Youth Programs
2026 YOUTH PROGRAMS
At CedarRoot, we view nature as our greatest teacher and the outdoors as our classroom. Our dynamic and highly regarded Nature Studies Programs encourage children to connect to the natural world, build confidence in the outdoors and learn attitudes of respect toward all of Earth’s creatures.
2026 SUMMER CAMPS
Registration now open for our youngest campers (ages 5–8) in Port Townsend, plus youth camps (ages 8–14) in Port Townsend and Sequim.
Camps are filling up fast! Be sure and register soon.
Instructors:
Sean Koomen
Tyler Walcheff
The Olympic Mountain Expedition is a 4-day adventure for male (or male-identifying) teens who are ready to challenge themselves and deepen their wilderness skills. This program includes an orientation evening and one day of pre-trip training and planning, followed by a four-day backpacking expedition in Washington’s rugged Olympic Mountains.
Students will carry their own packs, travel through mountain terrain, and camp in the backcountry while learning essential backpacking skills and backcountry safety. This is not a casual hike—it is a rigorous adventure that builds resilience, teamwork, and confidence.
Along the way, students will practice many of the skills taught at CedarRoot, including foraging, animal tracking, and fire-making, while also receiving an introduction to basic rock climbing skills in a mountain environment.
This expedition is ideal for teens seeking a true backcountry challenge and a deeper connection with the natural world.
Ages:
13-16
Dates:
June 29th-July 2nd
Pre-trip training dates:
Sunday, June, 14th and an and an evening prior TBD
Tuition:
$1,650 (full and partial scholarships available)
A full gear list will be provided in advance.
OLYMPIC MOUNTAIN EXPEDITION
June 29-July 2, 2026
The Olympic Mountain Expedition is a challenging 4-day backpacking adventure for male (or male-identifying) teens, featuring pre-trip training followed by a rugged journey through Washington’s Olympic Mountains. Participants build resilience, teamwork, and confidence while developing wilderness skills such as navigation, backcountry safety, foraging, tracking, fire-making, and introductory rock climbing.
SCHOOL YEAR PROGRAMS
Instructors: Ramzy Berbawy and Scott Brinton
This weekly wilderness program for teens offers a rich blend of hands-on survival skills and deep nature connection, perfect for adventurous spirits eager to explore the wild. Each session covers essential survival crafts such as shelter-building, fire-making, and primitive tools, along with in-depth lessons on edible and medicinal plants, wildlife tracking, bird language, and sensory awareness activities. Through games, storytelling, and guided exploration, participants sharpen their instincts and deepen their relationship with the natural world.
All of our CedarRoot staff are trained in Wilderness First Aid and advanced nature mentoring.
For ages 12-18
Dates: Mondays, Jan 26-June 1, 2026
(No program on Feb 16, Apr 13, May 25)
Time: 10:00am to 3:00pm
Location: Dungeness Trails Parking off River Rd.
SEQUIM NATURE STUDIES TEEN PROGRAM
Mondays
Ages 12-18
This weekly wilderness program for teens blends survival skills and nature connection, teaching shelter-building, fire-making, plant identification, wildlife tracking, along with other essential outdoor skills. Participants engage in hands-on learning and games, strengthening their bond with nature and each other.
For ages 8-14
Instructors: Ramzy Berbawy and Thuja Noba
Through games, exploration, music, and fun, set within the context of a close-knit community, children will develop skills in animal tracking, traditional survival techniques, medicinal and edible plants, wild food and primitive cooking, and teamwork.
Dates: Wednesdays, Jan 28 - May 27, 2026
(No program on Feb 18, Apr 15)
Time: 1:15-4:15pm
Location: Cappys Trails in Port Townsend, accessed through Blue Heron Middle School
PORT TOWNSEND AFTERNOON ADVENTURE CAMP — PROGRAM FULL, email for waitlist, info@cedarrootschool.org
Wednesdays
Ages 8-14
Through games, exploration, music, and fun, set within the context of a close-knit community, children will develop skills in animal tracking, traditional survival techniques, medicinal and edible plants, wild food and primitive cooking, and teamwork!
SAPLINGS FOREST AND FARM NATURE STUDIES
Thursdays
Ages 4-8
The Saplings program offers young naturalists a hands-on, immersive nature experience, where adventure, play, and discovery abound. Through storytelling, movement, wilderness skills, and more, children build a deep connection with the natural world while fostering community and environmental stewardship.
