PDX Parent June/July 2022

FREE

EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT KIDS' SPORTS LEAGUES, PG. 12

for the long days and short years

SOCCER

MOM THORNS GM

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days

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61

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ki d

KARINA LEBLANC

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summer fun! pg. 20

PDXPARENT.COM

PORTLAND | SW WASHINGTON | JUNE / JULY 2022

When kids start saving, kids start learning.

It’s never too early to learn about the ins and outs of money. That’s why we started the OnPoint Savers Account for children 17 and under. Just open your child’s membership with a minimum of $25 and we’ll deposit an additional $55* (includes $5 required minimum balance for new members only). Plus, they’ll earn 5.00%* APY on the first $500.

OnPoint Savers

Visit onpointcu.com/onpoint-savers to get started today!

*OnPoint Savers Account rate of 5.00% Annual Percentage Yield (APY) is accurate as of March 1, 2022 and subject to change. Stated APY is for balances up to $500; balances over $500 earn posted Regular Savings Account rate. Account must be established for members age 17 or younger by parent or guardian with a minimum $25 deposit. Parent or legal guardian must be on the membership and present to open the OnPoint Savers Account. When primary member attains the age of 18, accounts will be converted to Regular Savings Account, earning that account’s published rate at that time. Fiduciary memberships, including UTTMA and Minor Settlement Accounts are not eligible for OnPoint Savers. One OnPoint Savers Account per member/TIN. One $55 bonus per tax ID for new members only. Bonus will be included on a 1099-INT for tax purposes.

Cannot be combined with other offers for opening a new membership, such as new branch promotions or Refer a Friend. Federally insured by NCUA.

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contents I9 SPORTS

12 FEATURES

DEPARTMENTS

Be a Team Player................................................................................... 12

Editor’s Note................................................................................................. 4

Tracking down info on kids’ sports leagues can be tough, but we did the legwork for you! You’ll find leagues for baseball and softball, soccer, basketball, and more, plus deadlines to register.

By Miranda Rake.

Play Room....................................................................................................... 6

The importance of the state’s paid caregiver policy, two new albums from local kids’ music makers and top water bottles to pack for summer camp!

Mom’s Got Game.................................................................................... 18

Meet Portland’s ultimate soccer mom! Karina LeBlanc is a former pro player, new general manager of the Portland Thorns and mom of a toddler.

By Tiffany Hill.

RESOURCES Summer Camps................................................................................... 8-11 Summer of Fun ..............................................................................24-25

The PDX Parent Summer Calendar......................................20

Looking for what to do with the kids this summer? Our summer calendar is back and bursting with 61 days of fun. Pro tip: We’ve included plenty of free and low-cost activities!

By Denise Castañon and Tiffany Hill.

PDX Parent Picks..................................................................................26

Reader favorites revealed for Family Fun and Food & Drink categories — most popular playgrounds, sweet treats, arcades and more.

* cover stories

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e d i t o r ’ s n ot e

Be a Sport for the long days and short years

When my son was in preschool, I figured out he was old enough for T-ball only after I started seeing adorable photos of his classmates in their team shirts popping up on Facebook. And by then, it was too late to sign him up. I know I can’t be the only parent who has ever been at a loss over how to get their child involved in a sports league! That’s why we asked writer Miranda Rake to do a roundup of the various kids’ leagues in Portland. Check out her super helpful and very comprehensive list on page 12. You’ll find names of leagues across the metro area and those oh-so-important registration deadlines!

The benefits of kids being involved in sports are numerous and go far beyond a healthy dose of exercise! Learning to show up even if you don’t really feel like it, handling a loss even when you’ve done your best and simply being around other kids after two years of limited interactions help them in immeasurable ways. In her profile on Thorns General Manager Karina LeBlanc, Managing Editor Tiffany Hill underscored more reasons why sports are so important: As a kid, soccer helped LeBlanc feel like she fit in and greatly boosted her confidence. Head to page 18 to find out more about LeBlanc’s career as pro soccer player, her return to the Rose City as GM, and her favorite role: mom to 2-year-old Paris.

Also in this issue, I am so excited that we are bringing back our Summer Calendar after a two-year hiatus! We’ve got an activity (or two) for every single day of June and July. You’ll find plenty of free or low cost movies, library events, free lunches in the park for kids and some fun splurges. Pro tip: Look for the ¢ symbol for fun on the cheap! And, trust us, you’re gonna want to cut this calendar out and stick it on the fridge!

