Summer 2023

We do get cancellations, so we encourage you to join the waitlists for the camps you want and we will notify you if a spot becomes available.

You may apply for as many waitlists as you want and in fact, the more availability you have throughout the summer, the higher the likelihood that you will receive a camp session. To make WYP summer camp accessible to more children, the max # of weeks per child is three, although most families will be granted 1-2 weeks. You do not have to pay to be on the waitlist.

Each program begins with a thanksgiving circle where we have an opportunity to give gratitude and check in with each other. We move onto something active that gives kids an opportunity for body awareness, animal understanding, and/or tactile exploration with skulls, tracks and other mysteries of nature. Once we are all warmed up we pile in our 8 or 15-passenger vans for an adventure in the local area. Places we go include local beaches, creeks, the Santa Ynez River, Lizard’s Mouth and the Pines (East Camino Cielo). Learn more about Places We Go.

Each day there are elements of inspiration, skill focus, wandering, exploring, celebration, and storytelling. An example of a day in camps is:

9 am – Thanksgiving Circle

9:30 – Blindfolded drum stalk

10 am – Head for Rattlesnake Canyon in a 15 passenger van

10:30 – Creek wander discovering tracks, plants, birds

Noon – Lunch, story

1:00 pm- Hike down the trail stopping at any swimming holes

3 (or 4) pm – Back to park for closing circle and story sharing

Thanks to community fundraising, we offer scholarships at many levels. Our weighted lottery does NOT prioritize those who can pay full price. We ask you to state your family’s income as part of the application process if you are requesting a scholarship. Once our scholarship fund has been allocated, we place full-paying families into remaining spots.

Please pack lightly — kids carry their own packs. We ask that each day your camper shows up with the following items. Let WYP know if you need us to provide anything for your camper:

1. Backpack (preferably with padded shoulders and not too big)

2. Bathing suit (for girls consider a two piece or swim shorts and rash guard–they are easier for using wilderness bathrooms)

3. Healthy lunch (low sugar) and plenty of snacks. Kids get hungry on our programs!

4. Water (minimum of 32 oz. reusable water bottle). We’ll refill during the day.

5. Sunscreen. Please apply before arriving. We’ll re-apply during the day.

6. Clothes that can get dirty. Please have children arrive dressed in layers because SB’s summers start cold and foggy and burn off to be hot later in the day.

7. Shoes that can get wet–water shoes or water sandals work great!

8. Small towel (no bigger than the length of the child’s body), sarongs work great.

9. Hat (optional, but if your child will wear it, they are a wonderful way to keep out the sun).

Lastly, we encourage parents to LABEL everything and toys & electronics need to stay at home.

More than you might think! We play hard outside and children get hungry. At least for the first day, pack more than you would for a typical school day and then talk to your child after camp to determine whether they need more or less. We’ve also noticed that children tend to need more food as the week progresses, so keep in touch with staff and your children to see how food supplies are doing.

Yes. We believe that children have inherent competence. Children using knives will be required to learn our unwavering rules around knife safety, which begins with the difference between a tool and weapon and that a knife, like words, can be used as both. We create physical space for using a knife and provide instruction in proper knife care. Lastly we show our participants how to safely carve. WYP counselors provide knives to participants when carving projects are planned. We prefer locking blade and fixed blade knives for children. Finally, if you are going to be sending a knife with your child, please let your counselor know, so that we are sure to be supervising how and when it is being used.

Usually, no. Part of the WYP camp experience is forming a tight group that understands one another and works together (to create our core value of unity). Our days build on each other and end in celebration. We believe it is important to be able to attend all days of the camp, therefore we do not allow campers to attend only part of a camp. We also do not allow two children to split a two week camp, for many of the same reasons. Some exceptions can be made, however, so speak with our Registrar for further conversation regarding your specific need.

The Santa Barbara area has a lot of other great camps to consider that will get your children outside, active and learning new skills. Check out these other summer camps for more information. If you'd like your camp on this list, please contact us.

• A-Frame Surf Shop: here
• Elings Park: here
• Fairview Gardens: here
• Fun in the Sun: here
• Orca Camp: here
• Police Activities League Campership Alliance: here
• SB Museum of Natural History: here
• SB Parks and Recreation: here
• SB Sailing Center: here
• SB Zoo: here
• Seeds of Love (SOL): here
• Surf Happens: here
• Ventura Wild: here

Wilderness Youth Project has created the COVID-19 protocols in conjunction with Santa Barbara County Health officials and CDC guidelines. You can read our COVID-19 precautions and protocals here.