Want to sell your bike? Interested sellers can register their bike online at www.SpokaneBikeSwap.com starting March 15. Registering early will help expedite bike check-in, which is on Friday, April 21, from 3-7 p.m. Bike registration is $5 and payable when you register or when you check in your bike on Friday. The registration fee will be waived if you donate a bike. Kids’ bikes are in huge demand too. The registration fee is waived on kids’ bikes with 20” rims or smaller that are priced $50 or less. For all bikes that sell, a 10% consignment fee will be assessed.

“We are thrilled to announce the Spokane Bike Swap is now a non-profit organization,” says LeAnn Yamamoto, Spokane Bike Swap Chair. “The proceeds from the event will benefit regional charitable organizations, and we are excited about the positive impacts it will have on the community while promoting healthy and active living for all.” Want to get involved? Go to SpokaneBikeSwap.com and click on the volunteer link for more details and to sign up.

The post Spokane Bike Swap April 22, 2023 appeared first on Out There Venture.

No matter a child’s age, just one week of camp will improve their well-being and create lifelong memories. Northwest mountains, forests, and lakes provide a setting primed for adventure.

Here is a list of summer camps for 2022 that offer high adventure and intensive outdoor experiences, from backcountry expeditions and survival skills to mountain biking and ziplining. In addition to day and resident camps based in the Inland Northwest, multi-day travel expeditions take place throughout the Pacific Northwest region and mountain West destinations, including national parks.

Breakwater Expeditions: Teen Wilderness Trips

Specializing in backcountry trips (7-14 days) and high-adventure recreation, including canoeing, canyoneering, backpacking, whitewater rafting, and sea kayaking. Though Breakwater Expeditions is headquartered in Sandpoint, Idaho, their summer 2022 adventure travel destinations include Moab, Utah; Yellowstone and the Missouri River; and Puget Sound’s San Juan Islands.

Breakwater Expeditions also provides specialized travel retreats and experiences for families, couples, women-only, and private groups. (Learn more in this OTO story.)

Camp Spalding

Overnight camps for grades 1–12 (plus a family session) with waterfront and adventure recreation that includes paddling, water trampoline, and “The Blob”; horseback riding; archery; rock climbing; high ropes course and zipline; and mountain boards. Camp Spalding is located on 500 wooded acres at Davis Lake, near Newport, Wash.

Camp Spalding has a variety of recreation, including watersports and horseback riding (photos courtesy of Camp Spalding), as well as group games (photo: Amy McCaffree).

Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance: Dirt Camps

Kids learn technical mountain bike skills—including balance, obstacles, drops and jumps, and uphill and downhill riding—and gain confidence on their mountain bikes. Evergreen East, the Eastern Washington Chapter of Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance, hosts its camps at Beacon Hill/Camp Sekani in Spokane for ages 8–13 (girls-only session available).

Other statewide chapters host Dirt Camps for kids as young as 6 years old.

Evergreen East Dirt Camp in Spokane at Beacon Hill Bike Park. // Photo courtesy Evergreen East..

Mt. Spokane Mountain Adventure & Mountain Bike Skills Day Camps

Mt. Spokane Ski & Snowboard Park expanded its summer day camps program for 2022, based on popularity and high-demand that led to sold-out camp sessions last summer.

Mountain Adventure Day Camps (three days, ages 5–14) feature outdoor games and activities such as hiking, climbing, and crafts, while teaching environmental stewardship within Mount Spokane State Park.

Mountain Bike Skills Camps (four days) teach technical riding skills, flat-tire fixing, and trail maintenance. Sessions tailored for beginners and all levels (ages 7–15) as well as advanced riders (ages 10–17). Includes daily bike games and trail-riding.

Peak 7 Adventures: Backpacking

Peak 7, based in Spokane, provides Introductory backpacking courses for high-school and middle-school age youth with multiday expeditions in either Olympic or North Cascades national parks. Backcountry and technical outdoor skills include compass navigation, map reading, gear management, food prep, risk assessment, and basic first aid. High-school course includes alpine snow travel with an ice axe.

Peak 7 also have offices in Seattle and Portland, offering a range of programs for youth and families throughout the Northwest.

Schweitzer Adventure Day Camp

Atop Schweitzer Mountain, Adventure Camp for ages 6–10 includes hiking, chairlift rides, swimming, village games, climbing wall, and trampoline jumper. Transportation is provided from the Schweitzer parking lot at the mountain base.

