Make Your Child a Happy Camper!
Everyone dreams of camp–exploring creeks, playing games in the woods, and making new friends. The Kenai Watershed Forum is happy to offer week-long day camps, and a Tree Planting Workshop!
All sessions will involve fostering a connection to nature through a hands-on, immersion in the outdoors, allowing them to see, feel, smell, and directly experience the flora and fauna of the Kenai Peninsula watershed for themselves.
Camp size is limited, so reserve your spot early! Scholarships are available.
2026 Summer Schedule
We have a variety of styles of summer programs for 2026. To ensure campers get the most out of their experience, we offer a variety of sessions for different age groups. Campers must have completed Kindergarten to attend KWF Summer Programs.
2026 Summer Camp Schedule
Intermediate Ecologists (Ages 9-12)
Session 1: June 15th – 19th
Session 2: June 22nd – 26th
Tree Planting Workshop (Ages 6-12)
June 30th
Novice Naturalists (Ages 6-8)
Session 1: July 6th – 10th
Session 2: July 13th – 17th
Session 3: July 20th – 24th
Online Registration
Summer Camp Registration opens Early 2026! Check back soon
Novice Naturalists -- Ages 6-8
These sessions are designed to begin building a basic foundation of science in small children upon which more advanced environmental understandings can be built later in life. These sessions will include informative lessons and games, nature-themed art projects, presentations by plant and/or animal experts.
All camps start at 9 and finish at 3pm. Campers can be dropped off and picked up at the pavilion by the children’s playground in Soldotna Creek Park.
*Please note: Children must have completed Kindergarten to participate in all KWF Camps.
2026 Camp Cost: $350 per camper
Intermediate Ecologists -- Ages 9-12
These sessions build upon ideas introduced in our Novice Naturalist Camp. With less Art projects and games, and more scientific study, campers start to develop skills in scientific observation, and data collection. We study Invertebrates from Soldotna Creek, Trap and identify Juvenile salmon, and dissect owl pellets.
All camps start at 9 and finish at 3pm. Campers can be dropped off and picked up at the pavilion by the children’s playground in Soldotna Creek Park.
2026 Camp Cost: $350 Per Camper
Tree Planting Workshop: Ages 6-12
Join us for a day of Tree Sapling Planting!
The Kenai River Rotary and The Kenai Watershed Forum are hosting their Annual Tree Sapling Workshop!
Campers are registered on a first come first serve basis as we can only accept a limited group of 20. Campers must be ages 6-12 years old and dropped off or joined by an adult. Programs will begin at 10am with a lesson and a craft, followed by a BYO picnic lunch and lots of tree planting! Pickup at 2pm. Planting Location TBD
The cost is $30 per Camper
Scholarships
Camp Families interested in a scholarship should reach out to Brandon Gustafson at education@kenaiwatershed.org prior to completing registration. There are a limited number of scholarships available and they are awarded on a first come, first serve basis.
Camp scholarships are made available by generous contributions from individuals, local businesses, and organizations.
If you would like to contribute to our scholarship fund, you can make a tax deductible donation here. Make sure to select “Summer Camp Fund” as your gift type.
Summer Camp should be a right of passage to all Alaskan children, regardless of their families’ financial situation. If you are interested in applying for a 2026 scholarship please contact Brandon Gustafson at education@kenaiwatershed.org .
Please be sure to include your Camper’s Name, Age, and the desired camp session!
2026 Camp Staff:
Camp Coordinator – Brandon Gustafson
With over a decade of experience and a Master’s degree in Education, this third generation Alaskan has worked with youth all over the world. Having served as an Environmental Educator in the Peace Corps, Brandon knows first hand that the best way to protect an environment is to help people fall in love with it. Much like a salmon, Brandon has found his way back to the Kenai, and is proud to be educating the next generation of environmentally literate Alaskans.
Summer Camp Assistant – Caitlyn Eskelin
Caitlyn was born and raised in Soldotna, Alaska, and is currently a junior at KCHS. She loves volunteering for local organizations, going to the Wednesday Market, and traveling even if it’s for work. Caitlyn’s plan for the future is to choose a major in Education or Business. Whichever it is, she hopes her time at the Kenai Watershed Forum will inspire her.
Thank You!
An investment in youth is an investment in our future.
Through generous contributions of the following organizations, KWF summer camp came to fruition in 2011: ConocoPhillips, US Fish and Wildlife Service, Hillcorp Alaska, Wells Fargo, and in-kind support from the city of Soldotna
