Pond to Pines Summer Day Camp

Pond to Pines Summer Day Camps

DAY CAMPS FOR KIDDOS ENTERING KINDERGARTEN UP TO 5TH GRADE

9AM-3PM

Nestled in a ponderosa grove right outside Ellensburg, Camp Pond to Pines provides amazing nature-based experiences and true outdoor immersive exploration!

Our flexible schedules allow you to choose from 1 & 2-day camps to a full week of camp!

Located at the Yakima Canyon Interpretive Center, camp has a wonderful rustic feel that encourages exploration.

Campers learn through inquisitive and creative activities utilizing the scientific method, critical-thinking skills, and a great deal of imagination.

Enjoy the YCIC pond as you paddle and swim overlooking the majestic Stuart range. Participate in arts and crafts, group games, singing songs, hiking, and splash pads to beat the summer heat.

BASIC INFO:

We have outdoor education experiences for kindergarten through age 16. Pond to Pines is our day camp for campers ages K-5. Wild Horizons is our summer program for ages 10-16, which includes various adventure experiences and 1 week of day camp at the end of the summer. All day camps are M-F 9am-3pm unless otherwise noted. Wild Horizons adventure experiences vary in duration depending on the activity.

2026 CAMP DATES:

UPDATED June 2026:

This year, due to low registration numbers and a lack of funding, KEEN has decided to condense our Pond to Pines summer program into 3 weeks at the end of July. Pond to Pines Day Camp will be running from July 13 - 31. Wild Horizons will run for one week from August 3 - 7. Families are still able to register for "mini" camps during those times, choosing from 1 or 2 day options. Campers can still sign up for all 3 weeks - the more the merrier!

Registration deadline has been extended to June 31, 2026.

COST:

Camp Costs Vary - $60-$120

Limited Partial Scholarships Available - sign up through the "Financial Aid Registration" form below!

CAMP INFORMATION PACKET

REQUIRED CAMP FORMS

FINANCIAL AID REGISTRATION

CAMP DESCRIPTIONS:

WILD HORIZONS ADVENTURE CAMP - JUNETEENTH RIVER FLOAT - JUNE 19

FULL

7 people max
Ages 10-16
All gear and lunches included
Cost: $80
Includes prep, naturalist expert, and post float fun

POND TO PINES CAMP OUTDOOR SKILLS - MINI KEEN CAMP ADVENTURES! July 13 & 14 OR July 15 & 16 OR July 17

Outdoor Skills (July 13 & 14): Focus on outdoor skills including shelter building, plant identification, and more.
- Cost: $120
- Ages Kinder through 5th
Water Discovery (July 15 & 16): Swimming, fishing, fun camp games.
- Cost: $120
- Ages Kinder through 5th
Creative Critters & Crafts (July 17): Create nature art, learn about local wildlife, and enjoy storytelling.
- Cost: $60
- Ages Kinder through 5th

POND TO PINES CAMP PIRATE HUNT - MINI KEEN CAMP ADVENTURES! July 20 & 21, OR July 22 & 23 OR July 24

Pirate Treasure Hunt (July 20 & 21): Participate in a treasure hunt, learn about map-reading, and enjoy a pirate-themed snack.
- Cost: $120
- Ages Kinder through 5th
Water Exploration (July 22 & 23): Swimming, fishing, river ecology, trail games.
- Cost: $120
- Ages Kinder through 5th
Creative Critters & Crafts (July 24): Nature art, storytelling, local wildlife focus.
- Cost: $60
- Ages Kinder through 5th

POND TO PINES CAMP BE A SUPERHERO MINI KEEN CAMP ADVENTURES! July 27 & 28, July 29 & 30 OR July 31

Superhero Training Academy (July 27 & 28): Participate in superhero-themed games, learn about teamwork, and create superhero-themed art
- Cost: $120
- Ages Kinder through 5th
Water Exploration (July 29 & 30) FULL: Paddleboarding basics, swimming, pond ecology, trail games.
- Ages Kinder through 5th
Cost: $120
Creative Critters & Crafts (July 31): Nature art, storytelling, local wildlife focus.
- Cost: $60
- Ages Kinder through 5th

WILD HORIZONS ADVENTURE - WATER WATER EVERYWHERE - August 3 & 4, August 5 & 6 OR August 7

All About Water (August 3 & 4): Focus on water chemistry, critters that rely on water, water-based games.
- Cost: $120
- Ages 10-16
Water Exploration (August 5 & 6): Paddleboarding basics, pond and river ecology, trail games. River Float.
- Cost: $180
- Ages Ages 10-16
Creative Critters & Crafts (August 7): Nature art, storytelling, local wildlife focus.
- Cost: $60
- Ages 10-16

WILD HORIZONS ADVENTURE - CAMPING SKILLS - AUGUST 22-23

Camping Skills Adventure (Aug 22-23): Learn basic camping skills, participate in nature games, and stay overnight in the yurts at YCIC.
- Cost: $120
- Ages: 10-16

Are you ready to LEAD? Take the Leadership Readiness Quiz!

KEEN LEADERSHIP CAMPS

Leadership programs are available for campers entering grades 6-12. These camp programs deepen older campers' understand of what leadership development means and gets them excited about mentoring others.

Is your camper interested in trying a leadership camp? Have your kiddo thoughtfully and honestly complete the leadership readiness questions below by selecting their answers for each questions. Find our which leadership session is best for them by totaling the answers.

PROGRAM ON HOLD PENDING HIRING

It might be a good idea for you to wait until next year to try a leadership program. Try one of our 5-7 day overnight tripping programs to gain confidence in your leadership skills.

You are ready to try a leadership camp! Sign up for the CIT 1 program so you can explore your leadership skills and style.

You are ready to take the next step! Sign up for the CIT 2 program and get ready to put those amazing leadership skills to use!