Summer Adventures
- Making memories all summer long. By Jamie Lynn
- Jun 15, 2015
- 8 min read
Playing in the water, exploring the forests and learning new skills. It’s the experience most of us want for our kids. But there is more to summer camp than just the activities. There are the friendships we make. Do you remember as a child the anticipation you felt of being able to attend summer camp? Fortunately for us, we live in an area with several camp options that make it easier for you to find a camp to fit your child’s interest and age group. Here are just some of the many summer camp options in North Idaho.
Sandpoint West Athletic Club Summer Camps
For 16 years, Don and Sue Helander and their staff at Sandpoint West Athletic Club have provided hours of fun for the youth in our community. And it just keeps getting better! Sandpoint West’s day camp offers different themes each week as it welcomes kids ages 10 through 12 to explore and create great summer memories. The price is just $70 each week and the camp runs daily from 10am to 5pm.
The camps begin June 15 and run through August 14. Children are dropped off and picked up each day from Sandpoint West Athletic Club on Pine Street, but their adventures span far and wide. Throughout the summer there are trips to Triple Play in Coeur d’Alene, Silverwood Theme Park, Farragut State Park, the Skate Plaza, Big Air Jump in Spokane, Kootenai Wildlife Refuge and huckleberry picking at Schweitzer Mountain Resort.
The themes each week include: around the world in five days, time travelers, ninjas, Olympics, survivor and more.
To find out more information, go to www.sandpointwest.com and click on the health and wellness tab to get to summer adventure camps. You may call Sandpoint West Athletic Club at 208.263.6633 or stop by at 1905 Pine Street in Sandpoint.
Camp Four Echoes
Camp Four Echoes is a Girl Scout camp located on the beautiful shores of Lake Coeur d’Alene. Their programs include sailing, windsurfing, swimming, canoeing, canoe trips, arts and crafts, hiking, dramatics, archery, outdoor skills, STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) and leadership courses.
In addition, Camp Four Echoes offers a family camp. Here, participants bring a camp stove and enough food for the family. It is a great kick-off to the summer and provides an opportunity to participate in hiking, campfire activities and more. This year it took place in late May, so if you will want to get a jumpstart on next spring, mark your calendar to be sure you don’t miss out on the fun!
They also offer themed sessions during the summer for grades two and three. Some of the themes include "Glitter & Glam" and "Splish Splash." During these camps, they offer activities including hiking, swimming, crafts, campfire songs and more. The dates for the camps available to girls entering second and third grades are June 23 through 26, June 28 through July 2 and Aug. 2 through 6. Prices range from $215 to $295.
For more information, log onto www.gsewni.org or call 800.827.9478.
Gizmo-CDA
Gizmo is a place where art, design, technology and tools are connected using your imagination. It’s a great place for kids to become creative and learn while having fun! Here are a few opportunities this summer to become more involved in Gizmo:
A Build a Day. Here your child can spend the week building in the shop, making plays, rolling cars and floating a boat. Open to kids grades 4 through 7, this camp runs from June 15 through June 19 from 9:30am to 12:30pm. The cost is only $80.
Welding for Human-Powered Vehicles. During the week of June 29 through July 3, kids in grades 5 and above can work on their vehicle for the upcoming Kinetics Fest. This camp also runs from 9:30am to12:30pm and the cost is only $80.
www.gizmo-cda.org 208.651.6200
Twinlow
Twinlow is a camping and retreat ministry of the Pacific Northwest Conference of the United Methodist Church. They offer great opportunities for summer fun for the whole family.
MADD Camp, (Music, Arts, Dance and Drama) takes place in a faith-based setting for kids in grades 9 through 12. It is a great opportunity to indulge your child in the arts. Held the week of June 22 through June 27, this camp ranges in price from $350-$400.
At Twinlow there is an opportunity to attend camp as a family. Families are invited to camp for a semi-structured program of activities, and there are also options for day trips. There are two family camps offered this summer: July 1 through July 3 and July 3 through July 5. The cost is $50 per person. Find out more at twinlowcamp.org.
N-Sid-Sen
N-Sid-Sen is a year-round camp and conference center located on the shores of Lake Coeur d'Alene in Northern Idaho. Check out some of what they offer:
For grades 2 through 4 kids can attend and be involved in exploring and learning new activities. As a faith-based camp there are opportunities to worship together in a beautiful setting. Camp takes place July 5 through July 8.
For the older kiddos, grades 5 and 6, there is an intermediate camp from July 5 through July 11. This is a great chance to worship with one another and take part in traditional camp activities such as crafts, songs and water activities.
Find out more information at www.n-sid-sen.org or by calling 208.689.3489.
Camp Sweyolakan
Camp Sweyolakan sits on nearly 300 beautiful wooded acres on the shores of Lake Coeur d’Alene at the mouth of Mica Bay in Northern Idaho. It is one of the oldest resident camps in the country. Some of their camp options:
Family Camp - "You and Me, Kid!" lets children experience a weekend of camp activities at Camp Sweyolakan with a parent, guardian or older sibling. July 3 through July 5 and July 31 through August 2. The cost is $45 for kids ages 4 and above and $80 per adult.