SOLE—Selkirk Outdoor Leadership & Education

SOLE designs and facilitates experiential outdoor education programs. Programs include Junior Naturalist day camp for ages 4–9; Outdoor Leadership day camp for ages 10–12, with adventure and service-learning activities; and Backcountry Expeditions for ages 13–17.

Spokane Parks & Recreation Day Camps

The City of Spokane’s Parks & Recreation department provides a fully-summer schedule of camps for kids as young as 6 years old.

Adventures day camps are based at Riverside State Park with sessions for ages 8–11 and 12–15. Three recreation-focused options are available: 1) All Adventures: hiking, kayaking, rafting, rock climbing, and other recreation; 2) Climbing Adventures: rock climbing instruction at indoor climbing gyms, followed by outdoor rock climbing with instructors from Peak 7 Adventures; 3) Wild and Wacky Water Adventures: survival skill-building plus the “All Adventures” activities.

Wilderness Survival Camps, based at Camp Sekani Park, feature hands-on scenarios requiring teamwork and problem-solving during introductory (ages 6–9) and advanced sessions (ages 9–14). Skills include fire and shelter-building, navigation, rope and knots, tool use, and knife safety.

Twin Eagles Wilderness School.

Twin Eagles day and overnight camps connect youth with nature while teaching survival skills, including foraging, making fire with friction, wildlife tracking, and natural shelter building, and much more. Due to high demand this summer, a waitlist is available.

Twin Eagles’ summer campers connect with nature with hands-on survival skills, including foraging, making fire with friction, wildlife tracking, and natural shelter building. // Photos courtesy of Twin Eagles Wilderness School.

Washington Trails Association: Youth Volunteer Programs

WTA offers community service projects focus on building and maintaining hiking trails in Washington State. Choose between Day Work Parties for ages 10+ and week-long Summer Volunteer Vacations for ages 14–18, which includes camping. Three teen trip options: Frontcountry, Backcountry (prior experience required), and Shared Identity (all girls crew and LGBTQ+ crew).

Wild Walls Climbing Gym: Indoor Climbing Camp

Located in downtown Spokane, Wild Walls offers week-long camps for ages 7–14. Although indoor, it’s no less adventurous to learn top-roping, bouldering, belaying, climbing technique, slacklining, and much more. No experience necessary.

Recreation at Camp Spalding includes ziplining, “The Blob” and other lakefront activities and watersports, and archery. // Photos courtesy Camp Spalding.

Not sure if your child is ready for an overnight camp? Here are some helpful stories and resources from past Family Outdoors Guides: “When Are Kids Ready for Summer Camp?” and “Choosing the Right Summer Camp for Your Kid.”

The post Inland NW Summer Adventure Camp Guide appeared first on Out There Venture.

As a mom and a public school teacher (and former camp counselor), I know firsthand how important it is for young people to be encouraged and emotionally supported by positive adult role models. 

Today’s Pandemic Generation—as they are referred to by researchers, teachers, and mental health professionals—continue to struggle with gaps in emotional-social development, increased media consumption, and less time spent outdoors being physically active. 

Kids need summer camp! At Evergreen East Dirt Camps, kids enjoy maximize time on their mountain bikes. // Photos courtesy Evergreen East

Current mental health statistics are daunting. According to “Five-Year Trends in US Children’s Health and Well-being, 2016–2020,” a research study recently published in JAMA Pediatrics, there have been significant increases in diagnosed mental health conditions—27% for anxiety and 24% for depression. Survey data also revealed an 18% decrease in children’s physical activity. 

This makes summer camps for kids more important than ever. Camps provide a welcoming, safe, and supportive community. Time spent away from home forces children and teens to unplug from media, and it teaches independence, responsibility, and resilience. Camps can also help develop their communication, participation, and leadership skills. 

Strengthening personal competencies, like self-identity, self-worth, and self-respect, also builds confidence and courage. This, in turn, breeds hope and motivates goal-setting—all qualities important to positive mental health. 

Adrenaline-pumping thrills and age-appropriate risk-taking can be pivotal during childhood, especially for adolescents.

How so? Imagine the euphoria and pride after ziplining, making it to the top of a climbing wall, winning a canoe race with cabinmates, or landing a mountain-bike jump. 

