Summer is in full gear and for many parents, that means even more juggling than usual. We at WA Charters, have put our heads together and crowdsourced some hot tips on summer activities and resources in different areas:
STATEWIDE
Elevate Washington Youth Program Directory: From camps and after-school classes to services and support, this directory features programs that help build lifelong skills, improve academic performance, provide safe spaces outside the school day and inspire young people to discover their passions.
For summer programs, click here.
SEATTLE / WEST SEATTLE / KING COUNTY
Summer camps are filling up quickly this year, but there are still some local summer programs with open spots. Check out this list of camps with openings!
More resources listed below:
- Seattle Public Library
- King County Public Schools Technology Resource Centers
- ACE Academy
- PACE
- Coyote Central
- Seattle Housing Authority
- RVLA Summer Programming: offering boxing, cooking, dance, tutoring, and a Black male affinity group
- Seattle Parks and Recreation: Offering free and low cost day nature and sports day camps, as well as some arts and crafts, performing arts, and STEM/technology camps and programs. Virtual and in person programming.
- YMCA Summer Day Camps: Offering sports and activities day camps, including some STEM/technology programs. Financial assistance and sliding scale fees available.
- UW Summer Youth Programs: Remote/virtual summer courses for middle and high school students on different technology, arts, and science topics. Some open courses and courses with waitlist spots still available.
- Skate Like A Girl: Skateboarding day camp for youth ages 7-13. Waitlist spots available. Scholarships and financial aid available.
- All Together Skatepark: Skateboarding camp for youth ages 5-12, offering weeklong summer camps (with half day and drop in class options).
- Camp Indigo: A summer day camp offering online/virtual programming for transgender and gender diverse youth ages 4-17.
- Seattle Youth Symphony Orchestra: Offering hybrid (both in person and virtual) programming for youth musicians ages 7-15 who play string, wind, brass, or percussion instruments.
- Meter Music School: Summer music day camps for beginners and youth with some experience playing instruments, ages 5-13. Programming includes songwriting, singing, guitar and ukulele, and drums.
- Destination Science: In person and virtual educational science day camps for youth ages 5-11.
- Youth In Focus: Offering in person and virtual photography camps for youth ages 9-12, with camps focusing on nature photography, portraiture, street photography, videography, photojournalism, and working in a photo darkroom. Waitlist spots available.
DES MOINES / SOUTH SEATTLE
Community Resources:
- SeaTac Community Center
- To receive support, Safe Futures Youth Center
- Matt Griffin YMCA
- Federal Way Community Center
- Sea Mar Community Health Centers
- Sea Mar Community Center
- Opening up, Des Moines Farmers Market
- To hang and cool down, Des Moines Marina — they have a free day at the aquarium as well
- Des Moines Library has opened back up — Used to offer tutoring services, parents can visit the website to check out their summer events i.e. painting.
- 320th Federal Way Library — happens to have a 3D printer!
- Woodmont Library
SPOKANE
Community Resources:
- Lumen High School Summer 2021 Resource Guide
- Spark Central Spokane — Lots of workshops for writing, creative arts, gaming both video and board games, community all ages events, etc. Here is a list of good community & learning resources here.
- Spokane Parks and Recreation – Summer Activity Guide: from swimming pools, to art classes, to outdoor recreation, camps, and more
- COMMUNITY CENTERS
- LIBRARY RESOURCES
- Spokane Public Library: Kids/Teens learning resources
- List of which libraries are open right now
- COOLING CENTERS
- Spokane Public Schools: Twitter feed posted some resources for cooling off
- Spokane Transit Authority: the STA plaza is open and they are offering free rides to cooling centers
- KXLY News 4 has posted a list of places to cool off as well
- CHILDCARE RESOURCES:
- Vanessa Behan: crisis nursery and shelter for young parents needing help, they also have some community childcare options for children under 7
- Spokane Cares