Methow Valley Summer Camps

In a week of outdoor exploration and artistic expression, students will discover the magical secrets of the woods and waters around The Bush School’s Methow Campus. Using all of their senses and a variety of tools, students will develop naturalist skills, play games, and create art from and inspired by nature. Highlights could include building forts in the woods, learning to identify plants and insects, pressing flowers, cooking delicious snacks, and creating self-portraits from found materials.  Friendships will develop and grow as students share feelings, ideas, and new experiences  in a nurturing environment with caring instructors. Join us for a week of outdoor exploration, creativity, and summer fun!

Snacks and transportation provided each day

Sessions:
Monday, July 6 - Friday, July 10
Monday, July 13 - Friday, July 17

Time: 9am-3pm

Ages: 7-11

Cost: $290 (Scholarships available!)

Location: The Bush School Methow Campus, 225 Lost River Rd, Mazama WA, 98833

Transportation: 8:30 a.m. drop-off and 3:30 p.m. pick-up at the Winthrop Barn

Registration: Opens March 16th at: https://bushmethow.campbrainregistration.com/

Write your college essay in the beautiful landscape of the Methow Valley! This writing retreat allows space for students to create a draft of their personal statement. Through activities and focused feedback, the College Essay Methow Retreat will help students craft a compelling personal narrative of who they are and how they want to present themselves to colleges with both joy and authenticity. Students will also have the chance to enjoy our amazing Methow Campus and surrounding community. Students taking this class should not also register for the Seattle Writing the College Essay course.

July 26-31
9am-3pm or optional Overnight

Age: Rising 12th graders only

Cost: $290 (Scholarships available!)

Location: Methow Valley Bush Campus, 225 Lost River Rd, Mazama WA, 98833

Registration: March 16 at https://bushmethow.campbrainregistration.com/

Contact: summerprograms@bush.edu

This camp is what summer dreams are made of! Mariah, seasoned Montessori Guide and outdoor school enthusiast and Jodee, local potter and creator (BatCave Pottery) have teamed up to bring your children “Camp Create.” We will be providing a safe, kind, inclusive space for your children to create; pottery, leather working, gardening, nature art, horse fun, outdoor play and more. Children will come home with their own custom leatherwork and their very own kiln fired pottery. Come create with us in Carlton!

Sessions:
Monday, July 20 - Thursday, July 23

Time: 9am-3pm

Ages: 7-12

Cost:

Location: Carlton, WA

Registration: Opens March 9th

Join us for an International Soccer Camp without leaving your area! Coached by our team of international and US-based staff, our week-long half day and full day soccer camps improve your child’s soccer skills whilst providing a unique cultural experience.

Rooted in British training methodology, these camps introduce our international training tactics to campers across the U.S and Canada. Our curriculum and coaching foundation meets engaging delivery for an all-around positive experience.

All camps take place at Methow Valley Elementary School

Register for all camps starting February 1st on Challenger’s website.

Challenger Foundational Skills Camp (half day or full day)

June 16-20
August 11-15

Time:
Half day: 9am-12pm or 1pm-4pm
Full day: 9am-4pm

Ages: 6-14

Cost:
Half Day: $199 (AM)/$169 (PM)
Full Day: $269

Challenger Creative Skills Camp

June 29-July 3

Time: 9am-12pm

Ages: 6-14

Cost: $199

Challenger Tiny Tykes Camp

June 16-20
August 11-15

Time: 8am-9am

Ages: 3-5

Cost: $99

Campers enter a space of wonder, exploration and community at the 2-acre Classroom in Bloom garden. With a variety of weekly themes ranging from cooking to birding to art in the garden, we will spend days outside exploring the natural world; with fresh garden veggies available throughout camp!

Location: Methow Valley Elementary School

Sessions:
June 29-July 2
July 6-9
July 13-16
July 20-23
July 27-30
August 3-6

Camp Hours: 9am-3pm

Ages: 6 (Entering 1st Grade) - 10 

Cost: $260 (Financial aid available)

Registration: Opens March 9 at www.classroominbloom.org.

Contact classroominbloom@gmail.com for more information

You will be notified of your place in camps by April 15th

Registration form will be available March 16

Camp Weeks 2026

Week 1: June 29 - July 2
Week 2: July 6-9
Week 3: July 13-16
Week 4: July 20-23
Week 5: July 27-30
Week 6: August 3-6

Summer camps for ages 3 to 6 (Winthrop Campus)

Our camps are offered either 3 days per week (Mon-Weds) or 4 days per week (Mon-Thurs). Our friendly school year teachers will be joined by summer staff to explore art, cooking, science, and nature. Children spend ample time outside both on our playground and on local excursions.