Northwest mountains, forests, and lakes provide a setting primed for adventure, and our summer 2022 list of youth camps in Washington and Idaho will provide outdoor adventure opportunities while teaching specialized recreation and/or environmental stewardship and nature-based skills.

No matter a child’s age, just one week of camp will improve their well-being and create lifelong memories. And don’t be surprised if you hear that it was the best week of their summer. 

Summer camp high adventure at Camp Spalding: The Blob (top left), ziplining (upper right), archery (mid-right), and rappelling. // Photos courtesy Camp Spalding.

Wondering which camp program would be best for your child? Here’s some help: “Choosing the Right Summer Camp For Your Kid.”

Find more stories about recreation, activities, and outdoor lifestyle topics in the Outdoor Family archives.

The post Why Kids Need Summer Camp More Than Ever appeared first on Out There Venture.

Crafted with the lightest, most breathable fabrics to wick sweat, breathe, and maintain the comfort kids ages 6-15 are used to. It’s awesome for little riders to have mountain biking gear that looks like mom and dads’, and my son Remi concurred when we pulled his new riding gear out of the box: “That’s so cool!”

MSRP: $25-50. Skidzmtb.com

Find more gear ideas and recommendations and reviews in the Gear Room department.

The post Gear: Skidz Kids Mountain Biking Clothing appeared first on Out There Venture.

Now that my kids are getting older, they are more willing to take a break from waterplay to explore park trails. And when we’re camping, it’s nice to take a morning hike (or paddle) and then head to the campground beach or dock when the sun is higher in the sky.

Also, older kids and teens need independent experiences, like venturing along a trail solo or with a friend. Nature inspires soul-searching, and anytime our kids can get more screen-free serenity and exercise, the better.

These are eight of our favorite regional lake parks that offer great hiking and swimming options for hot summer days. Please note that most parks prohibit dogs on the beach, so it’s best to leave your furry kid at home.

NORTH IDAHO

City Beach & Pend d’ Oreille Bay Trail (Sandpoint): Walk the flat 3-mile trail, out and back, which follows the shoreline of Lake Pend Oreille. City Beach has it all, with plenty of lakefront sand.

Farragut State Park (Athol): Beaver Bay Beach requires a steep downhill jaunt from the parking lot and restrooms, but once you arrive there’s plenty of lakefront, calm water, and trails to explore in the forest all around the bay. Trails are also accessible right from the parking lot.

Round Lake State Park (Sagle): An easy trail loops around the lake and the beach has two docks, paddle gear rentals, and a PFD loaner station.

Tubbs Hill (Coeur d’Alene): Hike the trail, which can be a bit rocky and rugged for little kids, but you don’t need to go far to find a small sandy beach spot for private playtime. Hike in with all of your stuff, but you’ll need to hike back to the trailhead to use a porta-potty. (Restroom available at nearby McEuen Park.) Other nearby swim settings are Sanders Beach or City Beach.

WASHINGTON

Bear Lake Regional Park (Chattaroy): Hike the trail around the lake. Trees and grass hug the shoreline, so there isn’t a beach—rather, there are cement steps down to the water, which starts at a depth of about three feet. However, there are some spaces between trees to access the water.

Fish Lake & Columbia Plateau Trail State Park (Cheney): Walk the paved trail and enjoy the calm lake, popular with locals for fishing, paddling, and beach play for kids. Park at Fish Lake Park and then walk up to the state park trailhead.

Liberty Lake Regional Park (Liberty Lake): The park has miles of trails to choose from and the day-use beach—though a smaller lakefront compared to other parks—has great sand, a dock and roped-off swim area, and plenty of lake for paddling. Spokane County Parks daily fee required.

Waterfront Park (Medical Lake): A popular park with a main parking lot that fills quickly, but the layout is sweet and lake water is spring-fed, so relatively warmer than larger lakes. Walk the paved Medical Lake Trail along the west shore.

This story was published in the Inland NW Family Outdoors Guide in the May-June 2021 issue.

For more swimming stories, visit the OTO archives.

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As I got older, before we could drive, my friends and I rode all over the valley and even made a couple long pedals to places as far away as Coeur d’Alene.

The point here is you’ll be doing children a huge favor by taking them out riding. Being outside on and around bikes at a young age will help them develop a life-long passion for this fun, healthy outdoor activity.

