SCHEDULE Subject to change
Any time/arrival: Select a site, set up camp, and sign in at the Campout Headquarters Welcome Tent. Campout hosts arrive on Thursday, May 28. Please note that trips may be added or removed prior to the campout. This schedule can be used for general planning.
NOTE:DISCOVER PASS REQUIRED FOR PARKING IN THE CAMPING AREA AND AT TRAILHEADS
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THURSDAY, May 28, 2026
After sunset Owl Prowl with Madrone Ruggiero
**NEW** An “early bird” special! Madrone will lead a walk up Dry Creek and its closed road to listen and look for owls. Bring a flashlight to aid walking after dark on uneven terrain. Meet at the Campout Welcome Tent.
FRIDAY, May 29, 2026
NOTE:DISCOVER PASS REQUIRED FOR PARKING AT TRAILHEADS
All Day Wenas Little Free Library
Look for the Wenas Little Free Library at the Campout Welcome Tent. Help yourself to nature-themed books, magazines, puzzles, and more. Bring donations, too.
5:30 AM Meet/Organize for Early Bird Walk
Early risers claim the birding is best! A casual stroll around camp, then back in time to attend morning field trips. Effort level: Easy. Meet at the Welcome Tent.
8:00 AM
Downstream Walk
Walking trip from camp along Wenas Creek, led by Neil Zimmerman, Birds Connect Seattle. Depending on the number of people, walkers may split into two groups. Possible riparian species include Veery, American Dipper, Spotted Sandpiper, warblers, and more. Fitness level: Easy. Meet at the Welcome Tent.
1:00–3:00 PM
Field sketching and Nature Journaling with Carleen Zimmerman, Birds Connect Seattle
Join Carleen to learn how to save memories of beautiful places like Wenas by creating field sketches and nature journals. Bring paper, and a journal/notebook, along with your favorite writing utensils. Meet at the Welcome Tent.
4:00–5:30 PM
Birding for Beginners with Wendy Walker and Sydney Gerig, Feminist Bird Club, Seattle Chapter
Is birding a new interest, or are you a Wenas first-timer? Meet new friends and get tips on using binoculars, field guides and apps, and ask questions about the campout. We’ll start with a welcome circle and introductions, then stay for stationary birding in an open, grassy area close to camp along Wenas Creek. Bring a chair or stool if you’d like to sit, and a hat if it’s sunny. We’ll walk from the Welcome Tent at 4:00pm. Effort Level: Easy
5:30–6:30 PM
Ice Cream Social
Come enjoy ice cream novelties near the Welcome Tent, provided by Carolyn Comeau, the owner of 3 Creeks.
6:30 PM
*New Time* Evening Program Wenas Organizing Committee
Hazel Wolf Campfire Circle, look for signage for location. Bring a chair and a lap blanket for the cool evening.
SATURDAY, May 30, 2026
NOTE:DISCOVER PASS REQUIRED FOR PARKING AT TRAILHEADS
All Day: Wenas Little Free Library
Look for the Wenas Little Free Library at Campout Headquarters and help yourself to bird- and nature-related books, magazines, and puzzles, and more. Bring books or other items to donate to the library.
5:30–6:30 AM Meet/Organize for the Early Bird Walk
Insomniacs enjoy a casual stroll around camp; back in time to attend morning field trips. Fitness level: Easy. Meet at the Welcome Tent.
Time: See White Board at Campout Headquarters Friday night
Adventure Hike with Jack Siefert (TO BE CONFIRMED)
This hike explores off trail in the area around Wenas Valley. Plan for an early (but not too early) start. Bring food and water for the entire afternoon. Return before campfire program. We search for birds, bugs, flowers, scat, bones, lizards, rocks and more. Fitness level: Strenuous. Meet at the Welcome Tent.
8:00 AM
Hardy Canyon with Jen DeSelle-Milam, South Sound Bird Alliance=
A classic Wenas trip. We carpool to the trail head, explore the birds along Wenas Creek, and walk up canyon a short distance to spot upland birds. Hardy is reliable for Yellow-breasted Chat, Gray Catbird, Vesper Sparrow, and Western Meadowlark. If folks are interested, we then stop by the hay barn on the way back to look for Say’s Phoebe. Fitness level: Easy, with mild incline.
8:00 AM
Black Canyon Hike (leaders TBD)
A classic Wenas trip. Roughly an 8-mile round-trip stroll up Black Canyon. Bring lunch and water. Carpool to the trailhead, then walk on logging roads to the top of Umtanum Ridge, with sweeping vistas of Ellensburg and the surrounding valley. Species include Lazuli Bunting, Rock Wren, Mountain Bluebird, with occasional sightings of raptors and Lewis’s Woodpecker. Fitness level: Moderate to strenuous.
8:00 AM
Downstream Walks
Walking trips from camp along Wenas Creek, led by members of South Sound Bird Alliance and Neil Zimmerman, Birds Connect Seattle. Depending on the number of people, walkers will split into two groups. Possible riparian species include Veery, American Dipper, Spotted Sandpiper, warblers, and more. Fitness level: Easy.
