My experience at Camp Orkila is from the 1970s. Not sure of…read moreour particulars as to how we got there other than it was either through Y-Indian Guides (which despite being a really great experience between fathers and sons has likely died as the whole gender confusion thing we got going on struck a political nerve somewhere), or through the school system. This camp provided a common experience that I have had positively reinforced over the years with business associates, sports club members, through area social activities and many other events with people who were local to the Seattle area as children. It was a bit rough and we came home a bit hungry and smelling like campfire. This was the best way possible for us as kids from the pavement of greater Seattle to begin to understand Puget Sound, native populations and history and the rich forests that were everywhere past the edge of a parking lot. So, it is with some sadness that I read how some reviews here seem to miss the points that really made this place a valuable and safe learning environment for me and my peers. I was split up from my friend group and bunked with kids I didn't know. I hated it I also badly needed to have that experience despite it's ommission from the brochure. I think, and deeply, that those times allowed for fewer expectations which in turned allowed for a more broad perspective as to our control or lack of it, our marriage to nature It would become of immeasurable value in the kids who would grow up to be the stewards of the PNW. I understand the change of time as much as I understand how some qualities should not and don't change with time. Camp Orkila delivered both. Not like in the myriad of camp pamplets I see now, but in ways even the Camp did not necessarily include as part of the spiel. Thanks Camp Orkila. Kindly written by one of the thousands of wet, fascinated campers wearing bell bottom jeans in the 1970s.

I went here a while back on a school trip. The food was awful and a few things were even expired,…read moreresulting in some students throwing up and others not eating at all. Asides from this, all I have to say is that they hardly let you have any cabin time to relax except for nights and a few minutes in the morning. The staff were fairly kind, and activities were entertaining though!

I would not recommend this school to anyone who was planning on their 3+year old going there…read more If you want a daycare that masquerades as a Montessori school, this is it. They "follow the child" in a way that also doesn't help to guide, help, educate , or keep the child safe. After 6 months of our eldest being there, she said she was repeatedly being bullied by a child. I contacted the teachers, asked for help, and they said "it's normal childhood development." I said I would like them to keep an eye on it, they didn't. After more bullying, I talked to the bully's parents. They stated, the teachers had never even talked to them about his behaviors (You might be asking how do you fix something if you can't talk about it at home, the answer is you can't). The parents stepped in and it was better for a short time, but then he began to bully my younger child instead. The owner of the school, is too afraid of conflict, so she does not address bullying. She was completely unable to have a constructive conversation around a child's abusive behavior, AND she scares the other teachers away from those conversations as well. She also didn't address a random mom that frequently taught there, yelled at my 2 year old after the abusive 5 year old had lashed out towards my son. There is no reason a caregiver should yell at a two year old to the point of tears. I watched said 5 year old physically shoulder check, push down, and call my son mean names on the playground at various pick ups/drop offs. He also shamed him about being friends with his older sister and her friends that were girls, to the point of which he would not come into a woman's restroom with me (it was later determined the bully repeatedly called him a girl), my son was 2 years old, being bullied about gender is totally inappropriate. Yet, the school would not talk with me about a possible safety plan after all these incidents. The interaction with the mom "helper" (also friends with the bully's parents', below), was the last straw, despite family hardships we made it work without child care, rather than leaving our children in the unsafe environment with these people. I want to reiterate, I asked for a plan to help these kids at least 4 times, over the course of a year. I even offered to help find services to the other child's family. The owner gaslighted everyone involved, including her other staff members who had observed the situations. The other staff members confirmed that not only that the child was bullying, but that he was also stopping lessons for everyone in the class. The owner denied everything, until our exit interview, which she acknowledged the child was abusive and encouraging his younger brother to act in an abusive way as well. She had no plan to curb the behaviors. Do what you have to do for child care, but don't expect the helpful, safe, kind values they state. They can't uphold them.

We love Kelda, Skylar and the Gardenview community. They provide a positive, loving, safe,…read moreintentional and thoughtful environment for our children. The recent negative review/rant from an angry parent is simply not true and can be verified by many folks. Clearly this person is lashing out, possibly due to larger issues in their life, past and/or with their family. Personally attacking folks who invest 110% love and compassion into the community is innapropriate, borderline defamation and plain mean. Our family and friends Highly recommend Gardenview.

