PDX Parent April 2021

pg. 44

FREE

How to build resilience in kids ,

for the long days and short years

Your

Summer amp CWishlist How to plan, who’s open and more!

Guide starts on pg. 14

PDXPARENT.COM

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PORTLAND | VANCOUVER | APRIL 2021

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contents TRACKERS EARTH

14 FEATURES

DEPARTMENTS

Plan, Prep, Go!............................................................................. 14 It’s a tricky year to schedule your child’s summer camps. We make it easier with tips from pro planners and a roundup of which camps plan to open! By Amy Crawford.

Editor’s Note.................................................................6

PDX Parent Picks....................................................................39 Camps & Classes It’s Never Too Late to Build Resilience.....44 This past year has been a doozy. Help your kids deal with it all by building up this crucial character trait. By Stephanie Gehring.

Play Room........................................................................ 8 Support for parents concerned about their kids’ language development, bakers feed families, and a local mama brings Vietnamese cuisine back to its vegetarian roots.

Hands On…..................................................................... 43 Celebrate the arrival of spring with this collage project from the creative minds at Spark Arts Center. By Julie Jetton and Marla Munnich.

Kids Can Cook….................................................. 48 Making fun mini-frittatas will help kids master the skills of egg-cracking and whisking.

Family Supper................................................... 50 Trying PNW-fresh Italian at Piccone’s Corner in Northeast Portland. By Denise Castañon.

RESOURCES The Summer Camps Guide............14-38

* cover stories

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e d i t o r ’ s n ot e

It’s Been a Year for the long days and short years

PDX Parent P.O. Box 13660 Portland, OR 97213-0660 Phone: 503-460-2774 Publisher Rose Caudillo, 503-460-2774 publisher@pdxparent.com Editor Denise Castañon, 503-922-0893 denise.castanon@pdxparent.com Art Director Susan Bard DENISE CASTAÑON

DENISE CASTAÑON

Web Director Michelle Carew, 503-914-6151 michelle.carew@pdxparent.com

T

his time last year, my family was planting a big garden, baking bread and scouring the internet for kittens to adopt — things that would help us stay somewhat happy while keeping safe at home. My husband and I thought school would most likely be closed until the end of the school year (he’s a teacher). We did not expect to be doing distance learning again in the next school year. The last year has not been anything like we expected — I am sure you can relate. During this pandemic, we’ve all heard the word “resilience” over and over. The thing is, it’s more than a buzzword; being resilient will help kids (and their grownups) weather this time of getting back to some semblance of normal. And even if you feel like you haven’t been able to foster resilience in your kids (or yourself), it’s never too late to start.

See our feature on page 44 for ideas.

This month, we’re also running our super-helpful Summer Camps Guide. Confession: Because my husband is a teacher, we don’t usually send the kids to summer camp. With his summers mostly off, he often takes them on adventures (OK, sometimes forced marches) while I work. But, as with everything else, this year might be different. We’ve been with them constantly … for so long. They miss interacting with other kids. And we miss having them out of the house. Of course, one of the big questions this year is: Who is open? The good news is so many camps are planning their COVID-adapted summer programs. Check out our Summer Camps Guide (starting on page 14), which includes a feature article with tips for planning in this uncertain year and a roundup of who plans to open. And we have two more ways for you to find camps for your kids: several pages of PDX Parent Picks readers’ poll winners for Classes & Camps starting on page 39, and our summer camp listings starting on page 19. (And spoiler for the resilience story: Sports are a great way for kids to build resilience. So my family may be zeroing in on some sports-centered camps this year!)

Hope your family finds ways to stay resilient as we start to move toward better days and the promise of summer sunshine.

Eastside Account Executive Lauren Wylie, 503-331-8184 lauren.wylie@pdxparent.com Westside Account Executive Jill Weisensee, 503-309-8272 jill.weisensee@pdxparent.com Newsletter and Calendar Editor Melissa Light melissa.light@pdxparent.com Finance Manager Christie Kline, 503-810-9817 christie.kline@pdxparent.com President Jill Weisensee jill.weisensee@pdxparent.com For distribution issues, e-mail us at distribution@pdxparent.com For calendar submissions, e-mail us at calendar@pdxparent.com

PDX Parent is published monthly (except July) by Northwest Parent, LLC., and is copyright 2021 Northwest Parent, LLC. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited. PDX Parent is distributed free of charge throughout the Portland, OR / Vancouver, WA metropolitan area.

PDX Parent reserves the right to refuse advertising for any reason. Distribution of this publication does not constitute an endorsement of the products or services

On our cover: Photographer Anna-Lisa Miller, of A Day in the Light Photography, captured this amazing shot of her eldest daughter

making a dandelion wish at WSU’s Vancouver campus. “It is a hidden gem of beautiful college buildings, stunning views of both Mount Hood and Mount St. Helens, and acres of woodland with hiking trails,” says Miller. As a professional family photographer, Miller always strives to capture fun family interactions. “The way a mom looks at her kids, or the face kids make when I ask their parents to kiss — those interactions are what I really want to memorialize … who they are and what their relationships are like.” And Miller’s own Instagram feed, @anniethemiller, has acted as a chronicle of her family’s pandemic life. Check it out and adayinthelightphotography.com for more examples of her work.

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advertised herein.

PDX Parent does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, disability, gender, gender expression, sex or sexual orientation.

Although every effort is taken to ensure the accuracy of published material, Northwest Parent, LLC., and its agents and employees cannot be held responsible for the use or misuse of any information contained herein. The contents of PDX Parent and its website are for informational purposes only and are not intended to be a substitute for professional advice or treatment.

What’s your family’s favorite hike?

“

We hike

Mount Tabor a lot. We usually start off playing a little tennis and then make our way to the top, stopping at the playground on the way back down.

We have gone to Marshall Park in Southwest Portland a few times and really liked it. It has a waterfall in the fall and winter. There’s a cool stone bridge and a downed tree that a kid can climb into.

We enjoy the Wapato Access Greenway on Sauvie Island. Just over 2 miles and really fun to hear all the frogs and watch the birds on Virginia Lake. We saw a few cows, too!

We spent a lot of time exploring the Mary S. Young Park in West Linn last summer. Great river access for swimming.

We love Rodney Falls on the Washington side of the Gorge. It ends in a great waterfall and is available year-round. We’ve dipped our toes in summer and enjoyed the sight

”

of the frozen falls in winter.

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p l ay r o o m

Mom to Know: Meat-free

Master Cook

Thuy Pham gets emotional about food. The rising star of Portland’s vegan food scene is bringing Vietnamese food back to its vegetarian roots with her restaurant Mama Dút, which translates to “mama will feed you.” (Pham’s 7-year-old daughter provided inspiration for the restaurant’s name.)

“Vegan Vietnamese food dates back for centuries to Buddhism in Vietnam, and it’s part of our culinary history that I think has been lost after years of colonization,” she says, getting slightly choked up. “I am just honored to bring it back. I think for Americans who are also immigrants and refugees, we hold onto those [food] connections a lot closer to our hearts because we are so physically far from our homelands.”

Pham has had a swift rise in Portland’s food scene, ironically due to COVID. She was a hairstylist until salons had to shutter. A longtime vegetarian who’s been vegan for the past two years, Pham started in the spring of 2020 researching how to make vegan pork belly. She started her wildly successful first pop-up in early summer. And now she’s got a shop at 1414 SE Morrison St. In January and February of 2021, Pham teamed up with Quorn, national purveyors of meat-free protein and meals, to launch a pop-up celebrating Vietnamese dishes. She was excited to bring back her pho noodle soup, which is a favorite of her daughter and Pham herself. Find out what else she is serving at mamadutfoods.com. — Denise Castañon

THUY PHAM

It’s easy to doubt yourself as a parent. Especially when you

speech and language development, but for a variety of reasons,

feel like your toddler isn’t talking as much as your friend’s toddler.

they may adopt a ‘wait-and-see’ approach and delay seeking

But parents now have a

treatment for months or

free, easy resource from

even years,” says A. Lynn

the American Speech-

Williams, Ph.D., CCC-SLP,

Language-Hearing

2021 ASHA president.

Association and Bright by

“Often this is a result

Text. By texting TALK to 274-

of well-meaning family

448, parents and caregivers

members, friends or even

of 2- to 6-year-olds can

professionals dismissing

receive timely text messages

their concerns. However,

about expected speech and

parents absolutely know

language milestones, warning

their child best, and we

signs of a speech or language

always encourage them to

delay or disorder, suggestions for encouraging speech and language development at home, support and encouragement, and info

In the Know:

Text for Help

on how to get connected with

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April 2021

trust their gut on matters related to their child’s speech and language development. When treatment begins early, it generally takes less time, is

professional help. Messages are available in English or Spanish.

less expensive and offers the greatest chances for improvement

“We know that many parents have concerns about their child’s

for any speech or language disorder.” — D.C.

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Playlist: Get

Happy

It’s been a decade since Rabbit!, the duo of Ashton Allen and Devin Moore, released an album. But we think it was worth the wait for their eight-song EP Happiness Is Simple, which comes out April 2.

The EP is pop-flavored enough to be enjoyed by your not-quite-tweens who may be resistant to COMMUNITY LOAVES

listening to the “kids’ music” their younger siblings still favor. (And those younger sibs will thoroughly enjoy the songs, too.) Submarine is pure bubblegum fun without being too cloying.

And the track Let’s Get Started unweaves a little like The Monkees’ Daydream Believer, which was one of my favorite songs when I was a kid who watched reruns of the band’s eponymous

COMMUNITY LOAVES

TV show. More info at rabbittheband.com. — D.C.

