NW Kids Magazine April 2024

Editor’s Note

Spring is officially here and it’s a glorious one at that! At NW Kids, summer camp season is in full swing. In addition to the April issue being the second Summer Camp Guide of the year, we’re gearing up for our annual Camp Expo. We have a sold out event this year, which means that you will have the opportunity to talk to representatives from 30 of the best camps our area has to offer. We can’t wait to see you on April 20th at OMSI! In the meantime, enjoy these early glimpses of a Portland spring.

Cheers, Mary

2 of 3 Summer Camp season is around the corner and it’s time to start planning your kids’ best summer yet! From art to sports and everything in between, you will find it here!

ACADEMIC

JA BizTown Summer Camp

The camp where students run the town! Now offered in Portland and Hillsboro, campers explore jobs, earn income, build business plans, and learn life skills. jaorswwa.org/ja-biztown-summer-camp-1-1

PJA Summer Discovery Program

Explore your creativity, discover your talents, nurture your curiosity, and broaden your horizons at PJA’s Summer Discovery Program. Learn coding, experiment with string arts, construct elaborate Lego sculptures, and more! Open to everyone ages 4-15! pjaproud.org/summer

ARTS & CRAFTS

Art World School

Camp Classes for ages 10 and up, ages 4-6 and 7-9. Different projects taught each day with different weekly themes. Drawing/ Painting, arts & craft, mixed media, Yoga, Calligraphy, & recess at Somerset West Playground available every day. Half day or Full Day, Before Care, Early Bird Specials. artworldschool.com

Fine Art Starts!

Drawing, painting, clay, pottery, digital art! Small groups, quality supplies, skilled staff. Step-bystep, then self-directed exploration. Fine art, not crafts. New projects daily/weekly! Full & half days. Payment plans & financial aid available. fineartstarts.com

ARTS & CRAFTS

Tucker Arts Camp

Voted among the best Arts Camps for 3 years running, Tucker Arts Camp returns! Over 8 weeks, children in preschool through 5th grade explore the art of storytelling through music, theatre, and visual arts. The beautiful campus in SE PDX offers a large organic garden, tree house studio, goats, & gym. tuckermaxon.org/tuckerartscamp

Venvino Art Studios

Venvino Art Camps are dedicated to sparking imagination, fostering creativity, and nurturing artistic talent in children aged 5-16. Their camps offer a dynamic and inclusive environment where campers explore a variety of art mediums, develop skills, and build friendships through creative experiences. venvinoartstudios.com

DANCE, GYMNASTICS & ACTIVE PLAY

Modo Yoga Portland

A robust week of activities to keep your child engaged and entertained! Schedule includes games, park excursions, swimming, yoga, crafts and a Friday immersive field trip! Campers will learn the fundamentals of yoga shapes and have the opportunity to present their own teaching skills to their peers! modoyoga.com/portland/summercamp

Oregon Ballet Theatre School

Dance with OBT this summer! OBT School offers ballet camps for ages three and up in a supportive, creative environment. From preballet classes that teach basic dance vocabulary to pre-pointe conditioning workshops for more experienced dancers, they encourage a love of dance at every level. school.obt.org

PlayFitFun

PlayFitFun is teaming up with Every Body Active Coach to bring to you an amazing, action packed summer camp! During their KIDS SUMMER ACTION CAMP children (K-6th) get the opportunity to play various fun and active games. playfitfun.com/summer-kids-action-camps

Polaris Dance Theatre

Polaris Dance Theatre’s Summer Camp 2024 is a multi-faceted arts program that opens the channels of creative thinking, teamwork and problem solving! The daily schedule incorporates a multitude of activities including age appropriate dance, aerial arts, theater games, music and a daily art project. polarisdance.org

The Movement ParkParkour & More

Parkour Camp: Unleash adventure! Learn parkour with thrilling themed storylines. When not conquering obstacles, enjoy arts, chess, cards, and Lego creativity. Join them for an unforgettable “Best Day Ever” summer! No experience is required. themovementpark.com

DISABILITIES

ABI: Bike First!

