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!

WRI offers youth day camps during the school year for fall break, mid-winter break, and spring break for students in grades K-3, and in the summer in July and the first half of August for students entering grades 1-9! Learn more about camps below.

Summer Camp Slideshow

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...
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!
Campers have fun in the garden, make delicious snacks, discover cool critters that help our food grow in Soil to Snack Camp...
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...
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!
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...
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!
In Amazing Artists Camp, young campers explore their creative side by learning new art techniques, and play lots of games outside...
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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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. Sign up for the E-News to be the first to know about upcoming camps and the lottery. See more info below!

Check out some highlights from Summer Camps 2025!

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.

The Summer Camp Lottery 2026 is now complete and all remaining spots are open for general registration. Check out the list of camps below with open spaces. Click on each camp name for the full description and link to register.

Summer Camps with Open Spots (current list as of April 15, 2026)

Middle School Adventure (only 1 spot left!): June 29 - July 2, entering 7th-9th grades
WRI/Cashmere Museum Explorers in Cashmere: June 29 - July 2, entering 4th-6th grades
Creativity Camp at Icicle Creek Center for the Arts: July 13-17, entering 4th-6th grades
Kids in the Wild (only 1 spot left!): July 20-24, entering 4th-6th grades
Adventurous Artists (only 1 spot left!): August 3-7, entering 4th-6th grades
Pathfinders Outdoors Camp: August 3-7, entering 4th-6th grades

Pay What You Can: WRI is committed to continuing the Pay What You Can structure for camps. Each camp lists the full cost of camp on the registration page. Discount codes are available and listed in the camp descriptions to adjust the cost of camp.

Upcoming Camps:

WRI/Cashmere Museum Explorers Camp (entering 4th-6th grade)

June 29 - July 2, 2026, 10:00am-3:00pm daily

600 Cotlets Way

Cashmere, WA 98815

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Thank you to our 2026 Summer Camp Partners and Sponsors!

The Wenatchee River Institute is a 501(c)(3) registered nonprofit. EIN 20-5611326

Important Forms & Policies:

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

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