Help Give Sound View a Facelift

Platform Tent Facelift 

At Sound View Camp, we are always striving to enhance the experience for all those who visit. As part of our ongoing commitment to improving our facilities, we’re excited to announce a two-phase capital campaign to upgrade and modernize our unique platform tents into fully insulated and comfortable tent cabins.

Our Tent Cabins: A Quick History

In 2019, we upgraded four of our original platform tents to tent cabins. These new structures feature one fully enclosed wall, with the remaining sides covered by durable vinyl. This renovation provided campers with a more comfortable and weather-resistant stay, but we knew there was still more to be done.

Why the Renovations Matter

Now, we are preparing to improve our older platform tents to match the tent cabins from 2019. With the help of our generous community, we will renovate all eight of our tent cabins to ensure they are more modern, insulated, and suitable for year-round use. This renovation is essential for enhancing our outdoor environmental education programs and improving the experience of all who stay with us.

Here’s a quick overview of the upcoming project and how it will benefit our programs:

Phase One: Construction and Renovation (Now - Spring 2025)

The first phase of the renovation begins now and will run through the spring of 2025. During this time, we will be focusing on the general construction and renovation of the four older tent cabins to bring them up to the same standard as the newer tent cabins. The key improvement in this phase will be giving our four platform tents a facelift by adding an enclosed wall and brand new insulated vinyl walls. Insulation and an inner layer of vinyl will also be added to the previously upgraded tent cabins, which will help keep heat in and improve the overall comfort of those structures.

Phase Two: Electrical Upgrades 

We’re expecting to begin phase two of this project during fall 2025 and will involve adding full electricity to all eight tent cabins, as well as covering the costs of electrical inspections. Upgrading our electricity to these cabins will allow more effective heating to each building. Instead of coming back to the cabin and heading straight for a sleeping bag, campers will be able to make meaningful memories by playing games, singing songs and recounting their new experiences, regardless of the weather outside. 

How These Renovations Will Benefit Our Programs

The renovations will have a significant impact on both our summer camp programs and our outdoor environmental education initiatives:

1. Outdoor Education: Insulated tent cabins will provide a more comfortable overnight experience for students, keeping them warm and protected from the elements. It will also increase the number of campers and guests Sound View Camp could accommodate at one time.

2. Summer Camp: With modernized cabins, our summer campers will have an improved experience, with fewer bugs and a more comfortable sleeping environment. Campers will be safer from extreme weather as we will be able to cool and heat them more efficiently. The upgraded cabins will allow for a better overall camp experience, fostering fun and connection among campers.

3. Year-Round Use: One of the most exciting benefits of these renovations is that the cabins will now be available for use year-round, extending the camp’s capacity to host events, retreats, and educational programs beyond the typical summer months. 

Currently, we can happily host a group of 140 during our peak months, while during winter, we can only comfortably host around 97 guests. After improvements are finished, we can increase the number of schools, retreats and family camps to experience the beauty and benefits of Sound View Camp all year long.

How You Can Help

We invite you to be a part of this exciting transformation! Your donation will directly contribute to the creation of more comfortable, functional, and year-round lodging that benefits all who come to our camp. Together, we can create a lasting impact on the campers, students, and guests who will benefit from these upgrades for years to come.

Our goal for Phase One is to raise $80,000. Thanks to the incredible generosity of an anonymous donor, we already have $40,000 pledged. What’s more, this donor has agreed to match up to an additional $20,000 in donations, making your contribution go even further!

After we have secured funding for phase one, the goal for phase two is to raise funds for full electricity to our tent village as well as supporting electrical improvements all around Sound View.  Please stay tuned for details of phase two. 

To donate or learn more about how you can support the campaign, please visit our DONATION page or contact us at info@soundviewcamp.com.

Thank you for your continued support as we work to make Sound View Camp a better place for everyone!

NCCC Blue 5

Sound View Camp has enjoyed Americorps NCCC teams for many years, and this one was no exception. On January 9th, we welcomed NCCC team Blue 5 to camp!

This team hit the ground running, working efficiently and effectively to complete any and all projects thrown at them.

During our annual MLK Day of Service event, a familiar face visited camp. Pictured above, Kurt shares his vision for our new and improved music room. Below is a picture of the completed project. This team did a beautiful job to make this room feel warm and welcoming for musicians of any skill level.

They took advantage of some unusual sunny winter days by doing repairs on our tandem kayaks. This will make for longer lasting use of these kayaks that were donated to us last year. We use them for our outdoor environmental education groups, summer camps and hopefully for expedition trips in 2025.

…As well as learning from the best! Kendra and Jake have been amazing teachers to this team as they learn more about our ecosystems in the Pacific Northwest and how to be good stewards of the land.

Of course, they’ve also had time for some fun!