Good Deeds:

Loaves of Love

If you and your kids jumped on

the pandemic baking bandwagon, consider signing your family up with Community Loaves. This organization, which was founded in Seattle, has recently spread to

Chalkboard: On the

Upswing

20.5% the percentage of Oregonians who are younger than 18

6

the number Oregon jumped in ranking for well-being of its children

5.6% fewer children in poverty 7 in10 Oregon 2-year-olds were

up-to-date on their immunizations in 2019

3.8% decrease of 3- and 4-year-olds not in preschool 80% percentage of students graduating from high school on time — a 6% increase from 2014-2015

SOURCE: ANNIE E. CASEY FOUNDATION KIDS COUNT DATA BOOK AND OUR CHILDREN OREGON

Oregon. Volunteer bakers sign up for an information session and learn

When measuring the overall well-being of kids in Oregon prior to COVID, the Annie

how to bake honey oat bread at

E. Casey Foundation’s KIDS COUNT Data Book and Our Children Oregon found

home, and then donate it to local

that things were steadily improving for our state’s children over the past five

food pantries. In just a year, the group has managed to donate more than 14,000 loaves of bread. Find out more at communityloaves.org. — D.C.

years. So much so that Oregon jumped from 31st in overall well-being in 2019 to 25th out of all 50 states in 2020. Of course, this data was gathered before the pandemic hit the globe. “The gains we did see in the data took the collective effort of Oregonians from all sectors leaning in, working toward a better future for our children. Now we will need to do more to protect these gains and ensure an equitable recovery for all our children,” said Jenifer Wagley, executive director of Our Children Oregon. — D.C.

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Ask Dr. Doug

Q

: I ’ve heard a lot in the news

A

JENELL THEOBALD

Kid to Know:

The Advocate

Eighth-grader Jenell Theobald of Beaverton’s Whitford Middle School recently was honored by the Prudential Spirit of Community Awards as one of Oregon’s top youth volunteers. Jenell worked to shine a spotlight on the special-needs summer camp that changed her life. Due to highfunctioning autism, Jenell had to switch schools often, making it challenging to build friendships and social skills.

But when she started attending Camp Meadowood Springs, things changed for her. “Those summers were the happiest of my life,” says Jenell. “I was able to relate to and make friends with kids who were similar to me, and I felt like the counselors truly understood me.”

Grateful for the experience, Jenell began volunteering to get Meadowood Springs the attention she felt it deserved. She authored a Wikipedia article for the camp, took its promotional fliers to seven school districts, gave speeches JENELL THEOBALD

at various events, and recruited 35 volunteers to spend Memorial Day weekend helping the camp prepare for

its next summer session. Jenell also started a charity called Let’s Peer Up to ensure that the needs of people with disabilities are not overlooked. One of its first successes was persuading the Beaverton City Council to reinstate a disabilities advisory board that had been disbanded years earlier. Jenell will receive a $2,500 scholarship, a silver medallion and an invitation to a virtual celebration that lets the youth winners from other states connect and share ideas. — D.C.

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recently about arsenic and other heavy metals in baby foods — do I need to be worried about this?

: In February, a congressional

committee asked for internal testing documents on heavy metals in commercial baby foods. Of the companies that responded (Happy Baby Organics, Beech-Nut, Earth’s Best Organic and Gerber), most reported significant levels of heavy metals in their foods, including arsenic, lead, cadmium and mercury.

These levels were in ranges of parts per billion (tiny), but still higher than what the FDA allows in bottled water and the EPA allows in drinking water.

None of these are great to have in our bodies, and high levels over time have been linked to later developmental and health problems.

At the same time, we live in the world — and the world is full of stuff. Metals such as arsenic exist in the Earth’s crust. That means plants grown in dirt are going to have some degree of these metals in them. Some plants, like rice, take up arsenic more avidly than other plants, and pollution in the local soil makes a difference, too. Processing baby food may concentrate some levels of metals as well.

So, what to do? Try to breastfeed your baby and talk to your pediatrician about best formulas if you need them. Give your baby a well-rounded diet, including fruits, green and orange veggies, meats and grains. Kids don’t need juice — skip it. I usually recommend against rice cereal, since there are more options now like baby oatmeal, multigrain or quinoa cereals. Organic foods are not better — they can still have lots of organic pesticides. Making your own baby food is great if you can, but remember all vegetables will have

?

Dr. Doug Lincoln practices general pediatrics at Metropolitan Pediatrics in Happy Valley. He is boardcertified in both pediatrics and preventive medicine, with special interests in helping parents meet their breastfeeding goals, caring for neurodiverse children with behavioral health needs, and advocating for children via teaching and policy. As a dad of two boys, he understands the joy and hard work that comes with parenting. Find out more about Dr. Doug and Metropolitan Pediatrics at metropediatrics.com.

DR. DOUG

some metals in them. And please don’t feel guilty if you need to give some baby food packets! There is enough guilt Got a question for Dr. Doug? Send it to in parenting as it is.

AsktheDr@pdxparent.com.

The top two things you can do to reduce heavy-metal exposure? Test your drinking water for lead in your pipes (you can get a free kit from your local water bureau), and don’t smoke or vape (both for yourself and your kids).

Thankfully, the Biden administration announced on March 5 that the FDA will identify maximum safe limits of contaminants in baby foods and finalize guidance on reducing arsenic and lead in juices. Slow progress, but still progress.

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Sign up for the

PDX Parent newsletter

for parenting news, tips and fun ideas delivered to your inbox. pdxparent.com

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l P

, n a

, p e r P

With so much up in the air, it’s harder than usual to plan out your kid’s summer camp schedule. But we’ve got you covered with pro tips from super-planners, questions to ask about COVID protocols, and a huge list of in-person and virtual camps that are set to open this summer.

BY AMY CRAWFORD

W

! o G

e know what you did last summer — or, really, what you didn’t do. But the second summer of COVID-19 brings many more summer-camp options for families. Health experts know more about the disease and how to set safety protocols, so kids can have fun — and parents can be reassured.

Plan Like a Pro

Summer camp planning — it’s a whole subuniverse within social media groups, forums and even blogs. With things in flux up until the last minute this year, we gathered some tricks, tips and advice from local summer camp parents and superplanners. “My pre-COVID plan had a spreadsheet and the goal to have summer sorted before spring break,” said Jane Snyder, mom of two in the Foster-Powell neighborhood and Girl Scout troop leader, who also stresses the importance of registering for camps early.

• Schedules are being published at different paces and later than usual. So be flexible and be patient, but be ready to secure a spot!

Summer Camp, Here We Come!

As of press time, the following camps have indicated they plan to be open for summer 2021. All camps are in-person, unless n Aim High Martial arts camp with fun, themed sessions.

Aimhighma.org/camps Alpengirl Outdoor adventure girls-only camp.

Alpengirlcamp.com Anthony Newman Sports Camp Sports camps for all skill levels.

Anthonynewmancamps. com

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Avid4 Adventure Outdoor activity camp with options to bring camp to you.

Avid4.com

Baxter Sports All sports, soccer and girls-only camps for 5- to 13-year-olds.

Baxtersports.com

Camp Namanu Outdoor summer camp on the banks of the Sandy River.

Campnamanu.org

B’nai Brith Camp All-around outdoor camp on the Oregon coast with a Jewish focus. Bbcamp.org

Breakthrough Basketball Basketball camp for all levels.

Breakthroughbasketball.com

Catlin Gabel In-person and virtual camp activities, with offerings varying each week.

Catlin.edu

Backbeat Music Academy Music camp for novice to expert campers.

Backbeatmusicacademy. com

Camp Invention Multilocation and virtual STEM camps focusing on innovation. Invent.org/ programs/camp-invention

Summpesr Cam

!

AN GUAR

TE ED

Summpesr Cam

FU N

2021

G U ID E

In the Bag

In addition to the usual camp items (sunscreen, water bottles, extra clothes, et. al.), below are items to include in your kids’ day packs this summer.

 Extra masks  A sealable bag to put used or dirty masks in

 Hand sanitizer OMSI

 Small pack of disinfectant wipes

• Book the camps your kids want the most, first. Keep in mind that camps for the first week after school gets out and the last week before school starts tend to fill up the fastest. Niki Billsborough, a mom in Southeast Portland, recommends securing those weeks early.

• Plan for smoke and air-quality issues in August by looking at indoor-camp options.

• Coordinate with friends in an effort to send kids and their buddies to the same sessions. Some friend groups have even created shared calendars to keep track of where certain friends are going and when. “I’m trying to coordinate with friends more to help make up for that lost time with close relationships,” said Lori Dunkin, who last year created a massive spreadsheet of camp options to keep it all organized. continued on page 16

TRACKERS

noted otherwise. Please check with each camp directly to confirm status, availability and guidelines.

Fairy Camp Eco-magical arts and sciences program weaving environmental education with imagination, intuition and creativity.

Fairycamp.org Friends of Tryon Creek Outdoor nature camps.

Tryonfriends.org/day-camp Girls Count Inspiring, girls-only camp designed to build the next generation of innovators, critical thinkers and decision makers.

Girlscountpdx.org/camps

Grace Arts Camp Projectbased arts and culture camp. Grace-institute.org/ grace-art-camps ID Tech Virtual tech camps to sharpen STEM skills.

Idtech.com/virtual Jordan Kent Inclusive, energetic, sports-based camps. Jordankentcamps. com

K-Lean’s Tennis Tennis and golf camps with halfand full-day options.

K-leans.com/ summer-camp-signup L’Etoile French-focused summer camp.

Letoilefrenchschool.com/ summer Mad Science Hands-on science camp. Portland. madscience.org

Mazama Wild Outdoor adventure camps from the revered Mazamas mountaineering and climbing organization.

Mazamas.org/mazamawild Mittleman Jewish Community Center All-around summer camp featuring games, arts, crafts and sports. Plus, a counselor-in-training program for tweens! Oregonjcc.org/ camps-childcare/daycamp continued on page 16

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Plan Like a Pro

STEVE & KATE’S CAMP

• Consolidate summer camp information in one place to include costs, websites, weeks available and when registration opens. “I make a spreadsheet and keep notes for the year and for the following years,” said Jamie Squid, a single working Portland parent. “I also include if payment is required ahead, or can be broken up.” Consider setting reminders in your calendar so you don’t miss registration, as well as for the last day you can cancel.

• Be prepared for camps to shut down abruptly or be canceled at the last minute.

Some camps that were go-tos for flexibility and last-minute registration, such as Steve and Kate’s, are eliminating single-day options this year in an effort to keep kids in the same squad, or cohort, and minimize mixing. Lauren Light, Portland director of Steve and Kate’s camp, tells parents to expect things to be a bit different for most camps this summer. “We’re implementing consistent groups to minimize mixing, as well as bringing activities to the campers instead of having them go to the activity,” said Light.

SAUVIE ISLAND CENTER

• Include your kids, especially teens and tweens, in choosing their camps.

Summer Camp, Here We Come!