Volunteers needed! Since 2005 they have taught over 600 individuals with and without disabilities the skills to ride a traditional bike! Camp will be from June 29th-July 3rd in Portland. nwdisabilitysupport.org/about-bike-first

DISABILITIES (continued)

Camp Meadowood Springs

A summer camp experience for children with communication challenges, including speech sound disorder. Activities include: Confidence Courses, canoeing, arts & crafts, nature hikes, bug catching, and much more! meadowoodsprings.org

Camp Yakety Yak

Camp Yakety Yak is an inclusive social skills day camp supporting friendship development for children with special needs, ages 5-15, & social skills in the workplace instruction for young adults ages 16-22. campyaketyyak.org

GENERAL

Adventure Camp

Join them for a full summer of K - 5th Grade day camps in Beaverton, OR! Each of the 8 themed weeks includes a field trip, art projects, water slides, cooking projects and more on their large campus. Adventure Camp is a program by Southwest Bible Church. adventurecampkids.org

Aim High Martial Arts & Events

Aim High is hosting 11 weeks of Summer Fun! Campers will enjoy games, crafts, inflatables, martial arts, and special visits from Darth Vader, The Reptile Man, Kona Ice and more! aimhighma.org/camps

Camp Gan Israel of SW Portland

Camp Gan Israel is an immersive Jewish summer day camp that focuses on building children’s identity and cultivating friendships that will last a lifetime. Swimming, sports, weekly trips, Challah baking, songs, and a full schedule of activities are all infused with the unique Gan Israel spirit. Jportland.com/camp

Catlin Gabel School

Catlin Gabel’s 67-acre campus offers a variety of weekly camps from July 8-Aug. 9 (ages 4 to teens). Options include sports, arts and crafts, photography, LEGOs, model rockets, writing, DJing, day camps, and more. Extended care available.

catlin.edu/summer

MJCC Summer Day Camp

Have an AWESOME summer at MJCC Summer Day Camp! Enjoy quality, age-appropriate programs that are super fun including swimming, cooking, Jewish culture, drama, nature, sports, and more!

Flexible options 8:00 am – 5:30 pm. Open to everyone ages 3-15. oregonjcc.org/daycamp

Oregon Episcopal School

Summer at OES offers students in pre-K through fifth grade a variety of inquiry-based summer enrichment programs that build joy, wonder, and respect for one another. Sessions are held on the OES campus with its woods, trails, and wetlands, with excursions to natural areas with some camps. oes.edu/summer

GENERAL (continued)

Portland Waldorf School

Camp takes place almost entirely outdoors on their 7-acre campus, where campers enjoy themed activities, arts and crafts, stories, snacks, off-campus excursions, quiet rest time for the youngest campers, and more. portlandwaldorf.org

St. Mary’s Academy

Register for 2024 summer camps! St. Mary’s Academy camps are filled with adventures, hands-on activities, and more. This year, they are adding new camps and expanding their age range to include girls entering grades 3-4, 5-6, or 7-8 this fall. They hope to see you this summer on 5th avenue.

stmaryspdx.org/beyond-the-classroom/ summerprogram

HORSES & FARM

Ekone Ranch Summer Camp

At Ekone, days are spent outside, doing projects, and exploring the forests & canyons, and building community with humans & animals. Kids come home feeling confident, supported, and ready to tackle new things! Programs offered in horses, art, cooking, music, leadership, and hands-on skill-building. ekone.org

Herrold Stables, LLC

Students will receive horse riding experience in Western Equitation, Showmanship, and Horsemanship. Come to all or just one Spring and Summer Horse Camp this year. herroldstables.com

Oregon Horsemanship

They offer a full horsemanship experience in a safe and educational environment.

