2025 Summer Camp PROGRAMS
The Curiosity Compass:
Follow Your Questions. Find Your Way.
This summer, we invite your child on a wondrous journey guided by the Curiosity Compass - a magical tool that reveals the many ways we learn, grow, and connect. In wild places and quiet moments, we will follow a map that leads us home - to ourselves - with questions as our guide. Campers will explore the world around them and the world within. Each direction on the compass leads to a new path to self-discovery, from intuitive wisdom and joyful expression to deep storytelling and wild invention. Through play, connection, and curiosity, children will chart their own course in a summer filled with meaning, movement, and magic.
Each day of every week is anchored in one direction of the Curiosity Compass:
Mondays: Knowing (North): What do I notice, and what does it tell me about myself?
Tuesdays: Expression (East): How do I show the world who I am?
Wednesdays: Story (South): Where do I come from, and what stories do I carry?
Thursdays: Wonder (West): What am I curious about, and where will it lead me?
2025 Summer Camp
PROGRAMS BY Week
All day camps run Monday-Thursday
9:30am - 1:30pm or 10am-2pm
Scroll down for full descriptions!
Curiosity Compass July & August Maple Valley, WA
AUGUST 16-17 All Ages Lions Camp
[TENTATIVE] AUGUST18-21 Ages 7-15 Field Trip + St. George
WEEK 1: Wild Wonders Walk
July 7-10, 2025
Destination:
Wilderness Skills & Nature Connection
Cost: $305
Wild World Rescue
Ages: 4-6
Lions Camp, Maple Valley, WA
M-Th 9:30am - 1:30pm
This week, our youngest campers become forest guardians! Through playful animal tracking, imaginative rescue missions, and gentle nature exploration, children will learn about local wildlife, empathy, and the power of working together. With songs, stories, and tactile materials, every day becomes a wild and wondrous adventure.
Compass Themes:
N (Knowing): Tuning into the forest through sensory play and quiet noticing
E (Expression): Exploring identity through movement, dramatic play, and nature art
S (Story): Deepening empathy through animal rescue tales and collaborative storytelling
W (Wonder): Following questions through pretend adventures and discoveries in the wild
Berried Treasures
Ages: 7-10
Lions Camp, Maple Valley, WA
M-Th 9:30am - 1:30pm
Young naturalists set off on a journey of foraging and discovery, learning about local berries, plants, and ecosystems. Scavenger hunts, berry dyes, forest art, and edible nature crafts provide rich, hands-on learning rooted in seasonal rhythms.
Compass Themes:
N (Knowing): Building awareness of local plants and ecosystems through observation
E (Expression): Celebrating personal discoveries through creative food and forest art
S (Story): Weaving connections to cultural and ecological stories of wild foods
W (Wonder): Embracing play, experimentation, and joyful risk-taking in the natural world
Wilderness Challenge
Ages: 11-15
Lions Camp, Maple Valley, WA
M-Th 9:30am - 1:30pm
This trailblazing camp invites older campers into deeper nature skills and personal growth. Orienteering, shelter-building, fire-making, and simple foraging challenges blend with journaling, teamwork, and earth stewardship. Campers leave with greater confidence in themselves and reverence for the wild.
Compass Themes:
N (Knowing): Strengthening intuition and focus through hands-on wilderness practice
E (Expression): Sharing identity through teamwork, skill-building, and storytelling
S (Story): Exploring ancestral knowledge and personal connection to land
W (Wonder): Pushing boundaries through challenges, curiosity, and courage
WEEK 2: Time Traveler's Trail
July 14-17, 2025
Destination:
Earth & Her Stories (History/Geology/Geography)
Cost: $305
Dino Delight
Ages: 3-6
Lake Wilderness Arboretum, WA
M-Th 9:30am - 1:30pm
A joyful excavation of imagination and Earth’s deep past! Children will explore ancient worlds through dinosaur movement, fossil digging, volcano play, and nature storytelling. This camp honors young children's innate curiosity and sensory engagement, while offering open-ended invitations to discover the story of our planet through their own lens.
Compass Themes:
N (Knowing): Exploring textures, tracks, and earth materials with hands-on curiosity
E (Expression): Embodying prehistoric play through movement, sound, and sculpture
S (Story): Making meaning through dinosaur tales and mythic time-traveling adventures
W (Wonder): Delighting in fossil digs, volcanoes, and the mysteries of long ago
Rock & Relic Quest
Ages: 7-10
Lions Camp Mon-Wed + Field Trip Thurs, WA
M-Th 10am - 2pm
Campers become junior geologists and time travelers, using observation, experimentation, and imagination to uncover the stories written in stone. From hands-on rock identification and volcanic experiments to storytelling with fossils and art, this camp bridges science and creativity.
