Summer Camp Registration Now Open

Summer Camp FAQs

Our goal is to provide a safe, fun and enriching summer day camp program for school aged youth. Weekly themes have been developed to guide your child through a week of fun, interesting and meaningful activities. Through active participation in the Federal Way Summer Camp, our staff fosters an environment for positive behaviors and habits for social physical and emotional well being. To make these goals a reality, the City of Federal Way employs qualified, compassionate staff members who have a fondness for children and will be a positive influence in their lives.

Scroll down to view all FAQs or click below for a specific category.

Click here to view the 2026 Summer Camp Calendar

Click here to view the 2026 Firefly Calendar

Click here to view the 2026 DCIT Camp Calendar

How Do I Contact My Child Throughout The Day?

If you have a message for your child or for Day Camp staff, please call the program cell phone at 206-255-8706

2026 Summer Camp Weekly Themes

Notice of Inclement Weather Policy

At camp, we’re prepared for all types of weather to ensure a fun, safe, and engaging experience for campers, rain or shine!

  • Outdoor Activities: On dry days, we will utilize the grassy areas around the Community Center and Celebration Park for outdoor play.
  • Power Outages: In the event of a power outage, the Federal Way Community Center’s generator will keep camp running as usual.
  • Severe Weather (Snow, Storms, etc.):
    • We closely monitor the forecast and road conditions in collaboration with Public Works.
    • If camp needs to be delayed or canceled due to severe weather, families will be notified via email by 6:00 AM.
    • The camp cell phone voicemail (206-255-8706) will also be updated with a recorded message. If no email or voicemail update is received, camp will proceed as scheduled.
    • If camp is canceled, families will receive a refund for the missed day.
  • Early Closure: If weather conditions require camp to close early, we will contact families for prompt pickup.

PICK-UP AND DROP-OFF

Drop off: Between 7am-9am inside the building in the FWCC Community Wing. Please park in the parking lot and bring your camper inside.

Pick up: Between 3:30pm-6pm inside the building in the FWCC Community Wing. Please park in the parking lot and pick up your camper from inside.

If drop off / pick up needs to happen outside of designated hours, park
and come into FWCC. Let the front desk know you are here for camp drop
off or camp pick up and they will radio for a camp staff.

In the event you are going to be late to pick up your camper, please call the program cell phone 206.255.8706 to inform camp staff. This courtesy call will not waive the late fee. There will be a late charge of $1.00 per minute per child not picked up by 6pm and increased to $2.00 per minute after 6:30pm. Payments for late-fees are due upon pick-up.

GENERAL FAQs & CAMP ACTIVITIES

  • 7am-9am carpool drop off: Kids will have options of board games, coloring sheets, minimal movement activities, etc. Backpack in designated group bin and lunch in designated cooler.
  • 9am – 3:30pm: Kids are in color groups based on the grades the kids will be going into in the fall.
    • Groups rotate around FWCC building, participating in activities based upon weekly themes- and projects consisting of arts and crafts, recreation games, swimming and rock climbing (twice a week) and other exciting activities.
  • 3:30p-6pm carpool pick up: Kids active play or are inside for a movie. A weekly newsletter will be provided on Monday with info for the week.

We are in the process of reviewing field trips for summer camp. Field trips
will be on Wednesdays and busing will be contracted through First Student.
Some field trips will be an on-site field trip (for example, Sub Zero visiting as
a science and treat for the campers).
Field trips are subject to change based of safety of all kids (ex: weather
conditions)

  • Camper will participate in open swim once to twice a week. Kids will change in the FWCC locker rooms and rinse off prior to entering pool.
  • Camp staff will monitor campers while changing, as FWCC is a public facility.
  • Kids who require a life jacket will wear one until ePACT account has been updated.
  • Kids under age 7 will be in arms reach of a day camp counselor at all time in the pool.
  • Day camp leaders will be swimming with the kids and additional staff will be walking around the pool deck.
  • Camp will always swim during open swim, while lifeguards are on duty.

Kids are assigned to groups based off the grades they are going into in the
fall. All kids going into similar grade are grouped together. This to ensure
groups are playing age appropriate games and activities.

1 counselor to every 12 campers but generally we follow a 1 counselor to 10
campers ratio.

Yes, all day camp staff go are trained on procedures, policies and best ways to handle discipline.
All camp staff are CPR, First Aid and Bloodborne Pathogen trained.

A weekly newsletter will be provided on each Monday with info for the week.

Fireflies Preschool Camp is for ages 3-5.
Kids going into Kindergarten through 8th grade.
DCIT is for teens going into 9th-10th grader.

REGISTRATION,  WAITLISTS, PAYMENTS & REFUNDS

Following successful registration, an ePACT invite will be sent to collect additional information about your child and will need to be filled out and ‘shared’ with The City of Federal Way: Federal Way Community Center.

How Do I Register?
For the easiest and quickest possible registration, please register online using our program registration software. If a session is full, you can add your child to the wait list through the registration system.
Registration can be done in person at FWCC front desk or on the phone 253-835-6900.

IF YOU DO NOT HAVE AN ACCOUNT CLICK HERE TO LEARN HOW TO REGISTER AND CREATE AN ACCOUNT ONLINE

How Do I Register Online?
The best way to guarantee your child’s space in is to register online here and pay the one-time Camp Enrollment Fee ($55) which is good for the entire summer.

