Summer Events

Check out Informing Families Summer Resources for great ideas for all Washington families caring for people with an Intellectual and/or Developmental Disability (I/DD). You’ll find low-cost and free summer activities, outdoor recreational resources, and safety resources. 

Continue reading below for local activities. 

Hello Summer

Table of Contents

Preparing for Summer Starts in January

Preparing for Summer (YouTube) If you are like me, your heart starts to race after the holidays thinking about what the summer will look like for your child with Autism Spectrum Disorder. At the first of the year, many summer camps and recreational events start to open. In this training we will attempt to help reduce your anxiety and provide ideas and resources to make the summer break for your child structured and flexible to meet your family’s support needs after school breaks for summer. Bonus! Easterseals’ Camp Stand By Me director, Scott Webb, presents the benefits of summer camp and how to enroll.

Classes and Internships

Goodwill Kitsap Job Training And Education – Register for job training and education; see schedules for upcoming classes, the Open Job Lab, and the Employment Preparation Workshop.

Enrichment/Respite

Alta Vista Integrated Life Services We are committed to empowering our community! Whether you’re looking for an early learning class, sign language course, social skills groups, parent education class, or therapy support group, we are here for you! We offer in-house, as well as community-based learning opportunities. Contact [email protected] to inquire about a community class or group at your agency. Sliding scale fees available upon request and need, for all services.

Easterseals Gateway Adult Services – These programs provide enrichment for people who benefit from supervision but who require minimal assistance with most activities of daily living. New! Friday dance club. 

Stephan’s House offers adults with developmental disabilities a supportive environment and healthy life-enhancing activities. They have all-day programs for adults with I/DD having more independence.

vITAlize Kitsap Our individualized programming offers lifelong learning opportunities. Members gain new skills needed in developing independence, participating in the community, taking part in healthy living activities, socializing with friends, finding employment, and practicing mindful recreation.

Snapology – Build Confidence In Your Child Through Hands-on Learning. At Snapology we help your child grow up with a thirst for knowledge. Snapology engages children ages 1-14 using LEGO® bricks, K’Nex and technology. While the kids are having fun with familiar toys, laptops and iPads, we sneak in the educational concepts.

Tiny Notes Enrichment Center is an enrichment program that was created with the vision to educate children with developmentally appropriate concepts, reinforced through the joys of play and music.We pride ourselves on being an inclusive program that serves children with special needs and from all walks of life. Our staff has education and experience to provide the best early childhood programs for your child! We offer a multitude of programs from Preschool to Birthday Parties and even Parent Night Outs! 

U.S. Naval Undersea Museum Summer Steam Join us on the Museum mezzanine for stay-and-explore style learning. We’ll feature a different STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, math) theme each week, with activities this week including engineering challenges! You can join us at any point while the programming is running, and stay as long as you’d like

Macaroni Kid

Macaroni KID Kitsap is an awesome FREE resource for families in Kitsap. It’s a website and a FREE weekly eNewsletter they will email you one time a week with free or inexpensive kid- and family-friendly events and activities in Kitsap County. They also offer helpful articles, craft ideas, giveaways, fun things to do at home, and more!

Equestrian

Horses Guiding Humans (Graham) Equine Assisted Mental Health (EAMH/EAP) services for Military/Veterans, children, young adults, individuals and couples. 

The Whole Horse Place (Port Orchard) partners senior horses with children and adults of all abilities, foster children, and the broader community. 

Exercise and Recreation

Bowling Kids Club in Kitsap County! – All summer long, kids ages 17 and under are invited to bowl 2 FREE games at All Star Lanes in Silverdale and Hi Joy Bowl in Port Orchard. Just pay for the shoe rental, which is $4.50 plus tax at both locations.

Bremerton Ice Center Join us for a public skate session! Check out our calendar for open days and times.

Skyhawks Kids Sports Camps & Clinics – variety of sports camps available for different ages. 