Compass Themes:
N (Knowing): Practicing observation and field skills through geology and mapping
E (Expression): Translating discoveries through diagrams, models, and artistic reflection
S (Story): Exploring Earth's past and human history through rocks, relics, and symbols
W (Wonder): Asking deep-time questions and stepping into the unknown with curiosity
Geologist's Journey
Ages: 11-15
Lions Camp Mon-Wed + Field Trip Thurs, WA
M-Th 10am - 2pm
Older campers explore geology as both a science and a metaphor—investigating Earth's deep processes while uncovering inner landscapes. Through activities such as crystal growing, field journaling, and discussions about sustainability and stewardship, they’ll learn how to interpret Earth’s story and their own.
Compass Themes:
N (Knowing): Sharpening perception through earth science tools and geological insight
E (Expression): Mapping and journaling to give voice to personal and scientific learning
S (Story): Reflecting on legacy, ancestry, and place through the layers of the land
W (Wonder): Embracing complex questions and forming connections through discovery
WEEK 3: Visionary Voyage
July 21-24, 2025
Destination:
Sci-Fi & Fantasy
Cost: $305
Dreamwoods Discovery
Ages: 3-6
Lake Wilderness Arboretum, WA
M-Th 9:30am - 1:30pm
Step into an enchanted forest filled with mythical creatures, magical quests, and mysterious trails. Through story potions, fairy house building, and nature-based fantasy play, young campers will explore the edges of imagination and nature, discovering wonder in every leaf and stick.
Compass Themes:
N (Knowing): Grounding in sensory play and recognizing feelings in magical moments
E (Expression): Bringing imaginary worlds to life through storytelling, movement, and materials
S (Story): Creating and sharing playful myths, characters, and dreamscapes
W (Wonder): Following curiosity into mystery, enchantment, and possibility
Mystic Mission
Ages: 7-10
Lions Camp, WA
M-Th 10am - 2pm
Campers will create entire fantasy worlds—complete with maps, creatures, legends, and adventures. Blending storytelling, art, dramatic play, and nature exploration, this camp invites kids to dream big and dive deep into the power of imagination.
Compass Themes:
N (Knowing): Exploring personal values and traits through character creation and choices
E (Expression): Crafting costumes, symbols, and maps to bring imagined worlds to life
S (Story): Building collaborative tales and legends with rich narrative detail
W (Wonder): Taking creative risks and stepping into the unknown through play and design
World Weavers Workshop
Ages: 11-15
Lions Camp, WA
M-Th 10am - 2pm
Older campers will become architects of entirely new worlds—deciding everything from landscapes and societies to histories and futures. Through writing, art, collaborative games, and nature-based prompts, they’ll explore identity, power, and possibility in fantastical forms.
Compass Themes:
N (Knowing): Reflecting on personal beliefs and dreams through fictional world-building
E (Expression): Using chosen mediums—writing, visual art, map-making, or performance—to share vision
S (Story): Exploring narrative as a tool for identity, connection, and transformation
W (Wonder): Engaging big ideas—what if, who else, why not—and letting imagination lead
WEEK 4: Rhythm & Roots Road
July 28-31, 2025
Destination:
Music, Movement & Mindfulness
Cost: $305
Whistle & Wander
Ages: 3-6
Lake Wilderness Arboretum, WA
M-Th 9:30am - 1:30pm
In this rhythm-filled adventure, young campers will dance like deer, drum like rain, and move like the wind. Through playful sound-making, nature walks, songs, and sensory movement games, children will explore their bodies, breath, and the melodies of the world around them.
Compass Themes:
N (Knowing): Listening to breath, heartbeat, and body through mindful movement and rest
E (Expression): Sharing emotions and ideas through sound, rhythm, and creative play
S (Story): Singing and telling stories through music and movement traditions
W (Wonder): Following curiosity into soundscapes, silence, and joyful improvisation
Tunes & Tales
Ages: 7-10
Lions Camp, WA
M-Th 10am - 2pm
This week offers a rich blend of rhythm, movement, and narrative expression. Campers will co-create music, explore instruments (natural and handmade), invent dances, and tell stories through sound and motion. They'll learn to listen deeply to themselves and each other.
