2026 Dates: Oct 16-18 | Starting at $600❋
Family Adventure Camp: Bend, OR
A 3-day outdoor camp experience for families with kids at Tumalo State Park in Bend, OR.
Family Adventure Camp is our most relaxed, playful offering—
a return to the kind of days that feel open, outdoorsy, and full of possibility.
Set along the Deschutes River at Tumalo State Park, this experience is intentionally low-key while still thoughtfully supported. It's not about structure or perfection; it's about creating space for real moments to unfold, together.
Kids roam, create, and play. Parents rest, connect, and breathe.
Everyone becomes fast friends.
And somewhere in between, something shifts.
What to ExpectDays at camp are simple and full in the best way.
Mornings begin slowly (or as slowly as they can with kids!); coffee in hand, kids already off exploring.
Throughout the day, art and nature activities are open all day long (with a few special scheduled projects), so families can dip in and out as it suits them. Stay in camp and enjoy a hot fire, crafts, and the company of other families — or head out and explore everything Bend has to offer, from river trails to hikes, and come back whenever you're ready.
Evenings bring shared meals, connection, and that unmistakable feeling of being outside together.
No rigid schedule. Just a gentle flow that makes everything feel easier.
The Experience
What’s Included
All meals+snacks+drinks included
Hearty welcome snacks, Friday dinner+s’mores; Saturday breakfast, lunch, & dinner; Sunday breakfast
Snacks & cold drinks available 24/7
Hot water available throughout Camp (for cocoa & tea!) plus hot coffee each morning
Kid friendly options are always available!
Two nights camping at Tumalo State Park
All-day, open-ended art and nature activities for kids
A mini family photo shoot
Communal camp spaces (fire pit, gathering areas)
A welcome gift for each family
A welcoming, like-minded group of families
2026 will be our first annual FAC: $600 per family of four. Additional $50 per additional adult or child over the age of two. Limited to 12 families to keep the experience intimate.
Logistics
Location: Tumalo State Park, Bend, Oregon
Dates: October 16–18, 2026
October in Bend can be cold, and it can also be lovely. Be prepared for an adventure, and ready to be flexible. We do not cancel due to cold or rain; we invite each participant to arrive as prepared as possible for varied conditions! And we promise to do our best to make Camp cozy & fun no matter what the forecast says!
Designed for families with kids ages 0–8 (older kids are welcome — most activities are just geared toward a younger crowd)
Each family creates their own cozy home base within our reserved group site—whether that’s a tent, camper van, or RV*
You’re free to keep it simple or make it as comfortable as you’d like
The group site is designated as “nonelectric” but a charging station for small devices will be provided.
*Space is limited for RVs and RVs must be self-contained- no hook ups available.
Limited capacity to keep the experience intimate
Detailed packing list and itinerary will be shared after booking & as we get closer to camp
Led by experienced outdoor educators and event designers
Who this is for
This is for the family that wants something different.
You love being outside together — but you're tired of holding all the logistics. You want space to breathe, to connect, to actually enjoy this season instead of managing it.
You don't need luxury. You want something real. Thoughtful. Beautiful in a simple, grounded way.
You're drawn to slow mornings, time outside, and the kind of experiences your kids will remember.
Whether you're two parents, one, or a whole crew of grandparents and cousins — if your family is ready to unplug, get outside, and make some memories together, you'll feel at home here.
Reconnect with yourself, your children, and nature as you escape the noise of everyday life, at Camp.Accommodations
This is a bring-your-own-camp experience.
Each family creates their own cozy home base in our spacious, reserved group site; whether that's a tent, camper van, or RV. You're free to keep it simple or make it as comfortable as you'd like.
We'll take care of everything else.
Shared spaces are thoughtfully set up and ready for you: a fire pit, gathering areas, meals prepared, and a beautiful spot along the Deschutes River designed to feel welcoming from the moment you arrive.
If you're newer to camping, don't worry; we'll provide a detailed packing list and guidance to help you feel fully prepared.
Day OneArrive & Meet
You'll arrive in the afternoon, get settled into your space, and have time to explore the grounds at your own pace. Kids can start to roam and play, while the grown-ups take a breath, set up their tents, and begin to unwind from the rhythm of everyday life. At Family Adventure Camp, you'll find that extra hands are always available to help.