From mucking stalls, feeding, chores, art, to groundwork, leading, and riding they focus on building a solid, well-rounded equestrian with a passion for the horse. oregonhorsemanship.com

LANGUAGE

German International School

German International summer camps offer students the opportunity to experience bilingual language camps in a supportive, safe environment no matter their level of foreign language knowledge. All camp teachers are bilingual in English and either German or Mandarin, depending on the chosen camp. gspdx.org

International Leadership Academy

Camps taught both in French and English for ages 3-12. Camps include Movie Making, Cooking, Arts and craft, yoga, dance, lego robotics and drumming. Camp hours 9am to 3pm - 7:30am (free). Lunches prepared by their own chef and snacks are included. Camps provide a lot of outdoor time in a forest setting. $400/week, with after-care available. ilapdx.org/summercamp2024

International School of PortlandLanguage Immersion Summer Camp

It’s a world of fun at the International School of Portland’s award-winning summer camp! Chinese, Spanish, or Japanese language and culture come to life through hands-on projects, games, outdoor fun, and more! Learn a new language or practice one that you know! intlschool.org/summer

MUSIC

Summer Sing – ORS Youth Choir

Have FUN making music with new friends! EARLY BIRD DISCOUNT through 3/31! A day camp for rising 1st–6th graders with ARTS & CRAFTS, STORY TELLING, DANCE, and of course, SINGING! Let your imagination take the lead! Each week ends with a performance for family! Beaverton and SE Portland. orsingers.org/youth-choir/summer-sing

ZRE Music Studio at Alberta House

Learn Piano, Songwriting, Music Tech and more at the Historic Alberta House in NE Portland this summer! Several fun and engaging weeklong camps for kids and teens help build the lifelong foundations of confidence, creativity, and musical discovery. zremusicstudio.com

NATURE

Bird Alliance of Oregon

Join Bird Alliance of Oregon for truly amazing, nature-based adventures all summer long! Camps combine art, science experiments and games with explorations of their beautiful, 172-acre Nature Sanctuary neighboring Forest Park and adventures all over the Pacific Northwest.

birdallianceoregon.org/our-work/learn/youthprograms/camps-for-kids/summer-camp

Friends of Tryon Creek

Grow, learn, and have fun outdoors with Tryon Forest Adventures Summer Camp. Led by Friends of Tryon Creek a community-supported nonprofit connecting youth to nature since 1970! tryonfriends.org/forest-adventures

BaxterSports Camps

Looking for a place to unplug? BaxterSports offers a holistic approach with a mix of traditional sports and creative games that emphasize positivity, fair play, and community. These award-winning, outdoor K-8 camps are fun, active, and engaging no matter your child’s experience or skill level. baxtersports.com

Game Changer Youth Sports dba i9 Sports

i9 Sports Nike Kids Summer Camp offering multi-sports games, skills, drills and fun activities. All skill levels are welcome in these coed camps for ages 5-12. i9sports.com

One With Heart Fighting Arts

Kung Fu training, with adventure and imagination. Martial arts self-defense training shapes kids’ relationship with themselves and their personal power. One With Heart’s camps balance Kung Fu skills and fun games that will develop spatial awareness, reaction time, and hand-eye coordination. onewithheartfightingarts.com/summer-camps

Parkour Visions

Build confidence and creativity with outdoor parkour camps! Students learn the foundations for jumping, vaulting, and climbing with a focus on safety. Beginner and intermediate, ages 5-17 at Mt. Tabor, Irving, and Grant Parks. parkourvisions.org/portland/summer-camps

OVERNIGHT

Alpengirl

Alpengirl is a tripping camp for girls grades 6th to 11th with adventures across the Pacific Northwest and Northern Rocky Mountains. Horseback riding in Yellowstone, surfing the Oregon coast, climbing the Cascades, and more -- their adventures shape a girl’s relationship with herself and the outdoors. alpengirlcamp.com

Big Lake Youth Camp

They provide campers with the environment and opportunity to gain better self-awareness, set and achieve goals, and have a blast. Big Lake offers friendship, encouragement, adventure, and enough fun to make memories for a lifetime. biglake.org

