magazine
L I V E • PLAY • DO
2021 PORTLAND SUMMER CAMPS GUIDE PART 3 of 3
MAY 2021 - DIGITAL EDITION nwkidsmagazine.com
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Editor’s Note April has been glorious, but nothing beats a Portland May! As we wind down this most surreal school year and plan for the months ahead, I hope that this year’s final Summer Camp Guide can help you make any final decisions about how your kids will keep on moving and learning this summer. Be sure to check nwkidsmagazine.com and the websites and social media of the particular camps to stay up to date on any changes or additions. May this month bring you and yours health, joy and opportunities to connect in meaningful ways. See you next month! Cheers,
Mary
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Contents MAY 2021 8 2021 Portland Summer Camps Guide 22 PJA Perspectives 23 Bits & Bytes 24 Gifts for Mom
Cover and Contents photography by for
TARA LEMEZIS PORTLAND AUDUBON
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magazine Connect With Us: • Phone: 503.282.2711 • email: contact@nwkidsmagazine.com • Facebook: facebook.com/nwkids • Instagram: @nwkidsmagazine • Twitter: @nwkids • Pinterest: pinterest.com/nwkids NW Kids is published monthly by Miche Media, LLC. Every effort is made to ensure accuracy; sometimes we make errors. Please let us know when we do and accept our apologies. Printed locally; Please recycle.
Publisher Michelle Snell michelle@nwkidsmagazine.com Editor/Account Manager Mary Brady mary@nwkidsmagazine.com Graphic Designer Robyn Taylor robyn@folkloremedia.com Advertising Inquiries: 503-282-2711, ext. 1 sales@nwkidsmagazine.com
Listings Aim High................................................ 7 All Families Surrogacy........................... 10 Alpengirl Camp . . .................................. 15 Baxter Sports. . ...................................... 11 Bennett Suzuki..................................... 25 Camp Lutherwood................................ 10 Camp Wahoo........................................ 15 FAIS.. ...................................................... 2 German International School................ 15 Happy Hollow Children’s Center............ 11
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Herrold Stables..................................... 19 ILA....................................................... 14 Little Fruit Farm.................................... 19 Mad Science......................................... 10 MJCC.................................................... 11 NWK Virtual Camp Expo. ......................... 3 OES......................................................... 7 OMEGA Gymnastics.............................. 10 PJA....................................................... 15 Play Fit Fun. .......................................... 18
Royal Ridges. . ....................................... 14 Schoolita Alegria.................................. 14 The Circuit............................................ 11 The International School. . ..................... 19 THPRD.................................................. 18 Venvino Art Studios.............................. 25 Willowbrook Arts Camp........................ 19 Xstream Learning Center. . ..................... 19
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PART 3 of 3
2021 PORTLAND SUMMER CAMPS GUIDE
May is here and with it comes the last in our 3-part series of Summer Camp Guides! Whether your kids are into art, sports, learning a new language, or anything in between, there’s something for everyone!
ACADEMIC Portland Jewish Academy PJA Summer Discovery PJA’s Summer Discovery program offers enriching classes from experienced, passionate, professional teachers who incorporate STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and math) to enhance learning in a fun and nurturing way. pjaproud.org/summer
ARTS & CRAFTS Art World School Established in 1997, Art World School offers oneon-one and small group in person or online classes, and half day or full day camps. Experience the professional skill based program with Fine Art, Clay, Arts and Crafts, and Calligraphy classes! artworldschool.com
Cognizart by MetroArts Inc. Immersive visual arts, music, theatre, and dance during one-day Spark Camps March-June and week-long Kids Camps this July in Portland. Incredible in-person instruction for kids ages 7-12 to create, collaborate, and shine. Scholarships offered. metroartsinc.org
Fine Art Starts! Love ART? This camp is for you! Fun, top-notch online drawing and painting instruction with professional artist and licensed teacher. Balance your unique ideas with lessons in fine art skills. Small groups, online gallery and art show! Grades K-8. fineartstarts.com 8 | NW Kids Magazine
NW Film Camp Lights, Camera, Action! Get the kids out of the house, off the screens and behind the camera. These project based, in-person and online programs are the perfect Summer activity for aspiring filmmakers and content creators. Limited Space, enroll today! nwfilmcamp.com
Venvino Art Studios Choose from any of their 36 different themed art camps for kids aged 5 - 14. Kids will paint, create, craft, imagine, play and have fun. Only 12 spots per camp, so register early to save your seat. venvinoartstudios.com
