Nature Vision Day Camps

Immerse your child in the natural world during the summer and school year!
Join us for camp programs!

Check back in January 2025 for summer registration information.

Day Camps

Nature Vision camps are sure to be an engaging and unique experience for your child. We take pride in our work with young people, focusing on critical thinking skills, scientific observation, and social-emotional wellness. We help provide students with an opportunity to engage in fun and exciting experiences with the natural world and develop a lifelong sense of stewardship for the environment and our communities. Nature Vision’s camps provide young people with a unique opportunity to explore their local environments, practice scientific skills, and most of all have a great summer with new friends outdoors.

Who is Nature Vision?
Nature Vision is an environmental education non-profit working in King County schools to provide science enrichment programming in classrooms. We have a unique perspective from meeting students’ curriculum needs in the classroom as well as learning about them outside of school. It’s likely that we’ve already met your campers during the school year, and we’re excited to see them for summer fun!

Who are our instructors? 
Nature Vision camp staff are experienced, professional educators, many of whom hold degrees in science, education, or related fields. During the school year, we teach your students in their classrooms and at field trips; in the summer, we teach them outside! Our instructors are well-versed in facilitating exciting learning experiences, and encouraging discovery while exploring the wonders of the forest in an emergent way. Working with young people is a passion for our educators, and we bring that energy to our work with students in everything that we do.

 Why choose Nature Vision Camps? 
Nature Vision brings a unique perspective to summer camp activities connecting our knowledge of local ecology with team building, and developing critical thinking and social-emotional skills in a fun and engaging way. Our camps are dedicated to the holistic care and engagement of each camper, providing not only a safe and fun outdoor summer experience, but also expertise in scientific concepts, child development, and guiding connections to peers and the environment.

 What makes these camps unique?         
Nature Vision understands that we are more likely to care for the things that we appreciate and can connect with. Our aim is to inspire stewardship of the natural world by creating opportunities for campers to build those connections in their own communities in ways that are meaningful and authentic to them. Our campers find and engage in the activities that bring them the most joy, and we help them develop a sense of agency and care for the natural world through hands-on experiences, scientific observation, and interactive games. By connecting scientific concepts to our activities in diverse ways, each camper has an opportunity to learn, have fun, and experience nature uniquely.

Play and explore with Nature Vision’s experienced outdoor Educators this summer at Beaver Lake Park!

Registration for Sammamish Summer Camps opens late February 2025.

Times: 9:00 AM-4:00 PM, Monday - Friday
Ages: 6 years 0 months-11 years 0 months
Group Size: 10 students per Educator; maximum of 20 campers weekly
Location: Beaver Lake Park
Fee: $490/camper

Beaver Lake Park: 2/5 physical demands
Beaver Lake is a low to moderately physically challenging 83-acre Park. Many of the trails are wide and flat, accessible by people of most abilities, although very few of these paths are paved and instead are gravel- or dirt-covered. The park offers a relatively small number of options for hiking in wooded trails, but includes wider paths to access adjacent woods and fields near a fenced off-leash dog area. The area we utilize for camp home base is a large covered patio space next to the lake and a short walk to the restrooms. As the restrooms are located behind another building, campers must be prepared to stay with their group and use restrooms as directed during designated restroom stops to ensure everyone’s safety. This park is very popular with the neighborhood community, next to a large lake, and our main space is a wide open grassy playfield, so this site best serves campers who are who can self-manage staying with their group and inside the marked boundaries of our camp.

CAMP PAPERWORK

PARENTS/GUARDIANS: Read the Sammamish Camp Handbook

Find the paperwork to bring on the first day of camp below:
1.    REQUIRED, one for each child: Sammamish Nature Vision Camp Waiver 2024. Fill out and print, bring to first day of camp. This form needs to be fully filled-out for each individual child.
2.    ONLY if your child has an allergy: Nature Vision Emergency Health Plan for Allergic Reactions. Fill out and print, bring to first day of camp.
3.    ONLY if your child requires medications: Nature Vision Medication Information and Authorization. Fill out and print, bring to first day of camp.

