Somehow, it’s already time to register kiddos for 2025 summer camps. From kayaking to coding, businesses and organizations are offering a local lineup of day camps that promises to keep kids engaged with hands-on adventures and creative challenges in and around Gig Harbor. Registration is now open for most camps, while at least one recreation agency plans to open its sign-ups in April. Meanwhile, another popular camp just over the bridge is already waitlisting campers after selling out within two days. A popular overnight camp is also back, with spots now open for registration through the YMCA.
Arts & Entertainment Sponsor
Arts & Entertainment stories are made possible in part by the Gig Harbor Film Festival, a proud sponsor of Gig Harbor Now.
For students in the Peninsula School District, summer break begins after the last day of school on June 20, 2025, and runs until classes resume on Sept. 3, 2025, according to the district’s calendar.
Here’s a closer look at the activities offered to local youth this summer. Know about a camp that isn’t on our list? Email information to [email protected] as we’ll be adding listings to our guide over the coming weeks.
About: Lee’s SUP & Kayak Rental is a seasonal business offering water rentals and water-based day camps for stand-up paddle boarding and more in Gig Harbor’s downtown waterfront.
Summer Camps: Kids ages 8 to 14 have three types of camps to choose from: stand-up paddleboarding, kayaking, or a mix of both. All camps focus on technique, balance, safety skills, marine life education and scenic adventures. A new camp begins each week from June 24 to Aug. 29. Lessons take place “inside the protected waterways of Gig Harbor,” organizers say. Detailed camp descriptions, dates and times are linked here.
Location: Lessons start at the Lee’s SUP paddleboard stand, located on the docks at 8829 N. Harborview Drive.
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Gig Harbor Canoe and Kayak Racing Team Summer Camp
About: The Gig Harbor Canoe and Kayak Racing group is a national championship team with opportunities for local youth and adults to compete regionally and nationally.
Summer Camps: Kids explore canoe and kayak paddling with personal instruction. Previous experience isn’t required. Summer camps are split into two groups: camps for kids 8 and 9 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in August; and camps for kids ages 10-13 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in June, July or August. Detailed camp descriptions, dates and times are detailed here; then when folks are ready to book they head up to the top right corner of the page to register. Boats and paddles are provided but campers bring their own life jacket. Camp participants must live in the South Kitsap, Peninsula, Tacoma, or University Place school districts.
Location: Starting at Skansie Brothers Park, 3211 Harborview Drive.
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Gig Harbor Junior Sailing
Registration is now open | book online | [email protected] | 253-214-6131
Photo by Tonya Strickland.
About:Gig Harbor Junior Sailing is a boating nonprofit group based in Gig Harbor. The organization works to provide a safe, fun and educational environment for youth with classes, camps and opportunities to sail with the Narrows Race Team in competitions.
Summer Camps: Summer Sail Camps come in five-day sessions Monday to Friday from June 23 to August 29. Campers ages 6 to 18 navigate sail boats with lessons and adventures in the water. Half-day and full-day camps are offered, depending on campers’ ages, and are organized by age groups and level of experience. (No previous experience is necessary). See this file for the camp schedule with links provided there to register.
Location: Camps start at one of two locations, depending on the camp selection: West Shore Marina on Gig Harbor Bay, 3815 Harborview Drive; or the Tacoma Yacht Club’s Wollochet Bay launch area at 3418 White Cloud Ave. NW.
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Code Ninjas
Registration is now open |book online | (253) 397-3937
About: Code Ninjas is an international franchise business designed to help teach kids how to code by building video games through classes and camps. The lessons take place onsite at Code Ninjas locations, which are setup as learning centers with computers and instructors for in-person learning and activities.
Summer Camps: Designed for children ages 5 to 14, Code Ninjas will have week-long sessions from Monday through Friday, with half-day sessions available in the morning and afternoon. Camp themes include robotics, Roblox, Minecraft, YouTube, and more, aiming to teach kids some cool tech skills in a fun environment.
Price: Varies per camp. Extended hours are offered for an additional fee.
About:French Toast Theatre is a local youth theater program offering classes, rehearsals and productions year-round as well as a variety of special programming and summer camps designed to engage children in the performing arts.
Summer Camps: Sessions are available for kids young and old with sessions designed to promote laughter, learning and endless adventures. Some topics in the summer lineup include Messy Art Lab, Ahoy Adventures Club, The Ballet Eras Tour and a Willy Wonka production — plus others. Read about them all here.
Location: Various spots in Gig Harbor and Fox Island. See individual listings for details.
Leaders in Training Program — the group is also hosting a leadership camp for kids ages 12 to 17 with a mandatory training planned for 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. June 14 and 15 at Harbor Fit, 8809 N Harborview Dr #101, in Gig Harbor. The mentorship program is for aspiring leaders to help lead French Toast’s summer camps this year. Learn how to engage campers, organize activities, and create a fun, inclusive environment. Leaders will have the opportunity to bid for the camps that fit their schedules. There will be a focus on leadership, teamwork, creativity and building confidence.
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Various Locations
PenMet Parks Summer Camps
About:PenMet Parks is a local recreation district offering classes, sports, camps, venue rentals and other year-round programming. Many of the camps start at Sehmel Homestead Park’s Volunteer Vern Pavilion.
Summer Camps: Registration opens *April 2 at 8 a.m. for in-District residents and *April 9 at 8 a.m. for out-of-District residents| 253-858-3400 | [email protected]. PenMet’s Summer Camp Fair was held March 1 at Ocean5. For those who missed it, the agency’s Summer Camp Guide will be be distributed by mail near the end of March, according to PenMet’s event page. The agency plans to offer camps for youth and teens throughout the summer with a focus on recreation, exploring, creativity and making new friends. Some of PenMet’s 2025 summer camp descriptions are already posted to its ActiveNet registration system for browsing before registration opens. The first example shows a “Best of the Best Camp” in four-day sessions where campers make tie-dye shirts, do team challenges, and play in the Camp Olympics at Sehmel Park. “With classic games, high-energy activities, and an epic Water Day, this week is packed with adventure from start to finish,” the listing reads. So far, there are also camp listings for nature survival skills, sports, games, cooking, and crafts.
Location & Prices: Various locations. Check PenMet’s 2025 Summer Camp listings on ActiveNet for pricing. Financial assistance applicationsare available here.
*In-District and Out-of-District Registration Info: PenMet releaseda new registration policy in 2024 that changes when folks are able to sign up. For in-district residents, summer camp registration opens April 2; and for out-of-district residents, registration opens April 9. Registeronline, over the phone (number noted above), or in person at the new administration office, 2416 14th Ave NW.
Tacoma
Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium
About:The Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium, established in 1905, spans 29 acres and offers indoor aquariums with sharks and touch tanks, as well as a diverse array of animal habitats including a tiger and a new baby tapir, among other species. The zoo is nationally accredited by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums and offers programs to build awareness of animal conservation, education and more. The zoo is located inside the 700-acre Point Defiance Park.
Summer Camps: The zoo’s summer camp sessions were sold out as of press time. However, instructions to join the 2025 Zoo Summer Camp Waitlist are posted here as an online submission form. Designed for children kindergarten through high school, Zoo Summer Camp offers close-up animal encounters, crafts, games, and wildlife challenges. Select groups will also venture into the nearby forest and marina for nature topics. *Registration for zoo members opened March 11 and opened to the general public on March 13.
Cost: Scroll down to the animal squares on this page to see the costs on the camp descriptions.
Location: Starting at the Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium, 5400 N Pearl St., in Tacoma, inside Point Defiance Park.
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