NOON: Lunch with other birders (informal)
Join other folks at Campout Headquarters to picnic, socialize, and watch birds. Bring your own food and seating. Minimal walking required. Meet new birders or old friends.
1:00–3:30 PM
Multimedia Journaling Workshop with Nancy Merrill
Join an experienced journaler to practice “in the field” basic journaling techniques with added flair. We’ll explore a variety of ways to journal and will cover Writing/Printing; Basic Drawing and Basic Watercolor Painting. The focus will be on helpful tips to enjoy “in the field/plein air” journaling and use several mediums including pencil/pen; watercolor; stickers; stamps; patterned paper; photos, etc. A small kit with supplies will be provided; bring a chair and your enthusiasm. We’ll create a journal page focusing on the Wenas Campout. (Bring your own supplies if you prefer).
1:00 PM
Wenas Lake Trip with Ed and Liz Brown, Pilchuck Audubon
Drivers will carpool to Wenas Lake, the best place to add waterfowl to your list. Sometimes this trip includes a stop at Wenas Store for ice cream and a view of their hummingbird feeders or nesting birds. Fitness level: Easy.
1:00–3:00 PM
Kids Nature Art with Birds, Blooms, and Bugs with Carleen Zimmerman, Birds Connect Seattle
For kids and those who love them, meet at the Welcome Tent for a good time creating art from the bounty of materials Wenas provides. No supplies required.
4:00–5:00 PM
Musical Entertainment with Main Strings
Accomplished Naches musician Jeff Main entertains us with a mix of acoustic string instruments and vocals. Bring your own chair.
*NEW TIME* 6:30 PM Evening Program
Birding, Fieldwork, and Hawk Owls – Oh, My!
Hannah Toutonghi is a field ornithologist and data scientist currently working at the Ocean Research College Academy. After spending six years studying owls and raptors in the Great Lakes region, she now shares her passion for birds through both research and education. In her talk, “Birding, Fieldwork, & Hawk Owls – Oh My!” Hannah will talk about her path into ornithology, recount winter field adventures tracking Northern Hawk Owls, and briefly touch on her experience being featured in Listers, a documentary about extreme birding. Following the talk, she’ll host an owl hooting competition with some fun prizes for participants.
Hazel Wolf Campfire Circle, look for signage for location.
After Dark
Owl Prowl with Maia Jewell
An opportunity to see and hear the species of owls inhabiting the Wenas camp area. Bring a flashlight to aid in walking at night over uneven terrain. Depending on the number of people, the group may split into two.
SUNDAY, May 31, 2026
NOTE:DISCOVER PASS REQUIRED FOR PARKING AT TRAILHEADS
All Day Wenas Little Free Library
Look for the Wenas Little Free Library and help yourself to a variety of books and magazines about birds and nature. Feel free to bring books to donate to the library as well.
5:30 AM
Meet/Organize for the Early Bird Walk
A final crack-of-dawn stroll for early risers. A walk around camp, then back in time to attend morning field trips. Fitness level: Easy.
8:00 AM
Hardy Canyon Bird Walk – leader(s) TBD
A classic Wenas trip. We carpool to the trail head, explore the birds along Wenas Creek, and walk up canyon a short distance to spot upland birds. Hardy is reliable for Yellow-breasted Chat, Gray Catbird, Vesper Sparrow, and Western Meadowlark. If folks are interested, we then stop by the hay barn on the way back to look for Say’s Phoebe. Fitness level: Easy, with mild incline.
NOON: Lunch with other birders (informal)
Join other folks at Campout Headquarters to picnic, socialize, and bird watch. Bring your own food and seating. Minimal walking required. Meet new birders or old friends.
1:00–3:00 PM
Field Sketching and Nature Journaling with Carleen Zimmerman, Birds Connect Seattle
Join Carleen to save memories of beautiful places like Wenas by creating your own field sketches and nature journal. Bring paper, a journal/notebook, along with your favorite writing utensils. Meet at the Welcome Tent.
AFTERNOON TIME TBD
Bird Sit with Suzanne Wilson, South Sound Bird Alliance z
**NEW** This small group (max. 12 people) will bird while sitting together, waiting to watch who flies in. A reflective practice, with listening, observing and maybe some journaling. Bring a chair, hat, binoculars, and other comfort items.
6:30 PM Evening Program
Hazel Wolf Campfire Circle. See 2026 Evening Events page for details.
Monday, June 1, 2026
Free Day: Enjoy a morning stroll with new friends and pack up camp at your own pace.
Hope you enjoyed it! Thanks to all of our volunteer field trip/activity leaders. If you are interested in leading a hike or activity, please contact Liz Brown, Field Trip Coordinator, at lized01@comcast.net. The Wenas Campout depends on volunteers. We welcome new activities and new leaders to introduce nature enthusiasts to the best the Wenas area has to offer.
Wenas Campout 