Group size: 6-12 people
This supportive, hands-on event will walk you through the fundamentals of planning a camping trip. From preparing and packing to setting up your own camp in a campground. You'll build the skills to plan your own trip and explore the outdoors responsibly, safely, and comfortably.
Bogachiel State Park
(3.5 hour drive west of Seattle)
185983 US-101, Forks, WA 98331
2026 Pilot Camping Season
The 2026 camping season is a pilot program designed to help shape future Sequoia Social Club campouts.
There is currently no fee to participate. In exchange, campers are asked to provide honest feedback about the booking process, camp experience, and educational content so we can continue improving future trips.
Participation is currently by waitlist & questionnaire to help groups remain small and intentionally curated.
Group trip includes:
- PNW outdoor 101 class (Required)
An in-person planning and preparation session packed with practical outdoor skills, trip planning support, and space to get your questions answered before camp. - Packing checklists & trip resources
Suggested packing lists, preparation materials, and resources to help you arrive feeling ready. - Group campsite at Bogachiel State Park
Shared group camping in a beginner-friendly campground near Olympic National Park - Hands-on camping support
Help with campsite setup, camp systems, gear questions, and troubleshooting throughout the weekend. - Optional mini lessons & outdoor skills practice
Opportunities to learn and practice outdoor skills in a real camping environment. - A supportive learning environment
Camp alongside others who are learning, asking questions, and building outdoor confidence together.
What you bring:
Camp equipment & meals
Including tent, sleeping mat/bag, clothes, cooking supplies, etc.
Not sure what to bring? We can help. Our PNW Outdoor 101 class covers gear, packing lists, and simple meal ideas to help you arrive feeling prepared.
On Your Trip
What to Expect
Throughout the weekend, an instructor will be available to answer questions, help troubleshoot gear, offer campsite support, and share outdoor skills in real time. Whether you're setting up a tent for the first time, or wondering what bird keeps making that noise, questions are encouraged.
Meals are self-provided, but we encourage campers to gather around the picnic tables to cook, eat, swap ideas, and enjoy each other's company. Some of the best camping tips are shared over a camp stove while waiting for water to boil.
Things to Do
- Walk the nature trails within the park or explore nearby hiking trails
- Visit Olympic National Park. A must see!
- Check out the museums, restaurants and Twilight swag in Forks
- Relax at camp with a book, sketch pad, or nap in a hammock
- Spend time around the campfire getting to know fellow campers
- Hone your outdoor skills and expand your appreciation for nature by diving into our camp library of books, guides and equipment
Good to Know
- No pets (trained service animals are welcome)
- Amplified music & bluetooth speakers are not allowed at State Parks. Earbuds or headphones are welcome!
- While you’re expected to set-up your own camp and cook your own meals, guidance and support is provided throughout the trip.
- You will be responsible for your own transportation to and from the campground.
- Check out the camper Code of Conduct
What You'll Learn
Optional camp lessons cover topics like:
Schedule
Bogachiel State Park & Our Campsite
Bogachiel. Fun to say. Even more fun to wander around in.
Bogachiel State Park is one of those places where nature seems to be showing off. Towering conifers, moss-covered trees, ridiculously large ferns and the Bogachiel River all combine to create the kind of Pacific Northwest scenery that ends up on postcards.
Bogachiel sits on the ancestral lands of the Quileute people, who have known, cared for, and called this land home long before it became a state park.
The park sits on the western edge of the Olympic Peninsula and serves as a gateway to the Olympic rainforest ecosystem. It's a wonderful place to slow down, wander forest trails, listen to the river, and experience a landscape shaped by thousands of years of rain, rivers, and towering trees.
Campsite FAQ
- Large shared camping area for our group
- Picnic tables under a covered shelter
- Distance from parking to the campsite: 10–150 ft depending on parking availability
Campsite is mostly surrounded by trees, however nearby park structures, public trails, neighboring campsites, and parking lot are visible from our site. Occasional sounds from the nearby highway can be heard from the park.
- Cells service at the campground is limited
- No Wi-Fi, or electrical power at the campsite
- Reliable cell service is available in Forks (10m drive)
- Nearest power outlets are located in the public bathrooms (~200 ft away)
- Satellite phone available in case of emergencies
The group campsite is not ADA accessible. The ground surface is dirt and mostly flat, with occasional roots, rocks, and plants sticking out.
- All restrooms are public and shared with park visitors.