Northwest Children’s Theater Fun and entertaining virtual theater camps with the possibility of in-person camps later in summer. Nwcts.org Old McDonald’s Farm Week-long hands-on farmbased camp complete with chickens, geese, goats, rabbits, pigs, horses and miniature donkeys.

Oldmcdonaldsfarm.org

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OMSI Science-based day camp. Omsi.edu/ camps-and-classes One With Heart Martial arts summer camp.

Onewithheart.com/ summercamps

Oregon Gymnastics Academy Gymnastics camp focusing on skill-building and fun.

Ogagym.org/activities/ camps

Pedalheads Bike camp for novice to experienced riders.

Get them on two wheels!

Pedalheads.com

Portland Parks and Recreation Affordable nature, arts and crafts, sports, and general camps.

Portland.gov/parks

Play Well LEGO®-inspired engineering classes for kids in kindergarten through eighth grade.

Play-well.org/camps-2021

Rose City Futsal Indoor skillbuilding summer camps with regular, fun scrimmages.

Rosecityfutsal.com/camps

Portland Jewish Academy Weekly summer enrichment camps.

Pjaproud.org/about-us/ pja-summer-discovery-clone

Sauvie Island Center Outdoor, farm-based camp on Sauvie Island.

Sauvieislandcenter.org/visit/ summer-camp

First things first — don’t send

your kiddo to camp if he or anyone in the household is sick.

Regular symptom and temperature checks will

Summer Camp Safety

Summpesr Cam

Many camps will release information about changes later in theANspring and throughout FU N TE ED GUAR

the summer. The Alliance of Oregon Camps

Summpesr Cam 2021

G U ID E

Association is in collaboration with the American Camp Association (ACA) and the Oregon Health Authority, so camps can communicate this information as soon as possible.

The ACA’s recently released COVID-19 and 2020 Camps report shows that preventative measures like health screenings,

be the norm this year.

As of press time, there are no specific guidelines for summer camps. However, outdoor camps will follow Oregon state’s Youth Programs guidance when caring for kids age 13 and older, and the Child Care and Early Education guidance when serving children from kindergarten to age 12.

This includes but is not limited to: • Keeping daily logs for potential contract tracing • Organized drop-off/check-in process • Daily health checks of all campers and staff • Physical distancing with a minimum of 35 square feet per person • Minimized time waiting around • Face coverings for all campers in grades kindergarten and up, along with all staff The full “Ready Schools, Safe Learners” guidance materials can be found via the Oregon Health Authority website: oregon.gov/OHA.

masking, quarantining and more limited the spread within camps that were in session. While as of press time overnight camps aren’t allowed, several sleepaway camps are hopeful to get the green light later in the spring.

When making the decision to send your kiddos to camp, consider these COVID-19-related questions: • What are the daily cleaning and sanitizing procedures? Does this include bathrooms?

• What are the drop-off and pickup procedures?

• Where will the campers and staff eat lunch?

• How many different staff members will be interacting with your child during a session?

• What is the camp’s sick policy?

• How confident is the camp in ensuring safety among its staff, campers and families?

• What is the communication protocol for informing camp families about a COVID-19 diagnosis?

• If camp is canceled due to a COVID-19 diagnosis, what is the refund policy?

Amy Crawford is a writer who lives in Northeast Portland with her husband and two boys. Amy grew up attending B’nai Brith Beber Camp in Wisconsin and credits her ability to play in the dirt, love of lakes and obsession with sunscreen to these summers. If she could, Amy would send herself to camp this year.

Skyhawks Multisport camps throughout the metro area.

Skyhawks.com Soccer Shots Skillbuilding soccer camps throughout Portland.

Soccershots.org

Trackers Week-long outdoor and adventure camps.

Trackerspdx.com Tryon Life Community Farm Music, mime and discovery farm-based camp.

Tryonfarm.org

Willowbrook Art-based outdoor summer camp.

Willowbrookartscamp.org

Tucker Arts Camp Cultural camp to explore diverse countries around the world.

Tuckermaxon.org/ tuckerartscamp

YEA Camp A virtual summer camp for aspiring activists to make a bigger difference in the social justice causes they care about. Yeacamp.org

Steve and Kate’s All-around day camps that let kids decide and take charge!

Steveandkatescamp. com/portland

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r e m um s p m a C ARTS & CRAFTS CAMPS Cognizart by MetroArts Inc. 360 Arts Camp

The arts come alive this July at

Cognizart by MetroArts Inc’s 28th visual

arts, music, theater, and dance camp for kids ages 6-12.

N RAN UA G31; $350-$375 through April 30.

Cost: $300-$325 through D F UMarch TEE Scholarships available!

Fir Acres Writing Workshop At Fir Acres Writing Workshop, a premiere summer writing program, HS students from across the country come together for two weeks and

shops, participants study great writing and produce their own under

capacity or July 1

the guidance of published faculty. In

Dates: July 5-9 and July 12-16

2021, Fir Acres Writing Workshop will

info@metroartsinc.org cognizart.org

GUIDE

passionate writers. In daily Work-

Registration Deadline: When we reach

503-245-4885

2021

join a community of talented and

Ages: 6-12

World Forestry Center

r e m Sum ps Cam

be online.

Cost: $1750 (only in 2021) Grades: 10-12 Dates: June 20-July 3 Online in 2021; in all other years on campus at Lewis & Clark College.

503-768-7932 firacres@lclark.edu go.lclark.edu/firacres

Tucker Maxon School Tucker Arts Camp Tucker Arts Camp travels the world June 28 - August 30! Explore the art of storytelling through music, movement, and visual arts from countries around the world. For grades K-5.

Cost: $36/week Grades: K-5

Venvino Art Studios Themed Art Camps

Dates: June 28-August 30

Crafty Mindz Summer Arts and Activity Camps

Our summer camp is a great place for your child to hang out and learn during the summer while still having tons of fun.

Each week has a different theme.

Campers participate in arts and crafts, critical thinking activities, nature walks, and field-trips.

We offer full-day and half-day camps with flexible drop-off and pick-up (Discounts available on multiple week booking).

Cost: $160/wk-$250/wk Ages: 5-12 Dates: June 21 - Sept 3 1150 SW 170 Ave, Suite 100 Beaverton, OR 97006

One River School of Art + Design Art + Design Summer Camps We offer fun in-person week-long

SE Portland 503-235-6551

to choose from. You are sure to find

info@tuckermaxon.org

come and be creative with us. From

tuckermaxon.org/tuckerartscamp

and techniques in our camps that range from Portrait Drawing to Digital Animation.

Cost: $325-$350 Grades: K-12 Registration Deadline: Open Dates: June 14-August 21

Willowbrook Arts Camp Come outside to explore while celebrating individuality and interconnectedness.

Experience visual arts, performing arts, nature and more in Brown’s Ferry Park.

15010 SW Bangy Rd.

Registration is open!

Lake Oswego, OR 97035

Cost: $325 per week

503-606-8861 lakeoswego@oneriverschool.com lakeoswego.oneriverschool.com/camp

a camp that will excite your kiddo to princesses and unicorns to pets and video games. Each of our art camps

Summer Camps for all ages in Art and Design! Build friendships, skills

We have 36 different themed camps

will have LOTS of take home projects that kids will work on throughout the week!

Cost: $125-$275 Ages: 5-14 Registration Deadline: August 8 Dates: Weekly Starting June 13 Venvino Art Studios

13329 SE Misty Dr.

Happy Valley, OR 97086

Ages: 5-18

503-342-8644

Registration Deadline: None

info@venvinoartstudios.com

Dates: June 28-August 6 Brown’s Ferry Park Tualatin, OR 503-691-6132

503-516-8525

campinfo@willowbrookartscamp.org

create@craftymindz.com

willowbrookartscamp.org

venvinoartstudios.com Mini Camps

Happy Valley Park

13770 SE Ridgecrest Rd. Happy Valley, OR 97086 503-342-8644

craftymindz.com

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CLIMBING / OBSTACLE CAMPS

GENERAL DAY CAMPS

The Circuit Bouldering Gym Camp Rockstar Sign your kids up to climb in a fun, social environment led by our instructors, where they will problem solve and build confidence on and off the wall.

Ages: 5-12 Dates: June-August We offer summer camps at our SW, NE, and Tigard locations

North Clackamas Parks & Recreation NCPRD Summer Camps NCPRD offers a wide variety of affordable and safe day camps

503-246-5111

to keep kids active and having

youth@thecircuitgym.com

fun all summer long. Choose from

thecircuitgym.com

sports, science, nature, dance and horseback riding.

DANCE CAMPS

Ages: 3-18 Registration Deadline: Registration opens April 13 Dates: All summer long Multiple Locations 503-794-3877 sports@ncprd.com ncprd.com/summer-camps

Catlin Gabel School Catlin Gabel Summer Camps We are excited to offer something to fit every interest and every age between 4-18 years old, with both online and on-campus offerings.

Most camps are taught by our teachers and include academics, sports, technology, day camps, arts, and more. Before and after camp care is available. We look forward to seeing you soon for engaging learning activities and fun.

Cost: $135-390 Ages: 4-18 Registration Deadline: Varies Dates: June 28-August 13 Catlin Gabel is located on 67 forested acres in SW Portland only

Lovegood Performing Arts Company

Oregon Ballet Theatre School Junior Ballet Intensive

The brand new Lovegood

Designed for young dancers eager to

Performing Arts Company in

take their ballet training to the next level

Beaverton is offering exciting

as well as learn new styles such as Irish

in-person musical theater summer

dance, musical theater, contemporary

camps for ages 7-11 and in-person

and more!

workshops in dance and acting for students ages 12-22. Join us this

Cost: $948

summer in our brand new black

Ages: 8+

box theater for a performing arts

Registration Deadline: June 30

experience like no other!

Dates: Two weeks: July 26-August 6

Cost: Varies

720 S Bancroft St.

Ages: 7-22

Portland OR, 97239

Registration Deadline: May 28

503-227-6890

Dates: June-August 10144 SW Park Way Portland, OR 97225 503-278-5898 lovegood.company/summer

April 2021

school.obt.org

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Cedarwood Summer Camps Bring some Cedarwood magic into your summer! Cedarwood’s summer camps are filled with crafting, storytelling, outdoor adventure, and plenty of time for play as campers explore the season of summer together.

