We are getting excited for Summer Camps 2026!

We’ll be offering two camps in July. We are launching a partnership with the Northwest Maritime Center to incorporate Long Boats into our traditional Mindfulness in Motion camp, turning it into Mindfulness on Land and Sea! And we are extending our Pride Camp to include allies as well as LGBTQ+ youth.

Our camp weeks feature time in nature, art, games, and activities from our Mindful Self-Compassion for Teens curriculum, all experienced within a supportive community. Participants learn formal meditations and informal practices as they explore what it means to pay attention in the present moment, and how to cultivate a relationship with themselves based on kindness and compassion. We explore how blending these two concepts can provide important strategies for managing stress and anxiety.

Our Pride Camp incorporates added layers of support for queer youth and their unique experiences.

Tuition is $400, with the option to pay what you can. No one turned away for lack of funds!
FREE transportation provided for south county residents.

We are also seeking 11th and 12th grade youth leaders. More info further below.

pride camp - more info

This camp will take place in the Port Townsend-Chimacum area (location shared upon registration). We will explore art projects, nature excursions, and the joy of being together in community, weaving mindfulness and self-compassion tools into our daily activities. Rose Martin returns on our instructor team, for her third Pride Camp, and Eden Trenor joins her.

We're excited to welcome local leaders and community members from across our region who are also queer, bringing the simple, powerful gift of visible representation to camp.

MINDFULNESS ON LAND AND SEA - MORE INFO

This camp incorporates mindfulness practices with maritime experience, along with witnessing and honoring the indigenous traditions of this land. Most of our days will be located at Fort Worden, where we can make the most of the beaches and trails. We are also launching a partnership with the Northwest Maritime Center to incorporate time on the sea! Program Coordinator Nancy Israel is a licensed Captain, and she will be taking us out on the sea in a Longboat for two half-day sessions during the week of camp. Nancy will be joined by Eden Trenor and Steve Baird as the instructor team.

Sabrina McQuillen Hill, qʷidiččaʔa·tx̌ (Makah Nation), will join us as a Guest Teacher to share the history of the Canoe Journey. We are tracking the plans for the Canoe Journey Landing in our area, and will communicate with registered families about the date of that landing, which will be an additional date beyond the week of camp.

Because of restrictions on Longboats, all campers must be 12 or older at the time of the camp. We will be limited to 11 campers, so register soon to save your spot!

In partnership with Northwest Maritime Center

Youth Leaders enrich the camp experience!

Youth Leaders are older teens who gain experience with our curriculum in the spring before camp, and then attend our summer camp sessions as role models for our campers and assistants to our instructors. This is a special opportunity open to 11th and 12th grade leaders.

Youth Leaders Gain:

• Mentorship from Benji Project Instructors

• A deeper personal mindfulness practice

• Strong leadership skills

• Experience for careers in Psychology, Education, and Healthcare

• $600 stipend or equivalent volunteer hours

To get more information or apply, please sent an email to info@thebenjiproject.org. In your email tell us why you are interested in the opportunity and any relevant experience you have.

Photos from past camps