- The closest restroom is ~200 ft from campsite and has showers
- Restroom has toilet with plumbing, running water, hand dryers, and a power outlet
Bogachiel State Park itself contains two short, relatively flat nature trails. Larger walking and hiking trails are outside of the State Park, including The Hoh Rainforest in Olympic National Park, Ira Spring Wetland.
Trail surfaces include:
- Dirt paths. Kept well in some areas, rocky and unkept in others.
- Narrow dirt trails with roots, rocks, branches and might have occasional fallen trees obscuring the trail
- Wooden or log bridges
10-minute drive North from the park, Forks has:
- Restaurants & coffee shops
- Motels
- Gas stations
- Grocery & convenience stores
Yes. Most people do.
No experience needed. These trips are designed for beginners.
You’ll learn the fundamentals ahead of time in the required PNW Outdoor 101 Class, then practice them during the trip with support available throughout the weekend.
Unless otherwise indicated on the trip page, expect low to moderate activity.
We choose campsites and trails close to parking, and lean towards trails with low elevation gain. Activities like hiking are optional, and you’re free to move at your own pace.
Bears and wildlife are part of the Pacific Northwest, but our beginner trips are in frontcountry areas near towns where encounters with dangerous wildlife are very unlikely.
You’re far more likely to see animals like raccoons, squirrels, deer, elk, and birds, who are not likely to approach you. We’ll teach you simple ways to avoid attracting wildlife while camping and hiking and what to do if you do encounter it.
Camping is about enjoying the outdoors, whatever that looks like for you.
We provide an instructor to support you with gear setup, meals, and any questions that come up. We also offer optional “mini camp lessons” before or after meals.
Outside of that, your time is your own. Once camp is set, you’re free to explore nearby trails, relax at camp, connect with others, or build your outdoor skills using our library of books, guides and gear.
That’s completely normal. If you’ve spent most of your life indoors, navigating or sleeping outside can feel intimidating.
This is a beginner-friendly, supported environment. You’ll learn the basics ahead of time, and an instructor is available throughout the trip so you’re never figuring things out alone.
We camp in established campgrounds with easy access to help, very different from remote backcountry trips. Everything is designed to ease you in gradually.
If you’re not ready for an overnight yet, consider starting with one of our in-city camp prep classes or local walks at Discovery Park.
Yes. You’re responsible for bringing your own gear.
We’ll make it easy. You’ll get a detailed gear list, plus guidance on where to rent, buy, or borrow what you need. You can also ask questions during the PNW Outdoor 101 Class or reach out anytime if you’re unsure.
You’ll be sleeping in a tent at an established campground with other campers. Amenities like bathrooms and power are typically a short walk from the campsite.
When signing up for a camp event, you can select your preference around sharing a tent or having your own tent.
You’ll plan, bring, and cook (if required) your own meals.
If you’re not sure what to pack or how to approach meals, this is something we can cover in The PNW Outdoor 101 Class.
Many campers choose to cook near each other and share the experience, but it’s not required.
This class ensures everyone arrives at the campsite prepared, and set up for a successful trip. It also helps us tailor support to your experience level. Lastly, it’s a good practice to not go camping with strangers ;)
If you’re planning on attending a camp trip, let the instructor know at the PNW Outdoor 101 Class! You’ll get extra information and care to ensure you’re prepped for the trip.
In the Pacific Northwest, rain is basically guaranteed at some point. We don’t let a little rain stop us.
If you’re not sure how to layer, or stay warm & dry, this is something we can discuss in the PNW Outdoor 101 Class.
In the case of severe or unsafe conditions, we’ll modify plans or cancel as needed.
We camp in established campgrounds that are accessible and close to nearby towns.
An instructor is present throughout the trip, and we carry emergency communication tools. We also have an Emergency Action Plan that will be shared when we get to the campsite.
Celeste Olds
Celeste Olds is a PNW outdoor instructor dedicated to building wilderness skills, confidence, and meaningful connections in nature. Her work is shaped by thousands of miles trekked through alpine terrain locally & abroad, a lifetime of camping in the Pacific Northwest and decades of project management.
Years of problem-solving gear failures, unpredictable weather, and backcountry panic attacks have spawned the systems that make being outside safer, more comfortable, and more accessible. Celeste’s approach recognizes that while safety and stewardship are an essential baseline, confidence and comfort outdoors look different for everyone.
She creates supportive environments where people build skills at their own pace and leave with the tools and a grounded sense of capability to get outside.
