• Liberty & Underhill Parks via Ben Burr Trail: This 1-mile paved community trail connects these two City of Spokane parks. At Liberty Park, in the East Central neighborhood, there is a playground, restrooms, and aquatic center (open during summer), while there’s a splash pad, playground, and wooded hillside at Underhill Park.

• Cheney and Fish Lake via Columbia Plateau Trail: Starting from the trailhead near Fish Lake Regional Park (Discover Pass required), ride the paved trail 3.75 miles to Cheney, where the trail intersects with Cheney-Spangle Road. At this trailhead, turn right and pedal into Cheney or continue riding the trail, which now converts to crushed gravel, to Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge. Family-friendly stops in Cheney include The Mason Jar, a café with a healthy kids’ menu; Get the Scoop, a locally-owned ice cream parlor; and Sutton Park by the EWU campus. You can also start your ride at the Cheney trailhead and pedal out-and-back to either Fish Lake or Turnbull. Visit wta.org for more trail details.

• Sand Creek & Serenity Lee Trails, Sandpoint, Idaho: Accessible from downtown Sandpoint, at Bridge Street, on the west side of the Hwy 2 and 95 overpasses, Sand Creek Trail heads north along the creek, which is popular with paddlers. Along the way, you’ll find benches and wetland viewing areas. (Note: On Google maps, Sand Creek Trail is labeled as Sandpoint Byway Trail.) The trailhead for Serenity Lee Trail, another paved multi-use trail, begins behind the Bonner County Courthouse (1^st Ave/Lake Street), near the overpasses for Hwy 2 and 95—parking and restrooms are available. It travels along the highway peninsula’s eastern shore, passing Dog Beach Park and crossing the 2-mile Long Bridge, using a wide pedestrian/bike lane. The trail continues on the other side of the lake, traveling into Sagle, Idaho.

• Kendall Yards via Centennial Trail: Start east of downtown Spokane, even if it’s simply Riverfront Park and bike with your kids to Kendall Yards where you can get ice cream from Brain Freeze, visit Spark Central (during drop-in hours), or eat lunch at Veraci Pizza. Ride further west on the trail to Olmsted Brothers Green, a neighborhood park at Nettleton Street, with a playground and grassy field. Hello Sugar donut shop is across the street.

• Mission Park via Centennial Trail: This 13-acre park along the river in Spokane’s Logan neighborhood, east of downtown, has a playground and, when seasonally open, a splash pad and city aquatic center. //

Plan Your Family Ride

For trail map and park information, visit these websites.

• Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes: Friendsofcdatrails.org or Parksandrecreation.idaho.gov/parks/trail-coeur-d-alenes.
• Coeur d’Alene City Parks & Prairie Trail: Cdaid.org
• Spokane City Parks: My.spokanecity.org/parks
• Columbia Plateau Trail: Wta.org
• Centennial Trail (Spokane County): Spokanecentennialtrail.org

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• Visit Palouse Falls State Park. Your kids will be amazed at the 200-foot waterfall, as it thunders down and churns through a basalt gorge, especially during spring run-off. At 13,000-years-old, it’s one of the “last active waterfalls on the Ice Age floods path,” according to Washington State Parks’ website. Enjoy the picnic area or camp overnight (first-come, first-serve). Walk the interpretative path that leads to the Fryxell Overlook. Stay behind the fence-barriers at all times, and do not attempt to swim beneath the waterfall or hike on dirt trails above the Palouse River Canyon. Park rangers have blocked unofficial trails as every year there have been fatalities from drowning or falling from cliffs.

• Seek treetop high-adventure. Take your family (ages 7+) through an aerial obstacle course among the treetops at Mica Moon Zip Tours & Aerial Park in Liberty Lake, Wash. In Athol, Idaho, within Farragut State Park, Tree to Tree Adventure Park has courses closer to the ground for kids age 9 and younger and higher courses for youth and adults (season opens April 13).