Cost: $365 Ages: 3-14 Registration Deadline: June 21 Dates: June 21-August 13 3030 SW Second Ave Portland OR 97201 503-245-1477 admissions@cedarwoodschool.org cedarwoodschool.org

minutes from downtown.

503-297-1894 summercamps@catlin.edu catlin.edu/summer

Girls Count Girls Count Summer Camp Camps are a space where girls engage in their own learning, enhance life skills

German International School GIS Summer Camps GIS is offering a variety of bilingual summer camps. We will have fun in the sun, meet new friends, and get creative all while learning German or Mandarin.

Cost: $275 Ages: 2-11 Registration Deadline: June 4 Dates: July-August 3900 SW Murray Blvd.

Beaverton, OR 97005 503-626-9089

hello@lovegood.company

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schoolofobt@obt.org

Cedarwood Waldorf School

info@gspdx.org gspdx.org

and problem-solving, and learn to be active and informed members of their community.

Cost: $275 Early Bird, $325 Regular Enrollment Ages: 11-14 Dates: June 14-August 27 1514 SE 44th Ave. Portland, OR 97215 info@girlscountpdx.org girlscountpdx.org

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Mittleman Jewish Community Center MJCC Summer Day Camp MJCC Day Camp is imbued with a sense of joy, community, spirit and fun. Health + safety is our top priority. Enjoy quality,

K-Leans Tennis @ Glendoveer Golf & Tennis K-Lean’s Tennis Tennis/Golf development programs.

We focus on providing a FUN, fast

fun, age-appropriate programs including sports, cooking, Jewish culture, drama, nature, + more! Create crafts, play games, and do activities that revolve around each week’s theme. Half + fullday options 9:00 am – 4:00 pm. Open to

paced, and a game based approach.

everyone.

Our approach adds excitement and

Cost: weekly: $165-$365

enjoyment for the kids as they learn

Ages: 5-15

through a progression of drills and

Registration Deadline: Rolling

games specific for each of the levels

Dates: June 14-August 27

of play. We teach with passion, loads

6651 SW Capitol Highway

of energy, and space for kids to realize and attain their potential.

Cost: $168/wk (2 hr), $278/wk (4 hour), $448/wk (all day) Ages: 5-14

Portland, OR 97219 503-244-0111 daycamp@oregonjcc.org www.oregonjcc.org/daycamp

Registration Deadline: Early Bird 10% discount through April 2021 Dates: June 14-September 2 14015 NE Glisan St. Portland OR 97230 503-701-4408 kaleen@kleanstennis.com k-leans.com

The International School Summer Camp It’s a world of fun at our award-winning language immersion summer camps!

Japanese, Chinese and Spanish come to life through hands-on projects, activities, and outdoor fun! Beginner through Advanced levels.

Cost: varies Ages: 3-11 Registration Deadline: varies Dates: June 28-August 6 South Waterfront, Portland, near the OHSU tram base. Accessible by car, and a variety of public transport.

503-226-2496 summer@intlschool.org intlschool.org/summer

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Oregon Episcopal School OES Summer Camps Summer is on AGAIN at Oregon Episcopal School!

We did summer safely last year and we’re back in 2021 offering in-person and online camps to young people ages 4 to 18 from July 6 to August 27. Check out our offerings, including favorites like River Runners, Rock Climbing, Dungeons and Dragons, fencing, and llama love! Registration opens March 15: oes.edu/summer Ages: 4-18 Dates: July 6-August 27 6300 SW Nicol Rd. Portland, OR 97223 503-416-9367 oes.edu/summer

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The Portland Montessori School Camp Vida Camp Vida is a daily adventure. Our

EQUESTRIAN/ ANIMAL CAMPS French Hill Farm French Hill Farm Riding Academy

seasoned professionals curate a rich

We teach the basics of riding and horse-

environment that supports a vibrant

manship with safety around horses a

and joyful community along with ample

priority. We also teach jumping in Inter-

outdoor time.

mediate and Advanced camps.

Cost: $375-$400/week

Cost: 5 day camp $475,

Ages: 3-6 Registration Deadline: rolling Dates: June 21-August 27

Kindercamp $150 Ages: 7-14 and 5-6 Registration Deadline: N/A

205 NE 50th Ave

Dates: June-August

Portland, OR 97213

15770 NE Eilers Rd.

503-688-2992

Aurora, OR 97002

info@portlandmontessori.org

503-678-6336

portlandmontessori.org

leighanne@frenchhillfarm.com frenchhillfarm.com

Tualatin Hills Park & Rec THPRD Summer Camps Lots of half-day, full-day, camps available for all ages. We have general camps, sports, and nature play camps. Small stable pods with strong health and safety protocols.

Cost: Varies Ages: All ages Registration Deadline: Opens May 1 Dates: All summer Camps are available throughout the greater Beaverton area.

503-645-6433 Communications@thprd.org thprd.org

Herrold Stables, LLC Beginning to Advanced Horse Riding Day Camp

Horse Riding Lessons & Horse Day Camps offered March thru December 2021. Beginning to advanced rider taught proper horsemanship in English, Jumping, Western, Trail

VIDA

and Gamming Classes. Experienced

VIDA SCHOOL Summer Camp

instruction provided. Events by age

VIDA aims to impart imagination, exploration, and friendship into your child’s summer! Our program is all about hands-

Cost: $68-$285.00 Ages: 3 and up. Grouped by age.

Cost: $225/week

Registration Deadline: none

Ages: 5-12

Dates: March-December

VIDA SCHOOL Summer Camp is located at VIDA Coworking on NE 19th Ave @ Sandy Blvd.

971-350-8981 hello@vidacoworking.com vidacoworking.com/vidaplay

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parties. All events are socially distant.

Mask required.

Dates: June 14-August 20

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three day camps, rIding lessons and

expression, and creating connections

Registration Deadline: May 31

April 2021

from 3 years to adult. One day and

on learning, open-ended play, creative with peers. Join us!

24

schooling horses. Professional

32900 SW Wohler St. Hillsboro, OR 97123 971-235-4529 HerroldStables@yahoo.com herroldstables.com

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Old McDonald’s Farm, Inc. The Jr. Vet. Great Goat Week Want to be a Vet.? This program is all about goats! Thrive at our educational Farm Program for students, taught by an experienced Certified Teacher.

Catch our bus, close-in eastside.

The International School Summer Camp It’s a world of fun at our award-winning language immersion summer camps!

Japanese, Chinese and Spanish come to life through hands-on projects, activities, and outdoor fun! Beginner

Cost: $259 + $48 bus

through Advanced levels.

Grades: 4-9

Cost: varies

Dates: July 26-30 Corbett, OR 97019

Ages: 3-11 Registration Deadline: varies

503-695-3316

Dates: June 28-August 6

omf@oldmcdonaldsfarm.org

South Waterfront, Portland, near the

oldmcdonaldsfarm.org

OSHU tram base. Accessible by car, and a variety of public transport.

503-226-2496

Wilsonville Equestrian Center

summer@intlschool.org intlschool.org/summer

Horse Camps At WEC everyone will have a fun packed and informational day. We learn about all things horse related, with a riding lesson and arts and crafts.

Cost: $385

Schoolita Alegria Summer Camp/

Campamento de Verano A fun Spanish workshop for ages 3-5!

The “Campamento” is mostly Spanish

Ages: 5-15 Registration Deadline: day before the first day Camps: every week all summer 24040 SW 82nd Ave. Tualatin OR 97062 503-888-6318

immersion that is taught through play, songs, theme days, cooking, gardening and more! Before and after care available.

Cost: $200-$225/weekly Ages: 3-5 Dates: July 5-August 5

marenw1@hotmail.com wecriding.com

4605 NE Campaign St. Portland OR 97218 503-706-1077

FOREIGN LANGUAGE CAMPS German International School GIS Summer Camps GIS is offering a variety of bilingual summer camps. We will have fun in the sun, meet new friends, and get creative all while learning German or Mandarin.

Cost: $275 Ages: 2-11 Registration Deadline: June 4 Dates: July - August 3900 SW Murray Blvd.

Beaverton, OR 97005 503-626-9089 info@gspdx.org gspdx.org

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alegria@schoolita-alegria.com schoolita-alegria.com

GYMNASTICS CAMPS OMEGA Gymnastics OMEGA Summer Camp OMEGA’s Summer Camps keep your kids active with supervised play, gymnastics instruction, and craft. Half day or full day weekly options. Camp shirt ($15) and annual family membership ($40) required.

Cost: Half day week $200 per child; Full day week $320 per child Ages: 5-12 Registration Deadline: June 15 Dates: June 21-August 27 SW Beaverton – 217 to Allen, east on Allen, left on Arctic Drive, right on Harvest Court 503-466-4872 info@omega-gymnastics.com omega-gymnastics.com/camps.html

Oregon Gymnastics Academy OGA Summer Camps offer friends, fitness, and fun all rolled into one!

Campers partake in gymnastics instruction along with games, crafts, and special on-site activities based on that week’s theme.

Ages: 4-12 Dates: June 21-September 3 16305 NW Bethany Ct. Suite 109 Beaverton, OR 97006 503-531-3409 info@ogagym.org ogagym.org

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SUMMER ACTING ACADEMY

OUTDOOR ADVENTURE CAMPS

June 14-August 13

Join us this summer for our all-virtual Acting Academy!

Students will develop their skills, build confidence, and—most importantly—have FUN! Avid4 Adventure Avid4 Adventure’s experienced

“It was a good balance of guided work, creative play, and freedom to explore.” —Acting Academy Parent

instructors empower campers of all

Alpengirl Adventure Camp for Girls Alpengirl is an overnight summer adventure camp for girls ages 11-16. Our 1 or 2 week outdoor camps are in the Pacific Northwest

TOP 5 A

DE

2021 RS

’ CHOICE A

R WA

D

climb and paddle outdoors. At both our day and overnight camps, kids gain a deeper appreciation for the natural world and the confidence and technical skills they need to choose active, outdoor lifestyles. We practice safe, effective COVID-19 protocols and have flexible cancellation

Washington, Wyoming, Oregon,

policies.

Idaho and Montana. We offer daily

Cost: $180-$1,295

yoga, delicious camp food and tent camping combined with surfing, rafting, riding, climbing and more!

S

RE

Registration begins March 31 octc.org/classes

RE NT PI PA

S CK

PD X

and Northern Rocky Mountains:

ages and skill levels to bike, hike, rock

ACA Accredited, small groups of 12 girls, 1:6 ratio.