Leadership Programs - High school juniors and seniors who wish to become future camp counselors learn leadership skills and more. Open to boys and girls entering grades 11 and 12. Senior sessions take place July 20 through Aug. 16; Junior sessions are held June 29-July 18. Application process and prerequisites are needed. The cost ranges from $750 to $990.
Find out more information at www.campfireinc.org.
Camp Lutherhaven
On beautiful Lake Coeur d'Alene, Camp Lutherhaven is a tradition for many North Idaho youth. It is a year-round Christian retreat center and summer youth and family camp.
Some of their many camps include:
Family Camp - Families can experience a traditional sleep-away camp together in a faith-based setting. There are cabin, yurt, tent and RV camping options. Family camp takes place July 17 through July 19, and the cost ranges from $49 to $120 per person.
Kinder camp - Children are invited to experience sleep-away camp with a family member or adult and enjoy the outdoor activities and scenery. This camp is open to kids ages 4 and 5 with an adult who is 18 years of age older. This fun camp takes place August 7 through August 9. The cost is $120 per adult-child pair and $21 for each additional child.
Camp Lutherhaven has many camps throughout the entire summer for all ages. Be sure to check it out! www.lutherhaven.com.
Twin Eagles
Tim Corcoran and Jeannine Tidwell are the co-founders and co-directors of Twin Eagles Wilderness School. They are nature based mentors who believe that our role on Earth as humans is that of stewards. Here are a couple of their programs:
Outdoor Adventure Camp is an overnight camping experience offering nighttime scouting games, archery, survival camp-outs and more. July 19 through July 24 for ages 10 through 13 and July 27 through August 2 for ages 13 through 18. The cost ranges from $645 to $745.
Twin Eagles Preschool Day Camp is a camp for young children where they learn appreciation and understanding for nature through activities and games. It is open to ages 3 through 6. This camp will take place in Sandpoint June 15 through June 19 and in Spokane from June 22 through June 26. The camp runs from 9am to 1pm and the cost is $185.
They also offer a Nature Ninjas Day Camp for ages 6 through 13. Campers will learn outdoor skills including natural camouflage, stealth, sensory awareness and more. The camp, which costs $275, will take place in Sandpoint July 6 through July 10 and in Spokane June 22 through June 29.
For more information, www.twineagles.org or call 208.265.3685.
Cocolalla Lake Bible Camp
Cocolalla Lake Bible Camp provides a God-centered environment for Biblical teaching, evangelism and missions. A few of their programs include:
Family Camp - Families can enjoy a faith-based summer camp together, with swimming, canoeing, programmed activities and more. August 14 through August 16. The cost is $75 per couple and $10 per child.
Backpacking Camp - A four-day backpacking trip around Harrison Lake near Sandpoint, offering Bible studies, swimming, fishing, survival skills and fellowship. This is open to kids ages 13 through 18 and runs August 19 through 22 and August 25 through 28 (intermediate level hiking). The cost is $150.
www.clbcamp.org 208.263.3912
North Idaho College
North Idaho College Workforce Training Center, in conjunction with Black Rocket Productions, is offering technology day camps for children ages 8 to 14 this summer. Camps will cover the following topics: minecraft, video game design, programming and app design.
Other camps offered by North Idaho College this summer include a Youth Adventure Camp. This is a five-day camp exploring the great outdoors of North Idaho including rock climbing, kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, rafting and more. This is open to ages 12 through 16 and runs June 22 through June 26 from 8am to 4pm at North Idaho College. The cost is $250.
Youth Sailing Camp - Learn the basics of sailing on the water, including proper use of equipment, safety, terminology and more. Open to ages 12 through 16 during the week of July 13 through July 17 from 9am to 1pm at North Idaho College. The cost is $200. For more information on this camp, call 208.769.7809.
Summer Art Adventures - Learn how to draw still life scenes, people, animals and create art outdoors. Open to ages 7 through 12. This camp takes place on Saturdays from 10am to noon from June 6 through 27, and the cost is $79.
For more information on all of NIC’s camps, log onto www.nic.edu/wft or call 208.769.3333.
Schweitzer Adventure Camp
In one of the most beautiful settings in North Idaho, Schweitzer Mountain Resort offers an outdoor adventure camp that includes hiking, rock wall climbing, chairlift rides, games, swimming and more. Ages 6 through 11. Weekly sessions are offered July 6 through August 14 and run Monday through Friday from 8am to 4 pm. The cost is $165 per week.
For more information, go online to www.schweitzer.com or 208.255.3081.
Before the summer begins to fill up, make sure to explore all the great camp opportunities for your child and your family. You will be giving them the gift of adventure and memories that will last a lifetime!
Why should you choose to send your child to summer camp?
In a world full of technology, many kids do not get nearly the amount of physical activity they should. Camp provides a great opportunity to get outside, be active and discover new things.
Unlike school and organized sports, camp allows kids to engage in activities in a non-competitive environment. This contributes a great deal to a child gaining confidence and allows him or her to experience success!
Because camps provide such a great variety of activities — including sports, art and adventure — it is the perfect opportunity for children to discover what their true passion is.
Camp allows kids to meet new people and create new friendships. Without the social pressure that school can sometimes bring, kids are more relaxed in a camp atmosphere and can make friends while experiencing new things together. A camp friend is often a lifelong friend.
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