Nature Camp

Each session is one week and runs Monday-Friday, 9:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. at all locations. We do not offer extended care options.

Each week-long session of camp focuses on one specific nature theme which provides variety for kids who attend more than one session. Each theme is tailored appropriately for that age group:

• Bird Week: Learn about the many species of birds that call Seattle home and the cool adaptations they have that make them special. Campers will learn and practice their birding skills, examine real bird specimens, and explore cool bird adaptations. 
• Ocean & Beach Week: What will you find beneath the waves of the Puget Sound? Campers will discover treasures in tide pools, observe marine wildlife, and become an undersea expert!
• Insect Week: Whether they have six legs, eight legs, or no legs at all, bugs and other small squirmy organisms are all around us and can do the coolest things. Campers learn about how bugs and other macroinvertebrates make the world go ‘round.
• Forest Week: Campers explore the biodiversity of trees, plants, and animals that live in the forest, and wonder at the inter-relationships that they share.
• Ecosystem Week: Everything is connected, from the tiniest bug to the largest tree, all the living and non-living things in an ecosystem have their roles to play. We’ll spend each day exploring a different part of the ecosystem and discover how it all connects to people too!
• Art Week: Nature can be so inspiring – so many colors, shapes, textures, and sounds! Campers get creative using nature as their muse. Note: Additional $20 art material fee applies to these sessions.

Kids are generally grouped by age in three different sessions:

• 1-3rd grades (A-session)
• 3-5th grades (B-session)
• 6-8th grades (C-session)

Junior Naturalist assistant positions are also available for 10th-12th graders to recieve service learning credits or a $150 stipend per full week worked. (Learn more and apply to be a Junior Naturalist.)

Pricing

Most sessions of camp are $450 – $475 for the full week. Any variations to the pricing due to a shortened week schedule (July 4) or additional supply costs (art) will be indicated in the registration process. 

Birds Connect Seattle household membership holders receive $25 off each session of Nature Camp. You can purchase a membership head of time or add it on to your cart at check-out.

Scholarships

Birds Connect Seattle provides scholarships based on financial need.  These scholarship funds are made possible through generous donations from the community.

To request a scholarship, please complete the online scholarship application prior to registering for your camp session. 

Scholarships typically cover between 25% and 85% of the total camp fee depending on financial need. We ask that families contribute some portion of the camp fee. Payment plans are available at no charge, however, all payments must be complete two weeks prior to your child’s camp session. To learn more, contact the camp registrar.

Member & Active Military Discount

Current Birds Connect Seattle members and families with a parent in active military duty receive a $25 discount per session on camp tuition.

Join or renew your membership today to support local conservation and enjoy a number of other discounts and benefits.

Referral Discount

Bring a friend! If someone you recruited to join Nature Camp registers, you will receive a $15 credit to your account from ActivityHero.

Campers are taught by experienced, caring adult Naturalists. Staff are selected based on experience with working with youth, a background in environmental education and natural science, and outstanding character. All staff are First Aid/CPR certified and have passed a national and Washington State Patrol background screening. Naturalists also go through extensive training prior to the beginning of the summer.

Interested in joining the Nature Camp team as a Naturalist? Check out our Careers Page for current job openings.

Each Naturalist is assisted by one or two teen Junior Naturalists. Teens are selected to work at Nature Camp based on their experiences working with children and their character. 

Learn more and apply.

All sessions (except art-themed weeks) at North Seattle College will include one weekly field trip each Wednesday to local parks via a chartered school bus. 

Session rates for each week unless otherwise noted:

$450 – Birds Connect Seattle members
$475 – Non-members

2026 Session Schedule

June 22 – 26
1A: Buggin’ Out (1st-3rd)
1B: Incredible Invertebrates (3rd-5th)

Whether they have six legs, eight legs, or no legs at all, bugs and other small squirmy organisms are all around us and can do the coolest things. Come learn about how invertebrates make the world go ‘round. 

June 29 – July 2 (no camp July 3)
2A: Intertidal Investigators (1st-3rd)
2B: Science on the Sound (3rd-5th)
(pro-rated weekly rate: $375-members, $400-non-members)

What will you find beneath the waves of the Puget Sound? Discover treasures in tide pools, observe marine wildlife, and become an undersea expert! *Note: Nature Camp’s Ocean weeks are scheduled to fall during the dates with the lowest tides during the summer.  

July 6-10
3A: Webbed, Winged, Wild (1st-3rd)
3B: Bird is a Verb (3rd-5th)
3C: Young Birders Day Camp (6th-8th)

Join Birds Connect Seattle for what we do best: BIRDS! Learn about the many species of birds that call our city home and the cool adaptations they have that make them special. Campers will learn bird identification skills, examine real bird specimens, and learn about the mechanics of bird flight.

July 13-17
4A: Ecosystem Explorers (1st-3rd)
4B: It’s All Connected (3rd-5th)

You don’t have to leave the city to be immersed in nature. Uncover the biodiversity of the urban environment and learn how plants, insects, birds, and people coexist in an urban ecosystem.

July 20-24
5A: The Natural Artist (1st-3rd)
5B: Art Alfresco (3rd-5th)

Nature can be so inspiring – so many colors, shapes, textures, and sounds! Come get creative with us, using nature as your muse. 

July 27-31
6A: Woodland Wanderers (1st-3rd)
6B: Fascinating Forests (3rd-5th)

Come explore the fascinating forests of the Pacific Northwest! Explore the biodiversity of plants and animals, and wonder at the inter-relationships that they share. 

August 3-7
7A: Webbed, Winged, Wild (1st-3rd)
7B: Bird is a Verb (3rd-5th)
7C: Young Birders Day Camp (6th-8th)

Join Birds Connect Seattle for what we do best: BIRDS! Learn about the many species of birds that call our city home and the cool adaptations they have that make them special. Campers will learn bird identification skills, examine real bird specimens, and learn about the mechanics of bird flight.

August 10-14
8A: Water, Water, Everywhere (1st-3rd)
8B: Wonderful Watersheds (3rd-5th)

Water. We all depend on it. Learn how water moves, shapes our landscapes, and plays an important role in a healthy urban environment.

August 17-21
9A: The Natural Artist (1st-3rd)
9B: Art Alfresco (3rd-5th)

Nature can be so inspiring – so many colors, shapes, textures, and sounds! Come get creative with us, using nature as your muse. 

August 24-28
10A: Webbed, Winged, Wild (1st-3rd)
10B: Bird is a Verb (3rd-5th)

Join Birds Connect Seattle for what we do best: BIRDS! Learn about the many species of birds that call our city home and the cool adaptations they have that make them special. Campers will learn bird identification skills, examine real bird specimens, and learn about the mechanics of bird flight.