At Cedar Springs Camp, lessons come to life for thousands each summer

LAKE STEVENS — A summer camp here with a plethora of outdoor activities has been growing rapidly as staff balance birthday parties, retreats and outdoor education with the organization’s Christian roots.

Cedar Springs Camp is a sprawling 200-acre wilderness off Highway 92. Opened in the 1960s by the Assemblies of God, the Lake Stevens property is the camp’s largest location. There also is a day camp on the Cedar Park Christian School campus in Bothell and a drop-off in Lynnwood.

The number of day campers in Lake Stevens has doubled each of the last two years, program director Jeremy Boeckel said. Cedar Springs, overall, “has been growing like gangbusters” for about five years now, he said. They’ve added new programs and expanded to new groups, including more churches, businesses, birthday parties and schools.

The camp serves thousands of guests each year. About 5,000 visitors came last year for birthday parties alone, Boeckel said. Another 5,000 were day campers, and about 3,500 were over-nighters.

Summer is the peak season, and staff are getting ready for another busy one. The number of employees goes from about eight year-round staff to nearly 100 with seasonal workers.

Though the camp has Christian roots, it also serves secular groups, Boeckel said. Several public schools use the venue for outdoor education. Teachers and administrators determine the curriculum, and Cedar Springs provides space and staff to make the lessons come to life. Staff can teach fire building, shelter construction, conservation and outdoor safety.

“That’s an exciting program that we really like doing,” Boeckel said.

Clark Combs coordinated outdoor school — where students learn about teamwork, survival and nature — for about 1,600 students at 20 elementary schools in the Northshore School District.

“We looked at 13 different camps and (Cedar Springs) is the one we chose,” he said.

Students get to climb a rock wall, build with old-fashioned tools, learn to use GPS, dissect owl pellets, study stream ecosystems, and learn to start fires.

“They start with matchstick-sized things and build it into a fire the size of your fist,” Combs said.

The Northshore outdoor education program calls for teachers to head up half of the lessons while camp staff teach the other half.

“Crazy as it sounds, two of the best things for the students are being outside and being away from electronics,” Combs said. “They seem to get energized when they’re up there. Lots of fresh air, good food and lots to do.”

It also is a popular venue for birthdays, Boeckel said, with paintball, laser tag, rock walls, pools, slides, a racing track and a giant jumping pillow — like a children’s bouncy house, but bigger and without walls.

Laser tag is one of the most popular activities. High-end equipment simulates futuristic laser guns, Revolutionary War muskets or a variety of other weapons, and it can be set to adapt to a storyline over multiple sessions.

Summer Adventure Camp is another highlight, Boeckel said, with zip lines, kayaking, rock climbing and hiking.

Cedar Springs also has added new programs to keep up with demand, like a wilderness crash course with a three-day guided trek and tent camping.

Staff already are booking weekends in 2016 for parties and retreats. Summer camps almost always have a few spots open for last-minute campers. Most guests are between six and 14 years old, though there are camps for older teens, as well.

People can learn more online at www.cedarspringscamp.net

Kari Bray: 425-339-3439; kbray@heraldnet.com.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Trader Joe’s customers walk in and out of the store on Monday, Nov. 20, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
New Trader Joe’s opens this week at Everett Mall

It’s a short move from a longtime location, essentially across the street, where parking was often an adventure.

Ian Bramel-Allen enters a guilty plea to second-degree murder during a plea and sentencing hearing on Wednesday, March 6, 2024, at Snohomish County Superior Court in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
‘Deep remorse’: Man gets 17 years for friend’s fatal stabbing in Edmonds

Ian Bramel-Allen, 44, pleaded guilty Wednesday to second-degree murder for killing Bret Northcutt last year at a WinCo.

Firefighters respond to a small RV and a motorhome fire on Tuesday afternoon in Marysville. (Provided by Snohomish County Fire Distrct 22)
1 injured after RV fire, explosion near Marysville

The cause of the fire in the 11600 block of 81st Avenue NE had not been determined, fire officials said.

Ashton Dedmon appears in court during his sentencing hearing on Tuesday, March 5, 2024, at Snohomish County Superior Court in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Everett Navy sailor sentenced to 90 days for fatal hit and run

Ashton Dedmon crashed into Joshua Kollman and drove away. Dedmon, a petty officer on the USS Kidd, reported he had a panic attack.

A kindergarten student works on a computer at Emerson Elementary School on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
‘¡Una erupción!’: Dual language programs expanding to 10 local schools

A new bill aims to support 10 new programs each year statewide. In Snohomish County, most follow a 90-10 model of Spanish and English.

Logo for news use featuring the Tulalip Indian Reservation in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Woman drives off cliff, dies on Tulalip Reservation

The woman fell 70 to 80 feet after driving off Priest Point Drive NW on Sunday afternoon.

Everett
Boy, 4, survives fall from Everett fourth-story apartment window

The child was being treated at Seattle Children’s. The city has a limited supply of window stops for low-income residents.

People head out to the water at low tide during an unseasonably warm day on Saturday, March 16, 2024, at Lighthouse Park in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Everett shatters record high temperature by 11 degrees

On Saturday, it hit 73 degrees, breaking the previous record of 62 set in 2007.

Snohomish County Fire District #4 and Snohomish Regional Fire & Rescue respond to a motor vehicle collision for a car and pole. The driver was pronounced dead at the scene, near Triangle Bait & Tackle in Snohomish. (Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office)
Police: Troopers tried to stop driver before deadly crash in Snohomish

The man, 31, was driving at “a high rate of speed” when he crashed into a traffic light pole and died, investigators said.

Alan Dean, who is accused of the 1993 strangulation murder of 15-year-old Bothell girl Melissa Lee, appears in court during opening statements of his trial on Monday, March 18, 2024, at Snohomish County Superior Court in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
31 years later, trial opens in Bothell teen’s brutal killing

In April 1993, Melissa Lee’s body was found below Edgewater Creek Bridge. It would take 27 years to arrest Alan Dean in her death.

Logo for news use featuring the municipality of Snohomish in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Man dies after crashing into pole in Snohomish

Just before 1 a.m., the driver crashed into a traffic light pole at the intersection of 2nd Street and Maple Avenue.

Bodies of two men recovered after falling into Eagle Falls near Index

Two men fell into the falls and did not resurface Saturday, authorities said. After a recovery effort, two bodies were found.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.