Any time/arrival: Select a site, set up camp, and sign in at the Campout Headquarters Welcome Tent/Larrison Tree.
By request Friday-Sunday between 10am-3pm:
Wenas Campout Scavenger Hunt
Designed for the youngest campers! Visit the campsite of Carleen and Neil Zimmerman (look for the pink flamingoes) to pick up a copy of a campground map. Use clues on the map to find scavenger hunt boxes hidden near the main camping area. At each box, explorers will find nature-themed questions and activities. Bring a completed map back to Carleen for a special surprise.
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FRIDAY, May 30, 2025
5:30 AM Meet/Organize for Early Bird Walk
Early risers claim the birding is best, or they suffer from insomnia. A casual stroll around camp, then back in time to attend morning field trips. Effort level: Easy.
8:00 AM-3:00 PM
Visit 3 Creeks
HOSTS: Carolyn Comeau & Jim Leier, 21200 N. Wenas Road, to enjoy a wide variety of birds (Say’s Phoebe, Bullock’s Oriole, Western Kingbird) and visit with one another on the porch of a historic farm house.
Directions: Coming from the Campground, take a right onto the paved Wenas Rd. Go one mile, driveway entrance on the right.
9:00 AM
Dry Creek Upstream with Michael Hobbs, Eastside Audubon
Set out from camp on foot and walk up the Dry Creek valley both onx
and off of trails. Return time mid-afternoon; bring snacks/lunch and
water. Fitness level: Moderate.
2:00 PM
High-Country Drive with Lamont McLachlan, Yakima Audubon
If there is enough interest, Lamont will lead intrepid drivers to higher elevations on dirt logging roads. Check at Campout Headquarters. While a Subaru can make it, 4-wheel drive, high-clearance vehicles are advised.
3:00–4:00 PM
“Sip + Paint” with Carleen Zimmerman, Birds Connect Seattle
*NEW* Join Carleen for a “sip and paint” session focusing on the “birds, bugs and blooms” of Wenas. Meet near Campout Headquarters. Bring a favorite beverage, something to sit on, art supplies, and your curiosity. Open to all ages. No walking required.
4:00–5:30 PM
Birding for Beginners with Wendy Walker, 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 welcoming circle, then bird 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.
6:00–7:00 PM
Dessert and Musical Entertainment
Joy Autumn: We welcome back seasoned Wenas camper, Joy Autumn, who attended the campout from 1984 at age one and into her teens. Now a professional musician, Joy joins us to celebrate the 60th gathering. Bring your own chair and come early to choose a dessert.
7:00 PM
Evening Program
Hazel Wolf Campfire Circle, look for signage for location. Bring a chair and a lap blanket for the cool evening. See 2025 Evening Programs for details.
Who Are You? Moths After Dark with David Droppers, professor and moth enthusiast
David will demonstrate how to attract and identify moths using a black light and a white sheet.
SATURDAY, May 31, 2025
NOTE:DISCOVER PASS REQUIRED FOR PARKING AT TRAILHEADS
All Day: Wenas Little Free Library
Look for the Wenas Little Free Library at Campout Headquerters 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
Bed-hating early risers enjoy a casual stroll around camp; back in time to attend morning field trips. Fitness level: Easy.
Time: See White Board at Campout Headquarters Friday night
Adventure Hike with Jack Siefert
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.
7:00 AM
High-Country Drive with Lamont McLachlan, Yakima Audubon
A caravan to survey beautiful upper-elevation areas, where potential species include Clark’s Nutcracker and Williamson’s Sapsucker. Subarus can make it, but 4-wheel drive, high-clearance vehicles are advised. Fitness level: Humans—easy. Cars–strenuous.
8:00 AM–3:00 PM
Visit 3 Creeks
HOSTS: Carolyn Comeau & Jim Leier, 21200 N. Wenas Road, to enjoy a wide variety of birds (Say’s Phoebe, Bullock’s Oriole, Western Kingbird) and visit with one another on the porch of a historic farm house.
Directions: Coming from the Campground, take a right onto the paved Wenas Rd. Go one mile, driveway entrance on the right.
8:00 AM
Hardy Canyon – 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.
8:00 AM
Black Canyon Hike with Michael Hobbs, Eastside Audubon
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 Walk with Neil Zimmerman, Birds Connect Seattle
A stroll from camp along Wenas Creek, where riparian species include Veery, American Dipper, Spotted Sandpiper, warblers, and more. Fitness level: Easy
11:00 AM–3:00 PM
Plant Walk—Wenas Campground and Hog Ranch Ridge with Geoff Berg, Washington Native Plant Society
*NEW* A walk through camp, up Hog Ranch Road and down via Hog Ranch Ridge. Geoff will identify plants, give a brief ethnobotany talk and Plant App tutorial and review how Native peoples used Wenas plants in their cultures. Boots/poles recommended for rocky off-road walking. Bring water, lunch and meet at the Wildflower Display. Fitness level: Easy to moderate.