Willowbrook Arts Camp From June 28 – August 6, go outside to explore while celebrating individuality and interconnectedness. Experience visual arts, performing arts, nature and more in Brown’s Ferry Park. Registration opens March 15. willowbrookartscamp.org
DANCE, GYMNASTICS & ACTIVE PLAY Echo Theater Company Circus Theater Camp is an action-packed week combining the physical challenges of circus with the creativity of storytelling! Each day campers will explore trapeze, aerial silks, acrobatics, juggling, physical theater & their own imaginations! echotheaterpdx.org/etc-school
OMEGA Gymnastics Keep your kids active with OMEGA’s gymnasticsfilled camps. Choose half-day or full-day, one day or multiple - built for flexibility. Full day includes field trip. Camp shirt and annual membership required. omega-gymnastics.com/camps
Play.Fit.Fun Their Mobile Camps come to you! Once per week, 2-3 days per week, 5 days per week, they match their schedule with your needs! PFF Kids Action Camps are a FUN mix of P.E., Minute To Win It, Field Day & Team Building! Fun! Active! Healthy! playfitfun.com continued on p. 12
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GENERAL Adventure Camp Adventure Camp includes eleven themed day camps for kids in Kindergarten - 5th Grade. Each week features field trips, art & cooking projects, water slides, STEM activities and much more! Adventure Camp is a ministry of Southwest Bible Church. adventurecampkids.org
Aim High Martial Arts Stable groups of 10 explore new camp themes each week. Camps include daily martial arts lessons, games and take-home and in-camp crafts and projects! aimhighma.org/camps
Catlin Gabel School Join Catlin Gabel on their 72-acre campus or online for summer camps from June 28-August 13. Choose from academics, sports, technology, music, day camps, arts, and more for ages 4-18. Before and after care available. catlin.edu/summer
MJCC Summer Day Camp Have an AWESOME summer at MJCC Day Camp! Health + safety is their top priority. Enjoy quality, age-appropriate programs that are super fun. Half + full-day options 9am-4pm. Sports, art projects, games, and more! Open to everyone ages 3-15. oregonjcc.org/daycamp
Oregon Episcopal School Summer is on AGAIN at OES! We did summer safely last year and we’re back in 2021 with inperson and online camps for young people ages 4 to 18. Check out our offerings because we have a camp for everyone! Registration is open now! oes.edu/summer
THPRD This year’s camp offerings will include sports, nature and games. For safety, Camp Pods will be limited in size. All camps/classes will be on their website on 4/12 and in-district registration opens on 5/1! thprd.org 12 | NW Kids Magazine
HORSES & FARM Camp Wahoo! Camp Wahoo! is a week long summer camp for kids who love horses and the outdoors. Campers experience true adventure, riding daily and living in a rustic pioneer camp. campwahoo.com
Herrold Stables, LLC Horse Back Riding Day Camps, Riding Lessons, Horse Riding Parties. Open now for 2021. Social distancing and masks used. Experienced schooling horses, and professional instruction for ages 3 to adult group by age at event. herroldstables.com
Royal Ridges Royal Ridges offers a wide range of different camps including: Traditional Day Camp, Day and Resident Adventure Camp, Day and Resident Horse Camp and Paintball Day Camp. Ages range from 1st-12th grade, depending on the camp. royalridges.org
LANGUAGE Atlas Immersion Academy On-site camp at their Gabriel Park location beginning the week of 6/1, in two groups of up to 14 children (group 1: Spanish-English, group 2: FrenchEnglish bilingual group) Two groups intermingle for presentations, field trips, and at the park. atlasimmersionacademy.com
German International School Join GIS for their German & Mandarin summer camp programs! Their camps offer innovative and unique ways to approach learning language through theme-based activities in and outside the classroom. No German or Mandarin language experience needed. gspdx.org continued on p. 16
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LANGUAGE (continued) Schoolita Alegria A fun children’s Spanish workshop for ages 3-7. Small group size (10). They sing! Each week, celebrate a new Spanish speaking country! Play outside in the garden! Plant! Theme/spirit days! Yoga/gym day! Cooking day! Water play! Creative centers! schoolita-alegria.com
The International School It’s a world of fun at The International School’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 Backbeat Music Academy Backbeat Music Academy is built on the principles of growth mindset, autonomy, inquiry, connection, exploration and fun. Themes include: Try Anything: Try out hundreds of instruments from around the world! Write Music for Computer Games: Harness your kids’ love of gaming to learn music. backbeatmusicacademy.com
NATURE Ekone This year they’ll be offering adapted Family Camp programs as well as a few overnight camps for teens with various themes (art, music, stewardship, construction etc). All participants will have a chance to connect with their herd of Ekone horses. ekone.org