• Go dock fishing. Round Lake State Park, south of Sandpoint, Idaho, has some of the best trout fishing in the region, with two long docks bordering the swimming area (fishing allowed year-round here). Klink’s Resort at Williams Lake, near Cheney, Wash., charges a nominal fee for day-use of their docks, and hosts an annual fishing derby every May (third Sunday). Visit state fish and wildlife agency websites for complete details about regulations and licenses.

• Hike the Pulaski Tunnel Trail. Learn about the Great Fire of 1910 with a 4-mile round-trip hike along this historic trail near Wallace, Idaho. Wildfire burned more than 3 million acres of forest across the region. Interpretive signs along the route to the Pulaski Tunnel overlook tell the story about how Forest Ranger “Big Ed” Pulaski ordered his fire crew to hunker down in an old mine as the wildfire raged around them; all but 6 of the 43-man crew survived. The trailhead is a 5-minute drive from downtown Wallace on Forest Service Road 456. No one is allowed inside the tunnel. Learn more at visitnorthidaho.com or fs.usda.gov.

• Visit an island. Whether you get there by paddling or powerboating, kids will enjoy being daytime “pirates” or overnight campers. Options include Maiden Rock at Lake Pend Oreille; Popcorn Island at Killarney Lake; Kalispell, Bartoo, Fourmile, or Eightmile Islands at Priest Lake; sand dune islands at Potholes Reservoir; and Wild Horse Island State Park at Flathead Lake, in western Montana.

• Camp at Priest Lake. This quintessential Inland NW pastime provides relaxing fun for all ages. With nine rustic U.S. Forest Service campgrounds on the west side and Priest Lake State Park’s three campground units on the east side of this 19-mile long lake, you can stay for a week and do it all: swimming, fishing, paddling, boating, waterskiing/tubing, hiking, and mountain biking. In lieu of camping, stay in a resort cabin at Hill’s or Elkin’s. Paddle the Thoroughfare to Upper Priest Lake, or hike the Navigation Trail, to explore this wilderness.

• Forage for wild huckleberries. While commonly found in the forests surrounding Priest Lake, bushes full of these beloved tart berries are also on the slopes of Mt. Spokane and other trails in the Selkirk and Bitterroot Mountains. Be bear aware, especially in remote locations, and bring bear spray.  

• Visit Steptoe Butte State Park. This day-use park near Colfax, Wash., offers spectacular views of the surrounding Palouse farmland.

• Float the Coeur d’Alene River. Locals frequently tube sections of the river, but for those new to the Coeur d’Alene, Joe Roope’s Castaway Fly Fishing Shop provides guided rafting trips. The 3-4 hour trip begins in Enaville and finishes in Cataldo. Raft rental, guide, shuttle transportation, and beverages are provided, according to castawayflyfishingshop.com. Afterwards, dine nearby at the historic Snake Pit restaurant.

• Go sailing on Lake Coeur d’Alene. Spend the day at NIC Beach at Lake Coeur d’Alene (the public beach at North Idaho College, officially named Yap-Keehn-Um Beach), where you can rent a 14-foot Hobie Wave sailboat, by the hour or for a full day. There are also canoe, kayak, and stand-up paddleboard rentals here—available June 1 through Labor Day.

For more ideas, visit OutThereOutdoors.com and search “family summertime adventures.” //

Amy McCaffree is Out There’s special section editor and Out There Kids columnist. She enjoys camping, kayaking, biking, and hiking with her husband, two children, and their family dog.

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Here are 5 favorite family-friendly hikes in Eastern Washington and North Idaho:

1. Fishtrap Lake–North: This 4-mi. roundtrip hike offers fantastic views of Fishtrap Lake and descends to the water in two spots. The trail wanders through ponderosa pine and aspen stands, making it perfect for a warm spring day. Wildflowers here are a great way to get young kids actively interested in the trail. WTA has two wildflower guides online (“Wildflowers Mountain,” is a pdf that shows Cascade species but is also applicable to eastern WA; “Wildflower Guide,” shows month-by-month blooms but is more limited). A Northwest Forest Pass is required, $30/annual pass good in WA and OR or $5 for day pass.