What

sports do

your kids play?

PDX Parent P.O. Box 13660 Portland, OR 97213-0660 Phone: 503-460-2774 Publisher Rose Caudillo, 503-460-2774

Lu plays soccer and Maria does track and field.

publisher@pdxparent.com Editor Denise Castañon, 503-922-0893 denise.castanon@pdxparent.com Managing Editor Tiffany Hill

My daughter plays basketball and my son plays baseball. (And my husband coaches both teams!) My son also does tae kwon do.

I am a soccer mom and my husband is a baseball dad.

The oldest does tae kwon do, wrestling and football. The youngest does tae kwon do, soccer and wrestling. I have boys so they need to be active, or they will turn on each other like wild animals!

One does track, the other plays soccer.

Both play tennis.

tiffany.hill@pdxparent.com Art Director Tiffany Howard tiffany.howard@pdxparent.com Web Content Coordinator Meg Asby meg.asby@pdxparent.com E-newsletter Editor Renee Peters renee.peters@pdxparent.com Eastside Account Executive Lauren Wylie, 503-331-8184 lauren.wylie@pdxparent.com Westside Account Executive Jill Weisensee, 503-309-8272 jill.weisensee@pdxparent.com Digital Ad Manager/Calendar Editor/ Distribution Coordinator Melissa Light melissa.light@pdxparent.com Accountant Kelli Bagby Truly Bookkeeping, Inc. 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 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

ON OUR COVER: Thanks to the Portland Thorns FC for this power shot of former pro player, new Thorns General Manager and mom, Karina LeBlanc. Find Thorns tickets and more at timbers.com/thornsfc.

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.

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Now Enrolling

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p l ay r o o m

Pay Attention: Family Disability Services Set to Expire Families like Calli Ross’ are dreading July 15. That’s when Oregon’s Office of Developmental Disability Services (ODDS) temporary waiver to allow parents to be paid caregivers expires. This temporary policy set in response to COVID, greatly helped many families like Calli Ross’. She’s the mother to 11-yearold Brecken, and 7-year-old Tens (pictured right). Tens was born with 1 p36 deletion syndrome and a form of primordial dwarfism. He also has epilepsy and developed chronic lung disease; his lung disease progressed and he coded for 33 minutes and was placed on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) for three weeks. He now has an anoxic brain injury, so he is nonmobile, nonverbal, on a vent and oxygen, and feeding-tube dependent. He requires around-the-clock care.

“Prior to becoming a paid parent caregiver my husband worked two jobs and spent 90 hours outside our home every week,” she says. “We have never, not even before COVID, had our monthly allotted (caregiver) hours fully or even near fully staffed. I stayed with our son, often running on three or four days in a row without sleep. We incurred thousands in debt paying bills on credit cards and often chose between groceries and medications. With the paid parent caregiver policy we are now able to pay down debt, afford our home and basic amenities, and provide a few extras that insurance won’t cover.”

CALLI ROSS

Ross has been working with other parents to advocate for the paid caregiver policy to be extended and made permanent — and to cover more families.

They’ve met with lawmakers, but keep hitting roadblocks with the ODDS. If the policy is not at least temporarily extended, many families will be making decisions no families should ever have to face. “At this point, myself and 340 other families are facing two choices,” says Ross. “Leave our children in the ERs when we no longer have the resources to take care of them … or tax an already overtaxed medical foster system. This policy … is the vehicle to allow our children to live at home.”

If you’d like to help support Ross and other families like hers, you can send emails to your state reps and senators, call Governor Kate Brown’s office, sign the petition at change.org/p/kate-brown-choice-in-care-providers-for-children-with-disabilities, and join their Facebook group: Allow Oregon’s Disabled Kids to Keep Parent-Caregivers. — Denise Castañon

Ask Dr. Baynham

sport. But, if your child is going to play, follow

it. He’s now eligible to play tackle football, but I’m nervous about his risk of concussion. Should I let him play?

these top safety strategies: 1. Teach your child to never ignore a head injury, even if the coach or trainer didn’t see it.

Kids and teens are great at ignoring injuries

What can I do to keep him safe?

because they want to keep playing, but this

A: Not surprisingly, football has the highest rate

prolonged post-concussion syndromes, and

of concussions in youth sports. More surprising is the difference in the number of head impacts between tackle and flag football athletes. In one study, tackle football players sustained an average of 378 head impacts per player, per season, compared to only eight impacts for a flag player. Tackle athletes were 15 times more likely to sustain a head impact in a practice or game than in flag, and 23 times more likely to sustain a high magnitude or “hard head” impact.

