Family Camp

The kitchen prepares hearty, home-cooked meals. With advance notice, we can usually accommodate most dietary needs (e.g. nut-free; vegetarian; gluten-free). Our meat options are poultry-based. If you are concerned about meeting dietary needs, you are also welcome to bring supplemental food and snacks. Please refer to our Dietary Restrictions information page for more details.

Each family group will be assigned their own historic cabin or bunk room. Linens are not provided, so be sure to bring a sleeping bag, pillow, towel, personal toiletries, and a fitted sheet (twin size) for each person. Refer to the "Your Stay at Lake Crescent" section above for more information about the facilities. All cabins have heat and electricity. Wheelchair accessible facilities are available.

Some of the standard cabins do have bathrooms and showers in them and some do not. The bathhouse is easily accessible by a well-lit path in the cabin area. Standard cabins are assigned based on availability for the weekend. Historic cabins each have their own sink and toilet. Showers are located in the shared bathhouse.

Yes, there will be additional family cohorts on campus during each session. Each family cohort will have a designated sleeping area, eating area, and restroom to maintain physical distance. Education groups may include multiple family cohorts—up to 10 people. See our COVID-19 Health and Safety Plan for more information.

We strongly recommend thermals (long underwear) as well as wool or synthetic socks and sweaters due to the cool summer evenings we experience in Olympic National Park. We encourage participants to bring lots of clothing layers to stay warm, especially for small children and people who get cold easily.

NatureBridge's Lake Crescent campus has a moderate marine climate with pleasant summers and mild, wet winters. Summers are generally fair and warm, with high temperatures between 65° and 75°F. Summer is the driest season, though rainstorms are still possible. Winters are cool, with temperatures in the 30s and 40s at lower elevations. At any time of year, visitors should come prepared for a variety of conditions; rain gear and layered clothing is key to your comfort.

Although our program content is geared toward children ages 6-15, all ages are welcome. We have found that families with newborns, toddlers, and teens have all enjoyed our programs. If you are bringing children younger than age 4, please refer to your program's packing list to ensure you have all the materials you need for a comfortable stay.

We do not provide high chairs, booster seats, cribs, nightlights, strollers, extra clothing, or boots for small children. We encourage you to bring your own if your child needs any of these items.

Our staff have a Bachelor's Degree or equivalent work and training experience, cleared background checks, CPR certifications, epinephrine auto-injector certifications, and Wilderness First Responder certifications (an 80 hour wilderness medicine course). Educators are trained on Risk Management practices and are well-versed in our Emergency Preparedness Plan. Staff carry radios that communicate directly with the National Park Service emergency dispatch. Our campus is about a 30 minute drive from the closest hospital in Port Angeles. A National Park Service ranger station is located on Barnes Point.

There will be multiple options regarding activity level, including the length and difficulty of hikes, in order to suit varied abilities, comfort levels, and interests. During longer programs, we may hike up to five miles over a variety of terrain. We aim to provide a variety of programming options to meet the interests of all families, but we always give families the option to do their own thing. We require that all children be under your direct supervision at all times. If you choose to leave campus during your stay, we ask that you let our staff know where you are so we can account for you in the event of an emergency.

The drive to Lake Crescent typically takes 3 to 3.5 hours from Seattle. Please note that the ferries can be busy. You may save time if you drive around via the Tacoma Narrows bridge rather than waiting in a long line at the ferry. In the summer, the trip can take much longer due to increased traffic from tourism and construction. We recommend that you check on the Washington State Department of Transportation Website for more information, including real-time information about traffic, ferries, and road conditions.

We are flexible. As long as we know when you are planning to arrive, we can make arrangements and help you settle into your cabin and join the program. You are welcome to depart the program early; however, we do not provide program discounts for late arrivals or early departures.

Verizon, T-Mobile, and AT&T wireless devices generally work on our campus. An emergency landline phone is located in the Fireside Room in the Rosemary Inn building.

Free wireless internet is available in our main buildings, but may not be available in the sleeping areas. Internet service can be intermittent.