ILA French Immersion School Join ILA for another exciting summer. (French Language Proficiency Not Required) Camp hours ar 9am-3pm. Space is limited. Please bring your own lunch and snack. $300/week full day regular camp. ilapdx.org/summer-camps-2021 16 | NW Kids Magazine
Portland Audubon Portland Audubon’s Summer Camps are full of truly amazing, nature-based adventures! Their week-long day camps for grades 1-8 combine art, science experiments, & games with explorations of their beautiful, 172-acre Wildlife Sanctuary. audubonportland.org/our-work/learn/youthprograms/camps-for-kids/summer-camp/
Trackers Earth Experience outdoor sports, wilderness skills, fantasy role-play, art camps & more! Their mission is to inspire kids and families outdoors, creating stories & memories—new friendships & possibilities—within themselves, each other, & the world around them. trackerspdx.com/youth/summer-camps.php
OVERNIGHT Camp Lutherwood Oregon Camp Lutherwood Oregon offers week-long summer camps for kids in grades 3-12. Founded in 1959, Camp Lutherwood Oregon provides a place set apart for people of all ages, abilities and cultures to connect with God, self, others and the natural world. lutherwoodoregon.org
PERFORMING ARTS Northwest Children’s Theater and School Get ready for a super summer with Northwest Children’s Theater! Weekly camps for ages 4-14 begin June 14. Whether you’re new to theater or you’re ready to hone your acting, singing, and dancing skills, there’s something for everyone! nwcts.org/summer-2021
SPECIAL NEEDS Camp Meadowood Springs Camp Meadowood is a unique camp experience for children ages 6-14 impacted by communication or social learning challenges. They also accept all children. meadowoodsprings.org
Camp Yakety Yak Camp Yakety Yak is an inclusive social skills day camp supporting friendship development in children (ages 5-15) with special needs, and promoting social skills in work place instruction for young adults aged 16-22. campyaketyyak.org continued on p. 20
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SPORTS & ROCK CLIMBING Alpengirl Camp Alpengirl is an overnight summer adventure camp for girls ages 11-16. Their 1-2 week outdoor camps are multi-adventure and include a variety of adventure activities such as backpacking, horseback riding, rafting, sea kayaking, rock climbing and more! alpengirlcamp.com
Avid4 Adventure Experienced instructors empower kids of all ages and skill levels to bike, hike, rock climb and paddle in the outdoors. Day and overnight camps in CA, CO, Portland and Bend, OR. Avid4 has effective COVID-19 protocols and flexible cancellations. avid4.com
BaxterSports Camps Kids Love Them. Parents Trust Them. The most fun way to become a better athlete. All Sports Camps, Soccer Camps, and All Girl Camps Available. baxtersports.com
Pedalheads Bike Camps Pedalheads Bike is a learn-to-ride bike program for kids ages 2-12, best known for helping children get off training wheels and safely riding on the road! pedalheads.com
Soccer Shots Help your kiddo stay active by joining Soccer Shots for a Summer CAMP, running Monday - Thursday! Campers will develop their soccer skills, their character, and their creativity while having fun and being active. soccershots.org/pdx
Splat Action Paintball & Birthday Parties To ensure that the sport of paintball remains fun, exciting affordable, and safe, through education and awareness! Their 5 day summer camp will focus on teaching each player the fundamentals to becoming an exceptional paintballer! splataction.com 20 | NW Kids Magazine
The Circuit Bouldering Gym The Circuit offers award-winning summer bouldering camps at all three locations! Sign your kids up to climb in a fun, social environment led by their instructors, where they will problem solve and build confidence on and off the wall. thecircuitgym.com
Willamette Sailing Club Learn-to-sail classes for every age and level of experience taught by US Sailing certified instructors. Just 5 minutes south of downtown, WSC is the center for small boat sailing in Portland, with 500+ students coming through their programs annually! willamettesailingclub.com/learn-to-sail
STEM Mad Science of Portland and Vancouver Do you have a future Einstein or Marie Curie on your hands? Send them to Mad Science Camp! Their interactive, engaging, hands-on programs allow kids to explore the different fields of science in an interesting and entertaining way. portland.madscience.org
OMSI Camps & Classes Celebrate summer, celebrate science! OMSI offers nearly 50 small group science-focused day camps— including drone pilot training, junior veterinarian, LEGO® robotics, forensic science, and more. omsi.edu/summer
Xstream Learning Center They coordinate with Engineering for Kids to offer summer camps. Their STEM camps offer both full day and half day options. Through interactive, engaging and open-ended projects, campers will learn in a fun, safe environment and explore everything engineers do. xstreamlc.com NW Kids Magazine | 21
Jewish Academy (pjaproud.org) provides a rich ThePortland PJA Perspective 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.
