As the father of a baby and toddler, I assumed summer camp was still years away for our family. So I was surprised to learn about family camps — short, parent-attended programs that give even the littlest kids a taste of the classic camp experience. Better yet, some still have openings this summer.
On a recent Saturday in July, my 14-month-old and I, along with three other families and two cheery camp counselors, gathered under the shade of a large tent in the middle of the children’s learning garden at Rainier Beach Urban Farm and Wetlands (RBUFW) for Tilth Alliance Family Camp.
Calvin’s first camp! (Image: Casey Funke / Seattle’s Child)
This was their Seedlings Camp (ages 1-2). The Seedlings Camp was 90 minutes (10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.) and aimed to introduce little ones to the wonders of the garden through reading, song, and sensory exploration. (They also host a Samplings Camp for 3-5-year-olds, which is 2.5 hours and aimed at expanding toddlers’ curiosity in the garden).
When we arrived, soft music was playing, and garden-related books were available to peruse. Before long, our councilors, Tiana and Daryn, introduced themselves and laid out the schedule and objectives for the morning, namely, to be flexible and have fun. And that’s exactly what we did.
Family Camp Rule #1: Be flexible. (Image: Casey Funke / Seattle’s Child)
After introductions and some singing, we walked over to the blueberry corridor, an impressive row of bushes along the wetland channel. RBURW is an 8-acre site dedicated to organic food production, environmental education, and wetland restoration, so there was plenty to explore. We walked past heaping windrows of decomposing plant material that Daryn explained was how the farm managed and composted their organic material.
When we got to the blueberries, they gave us small plastic bowls and let us roam with our kids, picking as many blueberries as we desired. The lone 2-year-old in the group bobbed and weaved through the bushes, picking and eating blueberries until her fingers were stained blue. The rest of us, with our wobbling 1-year-olds, held their hands and guided them towards ripe blueberries, or held them in our arms as we picked fruit and deposited them into their anticipating mouths. We picked and snacked for 15 minutes in the cool shade of the willow trees before returning to our home base, the tent in the children’s garden, for some rest and story time.
Eating blueberries was, shockingly, a highlight. (Image: Casey Funke / Seattle’s Child)
After a few books and more snacks, we were ready to head back out to the garden for sensory discovery. First up, touch. Tiana came around with Lamb’s ear, which has soft, fuzzy leaves, and the kids touched them to their cheeks, put them in their mouths (of course), and happily ripped them apart, practicing their fine motor skills.
Next, smell and taste. We sampled basil leaves, and three different types of mint from the herb garden: spearmint, chocolate mint, and apple mint. For sight, we picked bouquets of marigolds, sweet peas, and calendulas. And to round out our five traditional senses, we noticed bees buzzing about the garden (hearing), dipping into the flowers we had just picked for our bouquets.
For the final activity of the day, Tiana and Daryn gave each kid a small watering can, filled from the hose, and let them explore the garden with water. It was hot in the garden, so my son was happy to pour the water onto himself, watching gleefully as the soft stream cascaded over his legs. When the water was out, he looked up expectantly, asking for more. On cue, Tiana was there to tend to his request, filling his can repeatedly, much to the enjoyment of all. (Note – bring extra clothes).
They sent us home with our flower bouquets and a pint of fresh blueberries. Consensus among the parents was that the camp was a hit, confirmed by my son, who fell asleep on the walk home, dreaming of blueberries, I can only assume, and continued to nap for two more hours once we got home.
All that and a 2+ hour nap? Incredible. (Image: Casey Funke / Seattle’s Child)
Family Camp Details
- Dates:
- The next Seedlings Camp (ages 1-2) is Saturday, August 8, from 10-11:30 a.m., taking place at both RBUFW and the Good Shepherd Center (GSC) in Wallingford.
- Sampling Camp (ages 3-5) will be on Saturday, July 25, from 9-11:30 a.m., at both RBUFW and GSC. Price – $50 full price or $40 reduced price (scholarships available).
- They will also be hosting fall-inspired family camps on Saturday, October 10, at RBUFW and Saturday, October 17, at GSC.
- Price: $30 full price or $20 reduced price (scholarships available).
