NW Kids Magazine March 2024

Editor’s Note

March has arrived and here at NW Kids that means the official beginning of Summer Camp Season! As always, this is our first camp guide of the year. While some families choose the same camps each summer and know their plans well in advance, many others find that variety works better for their kids. This month’s guide has something for everyone! Take a look and see what piques your interest. Also, don’t forget to add our Summer Camp Expo to your calendar! Portland’s original camp expo (going strong since 2011!) will be on April 20th at OMSI and it’s going to be a very fun day. Bring the kids and spend some time learning about the camps from the people who run them. We can’t wait to see you there. In the meantime, have a fantastic March!

Cheers, Mary

2024 SUMMER CAMP GUIDE

PART

1 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

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

NW Film Camp

At NW Film Camp their mission is to empower aspiring content creators (ages 8-11) and filmmakers (ages 12-17) to share their story. Join them for a cinematic adventure where young minds come alive and embark on a thrilling adventure at their week-long day camps in Portland and Vancouver. Enroll Today! nwfilmcamp.com

Tucker Arts Camp

Children ages 3 - 5th grade explore music, visual arts, and theater! Their campus in SE Portland offers a treehouse studio, goats and gym. There is space for inspiration from nature and fun in the sun. AC in studios; 8:30-2:30 plus aftercare available. 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

DolFUN Dynamics: Swim-MovePlay-Learn

Dynamic Ninja-Gym-Swim-LEGO & More! Their Dynamic camps provide kids with an active day of sports & FUN including Gymnastics, Ninja, Swim, Science, Art & More! Spring: Mar 25-28, Summer: June 17-Aug 29 (beautiful 20,000sf air-conditioned facility, located right off I-205) dolfundynamics.com

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

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!

Riders blossom and beam with pride over their new-found skill, volunteers cheer, and parents tear up to see their child take flight, alone, for the first time. Bike First! is open to children eight years and up; meaning there is no cap on the end age. nwdisabilitysupport.org/about-bike-first

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 provides 11 weeks of fun-filled themed Summer Camps. Campers will enjoy themed games/activities, special visits like the Reptile Man and Kona Ice, martial lessons, bounce house Fridays and more! aimhighma.org/camps

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

French International School of Oregon

French International summer camps are designed for students aged 3-8th grade, and they offer both English and French options for the greater Portland community. Weekly options from June 24-August 1 include music, art, engineering, sports, and more. frenchintl.org/summercamp

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

Pedalheads Bike, Swim and Trail Programs

Pedalheads offers bike camps to families across North America. With innovative teaching methods and highly trained instructors, their learn-to-ride program is renowned for taking kids ages 2-12 from training wheels to two wheels to road riding safely. pedalheads.com

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

INDOOR SPORTS

Rose City Rollers

Rose City Rollers Summer Camp is a week of roller skating, arts & crafts, and fun! Choose from 5 weeks tailored for your age group & skill level. 7/8-8/9 at the Hangar at Oaks Park. Registration starts 2/18! Rental skates, gear, and lunch are provided! rosecityrollers.com/schedule/summercamp-2024

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

LANGUAGE (continued)

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

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

OUTDOOR SPORTS

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

One With Heart

One With Heart’s summer camp is a place for kids to get stronger, have fun, learn amazing skills, and make life-long memories! Choose between seven uniquely themed weeks -8:30am to 3pm, Monday through Friday. 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

PTFC Camps

Play soccer this Summer with the Timbers and Thorns at Providence Park and around Portland! Recreational Camps for ages 5-13 are for learning new skills and developing fundamentals. Check out their competitive camps to take your game to the next level! ptfccamps.com

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

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

Saturday Academy

Saturday Academy offers immersive, dynamic, hands-on summer learning experiences that explore the intersections of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts, and Math) for grades K-8.

saturdayacademy.org

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.

Ode to a Deity Above

by Sebastian

You emerged from a pool of power

Engrossed by ecstasy and enlightenment

You live above us

Protecting us

Nurturing us

Feeding us

Yet you receive nothing in return

Others offer prayers of hope

And callings of thanks

But words have no material value

We slay animals for sacrifice

But what pleasure does the odor of a burning animal

Grant you?

The impoverished bless you

You are the blanket that warms us

You are the sun that envelops

Holding us together

A binding force protecting us from hurt

Your presence is revered

Your existence is feared

You strike down your enemies with might

Shielding us from evil

The land and fertility are blessed by your strength

The soil is warmed by your companionship

The plants grow

Leaning towards your light

We rely on you as a vine to a trellis:

You hold us up

Shani is a current sixth-grader at PJA.  In addition to writing, she enjoys creating stories, drawing, and socializing with friends.

A Look from Behind the Mirror

by Mia

You with all your beauty, but what does that beauty mean to you? You with all your glory, but what does that glory mean to you?

Drowning in loneliness, concealing sadness, hidden by admirers.

I wonder what you thought, letting other people have their chance, before giving yourself one.

You’ve taught us that the cover of a book isn’t all that matters But what have you taught yourself?

That being happy is enduring pain, even if it’s  killing you on the inside? You are a warrior. You are strong.

Not just a damsel in distress.

For you are truly wonderful. You are selfless. You care.

Even if other people used you as as a playing card, something up their sleeve, a trick to get to you, to exchange you.

Even though you may not see it, you will.

I know how you feel. It’s taking you over, this desire, these feelings, too strong to control. So you give in.

Sebastian is a current seventh-grader at PJA.  In addition to writing, he enjoys playing soccer, eating bagels, and puzzling with math.

Mia is a current seventh-grader at PJA.  In addition to writing, she enjoys playing basketball, singing, and hanging out with friends.