Summer Camp at The PlayGarden

The PlayGarden offers a fully inclusive nature-based summer camp experience for children and youth with disabilities and their typically developing peers, ages 3.5-21. Camps are Monday-Thursday, from 9:30 am-1:30 pm. With a high staff to camper ratio, we are able to support every child in their quest for adventure and play!  

Parent Testimonial

“The PlayGarden just feels right. Other day camps have required a lot of work to support Alex and help him be able to have a good time. Here it was easy. I didn’t have to explain about his wheelchair, his communication device, or his disability. We didn’t feel self conscious, out of place, or rushing to keep up. I was impressed by the quality of the people working with the kids. They really engaged the kids, and supported and expanded on their play. Thank you!”

P. Toole

2026 Summer Camps Days & Times 

PlayGarden Summer camps are Monday-Thursday, 9:30am-1:30pm.  No camps are held on Fridays. We hold this time open for our Free Play program and to serve the broader community.

 

2026 Summer Camp Dates 

Thank you for an amazing 2025 summer! Exact dates for 2026 summer camp will be announced by March 2026. To stay up to date about everything happening at the PlayGarden, sign up for our mailing list.

 

 

Why do you offer one or two week sessions? We seek to build deep relationships with the campers and families we serve and limit the transitions children experience through during the summer. Therefore,  our Garden Explorers camps are  two week block sessions.  Please sign up if your child can attend both weeks. Huckleberries (ages 3.5-8)  and Teen Camps (ages 13-21) on the other hand are  1 week sessions. 

2026 Summer Camper Registration & Application

Thank you for your interest in the PlayGarden’s Summer Camp. Applications for summer 2026 will open in March. In the meantime, we hope you will continue to stay connected to the PlayGarden by coming to our community events throughout the year.

To learn more about what PlayGarden is doing, and when applications open, sign up for our mailing list and follow us on Instagram and Facebook.

 

Looking for more information?

If you have additional questions you can call our office at (206) 325-5576 or email camp@seattleplaygarden.org

Greater Seattle Area: Summer Camp Resource List

PROGRAM FEES 

The PlayGarden is here for EVERY child who wants to play! No family is turned away, because of financial restrictions and we need your help to make that happen. Therefore, our program fees operate on a sliding scale, with a full and reduced rate. Summer camp fees are posted on the application.

FINANCIAL AID AND DDA RESPITE FUNDS

  1. We offer financial aid to families. This is done by submitting our Scholarship Request Form below.
  2. We accept DDA respite funds. When filling out the application, please fill in the appropriate line with your child’s case manager’s information. 

Summer Camp DDA Available Respite:

One week session: 16 hours

Two week session: 32 hours

Scholarship Request Form
Ronni as a Junior Counselor
Annie as a teenager plays with a camper at Teen Camp.
wildzone

Huckleberries
Ages 3.5 to 8

Garden Explorers
Ages 4 to 12

Teen Camp
Ages 13 to 21

Junior Counselor
Ages 13 to 16

Junior Counselor Program

The PlayGarden’s Junior Counselor Program is a youth leadership program that runs in conjunction with the PlayGarden’s fully-inclusive outdoor play-based Summer Camp program. The program provides an opportunity for young leaders ages 13-16 to learn what it is like to work as a camp counselor at the PlayGarden. Junior Counselors learn how to set-up camp activities, how to support and play with kids of all ages and abilities, and how to work collaboratively in a team environment while having fun!

Junior Counselors can select two weeks of summer camp to participate in. Weeks do not need to be back to back. It is preferred that younger Junior Counselors work during the Huckleberries camps if possible. The Junior Counselor program costs $500 for two weeks. Financial aid is available upon request.

We encourage young leaders with and without disabilities from all cultural and racial backgrounds to register

Junior Counselors at camp
Apply for the Junior Counselor Program!

Employment Opportunities:

Interested in working as a Summer Camp Counselor or Free Play program staff? Check us out! 

 
Before Applying: We encourage interested applicants to review the job descriptions, read information about summer camp on our website, explore photos of what camp looks like on our social media channels (Facebook & Instagram) and watch videos of camp on our youtube channel to get a true sense of what working at camp is like.

To Apply:  Download and fill out the Employee Application (button below) and send a cover letter email expressing your interest and experience to our Camp Director, Hannah Gallagher at Hannah@seattleplaygarden.org

Applications accepted until positions are filled. Preference given to applications received by April 30th. 

Equal Opportunity Employer: The Seattle PlayGarden is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We encourage applicants from all cultural, racial, economic and linguistic backgrounds to apply.  Having a staff that authentically reflects the communities we serve is a critical step in creating the inclusive world we envision.

Summer Camp Counselor Job Description
Employee Application