Category: Animal Magic

As you know, I instruct with the Vashon Wilderness Program. Each day with the kids is truly a magical experience. Kids develop an intimate relationship with nature that translates to deep connection to themselves, each other,  and to community through ways that feel like play and are play! You can read about our Coyote Mentoring approach here. This is the creative mentoring style that I bring to all my work, including here at Forest Halls.

This year VWP is offering truly wondrous summer camps. If you are on the island, have connections to our island, or want an excuse to pass a week (or more!) on our beautiful, relaxing island, do check out the camp descriptions and see which ones may be a fit for your kids or for the special child in your life. We even have a camp this year for kids and their special grown-up!

I’m super-excited  to be teaching in three of the camps (listed below). And I am delighted to be teaching within an incredible team. All of the instructors with VWP are top-notch, and each one is caring, skilled, and possesses their own unique magic which they love to share. Read all about VWP’s instructors here. You can read about me as an instructor too :-).

All of the camps promise to be fun and fabulous, and woven with story–the stories threaded into the themes of the camp, the stories that we create together, and the inner story that each participant uncovers for themselves by just being who they are in nature and with one another. Again, check out the info on the full offering of summer camps, as well as for more info on the camps in which I’ll be teaching.

Want some glimpses of camp adventures? Here are two posts I wrote about teaching the 4-6 year old camp last year:

Magic By The Pond – A post about our day, plus a fun challenge/opportunity that you and your kids can engage with together.

Magical Forest Music – This post starts with activities you can do with your family, and concludes with a snippet of how we (kids and instructors) co-created musical magic with the forest.

Note that enrollment opens on Feb. 1, and is first-come, first-served!

Woodland Ways: Faeries and Elves Nature Camp

Ages 4-6; July 6-10, 9am-1pm

We will learn the quiet, mysterious ways of the forest fairies and elves to become invisible, follow the hidden trails of our animal friends, create forest feasts, construct ephemeral shelters, and more.

Cedars and Saplings: Forest Family Adventure Camp 

Ages 4-6 and their Special Grown-up; July 13-17, 9am-1pm

Nature is home to many families of creatures, including yours! Bring your mom, dad, aunt, uncle, grandparent, or other special grown-up for this unique week of nature connection – together!. Magic, mystery, and adventure await as we uncover our special relationship with the birds, plants, animals, and each other through gentle nature wanders, sensory awareness games, stories, songs, nature art art and more. Price includes one camper and adult family member.

Secrets of the Greenwood: Herbal Magic Camp for Girls

Ages 7-10; July 27-31, 9am-3pm

The plants have special messages for you, and the trees speak of a mysterious mission. Come enter the hidden world of the greenwood! In this farm and forest adventure we’ll learn the secret language of plants and discover their healing power. We’ll make fairy feasts, forest folk remedies, flower essences, and more.  We’ll make friends with plants and each other, play super-fun nature games, share stories, sing, follow mysteries, journal, adventure in the greenwood, and so much more. Come discover the magic of the herbal world around us and our unique relationship with these green beings!

In this camp we are pleased to spend part of most days at Sister Sage Herb Farm. This farm is where Sister Sage sustainably grows and nourishes the medicinal herbs used in their hand-crafted remedies sold at Pikes Place Market and online.

Once again, enrollment opens Feb. 1 and is first come, first served. Visit the Vashon Wilderness Program website to find out more about the above camps and more!