2019 Golden Teddy Awards — Camps + Classes
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Photo:
Courtesy Wolf Camp
Wild Nature Camps
Winner: Wolf Camp
Parents and kids alike adore the howling good time to be had at Wolf Camp’s authentic wilderness experience. Day camps for kids ages 6–11 take place in Puyallup and Lake Sammamish, while youth overnight camps (ages 9–17) take place in several locations, including Mount Rainier and on the Pacific Coast. “Wolf Camp taught me how to build lasting relationships with my peers to get through the tough conditions of the outdoors,” writes one participant.
Finalists
Pinnacle Explorations Outdoor School offers summer camps for kids ages 5–12 at the MLK FAME Community Center and Phinney Neighborhood Association’s Phinney Center. Camps are steeped in the organization’s mission to provide a meaningful educational experience that inspires students to develop lifelong connections with the natural world. Parents appreciate the well-organized classes and that their kids are learning about nature in a hands-on way.
Parents tell us they love the themed enrichment classes at Premier Northwest Kids, which are designed for children and their adults. Parents also like the flexible punch-card option available for classes, just in case they can’t make it out the door with their preschooler on some days. It offers “creative and engaging nature walks for young children to learn math and science using materials they find in nature,” shares one voter.
The votes are in: Families adore Tacoma Nature Center, an urban greenspace offering nature programs for youth, families and adults. Its summer camps program serves kids ages 4–12, with summer adventure camps for kids ages 8–15. One reader writes that its summer programs “combat summer learning loss through interactive and hands-on science labs, hikes and activities focused on preserving the natural world.”
Every year, readers let us know about their wonderful, screen-free experiences at Wilderness Awareness School. Day camps and programs for young kids start with building awareness of basic outdoor skills, while overnight camps and expeditions for teens teach serious survival skills. “This place sweeps my kids off their feet summer after summer and reminds them of what matters in life,” says one voter.