BIPOC Family Camp is an all-ages weekend family retreat for BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) families to enjoy the outdoors and spend time together.
Choose from a wide range of outdoor and family-friendly activities all weekend, October 4-5, or join us for FREE on Sunday, October 5, for our Family BBQ and Play Day.
Registration opens July 7, 2025!
The “Why” of BIPOC Family Camp
We acknowledge that BIPOC youth and families have historically faced exclusion from experiences such as summer camps and access to outdoor spaces and activities. We believe that camps offer vital opportunities for social and emotional growth and help develop essential life skills that benefit everyone, particularly children who may lack access. Camps enable kids and families to connect with nature, grow more comfortable spending time outdoors, interact with each other away from screens and the stresses of daily life, and participate in guided outdoor recreation activities like boating, hiking, and archery, among others.
Camp Fire is dedicated to providing safe and enjoyable outdoor opportunities for BIPOC youth and families, enhancing the accessibility of outdoor programs for BIPOC youth, and increasing the representation of BIPOC youth in camp programs. By offering BIPOC Family Camp, we aim to help BIPOC families gain confidence in outdoor settings and improve access to camp programs for BIPOC youth.
Activities and Schedule
Saturday, October 4: Arrive at camp at 10:00 a.m. and choose from a range of classic camp activities led by our expert instructors and volunteers. These may include archery, arts and crafts, hiking, building fires, boating, fishing, beach exploration, nature walks, and more. End the evening with a campfire, s’mores, and a dance party.
Sunday, October 5 (FREE): Join us for large group field games such as Capture the Flag or relax on the waterfront, enjoying nature and the views. Finish the day with a big lunch BBQ! Departure is at 2:00 p.m.
If you’d like to attend but don’t want to stay overnight, families are invited to join us on Sunday for the lunch BBQ and field games free of charge!
Food Service
Meals are served buffet-style in our historic 102-year-old dining hall. They are friendly for both kids and families, and we can accommodate most special dietary needs. This camp includes lunch and dinner on Saturday and breakfast and lunch on Sunday.
Facilities
Camp Sealth’s facilities are rustic but comfortable. Cabins have heat and electricity, and twin beds with foam mattresses. You’ll need sleeping bags, pillows, and/or sheets/blankets (the camp has a supply to borrow if required). Bathrooms and showers are located in separate buildings in each cabin area. Limited Wi-Fi is available in some camp areas but not in most cabins. See photos of our cabins here.
Location
Camp Sealth is located on Vashon Island, Washington, with 360 acres of pristine forest and over a mile of private beach along Colvos Passage. To reach Vashon Island, you will need to take a ferry from Tacoma, West Seattle, or Port Orchard. Please check the WSDOT website for ferry schedules and ticket prices.
Eligibility
This event is open to all BIPOC families/families with BIPOC members and open to all ages. Children under age 18 must attend with an adult.
Registration and Fees
We offer tiered pricing options in an effort to make this event accessible to everyone. We invite families to pay at the rate that is comfortable for them; your choice is confidential and will not impact your camp experience in any way.
- Tier A (subsidized): $10 per person
- Tier B (subsidized): $50 per person
- Tier C (full cost): $100 per person
All family members attending must register. If the $10 cost is a barrier for your family, please get in touch with us for a financial aid request. You may also attend Sunday’s BBQ and Play Day for free.
Registration opens July 7, 2025!
Volunteers
We welcome volunteers to help with camps, events, and service days events year-round. For this event, we especially want to invite BIPOC adults to volunteer, as it’s vital for BIPOC youth to see themselves reflected in their leadership. Volunteers can help in a variety of ways, including:
- Leading or assisting with activities (such as outdoor cooking, hiking, boating, nature exploration, arts &crafts, etc.)
- Kitchen (helping with dishwashing, or meal set-up/clean-up tasks)
- Sharing songs or story-telling at a campfire
- Nursing or other health care professional
- Photography
If you are interested in volunteering, complete the Volunteer Interest Form and make sure to select BIPOC Family Camp on the form checklist.
Questions
For questions about registration and payments, please contact Kim Roeser at kimr@campfireseattle.org. For questions about BIPOC family camp, please contact omarm@campfirseattle.org or nataliec@campfireseattle.org.