It may not always be easy, but it’s worth it. Here are a few things I learned riding with my son over the past five years that you might find helpful.

Being “over-prepared” on a ride with kids can make the difference between happy family and hell on wheels.

Get the right bikes and gear.

You can totally get by with fixer-upper used bikes and one of many types of on-bike kid seats for young children to sit securely on your bike.

Or if they are old enough to ride, pick up a new or used balance bike or pedal bike for older kids. A basic set-up like that will be great for riding neighborhood streets or paved pathways like the Centennial Trail in Spokane or North Idaho.

If you’re looking for higher-functioning, more comfortable bikes and kid haulers like bike trailers, cargo bikes, or trailer bikes, visit your local bike shop or get hunting online asap as some COVID-related bike and accessory shortages will continue at least through 2021.

If you want to ride dirt trails or do longer family rides, see #5 below for some tips and gear recommendations.

Be prepared.

Being “over-prepared” on a ride with kids can make the difference between happy family and hell on wheels. Water or juice and snacks are a must and will inevitably ward off a meltdown.

But here are some other things to throw in your backpack, bike bag, or panniers if you’ll be riding further than a mile or two from your house: a change of clothes, baby wipes, changing kit for young kids, toilet paper and Ziplock bags for trash/soiled clothes, hand sanitizer, sun protection, extra layers and jackets, money and masks for planned or unplanned stops, first-aid kit, bike tools and tire repair kit, your phone and a backup charger, and helmets for everyone.

Ride to fun destinations.

Some days kids may rejoice at the mention of a bike ride, yet there will likely be other times it feels like you just informed them that Christmas has been canceled.

To help get kids more excited to ride, try making it a ride to a destination they love or soon will love. A safe ride to a nearby playground is an obvious choice. In Spokane, there are many playgrounds along or nearby the Centennial and Ben Burr trails.

Or try riding to an ice cream shop, swimming spot, a friend’s house for a play date, a pump track or skate park, a farmers’ market for fresh fruit, or a fun natural area where they can run wild in the woods and have a snack or picnic before heading home.

Don’t confuse riding with kids with getting exercise.

If at least one person in your family is always trying to squeeze in a workout, they will likely be disappointed on a family ride with young kids. Riding with kids, depending on their age and ability level, can be painfully slow at times and prone to repeated, random snack breaks and detours to explore nearby attractions.

That’s not to say there aren’t some great ways to get exercise while riding with children (see #5 below), but most family rides will not satisfy an adult rider with Tour Divide ambitions.

My advice: get your exercise beforehand, chill out, and enjoy a slow pedal with your clan.

Ride farther with your kids and have more fun too.

If you want to do longer rides with kids or get into riding dirt trails, you will need to invest in the right bikes and accessories. When kids are young and content to sit and sleep in a bike trailer, you can crank out miles of riding together and make everyone happy.

When they are older and able to do some riding themselves, try a trailer bike (also called a trail-a-bike) that’s connected to an adult’s bike. They get to pedal some but don’t always need to, and you can ride farther together.

I have also used a Weehoo trailer bike for riding Riverside State Park singletrack with my son since he was 3 years old.

Now that he is older and able to ride up to 7 miles some days, we’ve been riding our own bikes on the Centennial Trail from our house to the Camp Sekani pump track where he then rides in circles for an hour like a maniac. After all that, he’s ready to crash for a nap in my Thule bike trailer while I pedal all of us back home with his bike strapped to the back of the trailer.

However you do it, the important thing is to get out there and ride whatever distance with your kid or kids early and often. Ride safe, be prepared, and you’ll never regret it.

Originally published as “What I Learned About Riding With Kids” in the May-June 2021 issue in the annual Inland NW Family Outdoors Guide special seciton.

Derrick Knowles is co-publisher and editor-in-chief and was the original senior writer when Out There Monthly was founded by Jon Snyder in 2004.

Read more stories about biking with kids in our archives.

The post 5 Lessons I Learned About Riding With Kids appeared first on Out There Venture.