2024 Sammamish Summer Camps

Nature Art Camp - PAST CAMP
July 15-19
Join us at the park this summer to examine how artists have been inspired by the natural world and to create art! From cave paintings to impressionist landscapes, legends and myths to interactive sculpture, nature has inspired artists from all over the world in diverse ways. Campers will study art styles including natural sculpture, painting, collaging, creative writing, and more with our team of experienced professional educators. Explore the varied natural areas of the park and delve into multiple artistic styles and practices. Then, create wonderful works of art using a variety of materials and talents to showcase unique perspectives. Don’t miss this chance for your camper explore their creativity outdoors!

Cascade Curiosity Camp - PAST CAMP
July 22-26
Children are naturally curious, and we’re here to develop that curiosity into scientific thinking in nature! The area where we live has endless opportunities for investigation, and alongside our experienced and professional educators, campers will dig deep into what the Pacific Northwest has to offer. Activities will include naturalist skill-building in data collection, scientific drawing, sustainability, and more. Campers will have hands-on interactions with our collection of pelts, skulls, and natural artifacts. By the end of the week, they will be able to use their newly developed identification and investigation skills to better understand our environment. Satisfy your curiosity with Nature Vision this summer and see the natural world in a whole new light!

Once registered we do not allow refunds for any reason unless the camp must be cancelled by Nature Vision or City of Sammamish.

Play and explore with Nature Vision’s experienced outdoor Educators this summer at Shoreview Park and Hamlin Park!

Registration for Shoreline camps begins mid-March 2025.

Time: 9:00 AM-4:00 PM, Monday - Friday
Ages: 6 years 0 months - 11 years 0 months
Group Size: 10 campers per Educator; maximum of 30 campers
Fee: $490 for Shoreline Residents/$588 for non-Shoreline Residents

Shoreview Park: 3.5/5 physical demands
Shoreview Park is a moderately challenging 88-acre park adjacent to Shoreline Community College. This park offers some relatively steep trail systems weaving through the park that lead through a ravine and eventually to Boeing Creek. Because of the steep terrain, much of Shoreview Park is best accessed by people who are confident with physical exertion and uneven paths. The forest is popular with locals and densely populated with all kinds of native plants as well as blackberry shrubs. Staying with the group on these trails is imperative to camper safety and comfort. The area we utilize for camp home base is situated behind the pickle ball courts, utilizing the concrete paved area with a few tables as well as the baseball field. We set up directly adjacent to restrooms and potable water, but there is little shade or cover other than portable canopies that Nature Vision provides. This park gets hot during a heat wave and we spend the majority of our time under the tree canopy when it does. The walk from the forest to the restrooms or water bottle refill station is long, so campers should be conditioned for a certain amount of preparedness for hikes at this site.  This site best serves campers who are able to manage our marked boundaries and stay with their group on and off trail at all times, as this is a bustling public park.

Hamlin Park: 2.5/5 physical demand
Hamlin Park is 80 acres with many trails of moderate terrain in terms of physical demands for campers. Much of this park is a fairly-open wooded area, primarily populated by Western Red Cedar that lends itself well to camper exploration, but can be a potential challenge for campers who have trouble staying with the groups in a self-directed way. The forest provides a great deal of shade on a hot day, and we spend most of our time in the woods on most weeks. Trails and terrain can be steep in places, with occasional stairwells built into the trail system. There are some flatter and wider trails that are less strenuous, but very little of the park trails are paved. The area we utilize for camp home base is a paved covered patio space, directly adjacent to bathrooms and potable water, but no sprinklers. Our home-base is used for lunches and/or in the case of inclement weather, and for seated activities when campers need a break from the sun. This site best serves campers who are able to manage our marked boundaries and stay with their group on and off trail at all times, as our home-base is directly next to the parking lot and this is a bustling public park.

CAMP PAPERWORK

PARENTS/GUARDIANS: Read the Shoreline Camp Handbook

1. REQUIRED, one for each child: Nature Vision Camp Waiver Hamlin Park Shoreline OR Nature Vision Camp Waiver Shoreview Park Shoreline. NOTE: Hamlin Park and Shoreview Park require separate waivers.

2. ONLY if your child requires medications: Nature Vision Medication Information and Authorization. Fill out and print, bring to first day of camp.

3. ONLY if your child has an allergy: Nature Vision Emergency Health Plan for Allergic Reactions. Fill out and print, bring to first day of camp.

