Each and every day, in various subtle ways, we focus on providing a safe and encouraging environment and community for our campers. While it may not be obvious, the skills we teach, the themes we introduce, and even the games we play are thoughtfully chosen to foster growth, development, and deep learning. We believe in the power of leading by example and building strong, diverse, engaged, and cooperative communities. Growing and evolving ourselves is the foundation of our personal ethos. By exemplifying the SAFE SEL principles of self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making, we naturally promote healthy support for physical, cognitive, communicative, adaptive, and social development in our campers. It is my personal mission to ensure that each camper leaves with a more defined sense of independence and self-confidence.

WEEK 1 – July 1-3rd, 2024

• Reflect on the value of many different kinds of people working together towards a common goal, and what it means to be a good citizen and neighbor.

• Explore our beautiful Alki Beach neighborhood and learn about its history, culture, and landmarks, take part in neighborhood clean up activities.

• Getting to know each other through team building games and group challenges and field day activities.

• Short week in observance of Independance Day holiday

  WEEK 2 – July 8-12th, 2024

  We are animal: An exploration of the things that people and animals share in common.

• Finding our spirit animals and camp name ceremony

• Team building activities like mimicking animal camouflage techniques for blend in nature, learning animal calls, as well as how to silently communicate to while moving undetected in nature.

• Discover the amazing things that animals do to thrive in the natural world.

• Develop an understanding of the importance of respecting wildlife and preserving their habitats

• Create anima masks, totems, and miniatures of our favorite fauna

  WEEK 3 – July 15-19th, 2024

  Bird is the word: Seabirds, songbirds, and corvids

• Deepen the ability to practice presence through observation

• Learn about the different types of birds that can be found in the Alki neighborhood, and about the human impact on health and habitat

• Learn the five different types of bird calls and how to use them in tracking

• Learn about the importance of birds in the ecosystem and how to identify them by sight and sound, track and sign

• Bird Themed crafts and mechaniacal wing making workshop

• Work togther to contribute to protecting threatened species.

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WEEK 4 – July 22-26th, 2024

• Intro to the history of technology

• Explore the lore of the Coast Salish tribes, their artwork; the history and culture of the Salish people, and how they used natural resources to survive and thrive in the Pacific Northwest

• Hands-on activities such as basket weaving, knots, bow making, shelter-building, and making cordage

• nature sourced fashion show and armor expo

WEEK 5 – July 29-August 2nd, 2024

Wild and wonderful waterworld

• Learn the difference between fresh water and salt water

• Learn about our local watershed and conservation efforts to restore it’s health

• Visit Rocky Beach (& Alki Beach), Anchor Park, and learn about the importance of respecting and preserving the ocean and its ecosystems

• Participate in wading, tide pooling, and beach-combing activitie

• go on a whale sized seaside scavengerhunt that might require getting a litte wet!

WEEK 6 – August 5-9th, 2024

Geocaching

• Practice creative problem-solving skills as a team

• Learn about geocaching and it’s mission to get people outside exploring nature and engaing with the world. navigation, and how not to get lost!

• Learn about maps and symbols, navigation, and how not to get lost! Map making

• Participate in a finding & making our own official geocache subset for kids!

• , with activities such as building a durable cache, instruction, and following directions.

WEEK 7 – August 12-16th, 2024

I’m not saying that it’s aliens, but… it’s aliens

• Practice interconnectivity and discover the adaptations that make the earth a good home for humans.

• Explore the differences in the elemental makeup of other stars and hiow that might create different features and creatures

• Get inspired by the mysteries of the universe; the planets, stars, and galaxies and brainstorm ways to make visitors from far away feel welcome in an unfamiliar place

• Participate in activities such as building UFO’s, moonwalking, alien crafts, and more!

• Learn about the James Webb Space Telescope, and dive into it’s amazing imagery that shows us the past!

WEEK 8 – August 19-23rd, 2024

Elemental magic and movement

• Intro into the physical sciences and cymatics

• Learn about sound waves and think about why music makes us want to move.. on a molecular level.

• Exploring crystals and quasicrystals, practice pattern recognition

• Participate in activities such as crystal growing, making oobleck, and examining weird science stuff, like plasma and ferrofluid

• Discover the shape of sound and decide “are sound waves actually crystals??

• Learn about the importance of teamwork in experimentation and discovery

WEEK 9 – August 26-30th, 2024

That's a Wrap!

Magical Forest: Fairies, Sprites, Elves, and Trolls

• Create and engage in imaginative play

• Learn about the magical creatures that inhabit the forest and how to create art in nature

• Learn to see the forest through new eyes and notice the magic behind every leaf and under every mushroom

• This will be a big week for crafts (glitter!)

• Participate in storytelling, fairy house building, a group art installation, and a treasure hunt

• Learn about the importance of preserving and respecting the forest

• Reflect on the value of community and being a good citizen

• Explore our beautiful Alki Beach neighborhood and learn about its history, culture, and landmarks

• Reflect on the lessons learned during camp and how to apply them to your everyday life

• Participate in activities such as visiting a historical site and creating a final project to showcase your experience with the Free Wild Society

• Final badge ceremony and official Adventurer Certifications

**Themes are subject to change at FWS discretion until camp start.