Ages: Ages 11-16 Cost: $990-$2635 Dates: 11 different camps available, see website for specific dates.

7000 NE Airport Way Portland, OR 97218 406-570-6312 info@alpengirlcamp.com alpengirlcamp.com

Cascade Pacific Council, Boy Scouts of America Camp Clark Join Scouting and you’ll get exclusive access to world-class camps and opportunities for the entire family. Camp

Ages: 5-15 Registration Deadline: August 8 Dates: June 20-August 13 8825 SW Barnes Rd. Portland, OR 97225 720-249-2412 info@avid4.com avid4.com/pdxparent 19660 Mountaineer Way Bend, OR 97702 Additional locations in the Bay Area of California and across the Front Range of Colorado.

Farm & Forest Camps at Springville Farms Farm & Forest Summer Camp Fun outdoor activities — exploring the woods, playing games, tending animals, gardening — and art projects daily.

Free play, quiet time, covid-safe group

Clark is just 1 of our 7 year-round camp

activities. Cohort of 10 ages K+.

properties.

Grades: K-5

Cost: $240

Dates: June 14 - August 27

Near Tillamook on the Oregon Coast.

Springville Farms is a 4-acre homestead in unincorporated Multnomah County between Bethany and Skyline at 12821 NW Springville Rd., 97229 971-294-8400 farm.and.forest.ed@gmail.com springvilleprojects.org

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Cost: $150-$173 Ages: 13-17 Registration Deadline: Open Until Filled Dates: weekly, June-August The Lake Oswego Teen Lounge; 1060 Chandler Rd. Lake Oswego, OR 97034

Crafty Mindz Summer Arts and Activity Camps

503-675-2549 cfletcher@ci.oswego.or.us ci.oswego.or.us/parksrec

Our summer camp is a great place for your child to hang out and learn during the summer while still having tons of fun.

Each week has a different theme.

Campers participate in arts and crafts, critical thinking activities, nature walks, and field-trips.

We offer full-day and half-day camps with flexible drop-off and pick-up (Discounts available on multiple week booking).

Cost: $160/wk-$250/wk Ages: 5-12 Dates: June 21-September 3

Trackers Earth Trackers Earth award-winning camps are action-packed, immersive Guided quests for youth of all ages. Timeless skills, friends, and outdoor connection with over 20 themes...Archery, Wizards, Wilderness Survival, Outdoor Sport & More. Creating one-of-a-kind

1150 SW 170 Ave., Suite 100

youth adventures for over 15 years!

Beaverton, OR 97006

Overnight Camps are available for

503-516-8525

Grades 5-12 and offer wilderness

create@craftymindz.com

adventure, shared stories, &

craftymindz.com

outdoor leadership.

Ages 5-18, Grades K-12 Dates: June 14-August 30

Lake Oswego Parks & Recreation Teen Service Corps LO TEEN SERVICE CORPS is a 2-day

4617 SE Milwaukie Ave. Portland, OR 510-575-9444 hello@trackersearth.com tracks.li/summer-2021-pdxparent

volunteer opportunity for teens followed by a fun field trip on day 3. Each week provides 10-12 hours of community service.

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OVERNIGHT CAMPS

Camp Two Roads C2R is a week-long overnight camp offering high ropes challenges, ziplines, canoeing, cooking, crafts and more.

We empower young women to be confident in outdoor skills and personal relationships.

Cost: $400

Avid4 Adventure Avid4 Adventure’s experienced instructors empower campers of all ages and skill levels to bike, hike, rock climb and paddle outdoors. At

Ages: Campers entering grades 3-12 in the fall of 2021 Registration Deadline: August 1 Dates: August 22-27 Yamhill, OR

both our day and overnight camps,

971-328-1653

kids gain a deeper appreciation for

camptworoads@gmail.com

the natural world and the confidence and technical skills they need

shootingstaradventures.org/tworoads

to choose active, outdoor lifestyles.

We practice safe, effective COVID-19 protocols and have flexible cancellation policies.

Cost: $180-$1,295 Ages: 5-15 Registration Deadline: August 8 Dates: June 20-August 13 8825 SW Barnes Rd. Portland, OR 97225 720-249-2412 info@avid4.com avid4.com/pdxparent 19660 Mountaineer Way Bend, OR 97702

Shooting Star Adventures, Inc. Camp Two Roads C2R is a week-long camp empowering young women to be confident leaders in the outdoors and within their communities. We offer high ropes challenges, outdoor skills, canoeing, and more.

Cost: $400 Grades: Campers entering grades 3-12 in fall 2021 Registration Deadline: August 1

Additional locations in the Bay Area

Dates: August 22-27

of California and across the Front

19651 NW Old Railroad Grade Rd.

Range of Colorado.

Yamhill, Or 97148 971-328-1653

Big Lake Youth Camp Big Lake Big Lake is a Christian camp but does not discriminate by religion, race, or political views. Activities include: Horse Extreme, wakesports, rock climbing, white water rafting, arts & archery.

Cost: $504 Ages: 7-17 Sisters, OR 503-850-3583 office@biglake.org biglake.org

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camptworoads@gmail.com shootingstaradventures.org/tworoads

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PERFORMING ARTS CAMPS Backbeat Music Academy Try Everything, Rock Band, Choir, Songwriting & more!

Backbeat offers a variety of awesome music camps, including Try Everything, Rock Band, Choir, Songwriting, Write Music For Computer Games and more.

Full day options available.

Cost: $149 Ages: 5-18 (varies per camp) Registration Deadline: none, but camps are limited in size Dates: Camps run all summer

Echo Theater Company Summer Camps Explore acrobatics, trapeze, aerial, & physical storytelling in a variety of weeklong camps! Full-day Camps. Options for all levels of students, intensives available. All camps are inclusive and accessible.

Cost: $190-$390 Ages: 6-16 Dates: June 14-August 20 1515 SE 37th Ave. Portland OR 97214 971-267-3246 hello@echotheaterpdx.org echotheaterpdx.org

9575 SW Beaverton-Hillsdale Hwy #B20 Beaverton, OR 97005 (rear entrance) 503-290-5090 contact@backbeatmusicacademy.com backbeatmusicacademy.com

Bennett Suzuki Violin Studio Edie Bennett offers parent/child, sibling and private violin lessons on zoom for ages 2 to adult. Learn by listening with a gradual transition to note reading.

Email bennettviolin@gmail.com for information.

Cost: Varies Ages: 2-Adult Registration Deadline: Ongoing Dates: Year round Online 503-246-9945 bennettviolin@gmail.com ediebennett.com

Lovegood Performing Arts Company The brand new Lovegood Performing Arts Company in Beaverton is offering exciting in-person musical theater summer camps for ages 7-11 and in-person workshops in dance and acting for students ages 12-22. Join us this summer in our brand new black box theater for a performing arts experience like no other!

Cost: Varies Ages: 7-22 Registration Deadline: May 28 Dates: June-August 10144 SW Park Way Portland, OR 97225 503-278-5898 hello@lovegood.company lovegood.company/summer

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Metropolitan Performing Arts Musical Theater Intensive Winnie The Pooh KIDS

Spend 2 weeks immersing yourself in music, dance, and acting rehearsals.

6403 E. Mill Plain Blvd.

Vancouver, WA 98661 360-975-1585 info@MetropolitanPerformingArts.org metropolitanperformingarts.org Harry Potter Acting Camp

Ends with 3 fully-staged performances

School is in at the MPA School of Witch-

— July 2 & 3! Theater games, rehears-

craft and Wizardry! Theater games, act-

als, and learn set design, painting,

ing exercises, wizarding-themed crafts,

props, lighting, costuming, and more!

and quidditch! Families are invited to a

Cost: $600 (Early bird discount before

performance on the last day of camp.

June 1st receive $75 off!)

Cost: Tuition: $150 (Early bird discount

Ages: 6-12

before June 1st receive $25 off!)

Dates: June 21–July 2, Monday-Friday,

Ages: 7-18

9am-3pm

Dates: August 2–6, Monday – Friday,

Performances July 2 (6:30pm) and

9am-12pm August 9–13, Monday–Friday,

July 3 (11am & 6:30pm)

9am-12pm

6403 E. Mill Plain Blvd.

6403 E. Mill Plain Blvd.

Vancouver, WA 98661

Vancouver, WA 98661

360-975-1585

360-975-1585

info@MetropolitanPerformingArts.org

info@MetropolitanPerformingArts.org

metropolitanperformingarts.org Musical Theater Intensive

Wonderland: Alice’s Rock & Roll Adventure

This musical theater intensive is designed for intermediate and advanced performers! Performances will be with a

metropolitanperformingarts.org Wizard Magic School LARP Camp Study ancient runes, potions, charms, care of magical creatures, transfiguration, defense against the dark arts, divination, and more!. Returning students will experience a totally new curriculum

LIVE band! Theater games, rehearsals,

with their grades.

learn set design, painting, props, light-

Costs: $400 (Early bird discount before

ing, costuming and more!

Cost: $900 (Early bird discount before June 1st receive $100 off!)

June 1st receive $50 off!)

Ages: 11-18 Dates: August 2–August 13,

Ages: 10-18

Monday–Friday, 5pm-9pm

Dates: July 5–July 23, Monday-Friday,

6403 E. Mill Plain Blvd.

9am-3pm Performances July 23 (6:00pm), July 24 (12pm & 6pm), July 25 (12pm & 6pm)

Vancouver, WA 98661 360-975-1585 info@MetropolitanPerformingArts.org metropolitanperformingarts.org

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Northwest Children’s Theater and School Theater Camps at NWCT! Get ready for a super summer with Northwest Children’s Theater! Whether you’re new to theater or you’re ready to hone your acting, singing, and dancing skills, there’s something for everyone!

Cost: Varies Ages: 4-14 Registration Deadline: None Dates: Weekly, June 14–August 20 Online with possible in-person locations added later in the summer.

503-222-2190 classes@nwcts.org

Willowbrook Arts Camp Come outside to explore while celebrating individuality and interconnectedness.

Experience visual arts, performing arts, nature and more in Brown’s Ferry Park.

Registration is open!

