Wild and Free: Bend Outdoor Summer Camps for Every Explorer
As a parent with two kids in elementary school, I know how difficult navigating the world of summer camps can be. It feels like every year, registration for summer camps starts earlier and earlier, and you have to be on your game to know how, when, and where to register. Fortunately, there are an abundance of options for kids in Central Oregon that are rich in outdoor adventure, environmental learning, and just good summer camp vibes. Here is a non-comprehensive guide to summer camps that are available through our network of partners, plus a few extra.
Bend Park and Recreation District
Bend Park and Recreation District offers a TON of amazing outdoor camps including the classic Cougar Camp, plus camps focused on wilderness survival, bushcraft, and more. Their Summer 2025 will come out in March.
https://www.bendparksandrec.org/playlist/
Dates: all summer
Ages: 6-14
Cost: varies, scholarships available
Registration: opens on March 17-18
Wildheart Nature School
With everything from primitive skills to nature art, Wildheart offers a wide range of theme-basesd camps including Dragon Riders, Mythic Merfolk, Wilderness Preparedness, Girls Empowerment and more. Wildheart was voted “Best Summer Camp” in the Bend Nest Parenting magazine two years in a row!
https://wildheartnatureschool.com/summer-camps/
Dates: all summer
Ages: 3.5-12
Cost: $225-$469
Registration: open
The Environmental Center
The Environmental Center has two fun summer camp options – the Eco Hero Adventure Camp, where campers learn about sustainable food, renewable energy, environmental ethics, all while exploring Bend by bike, and Forest Explorers, which is all about outdoor play and forest exploration. Forest Explorers is traditionally offered at Skyliner Lodge, but the location is TBD this summer. Stay tuned for details.
https://envirocenter.org/programs/youth-education/summer-camps/
Dates: June 23-26 (Eco Hero), August 4-7 and 11-14 (Forest Explorers)
Ages: entering 1st-6th grades
Cost: not announced
Registration: coming soon
Think Wild
Think Wild offers three week-long summer camps exploring different parks and outdoor areas around Bend. Wild Wonders promotes outdoor, hands-on learning about Central Oregon wildlife and the diverse habitats they call home.
https://www.thinkwildco.org/summercamps/
Dates: June 23-27, July 7-11, July 21-25
Ages: entering 1st-6th grades
Cost: $325, scholarships available
Registration: open
Sunriver Nature Center
For the budding scientists, Sunriver Nature Center offers a Nature Camp and a Space camp, both full of hands-on science activities, games, art activities, and exploring outdoors.
https://snco.org/learn-explore/educational-programs/kids-camps-classes/
Dates: all summer
Ages: 6-12
Cost: $250
Registration: Opens March 12
Nighthawk Naturalist School
Nighthawk Naturalist School offers immersive outdoor programs focused on wilderness skills and connection to the natural world. They offer a range of camp themes including archery, bushcraft, survival, and nature connection.
https://www.nighthawknaturalistschool.com/summercamps
Dates: all summer
Ages: 7-15
Cost: $250-325
Registration: open, more dates coming soon
Mini-Mavericks
Mini-Mavericks is offering several weeks of summer camp at their 10-acre farm. Their program focuses on creating memorable experiences outdoors, learning, adventure, and stewardship.
https://www.maverick-outdoors.com/summer-camps
Dates: June-July
Ages: 2-8
Cost: $115-$410
Registration: open
R.A.D. Camps
R.A.D. Camps offer something unique – daily adventures, rather than weeklong camps. They visit over 50 unique locations in the forests and mountains of Central Oregon and focus on fun, unstructured play, and appreciation for the natural world.
Dates: all summer
Ages: 4-17
Cost: $89-99/day
Registration: open
Snowgoose Camps
Snowgoose Camps get kids exploring Central Oregon’s outdoor areas including parks, lakes, rivers, and caves, with each day bringing a new adventure. Each day includes a journey, nature art or journaling, and water play.
https://snowgoosecamps.renderforestsites.com/
Dates: all summer
Ages: 4-14
Cost: $400
Registration: open
Bend Forest School
Bend Forest School is offering a 1-month nature immersion early childhood program this summer. Their program focuses on uninterrupted and unstructured play time in nature and place-based connection.
https://www.bendforestschool.com/summer-sessions
Dates: June 30-July 31
Ages: 3-7
Cost: $1180-$1470 (for full month)
Registration: open
Limited Availability/Full
Camp Fire Central Oregon
In addition to their SummerKids program, Camp Fire has some fun outdoor options including, Tumalo Day Camp, which has been running for over 30 years at Tumalo State Park. This summer, they are also offering an Ecology Engineers camp, which combines outdoor exploration and robotics to learn about nature and its engineering challenges.
https://campfireco.org/programs/#summer
Dates: Tumalo Day Camp (June 23-27, July 21-25, August 18-22), Ecology Engineers – TBD
Ages: entering grades PreK-7th
Cost: $360-$435
Registration: Lottery-based, closed in January, but check back for potential openings on February 16
High Desert Museum
High Desert Museum offers a summer full of kids camps with a rotating schedule of weekly themes that blend education, games, and exploration around the museum. https://highdesertmuseum.org/kids-camp-summer/.
Dates: all summer
Ages: entering 1st-5th grades
Cost: $180-$300
Registration: Lottery-based, closed in January, but check back for potential openings on March 3
Camp Tamarack
Camp Tamarack offers the only week-long overnight camp in Central Oregon, full of summer camp fun. Activities include ceramics, paddle boarding, camping, crafting, archery, and more. These camps fill up fast in early January so mark your calendars for 2026!
https://www.camptamarack.com/summer-camp
Dates: all summer
Ages: 8-13
Cost: $700
Registration: open, all regular session and adventure team sessions are full for 2025