2024 Shoreview Park Camps:

Nature Art Camp - PAST CAMP
July 1-3 (no camp on the 4th or 5th)
Fee: $294 for Shoreline residents/$353 for non-Shoreline residents
Join us at the park this summer to examine how artists have been inspired by the natural world and to create art! From cave paintings to impressionist landscapes, legends and myths to interactive sculpture, nature has inspired artists from all over the world in diverse ways. Campers will study art styles including natural sculpture, painting, collaging, creative writing, and more with our team of experienced professional educators. Explore the varied natural areas of the park and delve into multiple artistic styles and practices. Then, create wonderful works of art using a variety of materials and talents to showcase unique perspectives. Don’t miss this chance for your camper explore their creativity outdoors!

Enchanted Explorers Camp - PAST CAMP
July 8-12
Ecology and whimsy blend together in the woods of the Pacific Northwest. Campers will explore the forest with our professional educators and learn first-hand about how the forest supports its native plants and animals by exploring the layers of the canopy, going on nature hikes, and getting hands-on experience with natural artifacts. We’ll identify what we find and think about how life in the forest is connected. Finally, campers will think creatively to imagine how these real-life ecosystems might support mythical Northwest creatures like gnomes, Bigfoot, or the elusive Pacific tree octopus. Find a little magic in the world around us with Nature Vision this summer!

2024 Hamlin Park Camps:

Cascade Curiosity Camp - PAST CAMP
July 29-August 2
Children are naturally curious, and we’re here to develop that curiosity into scientific thinking in nature! The area where we live has endless opportunities for investigation, and alongside our experienced and professional educators, campers will dig deep into what the Pacific Northwest has to offer. Activities will include naturalist skill-building in data collection, scientific drawing, sustainability, and more. Campers will have hands-on interactions with our collection of pelts, skulls, and natural artifacts. By the end of the week, they will be able to use their newly developed identification and investigation skills to better understand our environment. Satisfy your curiosity with Nature Vision this summer and see the natural world in a whole new light!

Nature Art Camp - PAST CAMP
August 5-9
Join us at the park this summer to examine how artists have been inspired by the natural world and to create art! From cave paintings to impressionist landscapes, legends and myths to interactive sculpture, nature has inspired artists from all over the world in diverse ways. Campers will study art styles including natural sculpture, painting, collaging, creative writing, and more with our team of experienced professional educators. Explore the varied natural areas of the park and delve into multiple artistic styles and practices. Then, create wonderful works of art using a variety of materials and talents to showcase unique perspectives. Don’t miss this chance for your camper explore their creativity outdoors!

Wonderful Wildlife Camp - PAST CAMP
August 12-16
We often think of natural habitats as pristine places far from human impact, but our local environments are home to an abundance of wildlife too. Birds, insects, amphibians, fish, and mammals big and small all call our parks home. Alongside our experienced educators, campers will explore how animals coexist with us, and what we can do to observe, study, and support these species. Campers will have hands-on interactions with our collection of, skulls, scat, and other natural artifacts from local wildlife to develop their identification and investigation skills to better understand our environment and the animals that call it home. Go wild for wildlife with Nature Vision this summer!

Enchanted Explorers Camp - PAST CAMP
August 19-23
Ecology and whimsy blend together in the woods of the Pacific Northwest. Campers will explore the forest with our professional educators and learn first-hand about how the forest supports its native plants and animals by exploring the layers of the canopy, going on nature hikes, and getting hands-on experience with natural artifacts. We’ll identify what we find and think about how life in the forest is connected. Finally, campers will think creatively to imagine how these real-life ecosystems might support mythical Northwest creatures like gnomes, Bigfoot, or the elusive Pacific tree octopus. Find a little magic in the world around us with Nature Vision this summer!