2. McKenzie Conservation Area: This property offers 3.3 mi. of trails to wander with a chance to look out over Newman Lake northeast of Spokane. This 420-acre area hosts a network of trails, great wildlife and bird watching, and a native plant garden. No parking fee.

3. Tubbs Hill: Well-known because of its proximity to downtown Coeur d’Alene, this 2.5-mile trail never fails to disappoint. There are remarkable views from the shade of the trees and plenty of opportunities to wander down to the shore and dip your toes in the cool water. Dogs are welcome, and fishing is also allowed. Park along S. 10th St. just before it intersects Lakeshore Dr. as it is often less crowded here (no parking fee). Directions and a Junior Friends of Tubbs Hill Activity Book can be found online at cdaid.org.

4. Revett Lake: At 2.6 miles, roundtrip, this sub-alpine hike just west of the Idaho-Montana border is great for kids. Although there is a bit of elevation gain (915 ft) there is always the promise of something new to see. A waterfall awaits about ¾-mile up the trail at a bridge crossing the creek. The final climb is rewarded with a beautiful sub-alpine lake framed by steep slopes and a view of Granite Peak. The outlet stream to the left of the main trail is mostly swampy meadow, but there is some good rock-hopping and stream-exploring if you go far enough. A brush-choked trail leads to the far end of the lake. Hopeful swimmers be aware that this alpine lake is always very cold. Fishing is allowed, and there is no parking fee. Details can be found in 100 Hikes in the Inland Northwest by Rich Landers.

5. Sullivan Lake: Aspen, hemlock, and birch dot the shoreline of this prominent lake in the Colville National Forest. The fairly-flat Lakeshore Trail along the eastside of the lake lets little ones set their own distance, with plenty of opportunities to jump in the water and cool off. The 4-mile trail (one way) goes along the east side of Sullivan Lake connects East Sullivan Campground to the north with Noisy Creek Campground to the south. The best route begins at the trailhead near East Sullivan Campground where you will keep right to find the lakeside trail. Hike out and back, ending the day at the swimming beaches. No parking fee.

For driving directions and further details about hiking destinations within Washington State, visit wta.org.

When she is not editing engineering articles, Crystal Atamian has found that she loves skijoring with her dog, trying new microbrews, and laughing at her sons’ jokes. She wrote about snowshoeing in the December issue.

For more articles about lakes and Inland NW Family Outdoors Guide content, visit the OTO archives.

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Washington State Parks Free Admission Days (select dates, April-Sept):No Discover Pass required on April 20 (Spring Day), April 22 (Earth Day), June 1 (National Trails Day), June 8 (National Get Outdoors Day), June 9 (Fishing Day), August 25 (National Park Service 102^ndBirthday), and Sept. 28 (National Public Lands Day). 

National Park Week – Free Admission Day (April 20):No entrance fees at select national monuments, historical parks, recreational areas, and national parks. April 20^this also National Junior Ranger Day with activities for all ages.

Junior Bloomsday (April 20):For kids in grades 3-7 to run 1.25 miles. 

Spring Dash 5-mile Kids’ Run & Tot Trot (April 27):Free to participate in the quarter-mile Tot Trot, at McEuen Park in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.

Family Fun Ride at Lilac Century (April 28):15-mile family ride with the start/finish at Spokane Falls Community College.

Disc Golf Family Field Trips (April 30, May 1 & 2):Free events organized by the regional U.S. Youth Disc Golf Association—April 30 (Greenacres Park, Spokane Valley), May 1 (Comstock Park, south Spokane), and May 2 (Loma Vista Park, north Spokane).

Silverwood Theme Park – opening day (May 4): Boulder Beach water park opens June 8. 