Special Olympics

  • BKATS Sports is a local organization that works in conjunction with Special Olympics Washington.
  • South Kitsap Special Olympics provides people with intellectual disabilities in South Kitsap a place to play and feel included.

YMCA Gig Harbor – Adaptive swimming program – call (253) 853-9622 and ask for Aquatics Director, Christina Shelton

Kitsap Regional Library

Please note that accommodations can usually be made and we want people with disabilities and their families to feel welcome at any library program; our libraries are open to all. Call ahead to any event on the Library’s Events calendar and the librarians will ensure an accessible event for you and your children. 

Summer Learning

The annual Kitsap Regional Library Summer Learning program offers self-paced reading and learning experiences for all ages. Summer Learning supports equal opportunity education through engaging reading and learning activities for school-age children and teens during summer break. Summer Learning also provides an engaging platform to participate in a self-selected learning activity and expand reading interests for adults.

Outdoors

Kitsap Live Steamers are a non-profit, 7.5″ gauge scale railroad located in the heart of Port Orchard. They offer rides to the public as well as provide demonstrations and promote education in railroad safety.

One Heart Wild Education Sanctuary – Public tours are available for families of children of all ages to come out, meet, and interact with our Sanctuary residents.  Parents and youth groups can contact them to set up an animal assisted self- development event for their group or a family tour. Animal relationships can foster a stable, compassionate, and relational space for people. 

Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium – certified as sensory-inclusive

The Seattle Children’s Play Garden is a 1-acre fully fenced garden in the heart of Seattle. Our mission is to provide children of all abilities a safe, accessible, and adventurous place to play.

Parks

Many municipal parks have summer programs and classes. Check their websites for updates. 
Bainbridge Island | Bremerton | Kingston | Port Orchard | Poulsbo 

Kitsap County Parks is committed to providing quality-of-life enhancing opportunities through the management of natural areas and specialized facilities, fostering community stewardship, and offering an outstanding service-oriented environment.

Washington State Parks offers passes that reduce or waive camping, moorage, watercraft launch fees, and day use for limited-income senior citizens, disabled veterans, foster parents, and people with disabilities.

National Parks

  • Every Kid Outdoors gives 4th Graders free annual passes which allows everyone in the car to get in for free.
  • ACCESS Pass is free for individuals with a permanent disability.

Summer and Weekend Camps

Keeping Kids Busy Through Summer: Summer Camp Alternatives

  • There are many inexpensive ways to entertain children over the summer
  • Check with local parks and recreation for activities, including those for children and youth with disabilities
  • Washington State Parks are wonderful for exploring as a family
  • Consult with family organizations, schools, and educators for ideas and information on programs

Kitsap & Outlying Areas

If you need help assisting camp staff with creating an inclusive experience at typical camps, ask us

Alta Vista ILS (Port Orchard) – We offer fun educational supervised activities for children of all abilities. Alta Vista offers art activities, and classes about science and cooking! Enroll now and don’t miss out on some summer fun!

Camp Beausite Northwest (Chimacum) has been serving the special needs community for over 30 years. Our story began in 1989 when it was discovered that the camp experience was not all inclusive – our mission strives for inclusivity, to this day, through the delivery of summer and weekend camp programs throughout the year. Ages 5- 99+

Camp Burton Christian Camp for Special Needs (Vashon Island) Our New Horizons Camp provides a welcoming Christian camping environment to youth who are developmentally disabled and/or who are mildly, physically disabled. Campers must be able to care for their own personal needs (eating, dressing, and restroom use) with minimal assistance and be able to participate in most camp activities. The Camp activities include swimming at the local pool, canoeing, carnival, games, archery, talent show, and campfires.

Camp Parkview (Vashon Island) is a 3 day camp for adults on July 28- August 2, 2024. This annual sleep-away camp for adults with disabilities is a unique experience that allows for fun, recreation, and togetherness in the lovely Northwest outdoors.