Nighttime by Cathy *Inspired by Café Terrace at Night by Vincent van Gogh With broken tones of love serenades, wispy magic starting to fade away, the sights and the smells, the elegance and the pose, all separating, clinging and praying on each passing soul. Cathy is a current eight-grader at the Portland Jewish Academy. In addition to writing, she enjoys playing with her cat and reading.
My Oasis by Maya Intertwined So many ideas fill the blank spaces Colors exploding Beating along to the sound of the world I have created I never have to leave Mind soaring to the heights of an eagle Gliding and stroking This makes me happy Sometimes it’s good to block out the world I can come here anytime I want Maya is a current sixth-grader at the Portland Jewish Academy. In addition to writing, she enjoys music and making art.
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BITS & BYTES
Back to School (again)!
Many local students have just headed back to some version of in-person learning. For most, this is the first time they’ve been in a classroom in over a year. Back to school shopping looked very different than the usual August ritual. Are we the only ones who didn’t realize our kids outgrew all of their shoes? The rush on black Converse was like The Great Toilet Paper Shortage of 2020! While we’re still figuring out what we truly need, here are a few things that have been helpful for our kiddos:
LilGadgets Headphones
Since comprehensive distance learning began, mistakes have been made with headphone purchases. Lots of them! I think we’ve finally found an affordable option that truly holds up. LilGadgets comes in several versions, for kids as young as 3+. All are volume limiting and come in fun colors. The Connect+ are for the 3-7 set and are wired, while the Untangled Pro are aimed at 4+ (they even work for a smaller adult head) and are Bluetooth enabled. We’re over a month in and have had no need to replace due to a broken cord or one ear simply ceasing to transmit. That’s a winner. $17-$49. lilgadgets.com
Bleuet Bras
If you have a kiddo in your family who is in the earlier stages of wishing to wear a bra, Bleuet is an absolute lifesaver. With nearly seamless, itch-free construction and band sizes ranging from 24-38, there are also styles that are specifically designed for the transition between A-C cup. In addition to first bras, Bleuet also has organic/sustainable options and bras for dance and sports. Mark off at least one task on your Back to School Comfort list! $20+. bleuetgirl.com
Hinge by Rush Charge Phone Charger The Hinge is a bit different than many of the wireless chargers on the market. In addition to being a charger, it’s also a phone stand. It can be set to three locking angles for anything from online class or club meetings to creating TikToks and selfies. The Hinge also has a much sleeker design than most and can charge and be charged simultaneously. It’s available in Apple Lightning, Micro-USB and USB-C versions. $59. rushcharge.com
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Gifts for Mom Mother’s Day is May 9th and And if ever there were a year to celebrate the mothers (and mother figures) in our children’s lives, it’s this year! We’ve found a few gift ideas! Baby Fire Pits H&K Studios, a third generation family metalworking business based in Colorado Springs, creates this gorgeous tabletop fire pits. They can be used indoors or out as they burn a non-toxic, odorless, smokeless gel fuel. You can even choose a kit option and receive all you need to start making s’mores within minutes! $84.99+. babyfirepits.com
My Inspiration Studio Their Inspiration Boxes are curated to inspire a “do on your own” journaling experience. Boxes incorporate a variety of modalities such as music therapy, breathwork, aromatherapy, meditation, and experiential activities into your journaling practice. Their journals are handcrafted from eco-friendly materials and are also shipped with ecofriendly packaging. With themes such as Creative Flow and Meditation Retreat, there is an option for every mama! $14-$97. myinspirationstudio.com
I’m the Chef Too
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This isn’t your average culinary subscription box. Combining food, STEM and the arts, I’m the Chef Too kits are the perfect way to surprise Mom with something delicious while also learning a whole lot in the process! The Galaxy Donut Kit contains remeasured dry ingredients, specialty supplies, STEM activities and an activity guide. With a couple extra ingredients (and a little help for younger kids), Mother’s Day is about to get a whole lot sweeter! $35+. imthecheftoo.com
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