Infant & Toddler day camp for ages 8 weeks to 3 years (Twisp & Winthrop Campuses)

Join your favorite Little Star infant and toddler teachers this summer for tons of fun for little people! During our time together we will share stories, songs, Spanish, crafts, marvelous mess-making and more! After lunch we will embrace the brilliant, hot climate tradition of the “siesta” to give our little campers a second wind to get through the long summer days.

See our “Summer Camps” page for pricing and registration.

Contact emilynelson@littlestarschool.org for more information.

Spend the days outside along the shallow river at our new site in the side channels of the Methow River off Twisp/Carlton road. Explore the river floodplain and the forest, spot and track animals, build fairy houses, waterworks, shelters, and forts, wade in the water, and rest, read, tell stories, and create art under the shade of the cottonwoods.

Sessions:
July 6-9
July 13-16

Camp Time: Monday - Thursday 9am - 3pm

Ages 6 & 7 (Rising 1st and 2nd grade)

Cost: Currently enrolled Little Star families: $254
General public: $264

Registration Forms available on March 16

Join Little Star teachers as they facilitate a fun overnight camp full of adventure at the Loup Loup Ski bowl! Activities include archery (of course), hiking, games, crafts, and exploration.

Session 1: June 23-25
Ages 8-10

10:00am Tuesday - 3:00pm Thursday

With a bow: $410
Without a bow: $375

Session 2: June 29-July 2 (NEW 4 Day Camp!)
Ages 9-11

10:00am Monday - 11:00am Thursday

With a bow: $560
Without a bow: $410

Financial aid available for both camps

Registration opens March 16

Sessions 1 & 2: 

June 22nd-26th
June 29th-July 3rd

Campers will experience the grand world of animal imitation, movement and play through a theatre and craft inspired week that explores different species in our ecosystem. Exploring the inner worlds of beavers, salmon, conifers, coyotes, foxes, and eagles are just a few of the beings we will engage with. Each day, campers will explore the various creatures and plants that call this area home and engage in crafts, cooking, and restoration projects that help better familiarize them with that species' roles within the ecosystem. At the end of the week, they will have an opportunity to share what they have learned and created through a market day and enjoy food, company, and performances from their fellow campers.

Session 2 & 3:

July 6th-10th
July 13th-17th

Activities during the week will integrate elements of fantasy, natural and local history, orienteering, tracking, bird language, stealth, camouflage, situational awareness, native plant identification, medicine making, and tool making. Campers interested in an entertaining and challenging game that blends dungeons and dragons lore, local history, and specialized skillsets will enjoy several days of storytelling and skill building converging in an epic day long group challenge to restore peace and balance within the mythical realm of Klaatu-Nikto, home of the Dragonborn.

Location: Loup Loup Ski Bowl

Cost: $425 per session

Ages: 8-16

Camp Time: 9am-5pm

Registration: Opens March 16th through the Loup’s eStore athttps://estore.skitheloup.org/

ContactEmma Nickoloff at outreach@skitheloup.com for more information

Coming soon!

Explore your creativity in these camps led by the artists & writers of Methow Arts. 

Each week is themed around a different medium of expression: Illustration & Storytelling, Sewing, Dying, & Printing textile, Animal Drawing & Poetry/Creative Writing. Time inside creating will be balanced by time outside being inspired by our surroundings & taking local field trips. 

Location: TBD

Sessions:
Storymakers Studio
June 22-26, 2026
8-12 years old

Stitch & Dip Creations
July 7-10, 2026
8-12 years old

Methow Musings Writing Camp July 13-16, 2026
Rising 3rd - 6th grades

My View: A Nature Journal
July 20-23, 2026
8-12 years old

Wild Lines: Animal Drawing Intensive
August 3-6, 2026
8-12 years old

Methow Recycles Collaboration
August 10-13, 2026
9-14 years old

Camp Hours: 9am-3pm (9am-12pm for “Methow Musings”)

Cost: $250 ($125 for “Methow Musings”)

Registration: Opens March 9 for Methow students and March 16 for everyone at www.methowarts.org/summer-camps

Questions? Contact olga@methowarts.org

June 15th-June 18th

Join us for a four-day adventure with Methow Rafting’s Rafting & Kayaking Camp! Participants will explore the beautiful waters of the Methow River, traveling from Winthrop down to its confluence with the Columbia. Each day we’ll progress farther downstream while building skills and confidence in river safety, teamwork, paddling technique, and boat maneuvering—both in kayaks and rafts.