Blessing Farm & Forest Preschool

Spokane’s first urban farm and forest preschool located near the South Perry Neighborhood. This Waldorf-inspired school offers a school-year program for children ages 2 1/2 to 6 as well as summer camps for ages 2 1/2 to 7. Blessingfarmandforest.com

Greenplay Northwest – Farm Schools

Early learning programs for children ages 6 and younger, based on the forest kindergarten model with locations in Spokane (Vinegar Flats Farm School) and southeast King County (Maple Valley and Enumclaw). Summer Nature Camps may be available for summer 2021. Greenplaynw.org

Harvard Park Children’s Learning Center North

Preschool and summer camps for ages 2.5-10 include activities such as science experiments, field trips, cooking projects, water play time, and lots of outdoor playtime. Harvardparkpreschool.com

Into the Forest Outdoor Learning Center

Preschool and day care located east of Spokane, in Veradale, Wash., provides “nature-infused,” play-based, environmental education that includes nature art, outdoor exploration, and “risky play,” according to its website. Intotheforestpreschool.com

Little Woodland Adventures

Forest preschool (ages 2.5-5) located near Dishman Hills Natural Area in Spokane Valley that is all outdoors, year-round. Curriculum includes place-based activities, life skills, and gardening. Littlewoodlandadventures.com

North Wall Schools

Private school for gifted and talented learners, grades K-6, with an Early Childhood program (preschool and infants-toddlers) and summer program. Campus in north Spokane includes different outdoor areas corresponding to age levels for year-round playtime and experiential learning. Features include a Nature Trail, tree fort, zipline, organic garden, climbing wall, and tricycle track. Northwallschools.com

Pioneer School field-trip to the Spokane County Water Resources Center. // Photo: Shallan Knowles

Pioneer School

A K-5th grade accredited, non-profit school for gifted, talented, and highly-capable learners with small classes. Located in northeast Spokane Valley, Pioneer School is dedicated to making school an exciting place where children enjoy learning with a thematic approach that emphasizes student involvement with hands-on activities and topic-related field trips. Experiences include expeditions, outings, and field-trips for camping, biking, hiking, skiing, conservation and science learning, history, and other recreation activities. Pioneerschool.com

Plum Tree School

All-outdoor preschool program (ages 3-6), located in south Spokane, focuses on play-based learning, creative arts, domestic life skills, hands-on nature exploration, and mindfulness. Plumtreeschool.com

Saint George’s School

Located on 120-acres along the Little Spokane River, the campus for this private school (no religious affiliation) is an integral part of the school’s entire K-12 curriculum, providing hands-on experiences related to the sciences, physical education, art, and other courses. An Outdoor Club provides recreation activities and trips for students in grades 8-12. Sgs.org

Tinkergarten

Instructor-led, with a national network of teachers and child-development experts, this self-guided programming for play-based learning experiences offers free DIY activities online. Tinkergarten.com

Twin Eagles Wilderness School

Monthly program based in Spokane for ages 6-13 and their families (October-May, one Saturday per month). Children enjoy nature-based mentoring and hands-on activities—all outdoors. Twineagles.org

Washington Outdoor School

Child-interest led outdoor education with branches based in central Washington, including the cities of Ellensburg and Roslyn. Waoutdoorschool.org

West Valley Outdoor Learning Center

Virtual-based programs with online, live, interactive presentations about wildlife habitat, conservation, birds of prey, water ecosystems, and STEM activities. Check the center’s Facebook page for when in-person events will resume, including family open-houses.

Windsong School

Located in Spokane on the Mukogawa Fort Wright Institute campus, students, preshool-6^th grade, enjoy Waldorf-inspired learning and daily outdoor experiences. Spokanewindsongschool.org

[Feature photo by Shallan Knowles // Pioneer School students at the Spokane County Water Resources Center.]

View all the contents of the 2021 Inland NW Family Outdoors Guide, including regional Outdoorsy Summer Camps.

The post Nature Schools in the Inland NW – 2021 appeared first on Out There Venture.