Time: 9:00 AM-4:00 PM, Monday - Friday
Ages: 6-11
Group Size: 10 students per Educator; maximum of 30 campers
Location: Farrel-McWhirter Park
Fee: $540 for Redmond Residents/$648 for non-Redmond Residents

Farrel-McWhirter Park: 2/5 physical demand
Farrel-McWhirter has low to moderate physical demand for campers. Much of the terrain in the park’s 68 acres is relatively flat, with a paved ADA-accessible path appropriate for people of all abilities. However, there are some rougher trails within the park, as well as the ability to move into the neighboring Juel Park for groups that are prepared for more strenuous and/or technical exploration. Our main camp area has easy access to potable water (including a sprinkler), accessible bathrooms, and is shaded through much of the day to help campers navigate the summer heat. The area we utilize for camp home base is wide-open grass playfields, while the forest is filled with narrower trails and thick trees and native shrubs. This site best serves campers who are able self-manage staying with their group on and off trail. We do use cones and signs to act as physical reminders of boundaries. Farrel-McWhirter is also a working farm, and allows horses on many of the trails, from both the farm and public. Though generally safe, campers must be able to follow instructions regarding interactions with horses for the well-being of people and animals.

Spectacular Spring Time
April 14-18
Spring means big changes to the forest as we move from the cold, dark winter and into the brighter days of Spring. Campers will see first hand how warmer weather and longer days impact plants and animals by investigating a range of natural science topics based on what we find in the park. Camper will practice their skills as naturalists to identify how plants and animals begin their journey of regrowth and renewal, and have a great time getting back outside themselves. Campers will have hands-on interactions with our collection of pelts, skulls, and natural artifacts, and become familiar with organisms that call our forests home. Come explore with us and see how the forest transitions for this exciting season. Become a scientist with Nature Vision this Spring and see the natural world in a whole new light!

Play and explore with Nature Vision’s experienced outdoor Educators this summer at Farrel-McWhirter Park!

Registration for Redmond Summer Camps opens late March 2025 for Redmond residents and early April 2025 for non-residents!

Times: 9:00 AM-4:00 PM, Monday - Friday
Ages: 6-11
Group Size: 10 students per Educator; maximum of 40 campers
Location: Farrel-McWhirter Park
Fee: $490 for Redmond Residents/$588 for non-Redmond Residents

Farrel-McWhirter Park: 2/5 physical demand
Farrel-McWhirter has low to moderate physical demand for campers. Much of the terrain in the park’s 68 acres is relatively flat, with a paved ADA-accessible path appropriate for people of all abilities. However, there are some rougher trails within the park, as well as the ability to move into the neighboring Juel Park for groups that are prepared for more strenuous and/or technical exploration. Our main camp area has easy access to potable water (including a sprinkler), accessible bathrooms, and is shaded through much of the day to help campers navigate the summer heat. The area we utilize for camp home base is wide-open grass playfields, while the forest is filled with narrower trails and thick trees and native shrubs. This site best serves campers who are able self-manage staying with their group on and off trail. We do use cones and signs to act as physical reminders of boundaries. Farrel-McWhirter is also a working farm, and allows horses on many of the trails, from both the farm and public. Though generally safe, campers must be able to follow instructions regarding interactions with horses for the well-being of people and animals.

CAMP PAPERWORK

PARENTS/GUARDIANS: Read the Redmond Camp Handbook

1. REQUIRED, one for each child: Nature Vision Camp Waiver 2024. Print and fill out, bring to first day of camp. This form needs to be fully filled-out for every camper.

2. ONLY if your child requires medications: Redmond Parks and Recreation Medications Information and Authorization Liability Release. Fill out, print, and bring to first day of camp. Please fill this out if you child has an Epi Pen or other medications.

3. ONLY if your child has an allergy: Redmond Parks and Recreation Emergency Health Plan for Allergic Reactions. Print and fill out, bring to first day of camp.  Please also review Redmond Parks Epi Pen Med Policy.

2024 Redmond Summer Camps

Nature Art Camp - PAST CAMP
July 1-3 (no camp on the 4th or 5th)
Fee: $294 for Redmond residents/$353 for non-Redmond residents
Join us at the park this summer to examine how artists have been inspired by the natural world and to create art! From cave paintings to impressionist landscapes, legends and myths to interactive sculpture, nature has inspired artists from all over the world in diverse ways. Campers will study art styles including natural sculpture, painting, collaging, creative writing, and more with our team of experienced professional educators. Explore the varied natural areas of the park and delve into multiple artistic styles and practices. Then, create wonderful works of art using a variety of materials and talents to showcase unique perspectives. Don’t miss this chance for your camper explore their creativity outdoors!