Cost: $325 per week Ages: 5-18 Registration Deadline: None Dates: June 28-August 6 Brown’s Ferry Park, Tualatin Oregon 503-691-6132 campinfo@willowbrookartscamp.org willowbrookartscamp.org

nwcts.org/summer-2021

Oregon Children’s Theatre Summer Acting Academy Join us this summer for our all-virtual Acting Academy! Students will develop their acting skills, build confidence, and — most importantly — have FUN! Cost: under $200 Ages: 3-18 Registration Opens: March 31 Dates: June 14-August 13 Camp Location: Virtual/Online 503-228-9571 info@octc.org octc.org/summer-class-schedule

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Youth Music Project Rock and Pop Summer Camp Rock out like your favorite musician at Youth Music Project’s music-intensive summer camp! From the Beatles to Billie Eilish we play it all!

Cost: $376 Ages: 6-18 Dates: June 21 - August 13 2015 8th Ave. West Linn, OR 97068 503-616-5967 info@youthmusicproject.org youthmusicproject.org

STEM CAMPS

Camp Invention Spark your kid’s creativity and confidence with our new Camp Invention® program, Recharge!

Campers in grades K-6 will team up to take on fun, hands-on STEM challenges. From taking apart their own microphone to exploring solar-

North Clackamas Parks & Recreation NCPRD Summer Camps NCPRD offers a wide variety of affordable and safe day camps to keep kids active and having fun all summer long. Choose from sports, science, nature, dance and horse-

powered crickets and creating duck-

back riding.

launching devices, each activity

Ages: 3-18

is designed to give your young

Registration Deadline: Registration

innovator an unforgettable summer

opens April 13

experience. Secure your spot at

Dates: All summer long

invent.org/save!

Multiple Locations

Cost: $260

503-794-3877

Grades K-6

sports@ncprd.com

Dates: June 21-25

ncprd.com/summer-camps

Camp Invention:

Recharge At-Home Fuel the imagination of your innovator with our hands-on STEM experience delivered right to your doorstep!

800-968-4332 campinvention@invent.org invent.org/local

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.

Mad Science of Portland and Vancouver

Cost: $180-$220/weekly

Mad Science

Dates: June 28-July 16

Do you have a future Einstein or Marie Curie on your hands? Our interactive, engaging hands-on programs allow kids to explore the different fields of science.

Cost: $200

Ages: 5-15 Registration Deadline: Rolling 6651 SW Capitol Highway Portland, OR 97219 503-244-0126 cllanez@pjaproud.org pjaproud.org/summer

Ages: 4-12 Registration Deadline: one week prior Dates: throughout the summer Multiple locations throughout the metro area 503-230-8040 info@madscienceportland.com portland.madscience.org

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Saturday Academy

Saturday Academy Summer Camps Engaging summer camps, classes and internships (online & in-person) for students in grades 2-12 in science, tech, engineering, math and the arts!

Cost: Tuition Assistance is available Grades: 2-12 503-200-5858

K-Leans Tennis @ Glendoveer Golf & Tennis K-Lean’s Tennis

info@saturdayacademy.org saturdayacademy.org

Tennis/Golf development programs.

We focus on providing a FUN, fast

SPORTS CAMPS Baxter Sports Camp Kids Love Us. Parents Trust Us. With the help of our excellent coaches, we offer fun, safe, and nurturing yet challenging camps aimed to inspire kids both mentally and physically.

Cost: $285

paced, and a game based approach.

Our approach adds excitement and enjoyment for the kids as they learn through a progression of drills and games specific for each of the levels of play. We teach with passion, loads of energy, and space for kids to realize and attain their potential.

Cost: $168/wk (2 hr), $278/wk (4 hour), $448/wk (all day) Ages: 5-14

Ages: 5-13 Registration Deadline: Up to day before start of camp Dates: June 14-August 27

Registration Deadline: Early Bird 10% discount through April 2021 Dates: June 14- September 2 14015 NE Glisan St.

Clinton Park Rose City Park Fernhill Park Westmoreland Park Woodstock Park 458-207-6375

Portland OR 97230 503-701-4408 kaleen@kleanstennis.com k-leans.com

info@baxtersports.com baxtersports.com

First Tee Greater Portland Juniors learn to play courteous, fun, and

Cost: $130-$250

etiquette. Juniors will learn and play on the course!

Cost: $150/3-Day-$225/5-Day Ages: 6-18 Registration Deadline: Thursday prior to camp start date

Registration Deadline: 1 week prior to camp start Dates: June-August Throughout the entire Portland Metro and surrounding areas from Vancouver down to Salem & Bend!

800-804-3509

July 12-16, July 19-21, July 26-28

oregon@skyhawks.com

Time: 9am-1pm, all dates The Children’s Course Driving Range 19825 River Rd. Gladstone, OR 97027 503-722-1530 info@thefirstteegp.org firstteegreaterportland.org pdxparent.com

Ages: 4-14

Dates: June 21-25, June 28-30 Aug 2-6, Aug 9-1

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mentals of the golf swing and learn golf

April 2021

Skill-based Sports camps for kids ages

Golf Camp safe golf. Camp will explore the funda-

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skyhawks.com

North Clackamas Parks & Recreation NCPRD Summer Camps NCPRD offers a wide variety of affordable and safe day camps to keep kids active and having fun all summer long. Choose from sports, science, nature, dance and horseback riding.

Ages: 3-18 Registration Deadline: Registration opens April 13 Dates: All summer long Multiple Locations 503-794-3877 sports@ncprd.com ncprd.com/summer-camps

Rose City Futsal Rose City Futsal Summer Camps RCF Summer Camps (All-Levels & Advanced) are a fun, balanced mix of soccer/futsal training along with arts, crafts, games and outdoor activities.

These all-day camps are held in our air-conditioned clubhouses and designed for kids who want an active camp that also provides time to just have FUN! Camp sizes are limited and all safety protocols followed.

Game On! Cost: $325 Ages: 6-8 and 9-12 Registration Deadline: Open until Camps fill Dates: All Summer!

5010 NE Oregon St.

Soccer Shots Summer Camp Our camps feature energetic, professional coaches, low coach-to-

Portland, OR 503-734-2382 Rose City Futsal West 10831 SW Cascade Ave. Tigard, OR 97223

player ratio, individual soccer skill

971-727-8481

development, team building, fun

info@rosecityfutsal.com

fitness activities, coordination, balance, agility development and character

rosecityfutsal.com

development.

Cost: $79-$199 Ages: 3-8 Registration includes Certificate & Prize Multiple Locations 503-913-4542 coach@soccershots.org

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Find more

camps and classes

in our business directory: pdxparent.com/ directory

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PDX Parent Picks! Here are our readers’ top choices in our Classes & Camps categories. Find the complete AN GUAR

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PERFORMING ARTS CLASSES/CAMPS Winner Northwest Children’s Theater and School (NWCT) 1819 NW Everett St., 503-222-2190, nwcts.org Northwest Children’s Theater has rolled with the punches of the pandemic shutdown with humor and creativity. And that includes its switch to virtual classes and camps. This summer, NWCT will hold virtual summer camp June 14 through mid-August. And if it can do so safely, NWCT will start to offer in-person camps later in the summer.

(As well as continue to offer virtual options!) Be sure to check the website for the latest news.

Top 5 Broadway Rose Theatre Company Oregon Children’s Theatre Portland Metro Arts School of Rock The Circus Project Pre-COVID dramatics at NWCT.

INCLUSIVE CAMPS Winner Mt. Hood Kiwanis Camp

DAVID KINDER

GYMNASTICS CLASSES/CAMPS Winner The Children’s Gym

503-452-7416, mhkc.org

1625 NE Sandy Blvd., 503-249-5867, childrensgym.com

In the past, Mt. Hood Kiwanis Camp has offered fun

At The Children’s Gym, the instructors channel your kiddo’s

programming for all individuals with disabilities ages 12

energy into gymnastics classes that are noncompetitive,

and up. The beautiful Government Camp location allowed

coed and fun! Knowing that kids learn at their own pace,

campers to fish, swing on an adventure course, ride horses

The Children’s Gym separates students by age and skill

and splash in an accessible pool. While it’s not clear whether

level, with new students automatically placed into the

the camp will open for summer 2021, Mt. Hood Kiwanis Camp

introductory-level class for their age. The Children’s Gym

has been hosting virtual camp song singalongs, tai chi and

offers in-person classes and camps with strict COVID

interactive games.

protocols or virtual lessons via Zoom.

Top 5

Top 5

B’nai B’rith Camp

Echo Theater Company

Camp Meadowood Springs

OMEGA Gymnastics

Camp Yakety Yak

Oregon Gymnastics Academy

Tucker Arts Camp

The Circus Project

Upward Bound Camp

Westside Dance & Gymnastics Academy

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4617 SE Milwaukie Ave., and other locations, 503-345-3312, trackerspdx.com In the midst of 2020, you may have thought that all the apocalyptic, survival-themed kids’ camps offered by Trackers Earth Portland seemed like a really good investment. We didn’t have zombies, but at times it felt like we were this close. But any of the offerings from Trackers will fuel a love of nature in your kids and give them formidable skills that will serve them for years to come — even if the zombies never show up.

Top 5 Audubon Society of Portland Avid4 Adventure Boy Scouts of America Friends of Tryon Creek Mazama Wild Day Camp

TRACKERS

SCIENCE/MATH CLASSES/ CAMPS Winner OMSI (Oregon Museum of Science & Industry) 1945 SE Water Ave., omsi.edu Science-loving kids have a wealth of choices at OMSI summer camps: robotics, video game design, food chemistry, astronomy and more. Camps are grouped by grade with options for kindergarteners to eighth-graders. Pro tip: This is superhelpful for parents who are looking to do just one drop-off for kids of different ages.

Top 5 Girls Count Mad Science of Portland and Vancouver Math Gamers Oregon Zoo

OMSI

Saturday Academy

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DANCE CLASSES/ CAMPS Winner

SPORTS CLASSES/CAMPS Winner

Oregon Ballet Theatre

Portland Parks & Recreation

720 S Bancroft St., obt.org

Multiple locations, portland.gov/parks

From toddlers in their first tutus to

We cheered when we heard Portland Parks & Recreation (PP&R) planned to host

students on their way to becoming

a modified slate of summer programming this year — including its summer camps.

serious dancers, Oregon Ballet

Parents love the convenience, wide range of choices and affordability of PP&R’s

Theatre School offers all levels

summer camps. The camps will be designed to meet public health guidance and be

of classes — many taught by

flexible as conditions change — and may need to operate at reduced capacity due to

professionals. (And we love that OBT

COVID-19 guidelines. Camps will take place in 20 spots around the city this year.

has offered free Zoom classes to get kindergarten to second grade students moving!)