Lilac Bloomsday 12k Run/Walk (May 5):Run or walk 7.46 miles with your kids or push the little ones in a stroller at this 43^rdannual community event, celebrating spring and fitness.

Kidical Mass (May 11):Family 3-mile bike ride, 1-3 p.m., starting from Chief Garry Park in east Spokane. Decorated bikes are encouraged. 

Animal Carnival – West Valley Outdoor Learning Center (May 18): Enjoy old-school carnival games like a ring toss around the snake or “fish” for a prize in the turtle pond ($5/person suggested donation);10 a.m.-2 p.m.

The Route of the Hiawatha – opening day (May 25): Bike trail, trailheads, and facilities open daily through Sept. 22. 

Scenic Gondola Rides at Silver Mountain (tentatively begin May 25):3.1-mile ride from the resort village to Kellogg Peak’s Mountain House. Activities include a children’s play structure, interpretative nature trail, and fire lookout. Children age 3 and younger ride free. 

ArtFest (May 31-June 2): Make it Art Kids Fair, art vendors, and live music performances at Coeur d’Alene Park in Spokane.

Wednesdays in the Woods – Riverside State Park (begin June 5): REI Spokane hosts weekly educational, interactive presentations at the Bowl & Pitcher outdoor amphitheater. Topics include kids in the outdoors, camping; cycling; watersport adventures; regional wildlife; and Inland NW hiking, geology, and botany.

Free Fishing Weekend (June 8-9): No licenses required, for all ages, in Idaho on June 8 (Saturday only) and all weekend long in Washington.

Camp Dart-Lo Family Night (June 14):Tour Camp Fire’s day-camp location in north Spokane, meet the summer staff, and participate in games, crafts, bouldering, and more, 5:30-8 p.m. Optional BBQ dinner 6-7 p.m. RSVP at campfireinc.org.

Summer Parkways (June 20): 4-mile car-free route through the Manito and Comstock neighborhoods, 6-9 p.m.

Summer Solstice – West Valley Outdoor Learning Center (June 22): Open house celebration, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., for families to make a sun weave, create bubble wands, and build sun crowns ($5/person suggested donation). 

Inland Northwest SkyFest Air Show (June 22):Free event at Fairchild Air Force Base, 8 a.m.-8 p.m., that includes F-22 Demonstration Flight Team, U.S. Army Golden Knights, and U.S. Air Force Academy Wings of Blue Parachute Team. 

Summer Chairlift Rides at Schweitzer Mountain (begin June 28): Quad-chairlift rides to/from the summit; activity Center open daily, 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m., through Sept. 2.

Spokatopia Outdoor Adventure Festival (July 13-14): Try bikes, kid-friendly rock climbing, slacklining, stand-up paddleboards, and kayaks with your kids, and enjoy s’more making, a water-soaker area, live music, and more at Spokane’s Camp Sekani Park. Free general admission although many activities have a cost ranging from $5 and up.

Cherry Pickers Trot (July 18): Annual festival at Beck’s Harvest House at Green Bluff includes a Cherry Pit Spit contest, Tot Trot, and 4-mile fun run/walk. 

Paddle, Splash, and Play (July 20):Free kids’ event hosted by Spokane Canoe and Kayak Club, at Riverside State Park’s Nine Mile Recreation Area, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. (Discover Pass required). 

Blue Goose Chase (July 20):11-mile family bike ride in the Little Pend Oreille National Wildlife Refuge.

Spokenya 7k Run/Walk for Clean Water (July 20):Carry a 5-gallon bucket of water on your head (optional)—like families do in rural Kenya—to finish the last quarter-mile; smaller buckets available for kids.

Spokane Valley Cycle Celebration (July 28):Valleyfest 10-mile family ride.

North Idaho State Fair (August 21-25): Funtastic Kids Zone, carnival rides, youth 4-H, and Gem State Stampede rodeo at Kootenai County Fairgrounds, in Coeur d’Alene. Free bleacher seating for Sunday’s family matinee rodeo. 