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.
12:30–1:45 PM
Introductory Drawing Workshop with Nancy Merrill
*NEW* Join Nancy to learn and practice the basics of drawing, including shapes, shadowing, texturing, composition and perspective. We will end with applying basic techniques for two bird drawings, with one isometric pose and one “in-flight” pose. Paper and pencils provided, or bring your own. Please bring your own chair and meet at Campout Headquarters.
1:00 PM
Wenas Lake Trip with (leader(s) TBD
Drivers will carpool to Wenas Lake, the best place to add waterfowl to your list as well as riparian species and Bank Swallows. Sometimes this trip includes a stop at Wenas Store for ice cream and a view of their hummingbird feeders. Fitness level: Easy.
2:00–4:00 PM
Multi-media Journaling with Nancy Merrill
Journalers will explore and use media such as pencil, pen and ink, watercolor, felt pens, stickers, stamps and colored/patterned paper. A small kit will be provided with everything you’ll need, but of course bring your favorite journals and tools if you like. Please bring a chair and your enthusiasm for sharing ideas in creating unique and special journal pages. Meet at Campout Headquarters. Minimal walking required.
4:00–5:00 PM
Dessert and Musical Entertainment with Main Strings
Jeff Mains, an accomplished local Naches musician, entertains us with a mix of acoustic string instruments and vocals. Bring your own chair and come early to choose an ice cream novelty.
7:00 PM
Evening Program
Hazel Wolf Campfire Circle, look for signage for location. See 2025 Evening Events page for details.
Birds of the Night with Ed Dominguez, Lead Naturalist, Seward Park Audubon Center
Ed will talk about owls, nighthawks and poorwills, then lead a walk to a meadow up Hog Ranch Road to look and listen for these birds and other sounds of the night.
SUNDAY, June 1, 2025
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
Early risers enjoy a casual stroll looking for birds and listening tosnores from bed lovers. Back in time to attend morning field trips. Fitness level: Easy.
8:00 AM–3:00 PM
Visit 3 Creeks
HOSTS: Carolyn Comeau & Jim Leier, 21200 N. Wenas Road, to enjoy a wide variety of birds (Say’s Phoebe, Bullock’s Oriole, Western Kingbird) and visit with one another on the porch of a historic farm house.
Directions: Coming from the Campground, take a right onto the paved Wenas Rd. Go one mile, driveway entrance on the right.
8:00 AM
Black Canyon Hike – Lukas Evans
The classic Wenas trip. An 8-mile round-trip hike up Black Canyon. Bring lunch and water. Walking on logging roads to the top of Umtanum Ridge, with sweeping vistas of Ellensburg and the surrounding valley. For-sure species include Lazuli Bunting, Rock Wren, Mountain Bluebird, with occasional star sightings of raptors and Lewis’s Woodpecker. Carpool to trailhead. Fitness level: Moderate to strenuous.
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.
8:30–11:30 AM
BBQ Flats Horse Camp Drive/Walk with Ed and Liz Brown, Pilchuck Audubon
*NEW* A short drive to the intersection of Audubon Road with Maloy Road, then on Maloy to this DNR campground set in a flat, open pine forest. Easy access on a gravel road, then we will bird around the camp, which is frequented by horse riders. Horse poop attracts bugs which attract birds! Meet at Campout Headquarters for carpooling. Fitness level: Easy.
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 PM
Wenas Lake Trip with Neil Zimmerman, Birds Connect Seattle
Drivers will carpool to Wenas Lake, the best place to add waterfowl to your list as well as riparian birds and Bank Swallows. May include a stop at Wenas Store for ice cream and a view of their hummingbird feeders. Fitness level: Easy.
1:30–2:45 PM
Introductory Drawing Workshop with Nancy Merrill
*NEW* Join Nancy to learn and practice the basics of drawing, including shapes, shadowing, texturing, composition and perspective. We will end with applying basic techniques for two bird drawings, with one isometric pose and one “in-flight” pose. Paper and pencils provided, or bring your own. Please bring your own chair and meet at Campout Headquarters.
3:00–4:00 PM
“Sip + Paint” with Carleen Zimmerman, Birds Connect Seattle
*NEW* Join Carleen for a “sip and paint” session focusing on the “birds, bugs and blooms” of Wenas. Meet near Campout Headquarters. Bring a favorite beverage, something to sit on, art supplies, and your curiosity. Open to all ages. No walking required.
7:00 PM Evening Program
Hazel Wolf Campfire Circle. See 2024 Evening Events page for details.
Monday, June 2, 2025
5:30 AM Meet/Organize for the Early Bird Walk
Early risers enjoy a casual stroll around camp in a pleasant farewell to Wenas. Fitness level: Easy.
7:00 PM
Evening Program with Wenas Organizing Committee. Hazel Wolf Campfire Circle. See 2025 Evening Events page for details.
Wenas Campout 