We'll gather for a casual welcome. Nothing formal, just a chance to meet the other families and get a feel for the days ahead.
Dinner is hot, simple, nourishing, and taken care of. Afterward, the evening is yours — quiet conversations, early bedtimes, s'mores by the fire as the light fades.
No expectations. Just a gentle beginning.
Check-In & Settle In12:00 - 4:00pm
Welcome to Camp4:00pm
Hot Dinner5:00pm
After Dinner Fire & S'mores6:30pm
Rest 8:00pm
Day TwoRest, connect, play.
The morning starts slowly: coffee, hot breakfast, and a soft entry into the day. This is also when we'll set out everything you need to build your own trail lunch to take with you for the day (sandwiches, chips, fruit, trail mix, and a brown bag to pack it all in).
From there, art and nature activities are open all day. Families are welcome to stay in camp (enjoy the fire, dig into crafts, let the kids roam!) or head out and explore the area: hikes, the river, whatever sounds good. Come and go as you please; there's no rigid schedule. Golden hour brings the opportunity for a mini family photo shoot so you can leave with a few real, unposed moments captured.
In the evening, we'll come together for a special shared dinner, an opportunity to slow down, enjoy a beautiful meal, and connect as a group.
Breakfast & Coffee & Build-your-own Trail Lunch7:00 - 8:00am
Morning circle8:30am
Art & nature activities open all day (think: water colors, pumpkin painting, bead projects, nature crafts)9:00am - 4:00pm
Explore on your own — hikes, river, or hang at camp; the fire will be burning and the vibes will be cozy!All day
Golden Hour Mini Photo Shoot3:30-5:00pm
Hot Dinner & Cozy Dessert5:00pm
Day ThreeSlow morning departure.
The final morning is intentionally unhurried.
Wake up slowly, enjoy a hot breakfast, and soak in a few last moments — whether that's another walk, one more cup of coffee, or watching your kids play with their new friends.
There's no rush to pack up or leave immediately. We create space for a gentle close, so you can leave feeling grounded rather than abrupt.
You'll head home with tired, happy kids; and a sense of having truly stepped out of the noise for a few days, together.
Breakfast & Coffee7:00 - 8:00am
Group Closure10:00am
Light snacks available; pack up Camp10:00 - 12:00pm
Relaxed departureby 12:00pm
Family Adventure Camp
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Family Adventure Camp ❋
Meet Your Hosts
Hi, I’m Kelsey—an outdoor guide at heart, an experience designer by trade, and a mom of two adventurous boys.
My love for this kind of experience started early—at summer camp in the Texas hill country—and deepened during a gap year hiking the Appalachian Trail. Since then, I’ve spent years guiding, teaching, and designing experiences rooted in connection and the outdoors.
I studied Outdoor Adventure Leadership and went on to teach Leave No Trace and outdoor leadership with the Appalachian Mountain Club. I later led the Stanford Pre-Orientation Trips (SPOT) program, where I used shared adventure to help students build confidence, connection, and a sense of belonging.
Along the way, I’ve guided students internationally as a travel camp counselor with Broadreach and designed large-scale experiential events for Dutch Bros Coffee—from whitewater rafting trips to concerts and gatherings for thousands.
But the heart of it has always been the same:
Creating spaces that feel thoughtful, welcoming, and just a little bit adventurous.
This retreat is a reflection of that—designed with care, shaped by experience, and grounded in what I know so many of us need: a chance to slow down, step outside, and reconnect—with our kids, ourselves, and the natural world.
Hey There, I’m Emily, outdoor leader, educator, and community builder, and I believe the best conversations happen outside.
My path started with a degree in Outdoor Adventure Leadership and has taken me through roles centered on leadership development and experiential learning. I have led outdoor trips all over the United States and Canada with Adventure Treks and spent four years as the Associate Director of Adventure Programs at Stanford University.
Outside of that world, I have always come back to the outdoors as a grounding place. It is where I reset, reflect, and reconnect with myself and with others. Whether it is a long walk, a shared meal outside, or a full day unplugged, I am drawn to experiences that are simple, intentional, and restorative.
With this retreat space, my goal is to create something that feels both thoughtful and real, where people can step away from the noise, settle in, and leave feeling more like themselves.