FAQ: Camps and After School Programs

Typically, summer camps are offered the last week of June through much of August. This year,  summer camps will run June 24 through August 23.

You can find our parent handbook here. 

Typically, parents do not attend camp with their children. We offer some weekend morning classes for parents and young children to attend together. If your child needs an adult to join them for camp or our other programs, we are happy to discuss your child’s needs. Please reach out to youthprograms@tilthalliance.org. 

You can add yourself to our waitlist. 

We ask that campers and junior counselors leave toys, trading cards, technology, and valuables (including cash) at home. These can be distracting from our planned camp activities and cause conflict. If a child brings a toy or other item not related to camp, we will ask them to put it away in their backpack. In certain instances, we may hold the toy or item in a secure place and return it at the end of the camp day. 

If you are unable to attend a camp or class, changes and cancellations are available by emailing youthprograms@tilthalliance.org. Please review the cancellation policy outlined below prior to contacting the registration office. 

• Full refunds are available up to three weeks prior to your program’s start date, minus a $50 administrative fee per registration. Transfers to other camps are based on availability, prior to three weeks in advance. 
• Unfortunately, we are unable to offer any refunds or credits for changes or cancellation requests received less than three weeks before the start of your program. 

Yes- we offer three payment options: reduced price (for those with financial need), regular price, and full price (supports scholarships and reduced price tickets).  

In addition, we have scholarships available.  

Given that we are an outdoor-based education program, Tilth Alliance Youth and Family Programs staff closely monitor weather and air quality conditions regularly. We will refer to King County Health and Safety Guidelines to determine when a cancellation or movement of a program indoors is necessary and contact families. 

While we run our programming rain or shine, we may cancel or move a program indoors when: the heat index is approaching or exceeding 100 degrees, air quality is listed as Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups, or in the event of extreme wind, thunderstorms, extreme cold/ice/sleet/snow, or other extreme weather conditions. 

If your child turns 6 before the start of the camp week, they are welcome to join camps for 6 year olds. Our full day camps are designed for children ages 6-9, 8-11 and 12-15. If you have any further questions, please reach out to youthprograms@tilthalliance.org. 

Note: We often get questions for rising kindergarteners. Even if your child is 5 and a rising kindergartener, we ask that your child be 6 for our full day camps. If you have any further questions, please reach out to youthprograms@tilthalliance.org. 

If your child turns 12 before the start of the camp week, they are welcome to be a junior counselor. Our junior counselor program is a leadership and mentorship camp option for our middle school youth ages 12-15. If you have any further questions, please reach out to youthprograms@tilthalliance.org. 

We strive to accommodate all children in our summer camps and provide an inclusive environment. We are happy to discuss your child’s needs- please reach out to youthprograms@tilthalliance.org. 

Please be sure to make note of any food allergies your child may have during registration. All staff are trained in recognizing allergic reactions and epi-pen use. Although we do not prohibit nuts from camp, on camp weeks in which participants have nut allergies, certain ingredients may be prohibited. It is our policy that campers are not allowed to share snacks from home unless discussed with staff in advance (I.e., a last day or birthday treat). 

We will be spending all of our time outdoors, so it is vital that children are dressed accordingly. This includes close-toed shoes, rain-proof clothing on rainy days, and clothing that the children are comfortable gardening, playing games in, and getting dirty.  We suggest light colored cotton clothing for hot days. 

Please pack sunscreen, a lunch, multiple hearty snacks, and water with your child. Please do not bring toys to camp. 

We often have siblings and friends attend camp together. We do our best to meet grouping requests but are unable to guarantee all requests. At Rainier Beach, we split campers into age groups, generally Siblings and friends may be put in different groups at Rainier Beach depending on age. Throughout the week, campers spend time in large groups for circle time, snack, lunch, field games, tea, and free exploration. 

At the Good Shepherd Center in Wallingford, all children are in the same group. 

Tilth Alliance requires that all children in drop-off programs must be potty trained and comfortable using the bathroom independently away from home. 

If you need to drop your child off early or pick your child up late, please register for before and/or after care in advance of your camp week. If you need to register for extended day care during your camp week, please email youthprograms@tilthalliance.org. 

Extended day care is available for all weeklong, full-day camps from 8:30 to 9:00 a.m. and from 3:30 to 5:00 p.m. for an additional fee. Before-care only is available for half-day preschool camps. Please select one of the Extended Day ticket options when registering. 

Please include adults who are authorized to pick up your child during registration. If you need to add or change authorization, please email youthprograms@tilthalliance.org the name of the authorized individual(s).