The childhood every kid deserves! This place is magic. While they encourage students to grow in all…read moreareas, they also honor how and when each child is ready. Each thrives in their own way. True play based learning (which is sadly rare) throughout every day. Tree houses, sand pits, mud pies, dolls, books, cozy nooks, rope climbing, sewing, carrot peeling, daisy chains...all the best parts of the old days. As a child development specialist, my heart grows every time I observe teachers interacting with students. They are "gardeners, not carpenters". Love, empathy, curiosity, and firm boundaries all shine here. They are as engaged with social emotional teaching as they are "academic" skills. The world would be a better place if every child experienced this kind of early education.

Loving Space is everything we dreamed of for a preschool and kindergarten for our son. The teachers…read moreunderstand children and child development and provide the most magical, play-full, supportive, and loving atmosphere. As soon as our son started as a three year old, we noticed that his play became deeper and richer. As a five year old in kindy, his understanding of himself, compassion for others, and academic skills also grew by leaps and bounds. We are grateful for our time and LS and our only regret is that is doesn't go through 12th grade!

Fantastic place to work & send your outdoor loving kiddos! Firs and Fiddleheads blends stewardship…read moreof the outdoors with Christian values, focusing on play as serious work. It's on a beautiful, old growth campus filled with varying wildlife to observe! 100/10

I worked here summer 2022 and hated it so much I put my two weeks in barely a month after I…read morestarted. They are an incredibly unorganized (unlicensed) childcare option and offered little to no training on child safety protocol for their staff, at summer camp the head teacher barely gave any instruction to kids and families on safety expectations and rules. Children were constantly getting hurt and the head teacher did little to provide appropriate consequences when my coworkers and I would bring incidents to her attention. I was one of the only teachers that would actually accompany kids to the bathroom, the head teacher would send 4 year olds to the bathroom out of sight by themselves every day and was shocked when I would go to accompany them with another camper to maintain ratio. She provided so little structure during the day that kids were completely under stimulated and their behavior problems that had been enabled throughout the school year were exacerbated in the summer. I felt like there was so little I could do to support my campers in a way that would be supported by the Firs. I have worked in childcare for many years and this is the worst place I've ever worked. Do not work here, do not send your kids here, their negligence is going to land them in a lawsuit some day. The homophobia too.....

You know when people say that Disneyland is their favorite place on earth? Well, screw Disneyland…read morebecause this is my happiest place on earth! I attended Canoe Island as a kid for 7 straight summers. Those were the happiest times of my life. I was able to go back as an adult for a Yoga Weekend two years ago and the magic has not been lost. If you love the outdoors, fresh air, and a true unique experience, then you must experience Canoe Island! Sigh...I wish I was there right now! Send your kids there or spend an adult weekend enjoying yoga or cooking tasty cuisine. I promise, you won't be disappointed!

My daughter is in her 4th year here, having started going to a 2 week session in the 5th Grade…read more She love Canoe and everything about it. Wonderful counselors, great sessions, amazing food ( and french cooking lessons), gorgeous setting, and all the while effortlessly (so it seems) improving her french. Thanks Canoe!

Shooting Stars Preschool combines the best educational opportunity with the great gross motor…read moreskills of gymnastics. I feel Ms. Kelley's teaching made my older son a competent, capable, independent learner. Currently my youngest son is attending and last year had Ms. Kelley but has Ms. Dyna this year and now I am happy to say that Shooting Stars has two excellent teachers. I cannot say enough about the foundation this preschool provides to its students.

We are beyond proud of our child's education at the Shooting Stars preschool. She has confidence…read morein learning and motor skills; definitely ready for Kindergarten! Ms. Dyna and Ms. Kelly are caring, creative, and all around excellent teachers. We were so lucky to have them take such a large part in our child's development. The classrooms are bright and the gym is supreme. The front office staff is very helpful and friendly and the coaches are top level. We hope our daughter continues to take gymnastics at Gym Star for years to come.

Our daughter went to Blue Heron for 3 years and we loved every second of it. Amazing staff, great…read moreenvironment - we were sad to leave when she aged out. The teachers really care and got to know us and our daughter over the 3 years - something we were really thankful for.

I can't say enough good things about Blue Heron. Our 5 year old daughter has attended for the last…read more6 months, and we have been thoroughly impressed. They have an amazing old school house with a nice yard that offers a fantastic setting for child development. The teachers Jolahna and Sheri bring a great deal of experience and are wonderful with the kids. The instruction is very creative and our daughter is always excited to tell us about what she learned at school when she gets home. All the other parents we have met seem very invested in their kids education and have been nothing but complementary of Blue Heron. We are very happy with our choice and would highly recommend!

I've had my granddaughter here for more than 2 years. She has thrived in her ability to connect…read morewith peers and is so much more prepared for the social and academic world ahead of her. I can't recommend Barnine and Happy Kids enough. They are special and any child is fortunate to be here