Bogus Basin Mountain Discovery Camps

Day camp for ages 9-12 and teen overnight camp, ages 12-16, at Bogus Basin Mountain, in collaboration with Boise Parks & Rec. Bogusbasin.org

Camp Ashwell Day Camp – Girl Scouts

The regional program center for Girl Scouts of Eastern Washington and North Idaho, located near downtown Spokane, hosts themed day camp sessions for all girls entering grades K-8 (troop membership not required). Activities include STEM experiences, arts and crafts, swimming, and other hands-on, experiential, skill-building fun. Snacks and lunch provided. Gsewni.org

Camp Easton – Boy Scouts

This Boy Scouts of America (BSA) Inland Northwest Council property on the east side of Lake Coeur d’Alene, near Harrison, Idaho, offers an advanced aquatics program, shooting sports, scout crafts, and nature and recreation activities, including sailing, canoeing, snorkeling, scuba-diving, and zipline. The local council also allows BSA, non-BSA, and wedding party groups to rent its facilities, year-round, including campsites, RV pads, and cabins when camps aren’t in session (more details at Campreservation.com.) Nwscouts.org

Camp Four Echoes – Girl Scouts

Located along 2 miles of Lake Coeur d’Alene shoreline near Worley, Idaho, girls sleep in whimsically named camping units, like Teepees in Sky Meadows and Treehouses in Smugglers Cove. Girls Scouts also offers a variety of themed, overnight camps for girls in grades 1-12 (troop membership not required to attend). Activities include waterfront recreation (kayaking, canoeing, sailing, and windsurfing); nature exploration, hiking, biking, and outdoor skill-building; STEM activities; and adventure-based sessions for those in 7^th-10^th grades. Facility rentals are also available Sept.-May. Gsewni.org

Camp Grizzly – Boy Scouts

Regional camp property along the Palouse River, near Potlatch, Idaho, offers mountain biking, all-terrain vehicles, survival, blacksmithing, animal science, and other recreation and skill-building. The local council allows BSA, non-BSA, and wedding party groups to rent its facilities year-round, including campsites, RV pads, and cabins when camps aren’t in session (info at Campreservation.com.) Nwscouts.org

Camp MiVoden

Located on the northern shore of Hayden Lake, Idaho, Camp MiVoden offers overnight camps for age 8-16. The camp is affiliated with the Seventh-Day Adventist Church. Mivoden.com

Camp Spalding

Located near Newport, Wash., along Davis Lake, there are overnight camps for grades 1-12 plus a family camp. Activities include canoeing, horseback riding, rappelling, and more. Founded by Presbyterian churches. Campspalding.org

Camp Sweyolakan – Camp Fire Inland Northwest

Run by Camp Fire Inland Northwest, Camp Sweyolakan (Swe-o-la-kan) on Lake Coeur d’Alene has overnight camps for boys and girls ages 6-18. Campfireinc.org

Camp Zanika – Camp Fire North Central Washington

Located along the shore of Lake Wenatchee, camp includes overnight sessions for grades 1-12. Activities include fishing, hiking, kayaking, and backpacking, with optional add-ons, such as river rafting and horseback riding. Campfirencw.org

Dart-Lo Day Camp – Camp Fire Inland Northwest

Located along the Little Spokane River, children age 3-18 enjoy outdoor activities like games, swimming, and a low ropes course. Campfireinc.org

Lutherhaven 

A variety of programs are offered among its three properties in North Idaho: a main camp at Lake Coeur d’Alene, Shoshone Creek Ranch Camp, and Shoshone Mountain Retreat. Lutherhaven.com

Missoula Outdoor Learning Adventures – Outdoor Adventure Summer Camp

Children grades K-12 learn leadership, teamwork, and outdoor skills along with self-confidence and appreciation for the natural world through activities like hiking, biking, rafting, climbing, canoeing, overnight camping, and more. Parents are welcome to join excursions. Missoulaoutdoors.com

Montana Natural History Center – Outdoor Discovery Day Camps

Program in Missoula, Mont., are for children ages 4 through 5^th grade. Themes include learning about rocks and fossils; fish and stream ecology and fishing techniques; camping, survival, and wayfinding skills; and more. Montananaturalist.org

Northwest Outward Bound School

Wilderness courses and other programs for middle and high school-aged youth, and LGBT+ youth. Destinations in the Pacific Northwest include the North Cascades, San Juan Island, Mt. Rainier, and the Salmon River among others. Recreation activities include backpacking, kayaking, rock climbing, rafting, mountaineering, and more. Outwardbound.org

Peak 7 Adventures

With offices in Spokane and Portland, Peak 7 offers adventures and courses for backpacking, mountaineering, rafting, and rock climbing. Peak7.org

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

Based in Sandpoint, Idaho, S.O.L.E. aims to “ReWild your child” this summer with their Junior Naturalist Experiences program (ages 4-9) and adventure-based outdoor leadership camps for ages 10-12 and 13-17. Soleexperiences.org 