Tackle players are also twice as likely to sustain an impact during a game versus a practice. Not all head impacts result in a concussion, but the more impacts you sustain, the greater the risk.

puts them at risk for repetitive head impacts, second-hit syndrome (rare but fatal).

2. Make sure your child wears a well-fitting helmet.

3. Don’t be afraid to ask the coach questions. Ask if trainers are present at practices and games; what their protocol is for a witnessed collision; how do they teach and enforce fair play, safety and sportsmanship; and how much time is spent doing tackle and full-speed drills versus safe practice. Still not sure?

Your pediatrician is a great resource to discuss the data and help you decide what is right for your family.

Pediatrician, International Board Certified Lactation Consultant, Fellow in the American Academy of Pediatrics and mom of two,

The data is sobering and should seriously factor into your

6

GAIL PARK

Q: My son plays flag football and loves

Allison Baynham, M.D., knows what it takes to raise healthy,

decision. Tackle football should be avoided in kids younger than

resilient children. Come bond, share your struggles and team

14. Once eligible, it’s still recommended to choose a nontackle

with her for great care at Metropolitan Pediatrics in Tigard.

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Gear Guide: H2O

to Go

Send your kids off to summer camp with a new water bottle! Here are three great choices to help keep kids hydrated.

Camelbak eddy+ Kids,

Hydro Flask Kids Wide Mouth,

14-ounce

Thermos Funtainer, 12-ounce

20-ounce

This water bottle is fun, practical

This 12-ounce insulated, stainless-

If your kid won’t drink room-

and durable — all at a great price

steel water bottle keeps drinks

temperature water, this is the perfect

point! The recycled plastic bottle

cold for up to 12 hours and

solution. Add a few ice

comes in numerous vibrant colors

features a

cubes and the double-

and designs and will

covered soft,

walled vacuum insulation

stand up to rough

silicone straw.

will keep the drink ice-

treatment. And the

We like the soft-

cold for up to 24 hours!

soft bite valve is

touch handle

Plus the larger size of

easy for kids to use.

that makes it

this bottle helps keep

Pro tip: It’s easy to

easy for kids

bigger kids hydrated.

buy replacement bite

to carry (and

Bonus: Hydro Flask is an

valves and straws!

hopefully not

Oregon company based

$15. At Sportsman’s

lose). Comes

in Bend! Comes in four

Warehouse, Dick’s

in nine colors.

colors. $37.95; 12-ounce

Sporting Goods and

$16.99. At

size: $29.95. At REI and

Fred Meyer.

Target and Fred

Dick’s Sporting Goods.

Meyer. — D.C.

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p l ay r o o m

SUMMER CAMPS

CIRCUS CAMPS

SMITH & YARN; KELLI WELLI

Playlist:

Trapeze Juggling Fabric Tumbling Dance & More

Two Cool

This month we’ve got two new albums from three wonderful local kids’ musicians!

Local legends Aaron Nigel Smith and Red

Yarn, aka Andy Furgeson, have joined up on a

new album Smith & Yarn. The tracks blend their signature styles of reggae, funk, folk and rockin’ country into a unique blend of sounds and cultural traditions. The connection between the longtime friends clearly comes through on all the tracks — as does the activist spirit for which both artists are known. Standout tracks include Brothers & Sisters, Swing Your Partner and Make Some Change. A who’s who of kindie artists also contributed to the album including Rissi Palmer, Father Goose, Cathy Fink, Marcy Marxer, and Portland’s Mo Phillips and Kelli Welli. Recommended for all ages.

Kelli Welli has a new album called Robots

Don’t Tell Jokes that is packed with silly and sweet songs. Kelli Welli won the grand prize for the 2021 John Lennon Songwriting Contest in the children’s music category. She’s churned out an album a year since 2020, so clearly she’s a font of songwriting ideas! On her latest album, the opening track Rainbow Love Song is the heart-bursting love you feel for your kids and your very best moments with them distilled into a song. Kids will love to sing along to Stinky Shoe, which is extra fun with its Irish punk sound. Another track kiddos will dig: Dognado, a song that captures the furry chaos of lots of pups romping through the house. And the adorably cute, I’m a Mama Monkey reminded me of a song my daughter sang to me when she was toddler.

