It’s time to decide how your child is going to spend the summer! Luckily, we have plenty of choices when it comes to Thurston County summer camps and programs. There are sports, farm animals, music, summer learning and more. You’re sure to find a camp or two that gets your kid off the couch for a week or two. Sign up soon, as camps tend to fill up fast. Here are the 2023 Summer Camps in Thurston County.
Amadeus Farm
Summer on a farm is always fun! Amadeus Farm is having their summer camps at Frisky Frog Forest and Farmstead. Children of all ages are welcome to spend their summer outdoors learning about science and farming, engaging in projects and animal care, and having lots of fun with activities and games. They have at total of 10 camps starting in June and through September 1. To learn more and to register, visit the Amadeus Farm website.
Chastain Mist Equestrian LLC
If you have a horse crazy kid, sign them up for a summer camp they will never forget! Chastain Mist Equestrian is having summer camps for children ages 8 and up. Camp is June 26-30. For more information and to register visit the Storybrook Stable website.
South Sound YMCA
The South Sound YMCA has a long list of summer day camps centered around everything from athletics to STEM. They also have classes for adults during the summer, so you just might want to sign up too! For a complete list and to sign up, visit the South Sound YMCA website.
Intercity Transit
Have a child age 8 to 10 that wants to learn to ride a bike this summer? Intercity Transit Walk N Roll is offering a free camp for Thurston County Youth in August. They learn bike handling and safety skills while having fun with games and other activities. Daily activities including riding at parks, on trails and other community spaces. Bring your own bike and helmet or borrow theirs. For more information and to register email walknroll@intercitytranist.com.
The Little Gym
Active youth will love The Little Gym’s summer camps! They have camps for kids ages 3 to 8 and 6 to 12, all filled with fun activities where they learn more about their bodies and movement. Grade School Skill Thrill will teach them about gymnastics, focusing on skills at their level. Super Quest Camps will take your child on a themed adventure of discovery with their friends. Find out more and register on The Little Gym website.
Hands On Children’s Museum
The Hands On Children’s Museum will have full and half day summer camps from end of June to beginning of September. Campers ages 3 to 9 will have fun with all sorts of activities including cooking, art, science, nature and more. For more information and to register, visit the Hands On Children’s Museum website.
NOVA Middle School
NOVA Middle School Discoveries Camp is all about exploration with opportunities for your child to learn something new, connect with peers and have fun. Open to all children in the South Sound who are entering fourth through sixth grades. Camps are two weeks long and focus on biology, robotics, desktop engineering, art, theater, cooking, bookbinding, chess, tie dye and more! You can register for individual morning or afternoon programs or sign up for a full day. Camps run from July 17-21 and July 24-28. To view the catalog and register visit the Nova Middle School website.
Empowerment4Girls
Open to girls and non-binary youth, Empowerment4Girls summer camps are centered around social emotional learning and comprehensive sexual health education. They will be having five camps in July and August. Camps will including fun activities while helping youth ages 10-15 prepare for the rest of their lives. Scholarships are available. Learn more and register at the Empowerment4Girls website.
Puget Sound Estuarium
Spend the summer exploring our incredible Puget Sound with the Puget Sound Estuarium summer camps. They have camps for children in kindergarten through eighth grade. Campers will engage in hands-on activities while learning how to become environmental stewards – they even get to help feed and touch sea creatures! Limited, low-income options available. For more information and to register, visit the Puget Sound Estuarium website.
Saint Martin’s University Softball
Saint Martin’s University is offering softball youth camp on July 19 for ages 8-12 and a prospects camp on July 18 for those graduating 2024-27 and JUCO. Both days will have an hour lunch break. To register, visit the SMU Softball website.
Camp Juliette
The Scouts of Western Washington is having their annual summer camp August 9-13, 2023. The theme this year is “fantasy.” Camp leaders are all registered Girl Scout volunteers with current background checks. Camps are for girls entering 2nd through 12th grades. Older girls get to decide what types of activities they do during the camp, giving them choices while learning leadership and democracy.
Unique to this camp, girls in the second through sixth grades go through their Program Aides in Training program. And new this year, older girls who do not want to do the leadership track can attend the camp for those entering 8th through 12th grades. Non-Girl Scouts are welcome! For more information and to sign up, visit the Camp Juliette website.
Olympia Waldorf School
The Olympia Waldorf School will be having summer camps for kids ages 3-11. Each camp has a different fun theme to keep your kids having fun while learning! They also have a Nature Through Art Camp for middle school youth. Find more information at the Olympia Waldorf website.
Wa-Ya Outdoor Institute
The Wa-Ya Outdoor Institute is once again holding their popular summer camps in Thurston County! Camp Wa-Ya leads 10 single-week summer camps for campers ages 6-17 years old. Camps are entirely outdoors, exploring nearby parks, forests, beaches, trails, and rivers. Day Camp sessions for ages 6 to 13 provide opportunities to experience marine science, forest ecology, geology, Native teachings, outdoor survival skills, naturalist pursuits, hiking, kayaking, rock climbing and more! Overnight Teen Adventure Camp program for ages 12 to 17 strengthen true outdoor skills on an overnight sea kayaking and backpacking trips with a focus on environmental stewardship. For more information and to register, visit the Wa-Ya Outdoor Institute website.
Sequoia’s Treehouse Children’s Center
Sequoia’s Outdoor Adventures Summer Day Camps are full of fun to your child! They have two age groups, 4.5 years to 7 and 7 to 10. Both camps spend all day outside, rain or shine. It’s a great way to get your child in nature and having fun. They will get to experience living off the land through farming, cooking, pioneering and outdoor survival skills. Campers will have fun making jam, caring for farm animals, building forts, hiking, archery and more! They will even take field trips to the zoo and for swimming. For more information and to register, visit the Sequoia’s Treehouse Children’s Center website.
Olympia Kids Fiddle
If you have a child interested in advancing in the violin or the fiddle, this is the camp for them! Children ages 9-15 will spend time learning more about these beautiful string instruments while making friends and memories! Camps this year are only for a youth with at least one year experience. For more information and to register, visit the Olympia Kids Fiddle Camp website.
Terra-Form Education
Terra-Form Education is offering their Eco-Quest Summer Day Camps in Olympia again this year. They have camps for youth ages 6 to 10 from end of June to September. Kids will learn about how we are all connected through arts, science, adventure and myth. Learn more and register on the Terra-Form Education website.
Parks and Recreations
The Parks and Recreation departments for your city also has tons of fun camps and classes to fill your child’s summer…and maybe even your own! Be sure to check out their websites:
