by K.C. (mom to Eliza, Todders)
I remember hearing about Summer Camp opportunities at a parent meeting when my first child was enrolled in 3-5’s a couple of years ago, and being shocked that parents were signing their little people up for summer activities before winter had even finished. At the time, I had a 4 month old baby, so I missed that deadline, but by the time my son was almost 5 and graduating from co-op, I had acclimated to the idea of doing my research early so that he could participate in a few summer activities that I wasn’t leading.
I love having free time in the summer to get out our baby pool and play in the yard, go on family bike rides, draw with sidewalk chalk, visit our favorite parks, explore new ones, and go on longer adventures. But I have found it is nice to balance all that free time with a little bit of structure. Drop-off time is not only nice for you, but also great for your child as they get older and grow more confident to experience the world outside your watchful eye. In preparing our first child for the longer kindergarten day, we enrolled in a couple weeks of full-day camps. I think that was a harder adjustment for me than it was for him!
Below is a list of resources for summer camps and classes that you may find helpful as you plan out your summer weeks. While most of these activities are for the older group of preschoolers and our upcoming graduates, there are some geared toward our younger students, and tot/parent opportunities too.
Seattle Parks + Recreation: Ages 3 and up. Locations Throughout Seattle.
- Sports, Visual Art, Dance, Nature, Language, Engineering, and more…
- 33 Locations, 100’s of camps and classes available
- full day, half day and shorter class options
Jr. Nature Explorers: Ages 4-5, Tot/Parent Classes Ages 2-5
- At Magnuson Park Children’s Garden
- Associated with Seattle Parks + Recreation
- 3-5 half-day sessions
- Tots + Parent Spring Program in May: Spring Surprises!
Seattle Tilth: Ages 1 and up.
- Parent/Tot classes ages 1-5, 1.5 to 2 hour classes
- Drop off starts age 6+, full and half-day options
- Held at Good Shepherd Center and Rainier Beach Learning Garden
Woodland Park Zoo: Ages 3 and up.
- Week Long Kinder Camps, Zoopers Camps
- Full day and half day options
- Before and after care available
Wilderness Awareness Camp at St Edwards Park: Ages 4-6 years
- Nature Explorers Half Day Camps
- Seattle Location: Seward Park Location
- students must be fully potty trained
Wedgewood Drama School: Ages 3 and up.
- Theater in the Park (entering K and up) Full Day
- Summer Preschool Camp (3+) Half Day
- Held at View Ridge Park
- week-long camps end with a performance in the park
- Camps run by U-Ravenna co-op teacher Christi Cruz and her brother Michael.
Seattle Children’s Theater Drama Camp: Ages 3.5 and up
- 1 – 3 hour classes
- Saturday family classes available
Chickadee Music Together: Ages 0-4
- 45 minute weekly classes for parent + child
- University, Phinney + Maple Leaf Locations
- Singing, Dancing + Instruments
- Tuition includes song book, cd + music download
- Quarterly Sessions: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
- Free Demo Classes available, Summer Session not yet posted
Phinney Neighborhood Preschool Co-op: Ages 2+
- Arts + Crafts, Science, Yoga, Bugs, Pirates + more
- 2.5 – 3 hour Drop-off classes, parents welcome to stay
- 1 to 5 day options available
Arena Sports Summer Camp: Ages 3 and up.
- Sports, games + Inflatables
- Full day and half day options
- Flex Passes available
- Before and after care available
Pedalheads: Biking Camps, Ages 2+
- Dahl Field, View Ridge Park, Maple Leaf Reservoir + Meadowbrook Community Center Locations
- 45 minute – 2.5 hour long classes
- Many classes already full
If you have summer camps or classes you would like us to add to this list, please send the info my way: photos@sandhurstcoop.org
Upcoming features will cover Summer Swim Lessons + Free Summer Fun in Seattle.