  1. Login username (your primary email) and password. If you need assistance with either of these, please email kim.ledyard@cityoffederalway.com for assistance.
  2. On the “Registration Home” page, click “Day Camps”
    Select the appropriate camp (there are multiple pages of camps). Fireflies is for preschooler (ages 3-5), K-8th Summer Camp is for kids going into Kindergarten through 8th grade. Click the “+” next to enrollment fee and/or weeks of camp and then “add to cart” at the bottom of your screen.
  3.  Select the appropriate camp (there are multiple pages of camps). Click the “+” next to enrollment fee and/or weeks of camp and then “add to cart” at the bottom of your screen.
    • Fireflies is for preschooler (ages 3-5), K-8th Summer Camp is for kids going into Kindergarten through 8th grade, DCIT is for 9th and 10th graders. 
  4. Answer the questions FULLY for the enrollment fee regarding payment, toggle you have read and agree to the waiver and click “continue”.
  5. Payment for summer camp will be paid in full at time of registration OR schedule Weekly Payments
    1. IN FULL: Enrollment fee is $55, weekly prices are $235/$245 (still with the $50 pre-payment – early bird is  register before 5/31/25 and regular rate begins 6/1/25
    2. PAYMENT SCHEDULE: Make a $50 pre-payment per week, this $50 is non-refundable and non-transferable
  6. Click “continue” and proceed to make a payment (and/or place a new card on file) to complete summer camp registration.

If a family withdraws from camp, the next family on the waitlist will automatically receive an email notification (families are responsible for ensuring the email address on file is correct). That family will have 48 hours to complete registration for the open spot. If the spot is not claimed within that time, it will move to the next family on the waitlist.

Summer camp is a highly sought-after program, which is why the 48-hour turnaround is necessary to ensure openings are filled quickly and fairly.

PAYMENT & REFUND POLICIES

  • An annual enrollment fee of $55 is good for the entire summer and includes a camp t-shirt. Refunds / credits are not issued for days or partial days missed.
  • The best way to guarantee your child’s space in is to register online and pay the one-time Camp Enrollment Fee ($55) which is good for the entire summer.
    • Payment Options (Full or Scheduled)
      • Scheduled Billing Option: For the convenience of reserving a spot in camp, you may make a $50 pre-payment per week. This $50 is non-refundable and non-transferable to other programs, camps, or weeks of summer camp. All $50 holding fees are applied to the total weekly fee of summer camp. Balances will automatically be scheduled to be paid by credit or debit card at the time of registration.
        • If payment is declined, you will receive notification via phone call, email and/or at checkout. Accounts must have a $0 balance at 6pm on Monday (7 days prior to camp start date) or a late fee will be added.
        • If payment is not made by 6pm on Wednesday (5 days prior to start date), your spot will be forfeited and given to the next person on the waitlist.
  • Accepted payment options online include Visa & MasterCard cards (cash or check payments may be made at FWCC front desk)
  • If your camper is unable to attend, withdraw by 6:30am on Saturday (48 hours prior to start date) will receive a refund (less the $50 holding fee and $50 enrollment fee)

 

No, only full week camp registration options are available.

No, we do not offer multiple child discounts.

No, we do not offer multiple child discounts.
FWCC offers a fee assistance program. If approved, families receive 25% off per child, per week ($50 holding fee is not included in Fee Assistance program). Youth Commission offers a FirStep Scholarship for teens in 6th-12th grade. Click here for more information on Fee Reductions and Scholarships.

No, we are not a licensed childcare and cannot accept DSHS money.

WHAT TO BRING TO CAMP

  1. Please send morning snack, lunch, water and sunscreen every day. We will provide an afternoon snack (if your camper has special dietary needs please send an afternoon snack.
  2. Send swimsuit and towel every day, we have an outdoor water activity center that we will be utilizing this summer.
  3. Make sure children wear athletic shoes every day. Participation in certain activities will be restricted without them.

Campers need to bring a morning snack and lunch each day. An
afternoon snack will be provided daily. If your camper has special dietary
needs please send an afternoon snack.

  • Do not allow your child to bring toys and/or valuables (electronics included) unless special arrangements have been made with camp supervisor. Our facility and staff will not be held responsible for items that are lost, broken or stolen.
  • Toy weapons, knives and guns are not permitted.
  • Do not send money with campers, unless pre-approved by camp supervisor.
  • Our program does not permit campers to play (unapproved) video games.
  • No chewing gum is permitted during program hours.

Camp staff will not be responsible for holding any items that should not have been brought to camp.

INJURY & MEDICINE PROCEDURES

Our staff will treat all minor injuries, and parents will be notified at pickup.
If camp staff determine that a camper should seek further medical
treatment, a parent / guardian will be notified immediately. All head “bonks” will receive a call to the parent and parent can determine if a child should remain at camp.

Staff are unable to administer medication to participants at any recreation
program. Staff can remind campers to take medication. For specific
questions, contact Kimberly Ledyard (kim.ledyard@cityoffederalway.com)

Send your camper with their own labeled sunscreen. Ultimately, it is the
parent’s responsibility to ensure that their child is covered with sunscreen
prior to arrive at camp. Our policy is to remind and encourage campers to wear sunscreen whenever outdoors; however we will not be able to force children to wear it.