Blue 5 has been a welcomed addition to Sound View this season. From their hard work connecting our trail systems, to pulling out invasive species, to creating new signage for camp, their projects will leave a lasting impression here at camp. We’ll be sad to see them leave!

Nisqually Land Trust X Sound View Camp

Protecting and Restoring the Puget Sound with Nisqually Land Trust

Nestled in the breathtaking Pacific Northwest, the Nisqually River flows 78 miles from its headwaters on Mount Rainier to its delta at the Puget Sound. This extraordinary river, fed by glacial meltwater, is the only one in the U.S. with its source in a national park and its mouth in a national wildlife refuge. Along its journey, the river passes through pristine forests, rolling farmlands, and vibrant communities, all while serving as a lifeline for people, wildlife, and ecosystems.

The Nisqually Land Trust (NLT) plays a vital role in protecting and restoring this remarkable watershed and the surrounding area. Through conservation easements and land acquisitions, NLT safeguards critical habitats for at-risk species, including Chinook salmon, steelhead trout, bald eagles, and northern spotted owls. The river’s health directly impacts water quality in south Puget Sound, providing essential resources for local communities and ecosystems.

Sound View Partnership: Join Us in Restoring Habitat

Sound View Camp is excited to partner with Nisqually Land Trust to offer hands-on opportunities to help restore and protect the Nisqually watershed and surrounding areas. Starting this year, we’re hosting two programs per month, inviting volunteers to connect with nature, learn about conservation, and make a meaningful impact.

One of these events is an invasive plant removal work party. Volunteers will help remove Scotch broom and invasive blackberry to enhance marine shoreline habitats on the Land Trust’s conservation easement located at Sound View Camp. Work parties take place rain or shine, and we’ll provide hot beverages and pre-packaged snacks to keep you fueled. Youth are welcome when accompanied by an adult, making this a great opportunity for families to give back to the environment together.

Why Your Help Matters

The Nisqually watershed and surrounding land is home to five native salmon species and countless other wildlife that depend on healthy, thriving habitats. By participating in these work parties, you’ll directly contribute to the restoration of critical ecosystems and support the broader mission of protecting one of the healthiest rivers in Puget Sound.

Join Us

We hope to see you at one of our upcoming events! Check our website and social media for upcoming dates and registration links. Whether you’re a long-time conservationist or new to environmental stewardship, these programs offer a rewarding way to engage with the land and make a difference. To register or learn more, contact Nisqually Land Trust at volunteer@nisquallylandtrust.org.

Let’s work together to protect the Nisqually River’s legacy for generations to come!

Introducing Our Two New Directors!

Over the past year, Sound View Camp has been evolving, thanks in large part to the hiring of our two new directors!

Kendra joined our team last winter as our Outdoor Environmental Education Director and has been a driving force behind the success of our programs. She oversees the registration of new and returning schools, develops engaging curricula, hires and trains OEE staff, and so much more! In fall 2024 alone, Kendra facilitated visits from seven schools, welcoming 242 students and 64 chaperones. Together, they enjoyed 86 campfire songs, walked an impressive 3,630 miles, and spent a remarkable 5,082 hours outside!

Contact Kendra if: you’re a school representative interested in visiting Sound View, have questions about your schoool’s reservation (lessons, lodging, meals, timing, etc).

Manny joined the team in late spring 2024 as our Program Director, bringing energy and creativity to every aspect of camp life. He oversees summer camp operations, including registrations, counselor and volunteer training, and the development of exciting new programs. Manny also plans and coordinates retreats, special volunteer events, family camp weekends, leads evening campfires, and plans day trips as requested. Additionally, he lends a hand with facilities and steps in wherever needed to ensure camp runs smoothly.

In summer 2024, Manny and Kendra welcomed over 137 summer campers, 18 LITs (leaders in training), and helped 6 “mini” campers enjoy their first ever week at summer camp!

Contact Manny if: You are interested in hosting a retreat or a camp at Sound View, attending a family camp weekend, would like to become a volunteer, weekend reservation inquiries, summer camp inquiries, etc.

Both directors share a passion for environmental stewardship and community. We hope to continue the great work that Sound View Camp has accomplished thus far.

Happy New Year!

We rang in the New Years with some awesome friends and families of Sound View Camp! Today we’re taking a chance to create resolutions in our own lives, as well as with camp. 2025 will bring lots of new programs, new folks, and of COURSE happy campers.

One major update for 2025 is our beloved director, Kurt Sample, has officially retired!

This month we will be introducing our two new directors hired in 2024 as well as offering other staff spotlights throughout winter. Can’t wait to see you this year.

Another Way to Donate to Sound View

Please consider camp in your end-of-year giving.

Let There Be Compost

Introducing…. drum roll please! 🥁

Our newest addition to camp, a two bin compost system!

