Methow Campus

Welcome to the Bush Methow Campus

The Bush School campus extends beyond the urban landscape of Seattle across the Cascade mountains to The Bush School Methow Campus. In the fall of 2016, the school acquired a twenty-acre campus and educational facility in Mazama, WA. This campus, located in the region known as the Methow Valley, provides students with immersive experiences that highlight the interdependence between community, environment, and self.

Methow Happenings 2021-2022

Class Retreats

Middle School Wilderness Trips

Middle School E-Weeks

Middle School Family Camp Week

Upper School Winter AMPs

Upper School Spring AMPs

Senior Projects

Nordic Team Weekend

Cross-Country Team Retreat

Athletic Student Council Retreat

Faculty Workshop

Sixth Grade Faculty Program Planning Trip

Regional ISEEN Faculty Workshop

Family & Alumni Weekends

Community Soup Nights

Local Schools Events

Local Non-profit Board Retreat

Local Non-profit Visiting Student Group

Local Summer Camps

2020 Methow Summer Camps

Registration is open for the Bush Methow Summer Camps! See all the offerings below and sign up here.

Field Scientists Camp
Monday, July 27 to Thursday, July 30
9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.
Open to First and Second Grade students
Bush School Methow Campus, 255 Lost River Rd. Mazama, WA

Have you ever wondered what makes the forest so special? Why do some animals live in certain kinds of trees? Where do all the animals actually live? Get out your thinking caps and let's discover the forest as scientists! We will explore the trails with cool tools, examine the hidden rivers, and discover the magical secrets of nature! Come gain a deeper understanding of the natural world around us.

Survival Skills Camp
Monday, August 3 to Thursday, August 6
9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.
Open to Third, Fourth, and Fifth Grade students

Bush School Methow Campus, 255 Lost River Rd. Mazama, WA

Do you have what it takes to survive in the wilderness? Where would you sleep and what would you eat? Come learn all the nature skills you'll need at the beautiful Bush School wilderness in Mazama! Each person will learn how to make unique shelters, identify edible plants in the forest, track animals and more! You are sure to leave this camp prepared for any wilderness adventure.

Fly Fishing Camp Session A: Monday, July 20 to Thursday, July 23
Fly Fishing Camp Session B: Monday, August 10 to Thursday, August 13
Open to Third, Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth Grade students
Bush School Methow Campus, 255 Lost River Rd. Mazama, WA
Both sessions run 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.

Mayflies, wooly buggers, and cutthroat--oh my! In this fly-fishing camp, you will learn about aquatic insects in the Methow Valley, how to tie your own flies, and how to cast with a fly rod. You will also learn what fish eat, how to "read" water, and how to wade safely. We will have three on-the-water experiences when you will have the opportunity to catch fish on flies that you’ve tied.

Ride Rad Mountain Bike Camp
Monday, June 29 to Thursday, July 2
9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.

Open to Fifth, Sixth, Seventh, and Eighth Grade students
Bush School Methow Campus, 255 Lost River Rd. Mazama, WA (Transportation from barn available)

Ride the trails with confidence and new skills. Each day starts with skill builders and ends with trail rides. Groups will be split by age and ability and instructed by certified mountain bike coaches. You’ll learn basic skills, play bike games, manage obstacles like rocks and logs, and negotiate drops and jumps. Plus you’ll learn how to fix-a-flat and maintain and improve your favorite trail. Get ready to shred! A hardtail mountain bike in good working order is required; loaner bikes available upon request.

Bread and Jam
Monday, July 13 to Thursday, July 16
Open to Fifth, Sixth, Seventh, and Eighth Grade students
Location: Bush School Methow Campus, 255 Lost River Rd. Mazama, WA
Transportation from barn available
9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.

How does a baguette get its shape? Why does some bread have big holes in it? What is sourdough anyway? Learn the answers to these questions this summer while becoming a master bread baker! Together we will make a variety of breads and learn about how grains on a farm become the bread on our table. Alongside baking, we will explore our local food system and make jam from berries we harvest. Be ready to take home plenty of bread, recipes, jam, and your own sourdough starter.

Facilities

List of 5 items.

Classroom Building

The classroom is next to the cabin. This building has one entrance with a large barn door that can be opened during the summer months. One wall has greenhouse windows, which bring light into the space. There is a built-in wall screen for movies and presentations.
Methow River

A short walk takes students to the bank of the Methow River. In the summer and fall, the river goes underground, and students can walk across the riverbed. In winter, a bridge is laid across the river to connect the ski trails. And in spring, the river flows above ground.
Outdoor Spaces

The twenty-acre campus features a full garden, large lawn, fire pit, and trails.
The Cabin

The cabin sleeps eleven in three rooms. This sleeping space has a small kitchen, a fun loft, and is away from the bustle of the main lodge and located in the center of campus.
The Lodge

The lodge sleeps eighteen in six rooms. The main floor of the lodge is where students gather to cook, play games, and eat meals. Downstairs is a classroom with a Bush student-created mural. During the winter months, cross country skiers can stop into the downstairs "warming hut" for a break from the elements.

Explore the Campus Through Photos