Camp. Life.
What do we do at camp?
Traditional Camp Activities
Camp Quest NorthWest offers a mix of traditional summer camp activities including staples like sports, hiking, campfires, skit performances, a talent show, and a variety of arts and crafts. Depending on the camp location we also offer activities such as archery, rock climbing, boating, and swimming.
Freethought Activities
What is Freethought? Broadly, it means cultivating curiosity, questioning and a certain disdain for just taking the word of authority; demanding evidence and knowing you can make your own observations even if they lead you to disagree. In terms of activities, these can run the gamut from science games to humanist “life skills” activities – but always fun! fun! fun!
Leadership Track
Older teens who have turned 15 are part of our Leadership Track (LT) Program. This program allows older teens to fully participate in camp and cultivate leadership skills. LTs serve as role models for younger campers, assist with leading activities, and participated in focused LT specific programming.
What is life like at camp?
Meals
Camp food is nutritious and plentiful! Campers get breakfast, lunch, a midday snack of fruits and veggies, and a hearty dinner. Hydration is taken seriously, and water breaks are frequent. Campers and staff with special dietary needs, including vegetarians, vegans, and folks with food allergies, should communicate their needs when registering for camp.
Facilities
Camp takes place on the grounds of Camp Kirby on Samish Island, and at Camp Waskowitz in the Cascade foothills. In both locations, wildlife abounds. Campers can run in open grassy areas, hike the woods, play games in the lodge, or hang out in the arts and crafts shed. At Camp Kirby campers can swim and kayak under lifeguard supervision, play a pickup game on the basketball court, or visit the archery range and climbing wall at the top of the hill. Camp Waskowitz boasts a swimming pool, extensive hiking trails, and an idyllic riverside setting.
Cabins & Bathrooms
At both locations, campers sleep on bunk beds in enclosed cabins. Cabins are typically gender inclusive, with campers and counselors of multiple genders residing together. At Camp Kirby, the main bathrooms are divided by gender and are located a short walk from the cabins. At Camp Waskowitz, the main bathrooms are gender inclusive and are in the same building as the cabins. Both locations also offer single occupant bathrooms to all campers.
What should you bring to camp?
Packing Tips
Campers’ belongings should be kept in duffles/suitcases. Label all items in permanent marker to ensure everything goes home with its owner at the end of the session. A mesh or canvas laundry bag can help keep dirty clothes separated from clean during the week. Extra gallon zip-top baggies pre-labeled with campers’ names makes for easy pack-up at the end of the week. Belts are great for cinching sleeping bags and pillows.
Headgear. Hats, bandana, hair elastics, combs, brushes.
Clothing. Shorts, skirts you can play in, long pants; long and short-sleeved shirts; sweatshirts; undies and socks; PJs; 2 swimsuits; poncho or raincoat. Some campers choose to bring a special outfit for the dance.
Footwear. Open-toed/backless shoes such as flip-flops are not permitted as general footwear around camp. Sneakers/hiking boots x2 pairs; flip flops for shower shoes. Many campers/staff find that water-proof shoes such as Keens, or water slippers are good for swimming and boating.
Toiletries. Toothbrush, toothpaste, liquid soaps/shampoos, deodorant, menstrual/period products, shaving items. Campers will not have shelves on which to keep toiletries, so a caddy or bag is recommended. Electric hair care items should be left at home.
Bedding. Pillow, sleeping bag and/or blankets and sheet. A fitted sheet can make sleeping on camp mattresses feel more comfortable for many campers who use a sleeping bag.
Personal items. Bug spray; sunblock; water bottle; flashlight; two large towels (for shower and beach); watch; eyeglasses; sunglasses. While cabins have electricity, outlets are limited. Electric items should be left at home.
Optional: books, binoculars, swim goggles, notebook, sketchbook, musical instruments, cameras, stuffed animal pals, deck of cards, sports gear.
Medications with administration instructions, including over-the-counter meds like ibuprofen or vitamins, will be given to the camp nurse upon arrival and check-in.
Changing Bodies
Many campers are approaching–or in the throes of–adolescence. Staff are sensitive to this and responsive in accommodating a camper’s unexpected need for personal items during the week. Close quarters mean that campers may notice some of their peers shaving or using products like deodorant. Parents can talk with their children before camp about their decisions to use or not use products. Campers should never hesitate to speak with our camp nurse or head counselors if something concerns them at camp.
Footwear
Your camper will be required to wear closed toe footwear at all times, including at the beach. Please be sure to pack shoes that your camper will be comfortable wearing throughout the day in either sunny or rainy weather. A second pair of old shoes, or shoes specifically designed for beach wear, are also recommended. Open toed shoes like sandals or flip flops are only permitted as shower shoes and are not allowed at the beach or as day to day footwear.
What should you leave at home?
Technology
Camp is about slowing down and connecting with people and nature. In order to facilitate this goal, campers will need to leave their electronic devices at home. The only electronic devices that campers will be permitted to have are those whose sole purpose is to take pictures. If your camera is also capable of playing games, running apps, or communicating with the outside world, it will need to be left at home.
Food
Food in cabins attracts pests that make camp life miserable for everyone. As such, campers will not be permitted to have any food in their cabins. If a camper is hungry outside of our regular meal times, a healthy snack will be made available to them.
Pets
Unfortunately, other than service animals, our campsite strictly prohibits pets, even for brief “potty stops” during camper pickup and drop-off. If you need to bring your pet along during pick-up or drop-off, please feel free to walk them on the roads leading up to the campground entrance, but otherwise keep them in your car.
