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Seattle Parks and Recreation news and events

Rock climbing’s history and rising popularity inspires Seattle festival

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2015 has been an exciting year for climbing, and Seattle Parks and Recreation is set to celebrate it all with the Camp Long Mountain Fest on Sept. 13, 2015. 

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Schurman Rock at Camp Long

Rock climbing is fast becoming the sport of choice for many in search of an athletic activity with both grit and Zen. Climbing, it seems, is scaling into the mainstream. According to the Outdoor Industry Association, more than 10 million people in the United States participate in rock climbing at some level, and Seattleites in particular have embraced this sport with a passion, with rock climbing gyms and venues, indoor and outdoor­, growing exponentially. To celebrate both this coming-of-age time for the sport of climbing and Seattle’s long-standing mountain and climbing history/community, Seattle Parks and Recreation will open its historic Camp Long for a Mountain Festival on Sept. 13, 2015, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.—where anyone, from the novice to the hard-core enthusiast, can put hands on the rocks and get feet off the ground. [Read more…]

Camp Long hosts free overnight campout

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Young barred owl at Camp Long

Young barred owl at Camp Long

Camp Long and the National Wildlife Federation hosted a campout for High Point Seattle Housing Authority families last month.

On Saturday, June 20, 67 people participated in a free overnight nature immersion experience.

For the third year the Camp Long Environmental Learning Center partnered with the National Wildlife Federation (NWF) for NWF’s annual national initiative the “Great American Backyard Campout,” which aims to get more families outside. [Read more…]

Enchantment in the trees: Experiential Play and Zip camp at Camp Long

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UntitledShake things up this summer and spend a day suspended high up in the trees. West Seattle’s Camp Long is hosting eight sessions of Enchantment Experiential Play and Zip camp at the high ropes challenge course. Play and zipline with your friends 40 feet above the ground.

The experience is open to ages 14 and older and costs $30 per person. Sessions are Saturdays July 11 and 25; Aug. 8 and 22. The available time slots are 9:45 a.m. – 1:15 p.m. or 1:45 p.m. – 5:15 p.m.

To register for a session, call 206-684-7434 or email camp.long@seattle.gov.

Start your summer camp adventure at Seattle Parks’ Camp Long

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Seattle Parks and Recreation invites youth ages 11-13 to summer Adventure Camps at Camp Long Environmental Learning Center. These camps expose kids to fun outdoor activities, environmental topics, leadership skills and team development.

Participants will take day trips to try out different outdoor activities like kayaking, rock climbing and hiking. No experience is necessary. Parents are asked to call or email the camp director when they turn in their registration packet to Camp long (541-286-0169; seth.wendzel@seattle.gov).

 

[Read more…]

Seattle Parks to offer ‘challenge course’ facilitator training at Camp Long

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Seattle Parks and Recreation worked with Washington State University Extension 4-H to build a “challenge course” in the trees in West Seattle’s Camp Long. In 2015, interested members of the public are invited to join other educators and counselors in learning how to use adventure education to promote team building and personal development in their communities.

The introduction to facilitator training takes place Wednesday through Friday, Jan. 28-30, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. The cost is $240. The low-course facilitator training takes place Tuesday through Thursday, March 10 and 12, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. The cost is $240. The high-course facilitator training 1 (hub and spoke course with dual ziplines, ropes rescue) takes place Tuesday through Thursday, April 21-23, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. The cost is $240. The high-course facilitator training 2 (vertical playpen and trapeze jump, M-Belay systems) takes place Wednesday and Thursday, May 6-7, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. The cost is $160.

The training location is 5200 35th Ave SW at Camp Long in West Seattle. Camping is available during the training.

After successful completion of the training, participants will be able to facilitate events at the Camp Long challenge course. The course is designed to meet the 4-H certification requirements to host and facilitate group activities at Camp Long. Certified facilitators receive reduced rates when bringing their own groups. The trainings are designed to sequence together.

At the Camp Long course, several elements of the ropes course are integrated into the forested areas. WSU 4–H, through 30 years of adventure education experience, has developed curricula that strengthen critical life skills including decision making, self-confidence, positive risk taking, self-esteem, teamwork, and leadership.

For more information and to sign up for the challenge course training, please contact Challenge Course Manager Ken Turner at 206-684-7434 or keno.turner@seattle.gov.

Camp Long is one of Seattle’s best kept secrets. Located in West Seattle, this 68-acre oasis in the city offers visitors an opportunity to enjoy nature, hike in the forest, camp overnight in rustic cabins, rock climb, learn about natural history, and visit or rent the rustic Lodge. For more information, see http://www.seattle.gov/parks/environment/camplong.htm.