Recommended for ages 0 to 8. — D.C.

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Find more summer camps and other familyfriendly local businesses in our online directory:

pdxparent.com/ directory

Now at two locations!

Check out our new outdoor space at Zidell Yards

www.thecircusproject.org

SUMMER CAMPS

SIGN UP FOR 2022 REGISTRATION OPENS APR. 12

FOR AGES 3 & UP

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SUMMER CAMPS

Summer Art Camp Themed Art Camp for kids aged 5-14

13329 SE Misty Drive Happy Valley, OR 97086 info@venvinoartstudios.com 503-342-8644 www.venvinoartstudios.com

JOIN US AT PNCA! PRE-COLLEGE GRAPHIC NOVEL WEEK Monday, July 18 to Friday July 22 9:00 am - 5:00 pm register: pnca-ce.corsizio.com

Experience an Unforgettable Summer

At Oregon Episcopal School, we apply our acclaimed inquirybased approach to summer fun in academics, creativity, wellness, and movement. Ages 4–17.

Full vaccination required. Ask about flexible camp fee pricing.

June 27–Aug. 19, 2022 • Register at: oes.edu/summer Summer at OES 6300 SW Nicol Road • Portland, OR 97223 503-416-9500

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$10 Off Promo code: PDXparent22

SUMMER CAMPS

summer camps

at the theater & in your community nwcts.org • 503-222-2190

AIM HIGH SUMMER CAMPS

-Wild Waters - Jedi Galaxies - Summer In Color - STEM and MANY MORE options for 2022!

For more information, please visit www.aimhighma.org/camps Call us @ 503-298-3277 pdxparent.com

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M A E T A BE It’s surprisingly hard to navigate sports league sign-ups if your child has never played before. But we’ve done the legwork for you! Pick a sport and read on to find kids’ leagues in your area and when to get registered.

PHOTO BY DAVID LEMKE

BY MIRANDA RAKE

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R E Y PLA So, you’ve got a kid that likes to move. One day, after a few too many

David Douglas Soccer Club This light-hearted recreational soccer club is focused on soccerfor-the-fun-of-it. All practices take place on fields within the David Douglas School District.

Ddsoccer.org/index.html.

Ages: Kindergarten to third grade.

When to sign up: Register for fall by September 16, for winter by January 13 and for spring by March 24.

Seasons: Fall, winter and spring.

Area served: SE Portland.

SOCCER

sessions of “catch me, Mom!” at the local park, you have a light bulb moment — sports!

This kid needs sports. And maybe there’s a local neighborhood league in which you could sign them up. We’re here to tell you that, yes, there absolutely is a sports league — many, in fact — in your neighborhood that would love to have your kid on the field or court. But they’re surprisingly hard to track down. You can always ask other parents in your neighborhood for suggestions, or ask at your local school (even if they are not run by Portland Public Schools, many leagues are affiliated with PPS in some way or another). We’ve rounded up some of the most beloved Portland-area sports leagues, and we’ve even tracked down registration deadlines and other helpful info.

In other words, this is your kids-sports CliffsNotes — one to stick on the fridge and keep forever, or at least until your kids are old enough to figure it out for themselves.

Lincoln Cluster Youth Soccer Comprising the Forest Heights Soccer Club, Hillside Soccer Club, Skyline Soccer Club and the Vista Soccer Club, this cluster serves a huge area of Portland’s westside. If your kid is headed for Lincoln High School, this club is for you! Lincolnyouthsoccer.org.

Ages: Kindergarten to third grade.

When to sign up: Register for fall by September 16, for winter by January 13 and for spring by March 24.

Seasons: Fall, winter and spring.

Area served: Portland’s westside.

Foothills Soccer Club The largest soccer club in Southwest Portland, Foothills offers both recreational soccer for 4- to 14-year-olds and academy soccer for older kids.

Foothillssoccer.org.

Ages: Preschool to eighth grade.

When to sign up: Registration for fall opens in May and for spring in January.

Seasons: Fall and spring.

Area served: SW Portland.

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SOCCER

Hollywood Soccer Club Offering a low-key “Kinderkicks” program for the littlest players, and more serious fun for older kids, this recreational soccer club emphasizes fair play and building a culture of encouragement, fun and teamwork. Scholarships and a cleat exchange program make it accessible, too.

Hollywoodsoccerclub.org.