PERFORMING ARTS

Northwest Children’s Theater

Whether you’re new to theater or you’re ready to enhance you singing, dancing, and acting skills, there’s something for everyone at NWCT! Half-day and full-day camps are offered all summer long across 5 locations in Portland, Beaverton, and Sherwood. Ages 4 – 14. nwcts.org/summer-camp-24

Portland Center Stage

Immerse yourself in the confidence-building fun of learning performance skills in a stimulating, supportive environment. Portland Center Stage classes are taught by top theater professionals who are excited to share their passion and experience. pcs.org/teens

STEM

Mr. David’s School of Film

Spark your child’s creativity this summer at Mr. David’s School of Film Lego Animation Movie-Making Camps. Exploring the world of animation, making movies, making new friends, and acquiring new skills in a flexible, exciting animated environment. mrdavidfilm.com

Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI)

Whether it’s at the coast at Camp Gray, in the high desert at Hancock Field Station, or at the museum, youth can experience hands-on learning and adventures while making lifelong friends. omsi.edu

Portland Jewish Academy (pjaproud.org) provides a rich academic and cultural learning experience for kids from early childhood through 8th grade. We’ve invited budding writers from the middle school Humanities classes and writing exploratory to join our team for a series that gives you a glimpse into thoughts and life - from their perspective.

Look to the Darkness /Look to the Light

by Sofia and Devin

I am the enveloping darkness

I am the room that disappears light, devouring colors

I am the forest on the side ofthe path, full of danger and monsters

I am the darkness of midnight

I am the bad

I bring monsters out of the depths

I am the blinding light of the sun at dawn

I am the rainbow of colors that flows through a stained-glass window

I am the beacon of hope, lighting your path

I am the orange and pink, painting the sky at dawn

I am the good

I bring joy in the hardest of times

I bring hate from small darkness

I bring love when there’s conflict

I bring fear

Lightning that sets the world ablaze

The wolf that kills the sheep

The fire that burns forests to the ground

Look to the darkness

Taste the blood that will fill your mouth

Smell the stench of evil that floods my lair

Hear the screams and silence that follow me

Feel the cold that envelops my infinity

I bring hope

The calm after the storm

Birds that sing in the morning

The fire that brings new life from ashes

Look to the light

Taste the sweetness that will fill your mouthj

Smell the roses that flood your memory

Hear the laughter of families that believed in me

Feel the warmth that binds me together

Devin is a current seventh grader at PJA. In addition to writing, he enjoys creating art and playing D & D.

Sofia is a current seventh grader at PJA. In addition to writing, she enjoys painting and caring for plants.

Earth Day Book Picks

The beauty of the Pacific Northwest leaves no shortage of opportunities to appreciate and honor Mother Nature. Earth Day falls on April 20th and two new book releases offer an opportunity to share the wonders of the world with our children this year, and for many years to come.

Arboretum : Welcome to the Museum

Tony Kirkham, Katie Scott (Illustrated by) Hardcover, $37.99

Candlewick Press (Recommended for ages 8-12)

This beautiful new offering from the Welcome to the Museum series focuses on trees from around the world and the important role they play throughout many aspects of life on planet Earth. When you’re done taking in the stunning illustrations and informative text you’ll be reluctant to put Arboretum back on the shelf. This series (including Botanicum, Fungarium and Oceanarium, among other titles) deserves a spot on your coffee table year-round.

Something About the Sky

Rachel Carson, Nikki McClure (Illustrated by)

Hardcover, $19.99

Candlewick Press (Recommended for ages 5-8)

“It is not half so important to know as to feel.” -Rachel Carson You man know Rachel Carson as the author of Silent Spring, the groundbreaking 1962 book that warned of the harms of synthetic pesticides. Something About the Sky is an essay and a love story to the clouds about us, adapted to picture book form and beautifully illustrated by cut-paper artist Nikki McClure. Before you’ve finished this book you’ll be inspired to head outside and take a peek skyward.