Guys! If you’re in or near Tacoma, and you’d like your kids to have a few days or weeks of summer camp fun, you’re in luck. Metro Parks Tacoma has a bunch of cool, specialty camps that are still going on, and they do still have spots!

You do not have to live in Tacoma to sign up for one of these camps. Most of these are now being held outdoors, with special safety protocols, but obviously you’ll want to do your own research. The only one of these camps I know about personally is the Bricks 4 Kidz camp. My boys have done several of those.

As of this writing, each of these camps had spots, but they are limited, so if one of these sounds great to you, don’t wait long.  As always, I provided links so you can confirm all the details. I don’t have any relationship with any of these camps.

Fort Nisqually Camps 

Various camps for all ages, all but one of which has space available. Kids learn about history and enjoy a variety of old fashioned fun and games.

Martial Arts and Ninja Camp

Held at Wright Park for kids ages 4-10. All camps have spots as of this writing, including a full day option.

Dance and Arts Camps

Five dance camps still have spots, including Garden Fairy Ballet Camp, a one week dance intensive, and a Llama Llama ballet themed camp.

Tacoma Arts Live Camps

All the Tacoma Arts Live Camps have space, including drum camp!

Visual Arts Camp

We found four different arts camps that still have spots!

Skyhawks Lacrosse Camp

This is a trendy new sport around here!

Fencing Camp

If my kids were the right age for this one, they would totally be signing up!

Tennis Camp

Skyhawks has a variety of sports options still on the calendar.

Bricks 4 Kidz Camps

Lego and engineering type fun.

You can find even MORE options by going to the Metro Parks Tacoma camps page here.

Wondering where you can hike with your dog near Mt. Rainier or just looking for a good, easy hike that allows dogs and is fun for kids?

The short answer is that you can’t hike with your dog within the actual park, but there are several dog friendly hikes just outside the park on National Forest Land, and they are hikes that are kid friendly and dog friendly, so you can take the whole family!

Here are three favorites! I’ve linked to the WTA site for each of them, and I always encourage you to bring the Ten Essentials and check current conditions. Please also do make sure that you are recreating responsibly and that your four legged friend is a good canine citizen, so keep him leashed and under control and be prepared to clean up after!

Our rescue lab and the hubs at Skookum Falls-with water!

• Greenwater and Echo Lakes  This one is just after the little town of Greenwater (Watch the speed limit signs here!!) and well before the Mountain. It’s a great option for an easy, closer hike. There are a lot of skinny log bridges to cross, which may not be fun with a toddler. It’s shaded and gentle the whole way, with lots of lovely views of the river. Note from SFM-Early in summer the water will be high and fast. You may want to wait for later. In any case, do read the trip reports. There are also lots of good turn-around points-no need to go farther than you want!   This area would also be an excellent first backpacking destination. Open but trail reports mention bugs and some issues with out bridges. Go with a flexible spirit (and bug spray!). You’ll need a Northwest Forest Pass.

• Skookum Flats/Skookum Falls  Pretty views, and almost the whole hike is flat and shaded. You do have to scramble straight up a hillside if you want to get right up by the waterfall at the end-NOT for anyone but the sure footed (or mountain goats). Young children can just enjoy a peek-a-boo view. Do note that getting to the trailhead  requires going down one very bumpy road! If you want to see the waterfall in full force go during the late spring/early summer. Open; you need a Northwest Forest Pass. This is a very popular trail with mountain bikers and folks hiking with their dogs, so do be prepared to share the trail and socially distance. Also, you may need to go early to score parking.

• Sheep Lake A bit of this goes up hill, but it’s generally easy, and very pretty. The very first bit is the steepest, and may not be suitable for young children on their own.  We also had relatively little company on this one, something that can’t be said for most of the hikes on this list.  It ends at a bona fide alpine lake where kids (and your dog) could easily play the day away. You do need to bring bug spray. We got eaten alive doing this one late in August. Open; a few snow patches to cross. You will need a Northwest Forest Pass.

You might also like this post on easy hikes and nature walks, some of which are Fido Friendly.

Or this post has more options for kid friendly hiking at Mt. Rainier, but NOT with the dog.