Ages: Kindergarten to eighth grade.

When to sign up: Register for fall by September 16, for winter by January 13 and for spring by March 24.

Seasons: Fall, winter and spring.

Area served: Generally located in Northeast’s Hollywood neighborhood, though families outside of Hollywood can participate.

Holy Redeemer Soccer Club Practicing on a home field located at the intersection of North Dekum and North Williams in Portland, this recreational league doesn’t require attendance at either Holy Redeemer Church or Holy Redeemer School — they invite all members of the community to join the fun. Holyredeemersoccer.com.

Ages: Kindergarten to eighth grade.

When to sign up: Register by August 1 for the fall season.

Season: Fall.

Area served: North Portland and beyond.

Irvington Soccer Club Practicing at Irving Park and Irvington Elementary School, this recreational soccer club is a neighborhood must-join! Tshq.bluesombrero.com/irvingtonsc.

Ages: First to eighth grade.

When to sign up: Register for fall by August 8 and for spring by March 1.

Season: Fall and spring.

Areas served: Primarily serving Irvington, King, Boise-Elliot, Humboldt and Harriet Tubman neighborhoods, but open to everyone regardless of location.

Mt. Tabor Soccer Club This recreational soccer club serves kids from 13 schools around the Mt. Tabor area. Mttaborsoccer.org.

Ages: Kindergarten to eighth grade.

When to sign up: Registration opens around the end of the school year and closes in mid-July.

Season: Fall.

Area served: Most kids are from the Mount Tabor area, but no one is turned away.

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United PDX In 2018, the Bridlemile Soccer Club and Northeast United Soccer Club merged to form United PDX and become one of the largest soccer clubs in the city.

They offer a wide variety of programs for kids, from competitive to recreational and everything in between. Unitedpdx.com.

Ages: 4 to 19.

When to sign up: Spring registration opens January 1; check website for fall registration.

Season: Fall and spring.

Area served: The entire Portland-metro area.

Lil’ Kickers Focused on the joy of movement and the most basic of skills, Lil’ Kickers is a completely non-competitive soccer program offering things for the littlest players, like parent-and-child classes for toddlers.

Pdxlilkickers.com.

Ages: 18 months to 9 years.

When to sign up: Rolling.

Season: Year-round.

Areas served: Portland Indoor Soccer Center (SE Portland) and The Plex (SW Portland/ Beaverton).

Southeast Soccer Club One of the oldest soccer clubs in Portland, SESC was one of the founding clubs of the now-massive Portland Youth Soccer Association. Sesc.soccer.

Ages: 5 to 14.

When to sign up: Recreational soccer registration for the fall is May 15 to July 15.

Competitive program tryouts begin in early April and run through early May. Spring registration is February 15 to March 15.

Seasons: Fall and spring.

Area served: SE Portland.

Soccer Shots This international organization, with franchises throughout the U.S. and Canada, is a good option for little kiddos. It’s easy to search their website by zip code to find camps and classes near you.

Soccershots.com.

Ages: 2 to 8.

When to sign up: Rolling.

Season: Year-round.

Area served: Locations throughout the metro area.

i9 Sports i9 is a national organization that supports tons of community leagues in and around Portland. It’s easy to use their site to search by zip code and see what’s available close to you. i9sports.com/portland-youth-sports-leagues.

Ages: 3 to 12.

When to sign up: Summer registration is open April to June, fall registration is open June to August; spring registration is open January to March.

Seasons: Spring, summer, fall.

Areas served: Clackamas, Gresham, Tigard, Beaverton, SW Portland, Lake Oswego, West Linn, Parkrose, N Portland and Vancouver.

YMCA Indoor Soccer Low-key and friendly, three Portland-area YMCA locations offer an entirely indoor intro to soccer for the youngest players. Ymcacw. org/programs/youth-sports/indoor-soccer.

Ages: 3 years to second grade.

When to sign up: Rolling.

Seasons: Fall, winter and spring.

Areas served: Beaverton, Clark County and Sherwood YMCAs.

Eastside & Westside Timbers/Thorns Both clubs offer competitive teams that play all over the state and have produced college and professional athletes. Players must register for tryouts. (Developmental and recreational leagues also offered; see their websites for more details.) Eastsidetimbers. com, Westsidetimbers.org.

Ages: 7 to 18 eastside; 6 to 18 westside.

When to sign up: Register in April for May tryouts.

