Submitted by Olympia Parks, Arts and Recreation
Let’s face it: summer in the northwest can feel short. But what you pack into it? That’s entirely up to you. Olympia Parks, Arts and Recreation is ready to help you fill your calendar with creativity, movement, exploration and connection. From preschoolers chasing bubbles to adults chasing down that long-postponed creative goal, the city’s spring and summer 2025 lineup delivers big on quality—and still leaves room to breathe.
Summer in Olympia isn’t just a season—it’s a choose-your-own adventure.
Camps That Still Have Space—And Plenty of Energy
If you’ve ever tried to register for a summer camp after April, you know the struggle. But good news: several City of Olympia camps still have openings, and they’re worth every second of your kid’s time.
Maybe your child thrives in motion, flipping through gymnastics circuits, balancing on a skateboard or sailing the Salish Sea with a grin as wide as the wake. For kids who can’t sit still (and wouldn’t want to), the city’s camps channel all that energy into movement, mindfulness and new friendships. Happy Hooping, Adventure Kids Yoga and youth sailing keep the body moving and the confidence building.
Meanwhile, other kids may prefer to unplug and plug into something else entirely. These are the thinkers, the tinkerers, the creators. LEGO® builds come to life at Bricks 4 Kidz, budding filmmakers direct their first shorts in Let’s Make a Movie, and hands stay busy (and paint-splattered) in camps focused on watercolor, acrylics, recycled art and hands-on STEAM projects. Whether they’re discovering how to edit video or how to code their own robots, curiosity leads the way.
And for kids who march to the beat of their own orchestra—literally—the Student Orchestra of Greater Olympia camps provide an inclusive place to grow musically and socially. Whether they’re brand new to an instrument or already composing their own work, it’s a community where practice and play coexist.
Real Programs for Real Grownups
Summer isn’t about just building memories for the kids.
Adults, too, can rediscover joy through movement, creativity or simply trying something new. Maybe that means easing into balance and breath with taekwondo or aikido, or jumping into Zumba with a full-body, full-volume smile. Or maybe it’s stepping into a ballroom for the first time in the city’s waltz and East Coast swing classes—no partner or experience required.
If creative expression is calling, there’s no shortage of opportunities. Ceramic classes fill the summer with tactile exploration—whether you’re throwing your first bowl or crafting a slab vase to celebrate the solstice. Writers can tap into poetry, storytelling or journaling through low-pressure, high-reward workshops. And for those looking to build confidence beyond the arts, the one-day Conflict Crash Course offers tools to navigate real-world communication challenges with civility and clarity.
Family Time, Reimagined
When it’s time to reconnect as a family, the City of Olympia makes that easy too. From fused glass art workshops to National Trails Days, families can create, explore and learn together—without needing to plan an elaborate vacation or pack the minivan. Even programs like Super Sitters and Safe at Home empower older kids to grow their independence while supporting the whole household.
Affordable, Accessible and Worth It
No one should have to choose between a great summer and a tight budget. The City of Olympia offers financial assistance for many programs through Ina’s Fund, and a large portion of offerings are already priced with accessibility in mind.
Registration Details (Yes, It’s Easy)
All programs can be explored and registered for:
- Online at the City of Olympia website
- By phone at 360.753.8380
- In person at The Olympia Center, 222 Columbia Street NW
If you or someone you know needs support registering, staff at The Olympia Center are more than happy to help walk you through it.
One Last Thing
This isn’t just about keeping busy. It’s about trying something new. Meeting someone new. Teaching your kids something they can’t get from an app. And maybe—just maybe—surprising yourself.
The City of Olympia’s spring and summer recreation programs are your launchpad. All you have to do is show up.
Let this be the summer you signed up, showed up and surprised yourself.
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