[Feature Photo by Emily Gwinn]

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1. Look for butterflies. In the Inland Northwest, tiger swallowtail butterflies like to hang out at sandy beaches on hot days when there’s full sun and no wind. Because butterflies are cold-blooded, they bask in sunlight with their wings open to warm their blood and flight muscles, according to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. Butterflies must be warm enough before they can fly, and you won’t see them on cloudy days. They also need patches of sand or soil for water and mineral intake. It’s not unusual, in fact, to see swallowtails grouped together on a beach. Teach your child how to think like an entomologist, and to be observant and respectful of nature.

2. Rockhound. That is, search for and collect rocks and fossils. Kids can spend hours looking for agates and rocks with interesting colors and shapes. Did you know that petrified wood is Washington State’s official gemstone? And “Gem State” Idaho’s official gemstone is the star garnet which, according to the National Forest Service, is a rare gemstone that’s only found in significant quantity in two places in the world—the Panhandle National Forest and India. Though not lakeside recreation, the Emerald Creek Garnet Area, south of St. Maries, Idaho, is open through Sept. 3 this summer, by permit only, to search for garnets. (For 2018: Open Fridays through Tuesdays; free for age 6 and younger; $5 for age 6-12; $10 per adult). More details at fs.usda.gov.

3. Games on the beach. Bring supplies and use the sand and dirt to create courses for disc golf (set up targets) and mini-golf (putt balls into dug holes). You can also try beach bowling, by digging out six holes in a pyramid configuration and rolling tennis balls into the holes, or by using empty bottles as pins. Bocce ball or beach skeeball are also popular choices. Play musical towels and have water bucket relays. (Find more ideas at Parents.com and RedTri.com.)

4. Go Fishing. Fishing from a dock allows for short lessons about different types of bait and how to watch a line and bobber, identify fish, and correctly handle and release fish. Some children, like my daughter, have patience and attention-span levels for hours of casting and waiting for bites; others, like my son, prefer incremental fishing time combined with more adventurous lake action. To improve chances for success, visit a small stocked lake, or check local fishing reports for the latest conditions. State agencies provide their annual fish stocking information online. In Spokane County, Clear Lake was stocked this spring with 8,000 catchable trout, averaging nearly 11 inches in length. Williams, Badger, and Liberty Lakes are usually well-stocked each season.

5. Paddle and search for wildlife. Canoeing or kayaking on calm flatwater along a lake shore or gentle creek combines exercise with experiential learning about waterfowl and other species. In a kayak, young children can sit with an adult in the cockpit, and starting at 6 to 7 years old, kids can learn how to paddle and navigate their own kayaks. A great destination for kid-friendly paddling is the Plummer Creek outlet and marsh area of Lake Chatcolet at Heyburn State Park. My family has seen beavers, turtles, red-winged blackbirds, grebes, white pelicans, sparrows and their nests, and deer on shore—all while kayaking. Teach your child to think like a biologist, and go slow and quiet to prevent startling animals.

6. Beach Treasure Hunt. Here’s a checklist to get started. Find a feather; rocks that are white, spotted, or shaped like a square (find one of each); something heart-shaped; something blue; something sparkly or shiny; and collect in a bag any trash you find.

Originally published as “Beyond Swimming: Lake Fun For Kids Without Getting Wet” in the July 2018 issue, Inland NW Lake Guide.

Kayaking near a beaver den on Lake Chatcolet; Fishing from the beach at at Priest Lake. // Photos: Amy McCaffree

Amy McCaffree is Out There’s special section editor and wrote about how to prepare kids for overnight camps in the June 2018 issue. Amy enjoys swimming, kayaking, jumping off docks, and snorkeling in lakes with her son and daughter.

[Feature photo: Fishing from the beach at Beaver Creek Campground at Priest Lake. // Photo: Amy McCaffree.]

For more Out There Kids stories with ideas for family-friendly outdoor recreation, visit the OTO archives.

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