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Camps

Four campers in PFDs smile for the camera as they lounge on their paddleboards on the Wenatchee River.
River Wild 2 Camp 2025

Important Forms & Policies

Outdoor Fun with Friends

At the Wenatchee River Institute (WRI), we believe the best place to spend a day off is outside. WRI's Youth Camps focus on connecting youth to the natural world, making new friends, and having fun! Camps are offered throughout the year and topics can be seasonally specific. Students will learn about the world around us, play fun games, explore the trails on the WRI campus, spot birds, make art, and more!

Summer Camp Slideshow
  • In the distance, a group of campers paddling on the river on paddle boards on the Wenatchee River.

    River Wild campers stay cool on the river with paddle boarding, tubing, and river exploration, gaining skills and knowledge to continue adventuring even when camp is over...

  • Three young girls pose with their salmon fry that they are about to release into Icicle River during Cool Critters Camp.

    In Cool Critters Camp, campers get to know all the incredible critters that live in and around Leavenworth. Here, three campers get ready to release salmon fry into the Icicle River!

  • Four campers pose with a tote of lettuce they just harvested at a local farm during Soil to Snack Camp.

    Campers have fun in the garden, make delicious snacks, discover cool critters that help our food grow in Soil to Snack Camp...

  • A student poses for the camera as she is climbing a rock face.

    Campers reach new heights while rock climbing in the great outdoors and an indoor climbing gym, all while getting to know the cool rocks around Leavenworth in Rock On! Camp...

  • A camper lets her arrow fly towards the target at the Leavenworth National Fish Hatchery during Kids in the Wild Camp.

    In Kids in the Wild Camp, campers learn hands-on skills needed for outdoor survival, including knowledge of local plants, shelter-building, archery, navigation skills, and more!

  • A group of campers pose with the charcoal painting artwork at Lake Wenatchee.

    Campers explore their creative side by making art inspired by the natural world while learning art techniques from local artists. Here, they show off their charcoal paintings they did at Lake Wenatchee State Park...

  • A group of students in life jackets by the river showing off their favorite rock of the day.

    There is even a place for middle school students to thrive and have fun outside with friends! Here, a group poses on a river day during Middle School Adventure Camp!

  • An educator helping a camper paint their masterpiece during Amazing Artists Camp.

    In Amazing Artists Camp, young campers explore their creative side by learning new art techniques, and play lots of games outside...

  • Three young girls aiming their binoculars at the camera at Lake Wenatchee State Park.

    In Forest Friends Camp, campers embark on adventures with friends along wooded trails and down by the river, and make new discoveries...

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WRI typically offers youth day camps during fall break, mid-winter break, spring break, and in the summer through July and the first half of August.

For summer camp registration, WRI uses a lottery system. Our hope is that the system will offer more equitable access to WRI Summer Camps and alleviate stress around registration. The lottery process happens in late February and early March each year. Come back here for more information about the lottery for Summer Camps 2026 in January and February 2026. Sign up for the E-News to be the first to know about upcoming camps and the lottery. 

We want every child to have a chance to learn and play outside with us. WRI's Youth Camps are priced in the Pay What You Can structure to make camps as affordable as possible to all families. It is our hope that some families will have the ability to pay a little more to offset the costs for families who cannot. 

Upcoming Camps:
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If camps you have already registered for are cancelled, the Wenatchee River Institute will refund 100% of the registration fees. If you have questions about COVID-19 and the Wenatchee River Institute, please call us at 509-548-0181 or email us at programs@wenatcheeriverinstitute.org.

Important Forms & Policies

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