Designed as an introductory camp, this program is appropriate for both people who are new to rafting or kayaking, or those who have some experience. We start with easier stretches of river and progress to more dynamic whitewater downstream while building confidence and skills. We’ll finish the week on a high note with the Class III Black Canyon section on Day 4 (completed in rafts only). Expect full, active days with lots of learning, challenge, and tons of fun on the water!

Location: Mac Lloyd Park, (Winthrop Barn)

Ages: 12–14

Dates & Times: Monday–Thursday, 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.

Cost: $440 per student (includes a $40 gratuity for Methow Rafting instructors)

More information and register at https://www.methowrafting.com/adventurecamp

Email: info@methowrafting.com

Repair Corps is a service-learning opportunity for teens and includes a paid stipend for their service. Participation in all three weeks of programming is required to receive a stipend. Repair Corps members will learn valuable tool usage, repair skills, job skills, and leadership skills while working on meaningful community-based projects.

Ages: 14-18

Stipend: $600

Sessions (students must sign up for all 3 weeks)
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, 9:00-2:00
June 29-July 3
July 6-10
July 13-17

Registration opens March 2nd.

Email zoey@methowrecycles.org

Jr. Repair Corps is a fun opportunity to learn how to use tools, build cool projects, and learn how to creatively reuse and upcycle materials through community service-learning, all while having a ton of summer fun!

Sessions:
July 27-31
August 3-7
August 10-14

Camp Hours: Monday - Thursday, 9am-3pm. Optional Friday 9am-1pm

Ages: 9-13

Cost:
$225: Monday -Thursday
$250: Monday - Friday (until 1pm)

Registration opens March 16th.

Email zoey@methowrecycles.org

Session 1: June 16-18   9:00-12:00   5-8 years old

Session 2: June 23-25   9:00-11:00   6-9 years old

Cost: $325

Learn basic safety, horse care and horsemanship including grooming, leading, games, and riding. Get to know our amazing herd of horses and ponies and how to develop fair, enjoyable relationships with them. Enjoy magical time with high quality instruction with certified instructors and incredible horses as Crown S Ranch. Financial Aid available.

Registration opens March 9th @ 7am for full-time Methow Valley residents, March 16th @7am for general public. Forms will be available here.

Submit registration to emilynelson@littlestarschool.org and payment to Little Star School.

MVRU Registration Form will be available March 9th.

This camp is for string students who read music fluently and have studied their instrument for at least one year. Morning session is a string orchestra experience. Afternoon is chamber music for intermediate to advanced players.

July 27-31, 9:30-5:00

Location: Methow Valley Community Center

Cost: $300-400 with financial aid available

Ages: 8-18

Registration opens April 2nd. More information at https://www.cascadiamusic.org/music-education/

Contact: Pam Hunt at tamarackquartet@hotmail.come

Explore the Shafer Museum behind the scenes in this 4-day Build & Tinker Camp. We'll travel back in time to explore the pioneer days with hands-on activities like leather stamping, carving, basket weaving and making fresh ice cream & butter.

Sessions:
June 15-18
August 3-6

Camp Hours: Monday - Thursday, 9am-3pm

Location: Shafer Historical Museum (285 Castle Ave, Winthrop, WA)

Ages: Rising 3rd - 5th graders

Cost: $250

More information and register at https://www.shafermuseum.org/summercamp

Questions? Contact docent@shafermuseum.org

Our Forest Day Camps offer children ages 3 - 14 immersive, nature-based experiences that blend creativity, outdoor adventure, and skill building. Younger campers (ages 3 - 6) explore through imaginative play, art, cooking, plant discovery, and sensory learning in a nurturing environment. Older campers (ages 6 - 14) build confidence and independence through wilderness skills such as shelter building, navigation and environmental stewardship. Guided by experienced instructors, each camp encourages teamwork, resilience, and meaningful connection to nature. 

Sessions:

Ages 3 - 6 (Monday - Thursday) Root & Bloom 
June 8th - 11th

Sprouting Chefs
June 15th - 18th

Earth Elements 
July 6th - 9th

Plant Power
July 13th - 16th

Forest Folktales
July 20th - 23rd

Ages 6 -10 (Monday - Friday)
Feather & Stone
August 3rd - 7th

Ages 11 - 14 (Monday - Friday)
Woodlore Warriors
August 10th - 14th

All camps hours are from 9 am to 3 pm

Cost: Ages 3 - 6: $350 - $400 (sliding scale)*
Ages 6 - 10: $450 - $500 (sliding scale)*
Ages 11 - 14: $450 - $500 (sliding scale)*

* All material fees included in the weekly cost of camps. 

Registration: Registration opens Monday, March 16th, 2026 - available at wyldheart.love

Contact email: libbyannaberg@gmail.com