Pinnacle Explorations Outdoor School

The ground is littered with clues about Earth’s distant past. Following these clues, campers will uncover layers of rocks and fossils to learn more about what came before in Rocks & Dinos. Using cookies and candy, our young geologists will gain a better understanding of rock and crystal formations. Hunting down and breaking geodes will give them insight on how fossils are formed. As they conduct experiments to simulate the same plate tectonics and glacial movements that carved out Seattle, they’ll learn to deduce what conditions would’ve been necessary to leave behind the story we see now.

Travel through time with us as we explore and recreate some of the Primitive Projectiles of our ancient ancestors. From throwing rocks & spears, to slings & atlatls, tomahawks & archery, campers will discover how people around the world have innovated projectiles to harvest small and large game for clothing, food, tools and more. Campers will need a keen eye, as we search for materials and game trails. In addition, we’ll talk about how far human innovation has come and what it means to ensure having a sustainable resource. After spending lots of time on target practice, we’ll also share stories, play games, and splash around in the water. If it can be thrown, launched, chucked or tossed, we’ll do it this week during Primitive Projectiles camp!

With the World of Pokémon as inspiration, trainers will explore and learn about different habitats as they search for animals. They’ll learn about adaptations and evolution when designing their own Pokémon. During a visit to Woodland Park Zoo, they’ll analyze Pokémon types, habitats, and names to gain clues about where to find them. Trainers will have to work together on challenges like making their own Pokéballs to “catch” Pokémon and battle them. With special visitors joining us throughout the week, Trainers will have hands-on time with a variety of animals. Join us on a Pokémon Safari as we try to catch ‘em all!

Travel through time with us as we explore and recreate some of the Primitive Projectiles of our ancient ancestors. From throwing rocks & spears, to slings & atlatls, tomahawks & archery, campers will discover how people around the world have innovated projectiles to harvest small and large game for clothing, food, tools and more. Campers will need a keen eye, as we search for materials and game trails. In addition, we’ll talk about how far human innovation has come and what it means to ensure having a sustainable resource. After spending lots of time on target practice, we’ll also share stories, play games, and splash around in the water. If it can be thrown, launched, chucked or tossed, we’ll do it this week during Primitive Projectiles camp!

Travel through time with us as we explore and recreate some of the Primitive Projectiles of our ancient ancestors. From throwing rocks & spears, to slings & atlatls, tomahawks & archery, campers will discover how people around the world have innovated projectiles to harvest small and large game for clothing, food, tools and more. Campers will need a keen eye, as we search for materials and game trails. In addition, we’ll talk about how far human innovation has come and what it means to ensure having a sustainable resource. After spending lots of time on target practice, we’ll also share stories, play games, and splash around in the water. If it can be thrown, launched, chucked or tossed, we’ll do it this week during Primitive Projectiles camp!

Does your explorer love treasure hunts? Join us at Geocache Seattle! for an introduction into the world of caching. Campers will find hidden clues all around them, as they hone their powers of observation and deduction while using compasses and GPS devices to search for caches. Explorers will enjoy a full-day field trip, including drop-off and pick-up in Fremont where Geocaching HQ is located. At the end of the week, they’ll try their hand at making team caches with recycled items and clues to challenge their fellow campers. Let’s go caching! (Full-day field Trip on Thursday, Pinnacle will help arrange carpools)

Puzzles, clues, and mysteries abound as campers explore some of the best and hardest caches around Seattle! Going beyond the basics, Advanced Geocaching is for Explorers who want to enhance their caching, code breaking, and cache making skills. Campers will draw from and incorporate inspiration from the week’s caches to develop, design, and build their own clever caches for other Explorers to solve. Explorers will enjoy a full-day field trip, including drop-off and pick-up in Fremont where Geocaching HQ is located. Let’s go caching! (Full-day field trip to Fremont. Pinnacle will help coordinate carpools.) Entering grades: 5th - 8th or have completed Pinnacle’s Geocaching Camp previously

The Counselor in Training camp is designed for Explorers who want to gain the skills needed to Volunteer at Pinnacle or succeed as babysitters. Campers will be offered certification in First Aid & Child/Infant CPR training, while also covering topics on basic child development, safety, and injury prevention. In small groups, CITs will have the chance to work with our younger campers in guided scenarios. We’ll also simulate common emergencies for them to practice, while also providing ample opportunities to practice new skills and summer-time play. Campers who successfully complete this course may become Pinnacle Volunteers the next summer.

When kids learn the skills needed to garden & cook, food becomes more than just what they find in the fridge. At Garden-to-Table, Explorers will care for plants at different stages, from seed to harvest, while also discovering what a healthy ecosystem entails. They’ll take the day’s produce to make a healthy snack or meal. Younger Explorers will focus on food challenges involving bread, fruits, and pasta, while Older campers will hone their knife skills and explore some of the challenges our society faces with our food system. Pull up a chair to our Pinnacle table!