Instructors: Ramzy Berbawy, Thuja Noba and assistant Olivia Rose
With our talented Nature Studies mentors, your child will engage in weekly explorations of our local ecosystems, wilderness skills, and nature awareness. Our small group size of 16 students allows individualized mentoring, cohesive group dynamics, and safe socializing for your child.
Focus skills will include: Wilderness Survival (fire making, shelter building, water harvest, orientation), Natural Living (cooking, wildcrafting, advanced wild edibles and medicinals), Naturalist Skills (wildlife tracking, bird language, natural history, ecosystems) and the Way of the Scout (stealth, movement, senses, humble protector). Students will have the opportunity to explore and learn across all areas of focus throughout the year. To allow for optimal depth of focus and growth, participants will be encouraged to hone in on a few areas of greatest interest as the year progresses.
All of our CedarRoot staff are trained in Wilderness First Aid and advanced nature mentoring.
Dates: Thursdays, Jan 29 - May 28, 2026
(No program on Feb 19, Apr 16)
Time: 10:00 am to 3:00pm
For ages 7-11 years
Location: Dungeness Trails Parking off River Rd.
SEQUIM NATURE STUDIES PROGRAM
Thursdays
Ages 7-11
Your child will embark on exciting weekly adventures, exploring local ecosystems, mastering wilderness skills, and connecting with nature in a small group setting. From survival techniques to wildlife tracking and the Way of the Scout, they’ll dive into hands-on experiences that spark curiosity and allow them to grow in areas they’re most passionate about.
Instructors: Ramzy Berbawy and Thuja Noba
With our talented Nature Studies mentors, your child will engage in weekly explorations of our local ecosystems, wilderness skills, and nature awareness. Our small group size of 12 students allows individualized mentoring, cohesive group dynamics, and safe socializing for your child.
Focus skills will include Wilderness Survival (fire making, shelter building, water harvest, orientation), Natural Living (cooking, wildcrafting, advanced wild edibles and medicinals), Naturalist Skills (wildlife tracking, bird language, natural history, ecosystems) and the Way of the Scout (stealth, movement, senses, humble protector). Students will have the opportunity to explore and learn across all areas of focus throughout the year. To allow for optimal depth of focus and growth, participants will be encouraged to hone in on a few areas of greatest interest as the year progresses.
All of our CedarRoot staff are trained in Wilderness First Aid and advanced nature mentoring.
Dates: Fridays, Jan 30 - May 29, 2026
(No program on Feb 20, Apr 17)
Time: 10am-3pm
Location: Cappy’s Trails
Tuition: $1,200
PORT TOWNSEND NATURE STUDIES PROGRAM
Fridays
Ages 8-15
With our talented Nature Studies mentors, your child will engage in weekly explorations of our local ecosystems, wilderness skills, and nature awareness.
Nature Studies Rings
Ten years ago, we created extracurricular projects for highly motivated students who wanted to push their wilderness and nature study skills to the limit. We set a high bar by creating seven optional “rings” for students to work on outside of class: Fire, Naturalist Studies, Wilderness Living Skills, Plant Studies, Wildlife Tracking, and Scout Skills. No one had completed the hundred plus hours required — until now.
We’re proud to announce that Hannah (Port Townsend Nature Studies Program) is the first to complete a ring — the Naturalist Studies Ring, and Olivia Rose (Sequim Nature Studies Program) obtained Level 4 in the Fire Ring! Congratulations!!!
Hannah and part of her Naturalist Ring presentation
Olivia with her first friction fire!
Testimonials
“(My son) absolutely ADORES CedarRoot. It’s the highlight of his week. Thank you to you, Ramzy and Diego, for being so great to (him). He’s a lot for much of the world and at CedarRoot he gets a break from being “too much” and just gets to be. You have no idea how important it is! ”
“This program consistently provides an extraordinary depth of nature immersion, playful collaboration, independent skill building and social enrichment. It is our daughter’s favorite day of the week - and has been for years!”
“CedarRoot has been a life-changer for our family. We have three children ages 17, 14, and 9 currently and all three have enjoyed the outdoors in their own ways. The new environments and new people, braving the outdoors together really brought out the best in the children.”
“In the age of competing screen time, having access to enjoyable “green” time is so vital. CedarRoot is a phenomenal program offering young people the ability to connect with nature and each other through games in the woods and stories around the fire. Being involved with this program has been enormously beneficial for my child’s personal development and I’m most grateful for the opportunity.”