Seasons: Competitive league is a year-long commitment with twice-a-week training starting in June. Eastside offers recreational spring and fall teams.

Area served: Portland’s eastside and westside.

Portland City United Soccer Club This competitive club is for enthusiastic athletes who want to take their skills to the next level — and want to have fun while doing it!

Pcusc.org.

Ages: 6 to 18.

When to sign up: Tryouts are in early May for U11 to U19 teams. Evaluations in early May for summer and fall U8 to U10 teams, and early February for spring U8 to U10 teams.

Seasons: Spring, summer and fall.

Areas served: Portland metro.

I9 SPORTS

BASEBALL

SW Portland Little League SWPLL has both softball (girls) and baseball (co-ed). They also participate with T-Mobile to offer financial aid up to the full registration cost for families who need it. Swpll.org.

Ages: 5 to 12.

When to sign up: January for spring, August for fall.

Seasons: Spring season is the formal league, “Fall Ball” is more informal and focused on skill development.

Area served: SW Portland in the Wells High School feeder neighborhoods.

Wilshire Riverside Little League Schools within this league’s boundaries include Alameda, Beaumont, Faubion, The Ivy School, Madeleine, Sabin, St. Rose, Vernon and Woodlawn. Wrll.org.

Ages: 4 to 12.

When to sign up: January and February for spring, and August for fall (available for third to sixth grade only).

Seasons: Spring (ages 4-12) runs March through early June, Fall Ball (third to sixth grade only) runs late August through October.

Area served: North and NE Portland.

Hollywood Rose City Little League This league strives to create a positive, supportive and inclusive community for players, families and coaches. Kids do not need to try out if they are playing T-ball, single A or double A. Hollywoodrosecity.org.

Ages: 4 to 16.

When to sign up: Spring registration is December 15 to March 1; fall registration is August 10-31.

Seasons: Spring and fall.

Area served: Eligible schools include Irvington, Beverly Cleary, Laurelhurst, All-Saints, Rose City Park, Roseway Heights Middle School, Le Monde, Portland Montessori and Da Vinci Middle School.

i9 Sports Use their site to search by zip code to check out what baseball and softball leagues are close to you. i9sports. com/portland-youth-sports-leagues.

Ages: 3 to 6.

When to sign up: Summer registration is open April to June; fall registration is open June to August; spring registration is open January to March.

Seasons: Spring, summer and fall.

Areas served: Clackamas, Tigard, Beaverton, SW Portland, West Linn, Parkrose, North Portland and Vancouver.

& SOFTBALL

Southeast Portland Little League Offering both baseball and softball, this popular little league organization serves a huge area of Southeast Portland, from inner Southeast all the way to Woodstock. Sepll.org.

Ages: 4 to 14.

When to sign up: Fall registration starts August 1, spring registration runs December 1 to March 1.

Seasons: Fall and spring.

Area served: SE Portland.

Portland Eastside Baseball Teams are made up of 15 players. Players not chosen to join a team at initial tryouts can choose to be on a call-back list. Portlandeastsidebaseball.org.

Ages: 6 to 19.

When to sign up: Check website for details.

Season: Summer.

Area served: North, NE and SE Portland.

Portland Cal Ripken Baseball Founded in 2013, Portland Cal Ripken is a subsect of the national Cal Ripken Baseball organization.

Portlandcalripken.org.

Ages: 5 to 15.

When to sign up: Check website for details.

Seasons: Fall and spring.

Area served: North, NE and SE Portland. pdxparent.com

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BASKETBALL

DENISE CASTAÑON

Lay-Ups A co-ed basketball league that’s focused on making sure kids have a good time and feel self-confident. Lay-ups. com.

Ages: Kindergarten to third grade.

When to sign up: Register for fall by September

16, for winter by January 13 and for spring by March 24.

Seasons: Fall, winter and spring.

Areas served: Lake Oswego, Tigard and Milwaukie.

Goldenball Youth Basketball The Goldenball recreational winter league is run

by Portland Parks & Recreation. It’s important to note that due to staffing capacities, the program has a limited number of team slots available so registration sometimes closes early. Portland.gov/parks/sports/goldenball.

Ages: Third to fifth grade.

When to sign up: Registration opens late October and ends early December.

Season: Winter.

Area served: Portland metro area.

i9 Sports This national organization supports many community leagues. It’s easy to use their site to search by zip code and see what’s available close to you. i9sports.com/portlandyouth-sports-leagues.

