What should my child wear each day?

We often state that our motto should be “We send them home tired, happy, and earthy!”  After a full day outside, our students’ clothes tend to show their growing enthusiasm for nature.  Please make sure that your child wears clothes that can get dirty and wet and still be comfortable for a day spent outdoors. Footwear should be comfortable for a day spent walking (and running) in the woods. Flip flops are NOT recommended.  Your child might also want to try going barefoot at some point in the day. Please discuss this with them and determine what works best for your family. In addition, our weather isn’t always sunny and warm! Please make sure that your child has a raincoat and a warm layer if necessary for the day. 

What should my child bring each day?

In general, each camper should bring a daypack (that THEY can carry) which holds the following items:

  • Lunch and snack
  • A refillable Water bottle (this is an absolute necessity for a day spent outsdoors!)
  • Any clothing to keep them comfortable outside

For camps that teach knife safety, campers may want to bring their own knives.  (We recommend a fixed blade knife like the Morakniv Companion.)  

More specific camp packing lists will be provided on individual camp information sheets emailed to you after registration.

Where are the camps located?

We currently hold camps at three different locations:

  • Pine Ridge Park (20330 83rd Ave W, Edmonds, WA 98026)
    • Camps: Little Chipmunks (ages 4-6)
  • Yost Park (9535 Bowdoin Way, Edmonds, WA 98020) (At this camp, we typically have two groups in the woods per week and we stagger their arrival and departure times)
    • 9am -3:30pm Camps: Shelters and Stealth (ages 8-13), Summer in the Woods (ages 8-13), and Forest Scientists (ages 8-13)
    • 8:30am- 3pm Camps: Explorers (ages 6-9), Forest Camp (ages 8-13), and Birds and Beasts (ages 8-13)
  • Coyote Camp at the Edmonds Unitarian Universalist Congregation (8109 224th St SW, Edmonds, WA 98026)
    • Camps: Primitive Skills (ages 9-13), Advanced Primitive Skills (ages 10+), Teen Survival Skills (ages 12+), and Wild Womxn (ages 12+)

What are your behavior expectations for summer camp?

At Quiet Heart, we focus on the three R’s: Respect for your Self, Respect for Each Other, and Respect for this Place.  We spent time on the first day of each camp talking about what these three R’s mean and how we can live them.  If a student has a moment during the day where they are not honoring the three R’s, we will take them aside and engage them in a discussion about how to show respect.  If the behavior continues, the student may be asked to take a moment away from the group to calm themselves down and create a personal plan of action for how to regain that respect.  Often students might prefer physical activity such as running up and down a hill or pulling invasive ivy to help them focus and return to the group.  We will help students determine what works best for them, and facilitate these interventions.  If the student continues to be disrespectful, parents and Quiet Heart administration are contacted and a new plan of action will be created.  Quiet Heart staff, administration, and/or parents may determine that a student is not ready for our camp environment due to their behavior.  If a student is asked to leave, no refund of camp tuition will be given.  Certain behaviors such as hitting, bullying, or acts of self-harm require immediate administrative and parental assistance.

Can we arrive at camp late?

Imagine that you are a wilderness instructor.  You’ve just gathered all of your students, plus your teen counselors and headed to a new area of the park.  Upon arrival at your destination, you get a phone call that your missing student is an hour late and has just arrived at the park.  Now you must stop your intended plan and send a counselor off to get the student.

Now imagine you are a wilderness student.  Your instructor has just explained a difficult new skill. Everyone is just about to begin, and is needing a lot of assistance.  However, a late student has just arrived.  The instructor can’t help the group because they have to re-explain the skill, and now the whole group is a bit lost.

We understand that things come up.  Dentist appointments are planned months in advance.  Cars break down.  We are flexible and will work with you.  However, please try to be respectful of the instructors and the group and arrive at camp on time each day.

My child is excited to learn how to whittle this summer! Which camps will be learning how to carve?

For many of our Quiet Heart campers, learning knife safety, becoming certified for knife use, and beginning to independently whittle or carve is a highlight of their Quiet Heart experience.  The following camps will provide opportunities for whittling and/or knife work this summer:

  • Summer in the Woods (ages 8-13)
  • Primitive Skills (ages 9-13)
  • Advanced Primitive Skills (ages 10+)
  • Wild Womxn (ages 12+)

Some camps will teach knife safety but will not be focused on whittling, rather using knives and other sharp tools for specific project based circumstances.  These include the following:

  • Teen Survival Skills (ages 12+)

If I register my child for more than one session of the same camp, will they end up just doing the same activities over again?

Yes and no. :) Our instructors begin with a plan for the summer, but also tailor activities to the needs and interests of the group.  If there are a lot of repeat campers in a particular session, the instructors will adjust the activities so that they are exposed to new skills and concepts.  That being said, many of our activities are lifelong learning skills that only improve with practice.  Our students won’t master most skills the first time they try them.  Some of these core skills such as cordage making, fire building, carving, camoflage, shelter building, and navigation will be repeated from camp to camp and your child will benefit from the extra exposure.  Trust us.

What is a “Sit Spot” and why do so many Quiet Heart programs include it?

Nature awareness and creating connection to place are some of our most important goals as wilderness educators.  As a result, Sit Spot is an integral part of our program. A sit spot is a special place chosen by each student, within boundaries set by our instructors.  During Sit Spot time, the students will spend time independently in nature, using all their senses to observe and become aware of what is going on around them.  Often, our instructors will pose a question to help newer students focus their mind. However, the experiences our students have during sit spot time often go well beyond our question of the day.  By learning to quiet their bodies and minds, students are able to become part of their special place. At the end of sit spot time, students return to the group with stories to share. We’ve had students tell us everything from evidence that animals have been near their spots and the colors of the plants around them to animal sightings like Barred Owls.  Experiences during sit spot create the foundation for long-lasting personal connection with nature.

What happens if the air is too smoky? Will you still hold camp?

With regard to smoke, Quiet Heart does its best to balance the health concerns of smoky air and the needs of families to keep camp running as scheduled.  In general, once the Air Quality Index is from 101 to 150 (Orange Level, or “Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups”) we will continue to hold camp, but adjust our activities toward less strenuous physical exertion.  As the AQI reaches 151 to 200 (Red Level or “Unhealthy”), we will consider canceling camp depending on the forecast for the day. We will notify families via email regarding our decision by 8am. Unfortunately, in line with our cancellation policy, we will be unable to reimburse families for any camp time cancelled due to weather or other natural occurrences.   Occasionally, we may decided to try to hold camp, but will evaluate throughout the day.  In this instance, families will be notified that they need to be prepared to pick up their students if we determine that conditions are deteriorating and it is in the best interest of the students to close camp for the day.

What is the plan with regard to rain and/or thunderstorms?

Our camps are held outside rain or shine.  Campers should pack weather appropriate clothing to keep them comfortable for a day spent outside in all weather conditions.  In the event of a sudden thunderstorm, campers will be taught basic storm safety precautions when in the outdoors. In addition, for camps located at Yost Park or EUUC, we will be able to use buildings on site for emergency shelter.  If severe thunderstorms are forecasted, we may choose to cancel camp for camper safety. We will notify families via email regarding our decision by 8am. Unfortunately, in line with our cancellation policy, we will be unable to reimburse families for any camp time cancelled due to weather or other natural occurrences.

Do you provide financial aid for students?

Yes! We are happy to announce that starting in 2023 we will be offering financial assistance on a sliding scale to families where the financial burden of camp would be a barrier to participation.  Please check out our Financial Aid page for more information.