From day camps for younger kids to tween overnights and teen expeditions, Wilderness Awareness School uses its own “coyote mentoring” techniques, which blend ancient and modern ways of connecting with nature. With a small staff-to-student ratio, campers will learn about nature while also mastering practical lessons, such as survival skills, animal tracking, plant identification, and more. Financial assistance is available.
Campers work together to gain nature awareness and experiential knowledge of plants, animals, tracking, birds, and survival skills. Our Coyote Mentoring methods inspire curiosity and encourage self-sufficiency, while storytelling and engaging activities make learning fun and nurture a connection to the earth. Wilderness Awareness School offers day camps all over King County at local parks and overnights at our campus in Duvall. A variety of camps introduce your child to knife safety, knots, fire building and techniques, fishing, and primitive cooking. They can even learn how to build their very own bow! We have camps for anyone between the ages of 6-18.
- Hazards & Wilderness Basics: Things that could be harmful to us and others, and what we need to do to avoid or resolve issues once they happen
- Wildlife Tracking & Mammals: Who lives here, and what we can tell about their lives from their tracks and sign even if we don't see them directly
- Edible, Medicinal, & Poisonous Plant Identification: How to identify a plant using sketches, field marks, and field guides, and which ones have poisonous look-a-likes in our area
- Ecology & Natural Communities: The cycles and relationships that make up the rhythm of the natural world and what we can learn from them
- Survival & Trees: How to select and use trees for shelter, food, tools, and fire
https://www.wildernessawareness.org/youth-programs/
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“I have never seen my son (6 years old) enjoy himself as much as he did at camp. He came home every afternoon talking about what he learned and the experiences he had. We are definitely sending him back next year. He’s already begging us!” - Christine K., mother of Julian (age 6) (Nature Adventure Day Camp)
“This was our 11-year-old’s first overnight camp and he came back saying that there were no words to describe how good the experience was! He enjoyed the time outdoors, learning skills and finding new appreciation for the effort involved in washing dishes. He came back tired and very happy.” - Mother of 11-year-old camper (Wilderness Survival Overnight Camp)
“My kid loves this camp. He comes home with new skills, knowledge and confidence in his capabilities. But most importantly he has a great time learning these things!” - Mother of 14-year-old, 3-time camper (Castaway Survival Overnight Camp)
Such an amazing camp, filled with incredible, thoughtful people, and organized around such creative, fun, clever games and skill learning. Your camp is a truly special experience! — Alison Pion
I love that my daughter had the opportunity to develop her relationship with the outdoors in a way that was so wholesome, fun and real. — Jessica Barrett, mother of Jane (age 5)
My son said that he felt "whole" when he was at camp, spending time outdoors and making deep connections with staff and campers. — Christine W., Mother of a 15-year-old student
When my son returns home from Wilderness Camp, I love that he is Happy, Confident and Full of Life. — Mother of 16-year-old student
Such an amazing camp, filled with incredible, thoughtful people, and organized around such creative, fun, clever games and skill learning. Your camp is a truly special experience! — Alison Pion, mother of Overnight camper
