Connecting Kids to Fun Around the Sound

Join us as we continue our kayaking program for island youth entering grades 6-12. These events are for SEEK-qualified Youth only. See the Youth Kayaking Program page for more details!

Beyond these organized events, we are offering ticket packages - consisting of an event ticket, ferry tickets (youth + driver), and mileage reimbursement - for families to take their kids to events, complements of the Parks! This is available for all island youth entering K-12th grade.

You can request ticket packages for:

• Northwest Trek - Request tickets
• Point Defiance Zoo - Request tickets

REGISTRATION: You may register to request tickets, but because these are summer programs, we cannot distribute tickets until June 22, so please plan accordingly.

If you would like to propose an activity for funding, please contact us to discuss the opportunity. If it meets the criteria, we'll try to arrange to cover the fees for your kiddo. 

Islander and certified captain, Corey Feldon, will be offering sailing education & excursions for youth entering 2nd - 12th grades, with each excursion taking 6 youth out on an adventure. 

Events will take place on Wednesdays throughout summer break, June 22 - August 31 and will be available to resident and visiting youth.

The excursions lessons will include, but are not be limited to:

• “Rules of The Road”
• “Safety on the Water” (Instruction & Demonstration)
• “Sailing” (Instruction & Demonstration)
• “Local Maritime History”
• “Marine Mammal Education”
• “Stewards of the Sea Education”
• “Vessel Maintenance & Repair”
• and more!

All excursions depart from Oro Bay Marina, Anderson Island. The vessel is a well maintained & cared for 1979 Sloop Rigged Newport 30 MkII. All vessel surveys (hull & rigging) are current, as is the Liability Insurance through South Sound Sailing Tours. The USCG Credentialed Captain is Corey W. Feldon. Captain Corey carries an O.U.P.V. (6 pack) license and is First Aid & CPR qualified. The max limit of passengers is 6, not including the Captain & Crew. 

Planned day-long (approximately 8hr) excursions include sailing to the various water accessible local state parks, such as Kopachuck SP, Jarrell Cove SP, McMicken Island SP, Joemma Beach SP, Penrose Point SP, Hope Island SP, as well as Point Defiance Marina (with guided walk along Owen Beach). 

In partnering with local maritime organizations, such as the Foss Waterway Seaport Museum, we will also be able to provide in depth knowledge of our marine environment, as well as the local maritime history. Our excursion to the Foss Waterway Seaport Museum will allow participants to engage in a 90 minute program, followed by self guided museum time. 

Two three-day, two-night excursions to Blake Island State Park include sailing through the Tacoma Narrows (under the bridge) and Colvos Passage to reach the island. The kids and a chaperone will camp on Blake Island, enjoy the trails and marine environment, as well as learn the local Native American history of the island. We will camp for two nights and sail back to Anderson Island on the third day. Meals are included. 

REGISTRATION: 

FREE for all resident youth. FREE PASSES are no longer available for visiting youth.

All classes are now full, but click here to get on the waiting list in case of cancellations.

• June 22: Jarrell’s Cove State Park (COMPLETE) 
• June 29: Through the Tacoma Narrows (COMPLETE)  
• July 6: Foss Waterway Seaport Museum (COMPLETE)     
• July 13: Through the Tacoma Narrows (COMPLETE) 
• July 20: Jarrell’s Cove State Park (FULL) 
• August 3: Through the Tacoma Narrows (FULL)    
• August 10: Hope Island State Park (FULL)    
• August 17-19: Blake Island Camping Trip (FULL) 
• August 24: Penrose State Park (FULL) 
• August 31: Foss Waterway Seaport Museum (FULL)   

Thanks to a generous donation by Deloit Wolfe Jr and Christine Hample, we were able to give away 14 vouchers for FREE SAILING CLASSES to youth who were not island residents! This opportunity is now closed, but we're so grateful to have been able to offer this amazing experience to island neighbors.

Kurt Sample, islander and Director of Sound View Camp in Longbranch, has created a week-long overnight camp exclusively for island kids from August 7 - 13, leaving from and returning to the island (no extra transportation necessary). This program is for SEEK-qualified youth entering 5th - 10th grades (ages 10-15), and we have 16 spots available.

WHY CREATE THIS SPECIAL EVENT?

We believe that every Island youth needs to know... 