For anyone who may be unfamiliar with what compost is / does, composting is the process of turning organic materials into a nutrient-rich soil or mulch through decomposition. It's a natural process that can be sped up by creating an environment that's ideal for decomposing organisms

During OEE, we at Sound View Camp educate students on the importance of only putting on your plate what you think you can finish. However, we’ve all been guilty with “eating with our eyes” so to speak.

Collecting compost at our meals will benefit camp by giving us material to create rich soil from our own camp meals to use in our garden, so we can begin growing fresh fruit and vegetables for more delicious dishes. We can’t wait to share!

A Spectacular Mural

We are thrilled to share some exciting news with the Sound View community! Over the past few months, two of our incredible international staff members, Charlotte and Sofia, took on a meaningful challenge and completed a beautiful mural, started by a previous staffer, on our maintenance shop.

The mural is a stunning tribute to our camp's unique spirit. It features iconic elements like Mt. Rainier majestically rising in the background, the Sound View sign that warmly welcomes our guests to the waterfront, and the charming platform tents where so many memories have been made. Perhaps the most touching part of the mural is the memorial to many of our beloved past farm animals, who have brought joy to so many campers over the years.

We want to express our deepest gratitude to Charlotte and Sofia for their dedication and hard work. Their creativity and passion have truly brought this mural to life, capturing the essence of Sound View Camp. It stands as a vibrant reminder of the countless stories and experiences shared here.

We are incredibly excited for everyone to see this beautiful addition to our camp. Whether you’re here for a summer camp, a weekend retreat, or just passing through, we hope you’ll take a moment to appreciate the mural and all that it represents.

Thank you, Charlotte and Sofia, for your amazing contribution. You have left a lasting legacy that will be cherished for many years to come!

June Campership Drive

Please help us raise funds to bring economically-disadvantaged kids to camp. We presently have over a dozen families requesting assistance.

Every year, we get requests from families for financial assistance. Although we strive very hard to keep camp affordable and “break even” on our end, a week at Sound View is out-of-reach for many families.

• $100.00 covers the camp deposit. We can help the family by stretching the payments until the end of the year.

• $162.50 helps a family by paying one-quarter of the camp fee.

• $325.00 is a half-campership.

• $650 is a full campership. Hooray!

Donate to the June Campership Drive

SUMMER - BE YOURSELF

Kids need summers to discover themselves

Hey - do you remember the feeling you had on the last day of school just before summer vacation? All of a sudden there was so much to do, the rules were different, the weather was perfect, and you did things because you wanted to. You were no longer boxed into the grim routine about conforming to expectation set by teachers and classmates.

Now - do you remember when you returned from school after summer vacation? Do you remember how friends had grown, some seemed different, some positive, some sadly negative, and most had stories to tell.

Summer vacation is that sacred time for young people to grow and experience positive change while being themselves. It is a time to be silly and serious, to learn and to forget, to make new friends, try new things, to be proud and to be humble, to be entertained, and to serve. At Camp Sound View, we offer just the place for all of these to happen. It is where campers can be themselves and come out of the season a better, and more interesting person with stories to share.

PLEASE REGISTER FOR CAMP TODAY!

Kendra and Sadie Grow OEE

This is a great picture of Sadie (on the left) and Kendra (on the right) serving corned beef and cabbage during the St. Patrick’s Day Weekend Family Camp. Our Outdoor Environmental Education Program (OEE) is BOOMING thanks to Sadie - who jumped in last fall and Kendra, who took over in the winter to completely fill the spring season. All of the schools have re-booked for next year. How cool is this!

Professor Petticoat makes a Second Appearance

Professor Petticoat came to Sound View again during the Mom & Me Camp to entertain and educate families with Punch and Judy. Everyone laughed through Mr. Punch’s antics. Did you know that Punch and Judy are over 350 years old?

Meet Baxter

Baxter the Bunny entertained kids during the Mom & Me Camp. He will be around this summer to educate campers about rabbits and their care.

Two-Person Kayaks have Arrived

Tandem (2-person) Sit-Upon Kayaks are ideal for our unique waterfront

What a great day! Lindblad Expeditions donated TEN used, but still very wonderful, 13.1 ft 2-person kayaks to Sound View! These will be used for exploring the Sound by the Expedition campers/staff as well as for other programs we run year-round. WE NEED PADDLES and they are on our Amazon wish list. If you kindly donate two paddles, you get to name a kayak! Just send us the chosen name and we will be sure to letter it onto a kayak. Have you signed up your child for camp (especially Expedition) yet? View wish list here - https://www.soundviewcamp.com/donate

Always a Pretty Sunrise - if you care to catch it.

Camp Sound View boasts spectacular sunrises. It pops up between McNeill and Anderson Islands and there are so many places on as well as on the way to the waterfront to catch it. Our guests who are morning people are very lucky!