Camp Sealth’s (Vashon Island) longstanding commitment to diversity and inclusion make our summer camp a unique and fulfilling place for all campers. See their inclusion program.

Camp Stand By Me (Vaughn) offers week-long and weekend sessions for children (ages 7 and up) and adults who have any disability at our 17-acre accessible camp. The camp operates year-round.

Love Me For Me (Bremerton) at Marvin Williams Center 

Poulsbo Parks & Rec Summer Camps – ages 3-17

Skyhawks Kids Sports Camps & Clinics – variety of sports camps available for different ages. 

Summer Camp Guide (Macaroni Kids) Explore exciting summer adventures and activities for kids throughout Kitsap County! Dive into a diverse array of local camps, blending cherished classics with fresh, innovative programs. From captivating themes, to immersive nature experiences, there’s something for every interest! 

Tacoma Adaptive & Sensory Friendly Summer Camps provide inclusive environments tailored for individuals with diverse needs, including those with physical, developmental, or sensory challenges, fostering a supportive space where everyone can participate and thrive regardless of their abilities.

Tiny Notes Summer Programs – Camps begin on June 26 and have a different theme every week serving ages 3-10.

Washington

Arc of Washington’s Summer Camp Directory lists even more camps to around the states of Washington, Oregon, and Idaho but some listings may be out of date.  

Miracles and Memories Join us for an enriching summer camp created for children with varying levels of cognitive/ADD/ADHD, mobility, and developmental disabilities, ages K-12. This is a 10-week program, featuring a wide variety of activities, each designed to suit all skill levels. Our summer camp is designed to provide a safe environment that will allow and encourage the development of sensory, fine motor, and social skills as well as effective forms of communication.

National

Special Needs Camp Directory includes information on some of the Best Day and Overnight Special Needs Summer Camps in America

Bay Cliff Health Camp– Founded in 1933 and holding its first summer session in 1934, Bay Cliff Health Camp is a therapy and wellness center serving the needs of individuals living with disabilities. Bay Cliff provides multiple programs throughout the year and hosts several events for organizations aligned with our commitment to promoting health, happiness, and independence for people of all ages.

Summer Outdoor Events

These events occur annually. Summer is over, but we can look at the past to plan ahead. This section will be updated in 2024 with new information. 

Bedtime Books at Bethany

Join us for bedtime stories in the parking lot!

Dates: TBD

Bethany Lutheran Church School & Early Learning Center
151 Tremont St, Port Orchard WA
360-876-1300

Our sign language interpreter, Miss Alisa, is able to be at all of these events. 

Directions:

  1. Park as directed; sit in your car, lawn chair, or on a blanket
  2. Read-aloud books will be brought to you.
  3. Follow along together as the book is read.
  4. Go home with an additional book of your choice!

Fun at the Playgrounds

Fun at the Playgrounds is a free recreation program for Bremerton youth. Held at 3 playground sites in Bremerton, it is a drop-by program that provides safe summer fun geared towards children ages 6 to 12.

Visit Bremerton’s Summer Playground Program for details. 

Summer Concerts by the Bay in Port Orchard

Concerts by the Bay is located at the Port of Bremerton Marina Park Gazebo in Port Orchard. They are every Thursday from 6:30-8:00 pm. 

Download the schedule for details. 

Bainbridge Island Summer Events

Movies in the Park | Free | Friday Nights in August

Movies begin around 30 minutes after sunset. Parking is available off of Battle Point Road near softball fields.

Sounds of Summer Concert Series | Free | Wednesdays | 6:30-8:30p

Bring your lawn chairs, blankets, family, and friends, and join us on to hear FREE live music from highly celebrated artists from the Pacific Northwest. Pack a picnic or purchase dinner from an on-site local food truck. Parking is available off of Battle Point Road near softball fields.

View Bainbridge Island Parks Special Events for detailed list.