• How to paddle a canoe/kayak Solo Or with a friend 
• How to read a nautical chart 
• How to read a tide table 
• How to use a marine radio 
• How to use a compass 
• How to use a pocket knife 
• How to tie basic knots 
• How to light and tend a campfire 
• How to cook outdoors  
• How to safely rescue a person and right a capsized boat 
• How to recognize the flora and fauna of Puget Sound 
• How to care for our fragile planet, starting with Drayton Passage, Puget Sound
• How to pitch a tent and set up a campsite 
• How to be safe and responsible around the water 
• How to “unplug” and enjoy life outdoors with new and old friends
• How to value friendships 

TENTATIVE SCHEDULE (always adaptable) 

Sunday (August 7)

• 4:00 - a fleet of canoes and kayaks will meet families in Amsterdam Bay. Campers will travel to Sound View Camp by water. Parents with private boats are welcome to help. 

Monday - Friday (August 8-12)

• When the tide is high - campers will be exploring all the corners of Drayton Passage by boat. From the Devil’s Head to Filuchy Bay; from Treble Point to Eagle Island. 
• When the tide is low - campers will be learning important nautical “stuff” plus having fun with landlubber activities such as archery, the high ropes course, and outdoor cooking. 
• 
  

Saturday (August 13)

• Campers will canoe back to Amsterdam Bay first thing in the morning to stay ahead of the crazy low tide. Parents will be informed when and where to pick up their campers.  

MORE ABOUT BASE CAMP

• Sound View Camp (soundviewcamp.com) will serve as the base for the Drayton Expedition. Trained staff will provide an exceptional experience for all of the participants. 
• Campers will have home cabins to safely keep their belongings and grab a shower. 
• Nutritious, healthy and hearty food is served in the dining hall or is provided to the campers when they are cooking out or on an adventure. 
• A nurse is on staff. 
• Sound View is accredited by the American Camp Association. 
• The Sound View director, Kurt Sample, is a resident of Anderson Island. 
• Sound View Camp is located directly across from Amsterdam Bay. 
• Sound View Camp is affiliated with the Presbyterian Church (USA). However, the Drayton Expedition will not be run as a Christian camping program. Sound View’s programs are open to all.

Fun Fact: Drayton Passage is named for Joseph Drayton Joseph Drayton, who was an illustrator for the United States Exploring Expedition (1838-1842), and produced numerous drawings of fishes during the expedition, many of which are in the Smithsonian collection. Drayton also helped supervise the illustrations and engraving work for a number of the scientific reports which were published.

REGISTRATION: As we prepare for kayak training, registration is now closed.

AIPRD and its volunteers, in cooperation with Young Life, will offer 4 field trips for youth entering grades K-4th grade, leaving from the island in a 12-person van. Each excursion will have 9 youth and 3 adults, and cover the cost of admission, ferry ticket, and food.

Two field trips will be to NW Trek and two will be to Point Defiance Zoo. 

DATES:

• Tuesday, June 28th - Point Defiance Zoo - COMPLETE
• Friday, July 22nd - NW Trek - COMPLETE

We are partnering with the Lakewood Playhouse in the Lakewood Towne Center to send island kids to theater camps!

All camps for kids K-12 are eligible for free tuition for SEEK-approved youth. Here's a summary of their program:

LIT's focus is on nurturing students of all ages regardless of experience or individual needs by providing quality theatre education at an affordable price. At LIT our focal point is not just on producing high quality camp and class experiences, but equally to empower life skills for our students through the experience that theatre provides. These experiences included developing empathy, sense of self, confidence, teamwork, problem solving, effective communication and accountability. 

Assistance with ferry ticket costs is available upon request. Email programs@andersonislandparks.org for more info.  

REGISTRATION: 

Registration is now closed.

Go to their website to see full descriptions (but register with us): https://www.lakewoodinstituteoftheatre.org/summer-2022-classes-and-camps.html  

Here is a quick listing of all the offerings:  

For Ages 3-6 yrs. (must be potty trained)  

• Early Stars (1 week) – Tuition: $100   - June 20th -24th - 10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.  Presentation during the last 20 minutes of class, June 24th     

For Grades 1-3  

• Intro to Theatre (Acting Technique, 1 week) – Tuition: $75  - Dates: July 11th -15th - 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.  Presentation during the last 20 minutes of class, July 15th     
• Puppetry (Production Performance, 1 week) – Tuition: $200  - July 11th -15th - 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.  Performance, July 15th at 3:30p.m.     

