Mt. Rainier National Park and the National Park Service along with Seattle Parks and Recreation’s Camp Long this spring and summer will offer a series of programs for youth and families who have little or no experience in using parks.
 
A series of programs leading to a summer camping trip at Mt. Rainier National Park is being offered to those who are able to participate fully in the program.
 
The goals of the program are to:

1) give families who have never camped before the chance to do so, especially those with little or no experience;

2) connect youth and families with nature;

3) promote healthy recreation;

4) teach families the skills necessary to feel safe, comfortable and confident when camping by providing a positive experience for families to recreate and enjoy time together.

Families interested in participating need to attend a mandatory introductory meeting on Friday, April 24, at 7 p.m. at Camp Long to fill out the required paperwork.  Most costs of this program are supported by the National Park Service, and a variety of partnerships.
 
To help families become prepared for the Mt. Rainier trip, Camp Long has prepared a program that includes historical and cultural appreciation; an overnight stay at Camp Long; nature appreciation; camping pre-planning; a salmon field trip; a culminating camping trip to Mt. Rainier; and a reunion get-together for campers.
 
Camping on Mt. Rainier will include learning how to set up a tent, and prepare food in a campsite; finding out what it’s like to stay in a campground and how to act in parks; going on a hike with a park ranger; enjoying and learning about park plants and animals; learning how to keep healthy and wild while you are being safe; enjoying time to take pictures, write, and draw during the visit to park; enjoying family time, reflecting, doing Jr. Ranger activities; visiting beautiful and inspiring places you never knew existed.