Enchanted Explorers Camp - PAST CAMP
July 8-12
Ecology and whimsy blend together in the woods of the Pacific Northwest. Campers will explore the forest with our professional educators and learn first-hand about how the forest supports its native plants and animals by exploring the layers of the canopy, going on nature hikes, and getting hands-on experience with natural artifacts. We’ll identify what we find and think about how life in the forest is connected. Finally, campers will think creatively to imagine how these real-life ecosystems might support mythical Northwest creatures like gnomes, Bigfoot, or the elusive Pacific tree octopus. Find a little magic in the world around us with Nature Vision this summer!

Cascade Curiosity Camp - PAST CAMP
July 15-19
Children are naturally curious, and we’re here to develop that curiosity into scientific thinking in nature! The area where we live has endless opportunities for investigation, and alongside our experienced and professional educators, campers will dig deep into what the Pacific Northwest has to offer. Activities will include naturalist skill-building in data collection, scientific drawing, sustainability, and more. Campers will have hands-on interactions with our collection of pelts, skulls, and natural artifacts. By the end of the week, they will be able to use their newly developed identification and investigation skills to better understand our environment. Satisfy your curiosity with Nature Vision this summer and see the natural world in a whole new light!

Wonderful Wildlife Camp - PAST CAMP
July 22-26
We often think of natural habitats as pristine places far from human impact, but our local environments are home to an abundance of wildlife too. Birds, insects, amphibians, fish, and mammals big and small all call our parks home. Alongside our experienced educators, campers will explore how animals coexist with us, and what we can do to observe, study, and support these species. Campers will have hands-on interactions with our collection of, skulls, scat, and other natural artifacts from local wildlife to develop their identification and investigation skills to better understand our environment and the animals that call it home. Go wild for wildlife with Nature Vision this summer!

Nature Art Camp - PAST CAMP
July 29-August 2
*This camp is a repeat topic
Join us at the park this summer to examine how artists have been inspired by the natural world and to create art! From cave paintings to impressionist landscapes, legends and myths to interactive sculpture, nature has inspired artists from all over the world in diverse ways. Campers will study art styles including natural sculpture, painting, collaging, creative writing, and more with our team of experienced professional educators. Explore the varied natural areas of the park and delve into multiple artistic styles and practices. Then, create wonderful works of art using a variety of materials and talents to showcase unique perspectives. Don’t miss this chance for your camper explore their creativity outdoors!

Enchanted Explorers Camp - PAST CAMP
August 5-9
*This camp is a repeat topic
Ecology and whimsy blend together in the woods of the Pacific Northwest. Campers will explore the forest with our professional educators and learn first-hand about how the forest supports its native plants and animals by exploring the layers of the canopy, going on nature hikes, and getting hands-on experience with natural artifacts. We’ll identify what we find and think about how life in the forest is connected. Finally, campers will think creatively to imagine how these real-life ecosystems might support mythical Northwest creatures like gnomes, Bigfoot, or the elusive Pacific tree octopus. Find a little magic in the world around us with Nature Vision this summer!

Cascade Curiosity Camp - PAST CAMP
August 12-16
*This camp is a repeat topic
Children are naturally curious, and we’re here to develop that curiosity into scientific thinking in nature! The area where we live has endless opportunities for investigation, and alongside our experienced and professional educators, campers will dig deep into what the Pacific Northwest has to offer. Activities will include naturalist skill-building in data collection, scientific drawing, sustainability, and more. Campers will have hands-on interactions with our collection of pelts, skulls, and natural artifacts. By the end of the week, they will be able to use their newly developed identification and investigation skills to better understand our environment. Satisfy your curiosity with Nature Vision this summer and see the natural world in a whole new light!

Wonderful Wildlife Camp - PAST CAMP
August 19-23
*This camp is a repeat topic
We often think of natural habitats as pristine places far from human impact, but our local environments are home to an abundance of wildlife too. Birds, insects, amphibians, fish, and mammals big and small all call our parks home. Alongside our experienced educators, campers will explore how animals coexist with us, and what we can do to observe, study, and support these species. Campers will have hands-on interactions with our collection of, skulls, scat, and other natural artifacts from local wildlife to develop their identification and investigation skills to better understand our environment and the animals that call it home. Go wild for wildlife with Nature Vision this summer!

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