For Grades 4-6  

• Preparing the Actor I (Acting Technique, 1 week) – Tuition: $75 - July 18th-22nd / 25th – 29th - 9:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m.  Presentation during the last 20 minutes of class, July 29th     
• Youth Play – Title TBA (Production Play, 1 week) - Tuition: $200  - July 18th-22nd / 25th – 29th - 12:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.  Performances July 29th at 4:00 p.m. & 30th at 11:00 a.m.     

For Grades 1-8  

• Annie Jr. (Musical, 2 weeks) – Tuition: $450  - June 27th-July 1st / 5th-8th  (No class July 4th) - 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.  Performances July 8th at 7:00 p.m., July 9th at 2:00 p.m. & 7:00 p.m.     

For Grades 4-12  

• Radio Play – Title TBA (Radio Show, 1 week) – Tuition: $250  - August 1st  - 5th - 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.  Performances August 5th at 4:00 p.m. & August 6th at 11:00 a.m.     
• Music Theatre Revue (Musical, 1 week) – Tuition: $250 -  August 15th-19th - 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.  Performances August 19th at 4:00 p.m. & August 20th at 11:00 a.m.     

For Grades 6-12  

• Macbeth (Production Play, 2 weeks) – Tuition: $325 -  July 11th -15th / 18th-22nd - 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.  Performances July 22nd at 7:00 p.m., July 23rd at 2:00 p.m. & 7:00 p.m.     

For Grades 7-12 

• Preparing the Actor II (Acting Technique, 3 Days) – Tuition: $200 -  June 27th  – 30th - 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.  Presentation during the last hour of class, June 30th     

For Grades 9-12 and 18+  

• Stage Management Workshop - (Theatre Administration, 1 week) – Tuition: $200 -  June 20th – July 24th - 6:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.     

Multi-Generational (Ages 7-90) 

• Pinocchio (Production Play, 3 weeks) – Tuition: $375 -  June 27th-July 1st / 5th-8th / 11th-15th - 5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.  Performances July 15th at 7:00 p.m., July 16th at 2:00 p.m. & 7:00 p.m.   

We're so excited to announce that we'll have a 5-week basketball camp again this summer! Youth ages 8-12 of all skill levels are encouraged to join the fun every Monday & Wednesday morning from 9:30-10:30, starting June 20th. This event is open to both island and visiting youth.

See the Youth Basketball page for all the details!

An island favorite is back in 2022! Camp will be held on the island July 11-13 (M-W) for youth entering 1st-6th grades, with 30 spots available. 

REGISTRATION:  

• Registration is full. 

See our Camp page for all the details!

Camp Sealth has been a local favorite of many island youth through the years, some returning to become counselors as they got older. This camp is on Vashon Island, and involves kids in planning their experience as soon as they arrive at camp. Due to extensive waitlists space is very limited but the Director of Camp Sealth is offering SEEK-qualified youth 6 spots in this year's Classic Camp program, for youth entering 1st-12th grades.

You can read details by age group and see activities lists at their website: https://campfireseattle.org/camp-sealth-overnight-camp/camp-descriptions/classic-camp/

Transportation will not be provided as part of this program.

REGISTRATION:

The lottery is complete and 6 lucky island kids are headed to camp this summer!

Nisqually Reach Nature Center is a long-time partner for the Parks, with its Director volunteering as one of our science instructors for AIPRD's Kids Nature Camp every year. 

Science Adventure Camp is their flagship camp for rising 8th-10th graders. It is focused on having fun and learning about environmental and marine science within the Nisqually Watershed. This year includes 3 nights of camping in La Wis Wis Campground and day hikes in Mt. Rainier National Park. 

Camp dates are August 1-5, with all pick-up and drop-off at the Nisqually Reach Nature Center. We are offering SEEK-qualified youth 2 spots in this year's Science Adventure Camp, for youth entering 8-10th grades.

Assistance with ferry ticket costs is available upon request. Email programs@andersonislandparks.org for more info.  

You can read details, including their 5-day agenda at their website: 

http://nisquallyestuary.org/education/summer-camps/science-adventure-camp/

REGISTRATION: 

Two island kids are headed to this amazing camp this summer!