Spokane Parks & Recreation – Youth Outdoor Programs

Day camps (ages 8-18) are organized according to recreation focus, including disc golf, horseback riding, outdoor adventure, and wilderness survival. My.spokanecity.org/recreation/outdoor

Twin Eagles Wilderness School

Specializing in helping children connect with the natural world and develop self-awareness through nature-based activities, Twin Eagles summer day and overnight camps provide wilderness and adventure challenges, and survival skill-building, such as foraging, wildlife tracking, and fire and natural shelter-building. Twineagles.org

University of Montana Youth Camps

Day camp sessions in Missoula for grades K-5 with various recreational activities, including indoor climbing skills, rafting, hiking, soccer, and other team sports. Umt.edu/crec/YouthCamps

Wild Walls Indoor Climbing Clubs

Located in downtown Spokane, the Beginner Club (ages 7-10) is for learning basic skills for belay certification. For youth ready to advance their skills and technique, there’s Climbing Club (ages 7-14). Clubs meet once a week and include one-month membership with rental gear. Wildwalls.com

Wenatchee Valley Museum – Super Summer Adventure Camps

Day camps for kids grades K-6 with science and nature themes. Wenatcheevalleymuseum.org

WSU Cougar Kids Camp 

Day camps for grades K-7 at Washington State University’s Pullman campus, hosted by the University Recreation department. Urec.wsu.edu

Washington Trails Association (WTA) – Youth Volunteer Vacation

Week-long trail work crew projects for youth, ages 14-18, to develop outdoor and leadership skills while building and maintaining hiking trails as a team. Locations this summer include the Cascades, Mt. Rainier, Olympic Peninsula, and Puget Sound. Wta.org

YMCA Camp Reed

Located at Fan Lake, north of Spokane, YMCA of the Inland Northwest offers overnight camps, and family camp, that include swimming, canoeing, hiking, mountain biking, ropes course, and climbing wall. Ymcainw.org

Y Day Camps – Spokane          

Weekday program for children entering grades K-8. Ymcainw.org

Listing of Nature Schools in the Inland NW – 2021

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“Summer camps help meet the deeper needs that kids have when their only social interactions have been with a screen,” says Twin Eagles Wilderness School Co-founder and Director, Tim Corcoran. There is no substitute for interactions with other kids and adult counselors and time spent outdoors with nature, he says. “And that need is only greater at this point, over a year into the pandemic. Kids can come to camp and have a very safe experience and have their needs be met.”

Most parents can relate to how having your kids go away to camp improves the family dynamics for everyone, Corcoran says. “I think it’s important that, as parents, we’re honest with ourselves about the cost of keeping kids home. Don’t underestimate that cost.”

Twin Eagles, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, and other camps have modified operations and implemented health and safety protocols, according to CDC guidelines and state and local guidance, to help ensure campers and staff stay COVID-free this summer. Most camp websites have their COVID policies easily available for parents to read.

For example, Girl Scouts of Eastern Washington and Northern Idaho are following guidance from CDC and the State of Washington Department of Health, in addition to the American Camp Association. Masking will be required at Camp Four Echoes, arrival-day will be a drive-thru process, and campers will be health-screened daily.

Camp Spalding, which remained COVID-free last summer, is also requiring masks. Additionally, campers must either be vaccinated or receive a negative COVID-test no more than three days prior to arrival and remain in quarantine through the start of camp, according to Campspalding.org. (Camps are not requiring masks to be worn while sleeping, eating, swimming, or during physical exertion outdoors.)

Twin Eagles also had no COVID cases last summer. “We take safety really seriously, and we successfully adapted our programs in the era of COVID and can still give kids the experience of connections to nature, peers (socially), and self,” Corcoran explains.

Amy McCaffree is Out There Kids columnist and digital editor, and has been writing for Out There since 2006. She enjoys paddling, camping, hiking, biking, and alpine skiing with her family.

Check out our 2021 listing of Outdoorsy Summer Camps & Nature Schools.

[Photos: Camp Four Echoes on Lake Coeur d’Alene (top left and right). // Photo courtesy Girl Scouts of Eastern Washington and Northern Idaho.; other photos: Twin Eagles Wilderness School summer campers learning outdoor survival skills. // Photo courtesy Twin Eagles.]

More summer camp stories in the OTO archives.

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