Compass Themes:
N (Knowing): Tuning into internal rhythm, emotions, and sensory experience
E (Expression): Creating and performing music, dances, or expressive movement
S (Story): Using rhythm and gesture to carry and transform stories
W (Wonder): Experimenting with sound, silence, and collaborative composition
Rhythm & Reflection Trek
Ages: 11-15
Lions Camp, WA
M-Th 10am - 2pm
Older campers will explore the intersection of movement, mindfulness, and creative expression. Through journaling, music-making, and group exploration of rhythm and rest, they’ll deepen their awareness of self and surroundings while creating something entirely their own.
Compass Themes:
N (Knowing): Deepening body awareness and emotional insight through stillness and motion
E (Expression): Channeling personal experience through music, movement, and reflective writing
S (Story): Exploring personal and collective narratives through rhythm and expression
W (Wonder): Embracing the unknown through improvisation, intuition, and playful exploration
WEEK 5: Inventor's Expedition
AUGUST 4-7, 2025
Destination:
STEAM Exploration & Creative Problem-Solving
Cost: $305
Tinkering Treasures
Ages: 4-6
Lions Camp Mon-Wed + Field Trip Thurs, WA
M-Th 9:30am - 1:30pm
Little builders and thinkers will explore ramps, gears, bubbles, bridges, and other wonders of early engineering. Through open-ended experiments and nature-based problem solving, campers will investigate how things work and invent new ways to move, build, and create.
Compass Themes:
N (Knowing): Discovering how we think, problem-solve, and learn through hands-on exploration
E (Expression): Showing who we are through the things we build, design, and imagine
S (Story): Exploring the journey of our ideas and how our creations reflect our inner world
W (Wonder): Embracing creative risks and finding joy in open-ended possibilities
Curious Contraptions
Ages: 7-10
Lions Camp Mon-Wed + Field Trip Thurs, WA
M-Th 9:30am - 1:30pm
Campers become makers and inventors as they explore simple machines, chain reactions, and creative construction. With access to basic tools and challenges, they'll tinker, test, and tweak their way through individual and group builds—plus a field trip to spark inspiration.
Compass Themes:
N (Knowing): Noticing our unique approaches to building and learning
E (Expression): Designing contraptions that reflect personal curiosity and creativity
S (Story): Sharing the story of how ideas come to life through trial and imagination
W (Wonder): Exploring new ideas and unexpected outcomes with joyful persistence
Maker's Quest
Ages: 11-15
Lions Camp Mon-Wed + Field Trip Thurs, WA
M-Th 9:30am - 1:30pm
Older campers will engage in advanced design challenges—incorporating creativity, strategy, and innovation. Whether creating collaborative structures, crafting from reclaimed materials, or working with digital design tools (campers may bring their own devices if desired), they’ll be encouraged to reflect on the creative process itself. A STEAM-focused field trip will add real-world context to their work.
Compass Themes:
N (Knowing): Learning how we work best and what drives our creativity
E (Expression): Using our creations to express ideas, values, and imagination
S (Story): Reflecting on the meaning behind what we make and why it matters
W (Wonder): Pushing boundaries through invention, curiosity, and collaboration
WEEK 6: Artful Adventure
AUGUST 11-14, 2025
Destination:
Arts & Crafts
Cost: $305
Rainbow Makers
Ages: 3-6
Lake Wilderness Arboretum, WA
M-Th 9:30am - 1:30pm
This week invites young artists to explore color in all its forms—through nature paints, food-based dyes, watercolor, clay, and more. Campers will use their senses to play with texture, smell, and hue, creating beautiful expressions of the world around and within them.
Compass Themes:
N (Knowing): Noticing color, pattern, and form in the natural world
E (Expression): Using hands, tools, and materials to create original works
S (Story): Exploring personal stories through color and collaborative art
W (Wonder): Experimenting with materials and embracing creative surprises
Crafted Journey
Ages: 7-10
Lions Camp Mon-Wed + Field Trip Thurs, WA
M-Th 10am - 2pm
Young artists will explore foundational art elements—like line, shape, color, and perspective—through playful, hands-on projects inspired by diverse art periods and movements. From prehistoric cave paintings to modern expressionism, each day blends discovery with tactile craft. Children will create original works using beading, sculpting, weaving, painting, and more—always with room for experimentation and joy.