Top 5 BodyVox Dance NW Dance Project Portland Dance Center

Top 5 Lil’ Kickers North Clackamas Parks & Recreation District Rose City Futsal Soccer Shots Tualatin Hills Parks & Recreation District

The Portland Ballet Westside Dance & Gymnastics Academy

CLIMBING/OBSTACLE CLASSES/CAMPS Winner Portland Rock Gym 21 NE 12th Ave., 503-232-8310, portlandrockgym.com Portland Rock Gym does not have its summer camp schedule up yet.

But normally it welcomes kids 8 to 15 instruction and lots of climbing!

Campers can also look forward to hanging out on the slackline, rope swing, huge cargo net and other high-rope elements. Check its website for updates!

Top 5 Circuit Bouldering Gym Forge Parkour Planet Granite Skyhook Ninja Fitness Stoneworks Climbing Gym

OLD MCDONALD’S FARM

years of age for games, technique

HORSE/ANIMAL CLASSES/CAMPS Winner Oregon Zoo 4001 SW Canyon Rd., oregonzoo.org Sadly, with so much uncertainty surrounding COVID, the Oregon Zoo has canceled its full roster of animal-centered summer camps for 2021. But we know a lot of parents (and kids) are looking forward to the time when the only camp where you can see penguins up close and personal will open back up.

Top 5 Horse Sense Riding School Old McDonald’s Farm Oregon Horsemanship Oregon Humane Society Royal Ridges

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Children’s Healing Art Project (CHAP) 8065 SE Grand Ave., 503-243-5294, chappdx.org While CHAP had to halt its in-person art visits to children in the hospital, it started offering outpatient art clubs via Zoom. And you can help its mission by registering your kids for the CHAP virtual summer art workshops and single-day classes available to the general public in July and August. (Your support helps keep the workshops free for children facing medical challenges!)

Pro tip: Like CHAP’s Facebook page for a colorful assortment of at-home art ideas and fun videos.

Top 5 CHILDREN’S HEALING ART PROJECT

Grace Institute Home of Grace Art Camps Portland Craft Bar Spark Arts Center Tucker Arts Camp Willowbrook Arts Camp

OVERNIGHT CAMPS Top 4

Winner Camp Namanu Campnamanu.org You know a camp has a long history in Oregon when it was mentioned in Beverly Cleary’s Ramona Quimby books. In fact, Camp Namanu has been around for nearly 100 years! As of press time, Camp Namanu is very hopeful it will open for the summer. The camp staff is working to adjust the program’s structure, safety protocols and session capacity to ensure the safest possible experience for campers. Keep checking the website for updates.

GENERAL DAY CAMPS Winner Trackers Earth 4617 SE Milwaukie Ave., and other locations, 503-3453312, trackerspdx.com There’s only one camp where your kid can learn to ride a bike, or gather berries, or forge their own tool in a blacksmithing studio. So it’s no wonder Trackers Earth once again secured the top spot for camps! With locations all over (and outside of) the city, Trackers is a convenient choice for parents, too.

Top 5 Mittleman Jewish Community Center North Clackamas Parks & Recreation Department Portland Parks & Recreation Tualatin Hills Parks & Recreation District YMCA of Columbia-Willamette 42

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TRACKERS

Big Lake Youth Camp Camp Tamarack Camp Tilikum Camp Two Roads

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hands on

The Cute Cute Caterpillar

ts, visit: pdxpare nt.com/ hands-on

Let the kids get creative with this fun and easy collage project.

Materials

STORY AND PHOTO BY JULIE JETTON AND MARLA MUNNICH

Scissors

C

elebrate the arrival of spring caterpillars and butterflies with this vibrant kids’ collage project from the creative minds at Spark Arts Center. Bonus: Celebrate Earth Day, too, by creatively recycling bits and pieces of wrapping paper, scrapbooking paper, greeting cards, comics or old artwork for the patterned paper needed for making the caterpillar’s body. You can even add to the fun by having your child paint their own paper beforehand!

Julie Jetton and Marla Munnich are co-owners of Spark Arts Center in Northeast Portland. Spark stocks all the art supplies you need to get artsy at home, plus offers after-school classes and summer camps. Find out more at sparkartscenter.com.

Pint glass or takeout coffee cup Pencil Patterned papers Glue stick Construction paper or printer paper Markers, crayons or oil pastels Optional: googly eyes, pipe cleaners and liquid glue

Instructions 1. U sing the pint glass as a template, trace six circles from a variety of patterned papers. Cut them out. Also cut out 10 small rectangles for feet — approximately 1 inch-by-1/4 inch.

2. G lue circles and feet onto construction paper or printer paper in the shape of a caterpillar.

3. Draw on eyes, mouth, antennae and any background designs you want.

Or use googly eyes and pipe cleaners for eyes and antennae. Pipe cleaners could also be used for legs. For antennae cut 4-inch lengths and fold into antennae shape. A pencil works well for making the curls on the tips. Use liquid glue to attach to paper.

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One day, we will safely get back to having unmasked children playing together.

It’s Never to Build Resil We’ve sure heard the word “resilient” a lot this year. Find out what it means and how to help your kids generate or build on this crucial trait. Spoiler: Taking care of yourself plays a big part.

BY STEPHANIE GEHRING

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2020

and the beginning of 2021 have left marks on us and our country. With schools, businesses and child care centers shut down or operating remotely for much of the year; the loss of loved ones to a highly communicable new disease; continued explosive evidence of our country’s oppression of people who are not white; a late summer in which it felt like our whole state was on fire; and a polarized election followed by disputes that culminated in the storming of our nation’s Capitol, the past year has put a lot of strain on our ability to cope with adversity and get up again when we are knocked down. And kids are no more immune to that strain than they are to COVID-19.

And this strain tests all of our resilience. Dean Moshofsky, M.D., of Metropolitan Pediatrics, defines resilience as “the ability to face a

r Too Late lience in Kids challenge, meet that challenge, and become stronger and not defeated by the process.” Erika Meyer, M.D., also of Metropolitan Pediatrics, talks about coming out on the other end of a challenge “still yourself.”

My mom calls it “not getting all bent out of shape.”

Meyer gave an example scenario. “Say you walk into school — in the days when we still did that — walk up the steps, trip and fall in a puddle: You just get up, and some kid might laugh, and you look at them like, ‘What’s wrong with you?’ and wipe yourself off and get back in the classroom. But if you’re not feeling resilient, that kid might really affect you. You might cry or run away or need to call your mom or go home — or go punch that kid.”

When we’re resilient, we respond to challenges in a way that helps make our situation better. When we’re not resilient, we tend

to react to challenges in a way that makes things worse. Read on for advice from experts on things you can do as a parent to help your kids develop the ability to respond to adversity with resilience.

If you feel like you haven’t helped your kids build resilience, or your own resilience is weak, take heart. Every single expert I talked to told me it’s never too late. Neuroplasticity persists even into adulthood; we can all change our habitual responses starting right now.

Put Your Mask on First In the child-encyclopedia.com entry on resilience, which Masten edited, the introductory article ends with this simple, categorical statement: “The most effective way to build resilience in children is to support their caregivers.”

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Resources

county on the Oregon Health

Supporting children’s caregivers can take many forms. Meyer says she finds a model called “baseball parenting” helpful. “First base is self-care. Second is relationship or partner care. Third are the things you do for your children. Scoring runs is a happy home.

If you want to make it to a home run, you have to start at first base.”

If you are tempted to prioritize your child’s needs over your own or those of your core relationships, remember that this will short-circuit the systems that make you able to give. Your self-care helps your kids get what they need.

oregon.gov/oha.

Your Stress and Your Kids

for Caregivers For one to three pro bono telesessions of Jungian therapy, and referrals for first and secondary responders and essential workers, contact Dr. Robert Stuckey at 503-317-4985.

Find crisis services in your Authority’s website,

Lines for Life (an all-hours, all-

days suicide prevention hotline): 1-800-273-TALK (8255). This number also serves veterans in crisis.

Veterans and their families have access to mental health resources through the VA. The Returning Veterans

Project provides free health care services to post-9/11

veterans in Oregon and SW Washington.

Oregon Recovery Network has pandemic addiction recovery resources.

Call Oregon 211 to be

connected with a wide variety of health and human services.

(Note: You may face a long wait time.)

Mental Health America has COVID-19-specific resources.

Reach the Disaster Distress Helpline at 1-800-985-5990.

The Nap Ministry offers an app aimed toward BIPOC activists

that focuses on the power and necessity of rest for building a more just world.

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Helping your kids build resilience is in part about what author Dan Siegel, M.D., calls “mindsight,” which is the ability to imagine what the world looks and feels like from inside someone else. I asked Meyer whether there are things stressing out the kids she works with that their parents tend not to be aware of. “The emotional temperature of the house really affects kids,” she says. Even if we’re behaving well toward our kids, they pick up on our sadness, anger, joy or tension.

You are not failing as a parent because your house is not a model of continuous harmony. (I go there. Don’t. It’s a bad place.)

This knowledge is a tool. First, whenever possible, get your needs met before engaging your kids. (Stop for that bathroom break or overdue glass of water.) Second, be truthful with your kids. You don’t need to tell them what is upsetting you, but never tell them you’re not upset when you are. A mismatch between your words and the emotions kids are picking up will leave them feeling like their world is unsafe.

Resilience and Failure Human resilience grows when we struggle with a challenge that is a little beyond our current ability to handle it.

Masten compares unmediated experiences of struggle to inoculations; Kaleigh BoysenQuinata, LMFT, of Family Roots Therapy, talks about building the muscle of resilience: “My tip for parents is to allow your child opportunities to fail and experience disappointment and not ‘rescue’ them too

much from situations that are challenging for them.”

The trick is finding the “just-right challenge.” Boysen-Quinata points out that there are lots of situations in which kids need support, either because they’re still developing their social and emotional skills, because of delays in their development, or because of trauma or mental health diagnoses. “It’s our job as adults to meet kids’ needs and build resilience,” she says, “not to put them in unsupportive circumstances and then blame a lack of resilience when they can’t meet the demands placed on them.”

