Happy Orcas Adventure Camp

A fun and educational day camp!

Happy Orcas Adventure Camp is a day camp for kids ages 6 to 11 at Larrabee State Park near Bellingham, WA. Campers kayak, snorkel, tide pool, hike, and make art from what they find on the beach, with certified guides at a 7.5:1 camper ratio. Camp runs 10 AM to 4 PM and costs $525 per camper per week.

What does a day at camp look like? Here is a sample itinerary, and will change daily based on activity.

10:00 AM Arrive at drop off spot in Larrabee State Park

10:15-10:45 Stretching and gratitude

10:45-11:00 Light snack

11:00-12:30 Hiking, beach combing, arts & crafts, kayak instruction & water safety. Varies daily.

12:30-1:30 Lunch and free play/guided games

1:30-3:30 Water time! This could include snorkeling, kayaking, beach combing or general water play. Varies daily.

3:30-4:00 Dry off, clean up and talk about how much fun we had that day! Await parent pickup.

Every day at camp is different and this is what makes us so unique! We don't have a set schedule and it varies based on the weather and sometimes even the energy level of the campers. Each week we will have 1 long hike day to Fragrance Lake and make every attempt to get in 3 kayaking days. Monday is typically a more chill day as we get to know one another and do some activities around base camp and the beach. Since we can't control the weather, we hope you understand when we aren't able to get in all those kayaking days.

AGES 6-11 (CALL FOR EXCEPTIONS)

$525/CAMPER/WEEK (PAYMENT PLANS AVAILABLE, PLEASE CALL)

ENROLLMENT OPENS FEBRUARY 1ST

Our Team

Every year we take time to find the best candidates to look after your children and train them in kayak safety and rescue skills once they have secured a spot with our team. They are required, at minimum, to be CPR/First Aid Certified, but often they have gone a step above to receive WFA/WFR Certifications. Our ratios are 7.5:1, keeping us well within the 10:1 standard for water safety and 15:1 for childcare in the State of Washington. Safety is our number one concern at Happy Orcas and we take it very seriously! 

If you would like to be a member of our team, please reach out to us! We generally start accepting resumes for the summer in late winter/early spring and try to be fully staffed by the beginning of May.

If you are a previous camper who has aged out of the camp, we'd love to chat with you about our Junior Camp Counselor program. Please reach out and we'll set a time to meet.

Scholarships

We will continue to offer a limited number of scholarships as funds are available. If you'd like to donate to this program, please feel free to reach out and we will make sure that 100% of funds donated to the scholarship fund go directly to children in need. 

Please fill out the application if you would like to be considered for a scholarship. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What ages is camp for?
Ages 6 to 11. Call us if your child is outside that range and we’ll talk through it.

What are the hours, and where is drop-off?
Camp runs 10 AM to 4 PM. Drop-off and pickup are always at Larrabee State Park, but the exact spot changes daily depending on the activity. Parents will be notified by text message the night before.

Do you offer extended hours?
We offer before and after care from 8 AM to 10 AM and from 4 PM to 5 PM. Activity is limited during these times and no time will be spent on or in the water. The cost is an additional $100 per week per camper.

How much does camp cost?
$525 per camper per week. Payment plans are available, so call us to set one up.

What dates are sessions?
Camp runs weekly sessions that follow the Bellingham School District summer break calendar. Enrollment opens February 1st.

What does a day at camp look like?
Campers start with stretching and gratitude, then spend the day on a mix of hiking, beach combing, arts and crafts, kayak instruction, snorkeling, and free play. The schedule changes daily based on weather and the energy level of the group. Monday is usually a lower-key day while everyone gets to know each other.

How often do kids kayak?
We make every attempt to get in 3 kayaking days a week, plus one long hike day to Fragrance Lake. We can’t control the weather, so some weeks the kayaking days shift.

What is the staff ratio, and are staff certified?
Our ratio is 7.5 campers per staff member, well inside the 10:1 standard for water safety and the 15:1 standard for childcare in Washington State. Every staff member is at minimum CPR/First Aid certified, and many also hold WFA or WFR certifications. Staff also train campers in kayak safety and rescue skills.

What should my child bring?
Please see our Camper Checklist page for a full list of what to bring to camp.

What is your cancellation policy?
Payment is due when you reserve to secure a spot. Cancellations must be sent in writing by email or mail, and your refund is based on the date we receive it.

• 45 or more days before camp: full refund

• 31 to 44 days before camp: 50% refund

• 30 days or less before camp: no refund

Do you offer cancellation protection?
We don’t offer it ourselves, but you can buy cancellation protection from a third party during enrollment by selecting the “Peek Protect” option. Dragonfly Outfitters doesn’t receive a commission, and refunds are handled directly by Peek Protect. Their guidelines decide what qualifies, and they don’t cover cancellations for schedule changes or changes of mind.

Do you offer scholarships?
Yes, we offer a limited number as funds are available. Fill out the scholarship application to be considered.

How do I enroll?
Hit the Enroll Today button at the top of the page once enrollment opens on February 1st.

How do I contact you?
Call us at 360-453-7036 or email us at happyorcascamp@gmail.com.