Compass Themes:
N (Knowing): Discovering our artistic preferences, styles, and creative instincts
E (Expression): Using hands and heart to bring imaginative ideas to life
S (Story): Exploring global art traditions and how artists have told stories through time
W (Wonder): Asking bold “what if” questions and trying new forms of creative play
Artisan's Path
Ages: 11-15
Lions Camp Mon-Wed + Field Trip Thurs, WA
M-Th 10am - 2pm
This thoughtful, exploratory camp invites older artists to deepen their relationship with art through a blend of creative techniques, art history, and personal reflection. Each day introduces a new movement or medium—from classical realism to modern abstraction—paired with a project that allows campers to experiment with form, concept, and self-expression. Slower pacing and journaling provide time for artistic voice to emerge, while collaborative studio time offers community and inspiration.
Compass Themes:
N (Knowing): Uncovering personal style, purpose, and process through artistic exploration
E (Expression): Using visual language to tell truths, share questions, or offer perspective
S (Story): Connecting to ancestral and artistic lineages, and to the stories art carries
W (Wonder): Embracing open-ended creation, new materials, and courageous creativity
WEEK 6: FAMILY OVERNIGHT
August 16-17, 2025
Destination:
Journey Together & Family Reflections
Cost: $150 per family
Curiosity Compass Family Campout
For All Ages
Lions Camp, Maple Valley, WA
Fri-Sat 5pm-11am
Camp families (and new families!) are invited to return to the heart of the forest for a magical overnight gathering that celebrates the paths we’ve walked, the questions we’ve followed, and the growth we’ve experienced together. The Compass Campout is designed to offer space for reflection, reconnection, and joyful play in community—bringing campers, siblings, parents, and mentors into shared circles of story and celebration.
Through campfire conversations, nature games, community meals, and family-led exploration, each compass direction will be revisited as a living part of our journey. Stations and experiences inspired by the summer’s themes will invite families to co-create, express, and wonder together.
Compass Themes:
N (Knowing): Reconnecting with your inner compass through quiet reflection, stargazing, or sit spots
E (Expression): Creating as a family: music, art, movement, shared offerings at the fire
S (Story): Sharing highlights and memories, honoring the lineage of our summer stories
W (Wonder): Embracing awe and possibility through night hikes, dreams, and closing rituals
BONUS CAMP!
"Wisdom Way"
[Tentatively] August 18-21, 2025
In Collaboration With St. George
Destination:
Stories & Sustenance
Cost: $305
Nourishing Narratives
Ages: 7-15
[TENTATIVE:]
Field Trip on Monday + St. George & Cedar to Green River Trail Tues-Thurs
M-Th 10am-2pm
We're cooking up something meaningful to close out the summer - an intergenerational, curiosity-led experience in partnership with our friends at St. George Church.
Rooted in story, nature, and connection, this bonus week will invite older campers into gentle rhythms of reflection, creative expression, and shared wisdom. Think: harvesting at the farm, walking the trail, listening to parables, and co-creating meaning across generations..
Details are still being finalized—stay tuned!
We'll share more as soon as details are confirmed, and we can’t wait to invite your family to be part of this beautiful unfolding of community, curiosity, and care.
2025 Summer Camp Enrollment Information
For All Summer Camps:
Children will need to bring a backpack with a water bottle and sack lunch.
They will need to wear sturdy shoes and we recommend a sun hat.
Please apply any preferred sunscreen and/or bug spray before dropping off.
Your child may be wet/muddy at pick-up. Please plan accordingly.
We incorporate both guided learning and unstructured play time each day
We work to create camps that will provide the perfect balance between novel information and guided experiences for children to elaborate upon based on their individual skills and abilities and supervised but unstructured time to play out those new concepts and skills, explore, and develop friendships.
Camps will begin promptly at the times listed
If you arrive early, please feel welcome to wait in your car or explore our natural areas with your child, giving our camp counselors space to prepare for the day's session before greeting your child at the start time.
Waitlists Are Available!
Please fill out the application below to begin the registration process or add your child to the waitlist, and we will contact you shortly to complete registration, or to let you know you are on the waitlist for if a spot opens up!
Summer Camp Payment Policy:
Each summer camp is $305. All programs run 4 hours per day, 4 days per week. Payment is due upon registration in order to reserve placement in a program. Of this payment, $100 is a non-refundable retainer.
Cancelations three or more weeks prior to the program start date will receive the remainder ($205) as a refund. In the event of a program cancelation, Ashlar will notify families three weeks prior to the program start date and issue a full refund, including the retainer ($305).
Learn more about our 2025-26 Programs!