Sports, she says, are an excellent way of finding appropriate challenges, so keep your eyes peeled for athletic opportunities that are still running during the pandemic, or that may reopen this summer. (See Summer Camp, Here We Come on page 14 to find sports camps planning to open.) Also, talk to your kids about times you failed, because this will help them to understand that failure and recovery are a normal and healthy part of being human.

Resilience and Affirmation “Resilience-building is a strength-building exercise,” Moshofsky says. He urges parents to ask others what their strengths are, and to consider them and build on them.

“It is also important that our kids know their strengths,” he says, encouraging parents to be intentional at catching your kids doing great things. He encourages us to name our kids’ strengths and look for opportunities to build on those strengths by letting kids practice what they are good at. Even misbehavior reveals strengths, like determination or ingenuity, that you can affirm while aiming to redirect their use.

When you affirm your child’s strengths, be specific. “You were such a good girl today” is positive but vague. “Thanks for being patient on our grocery trip when we had to wait in line a long time. That made the trip a lot easier for me” highlights a particular action that was helpful, and what the action accomplished. Second, whenever possible, Boysen-Quinata encourages parents to praise effort (“I saw you study really hard for that test”) rather than result (“What a great grade!”).

If you feel like you haven’t helped your kids build resilience, or your own resilience is weak, take heart … neuroplasticity persists even into adulthood; we can all change our habitual responses starting right now.

Praising effort is also more effective than praising ability. In one yoga or meditation, but they may also be things like cleaning, calling study, children who were given a math test and then told “you did a friend, distracting ourselves from anxieties with a good show, or really well; you must have worked hard” were more resilient in doing the not-fun paperwork to follow up on the unemployment responding to a subsequent failure than children who were told check that hasn’t come. “Let’s face it — right now, a lot of our fears “you did really well; you must be smart.” The children who were and anxieties are realistic,” Masten says, “but we can’t think about praised for ability tended not to choose to take them all the time. We have to give ourselves the more challenging second set of problems breaks.” home to study them, whereas the children who were praised for effort tended to take them Want to dive Your Kids Want to Be With You … Even in home, and to do better than their abilitydeeper?

Bad Circumstances praised peers on the next test.

Check out books and Moshofsky recounts a study done after World

Self-regulation

online resources from Kenneth Ginsburg,

War II in Britain. “Some kids were moved to

safety in the country away from the bombing Managing our own emotions is at the core of Ann Masten, Angela … Other children stayed in the city with their resilience. Children learn this through practice and instruction, and especially from watching families despite the heavy bombing.” After the Duckworth and you do it. Masten points out that the pandemic war, researchers compared trauma, stress and Carol Dweck. and everything else this past year has sent our PTSD symptoms across the two groups. They way means that there is a lot more emotion in found that children who stayed with their need of regulation than at calmer times — for us parents and were exposed to more bombing and for our kids. suffered less PTSD than children who were away from the bombing, This is a stressful time even for families where parents work from but separated from their parents. home and no one lost a job. It is a potentially life-threatening time Note that the key to lower trauma was not whether the parents for families where parents can’t work from home, struggle with did an excellent job parenting. The key was just that they were job insecurity, or are dealing with ongoing trauma from systemic there.

The pandemic has made my “loop tapes” louder — those voices racism. We’ve tried, in the resource section, to include options for that provide running commentary on how I’m failing, especially as families who have compounding stressors.

Masten suggests parents pay attention to the things we do that help us feel calmer and more grounded. These may be classics like

a parent. But this study encourages me. My kids just want me here.

And your kids just want you.

Stephanie Gehring spends her days trying to guess how her 4-year-old will next attempt to smuggle water out of the bathroom, being astonished by the range of tongue-clicking noises her 1-year-old can imitate, and arguing with her husband over what to plant in their tiny, full-shade vegetable garden. You can see her visual art, old samples of her writing, and an infrequently updated blog at stephaniegehring.com.

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kids can cook

TECHNIQUE: Cracking & Whisking Eggs AGE: 5+

Whisk This Way The staff at Basics Market gives tips for teaching kids how to crack and whisk eggs for cute and tasty mini-frittatas.

LINDSAY BROWN.

W

hy learn these skills? Cracking eggs is a skill that opens the door to a wealth of recipes from sweet to savory. And whisking is an important mixing technique that helps incorporate air into recipes — in egg recipes, the whisking process can help create a fluffier dish. Cracking eggs can be fun and messy! Have lots of towels and aprons on hand. Whisking effectively is a technique that requires more coordination than stirring. So kids may need extra practice. Model the motion for your child. Letting them practice in a bowl of water also may be helpful. Encourage them to see if they can make the water spin.

All that practice cracking yields these delicious mini-frittatas perfect for breakfast, lunch or a snack. The recipe is extremely versatile — you can swap in your favorite veggies and cheese or substitute sauteed mushrooms for the bacon. Add herbs and spices if you’d like to amp up the flavor! Plus, the recipe is easily doubled if you need to feed a crowd.

Locally owned Basics Market is committed to nurturing strong, healthy communities through food. Find more info and lots of recipes at basicsmarket.com.

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Frittata Muffins Prep Time: 20 minutes Cook Time: 30 minutes Yield: 12 muffins

Ingredients 12 organic eggs, such as Gwendolyn’s™ 1 cup milk, such as Lulubelle’s™ Creamery Ultra-Filtered milk ½ teaspoon kosher salt ¼ teaspoon black pepper 3 teaspoons butter at room temperature for greasing muffin tin 12 cherry tomatoes, cut in half 6 tablespoons chopped green onions 8 ounces grated cheddar cheese, such as Lulubelle’s™ Creamery Cheddar cup cooked, chopped bacon

LINDSAY BROWN.

Teach a Kid to Crack an Egg 1. Create a crack by tapping the egg on a hard edge or flat surface.

2. With thumbnails facing the floor, gently insert thumbs into the cracked shell.

3. Rotate elbows up as thumbs pull shell halves away from each other. The motion and

tugging is coming from the arms rotating

rather than the thumbs moving (emphasizing the outward pull and elbow rotation helps to LAUREN SALGADO

prevent your child from pushing thumbs in too far and breaking the yolk and/or getting shell pieces into the bowl). Broken egg yolks don’t

Instructions 1. Preheat the oven to 350º F. 2. C rack eggs into a large bowl and whisk in the milk, salt and pepper.

matter when making frittatas, but in some recipes they do. So it helps to learn to not break the yolks from the start.

Incredible Eggs

3. Using a pastry brush or piece of paper towel, lightly butter each cup in a muffin tin.

Eggs are versatile, inexpensive and nutrient-

4. Place 2 cherry tomato halves, ½ tablespoon of green onion, 1 tablespoon cheese and ½ tablespoon chopped bacon in each cup.

and minerals, some of which are hard to find

5. Ladle in the egg mixture just to fill the cup.

vitamins and minerals found in eggs are present

6. Bake for 30 minutes until the top is golden brown and puffed, and the mixture is firm. Make sure internal temp reaches 165ºF.

dense, offering a variety of important vitamins in other foods. Notably, eggs contain choline, a nutrient that supports DNA synthesis. And don’t skip the yolk! Most of the beneficial

in the yolk. Drop a piece of shell in your bowl?

No worries — use another larger piece of shell to scoop it up.

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fa m i ly s u p p e r For more family-friendly restaurant reviews, visit: pdxparent.com / family-supper

Farm Feast

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The offerings at Piccone’s Corner in Northeast Portland focus on local, sustainable meats and produce. STORY AND PHOTOS BY DENISE CASTAÑON

iccone’s Corner is an Italian-byway-of-the-Pacific Northwest butchery and (as of press time) to-go restaurant.

The butcher shop emphasizes sustainable meat from its own hybrid heritage pigs at Wallow and Root Pasture Farm and other local farms. It’s also an Italian-inspired salumeria producing guanciale, spicy coppa, finocchio and more.

Piccone’s Corner had been open for about a month when I ordered dinner for pickup through its website. I placed my order around 4:20 pm with a pickup time of 5:03 pm.

When I walked up a few minutes after my scheduled time, I was told my order wasn’t quite ready because the roast chicken needed a little more time. The person I spoke with helpfully offered to bring it out to my car. I ended up waiting about 30 minutes more. It all smelled great as I drove home.

The menu was a little bit of a stretch for my kids, who can be reluctant to try new things. I ordered the pork-stuffed arancini ($9) and fritto misto ( $11) with them in mind. The fried risotto balls proved too unknown for either kid, but my 6-year-old son and 8-year-old daughter killed the battered, fried broccoli and onions in the fritto misto. I asked for the spicy Calabrian-chile honey on the side, but I flicked it on my own bites; it made the fried veggies sing. (I had overlooked the meatballs on the menu, which would have been more familiar to them.)

My husband tried the roast chicken ($24). It had a delicious smoky and spicy skin, but unfortunately had the texture of being brined a little too long and cooked a little too long. Still, my 6-yearold liked it even if my husband didn’t. My husband did praise the side of roasted potatoes and root vegetables in a lemony gravy. I tried

the baked mushroom ziti with crispy shallots ($18).

The rich and spicy pasta was packed with wild mushrooms. The portion was so huge and filling that I ended up eating it over three meals. I also ordered the Seeds and Stems salad ($13), which can best be described as weird, but really good. It was a satisfying combination of toothsome wheat berries, creamy roasted winter squash, salty ricotta salata, sunchokes, crunchy hazelnuts, and sweet dried blueberries. And even my kids were impressed by the presentation that managed to be ultra-pretty — even in a takeout box. Several days later, I was still thinking about this salad. In normal times, I’d probably try to re-create it myself, but I don’t have the bandwidth for that these days. I’d probably just make a point to order it again. Pro tip: Everything was pretty spicy, with the exception of the salad and arancini. If mild is your jam, be sure to let the restaurant know.

So, Piccone’s Corner got a few dings for a late order and slightly overcooked chicken, but also had some hits. I think it will be worth visiting again after the kinks have been worked out. And I am definitely interested in checking out its butcher shop and salumi.

Piccone’s Corner: 3434 NE Sandy Blvd., picconescorner.com. Restaurant delivery and pickup available Tuesday-Sunday: noon-8 pm.

Editor Denise Castañon loves exploring Portland’s family-friendly dining scene with her husband, 8-year-old daughter and 6-year-old son.

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