Ages: 4 to 12.

When to sign up: Summer registration deadline is in June, fall registration deadline is in August, winter registration deadline is in December, spring registration deadline is in March.

Seasons: Spring, summer, early fall, late fall, winter.

Areas served: Clackamas, Gresham, Tigard, Beaverton, SW Portland, Lake Oswego, Oregon City, Parkrose, North Portland, Vancouver.

YMCA basketball YMCA youth basketball programs include both recreational and competitive leagues and are open to kids starting at age 3, with programs and leagues running year-round. Both members and nonmembers are welcome to register. Ymcacw. org/programs/youth-sports/basketball.

Ages: 3 years old to sixth grade.

General Helpful Links PPS athletics: pilathletics.com/page/show/3718118-pilysp-tryout-practice-info-by-season Portland Parks & Rec Youth Sports: portland.gov/parks/sports YMCA: ymcacw.org/programs/youth-sports Portland Youth Soccer Association: portlandyouthsoccer.com/home.php Little League Finder Tool: littleleague.org/play-little-league/league-finder Oregon Youth Soccer Association: oregonyouthsoccer.org

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When to sign up: Rolling.

Seasons: Fall, winter, spring and summer.

Areas served: Offered at Beaverton, Clark

County and Sherwood YMCAs. Southeast Portland Girls Basketball Founded in 2013 and now made up of 27 teams, this girls’ basketball club is noncompetitive in early elementary grades, but does get more competitive as kids get older.

Scholarships are available; the club believes that, “Any girl who wants to play, can play, regardless of her family’s economic situation.”

Sepdx-girlsbasketballclub.com.

Ages: First to eighth grade.

When to sign up: Register in November for January through March season. See website for more info.

Seasons: October through March, but there are options for year-round play.

Area served: SE Portland. Most players are heading to either Cleveland High School or Franklin High School.

PIL / PPS Clusters Portland Public Schools offers pretty robust team sports offerings, and it’s great to take advantage of them when your kids are old enough. It’s also a good way to get on the radar of your local school’s coaches, if your child hopes to play high school basketball. Pilathletics.com.

Ages: Sixth to eighth grade.

When to sign up: Registration for the winter season opens in mid September.

Season: Winter.

Area served: Anyone within the bounds of Portland Public Schools.

CROSS COUNTRY / TRACK PIL / PPS Clusters Got runners in the family?

Let them race! pilathletics.com.

Ages: Sixth to eighth grade.

When to sign up: Register for cross country the first week in July, or for track and field in mid-January.

Seasons: Fall for cross country, spring for track and field.

Area served: Anyone within the bounds of Portland Public Schools.

PP&R + Foot Traffic Youth Track Portland Parks and Recreation teamed up with local running store Foot Traffic to create this funfocused lineup of intro-to-track offerings for kids.

Sign up for clubs or camps, or simply show up to their fall season meets. Foottraffic.us/youth-track.

Ages: Second to eighth grade.

When to sign up: Meets begin in late September and continue into early October and no registration is required.

Season: Fall.

Area served: Meets are held at Fernhill Park.

VOLLEYBALL PPS / PIL Let your kids learn to bump, pass and block. pilathletics.com.

Ages: Sixth to eighth grade.

When to sign up: Register the first week in July.

Season: Fall.

Area served: Anyone within the bounds of Portland Public Schools.

Portland Parks and Recreation PP&R welcomes all skill levels into their volleyball programs. It’s important to note that this program currently has registration limits, so register early if you can.

Portland.gov/parks/sports/volleyball.

Ages: Fourth to 12th grade.

When to sign up: Registration for spring opens in early March and ends in early April. Registration for fall opens in September and games are played at the beginning of October.

Seasons: Fall and spring.

Area served: All of Portland.

FOOTBALL / FLAG FOOTBALL PIL / PPS Clusters Flag Football Get your kids revved up about their local PPS cluster by joining in the flag football fun offered every fall through Portland Public Schools’ interscholastic league. Pilathletics.com.

Ages: Third to eighth grade.

When to sign up: Registration for fall opens in late May/early June.

Season: Fall.

Area served: Anyone within the bounds of Portland Public Schools.

Next Level Flag Football Based out of Jesuit High School, Next Level sports is a California organization that is new to Portland as of 2022.

Nextlevelsports.com.

Ages: Kindergarten to seventh grade.

When to sign up: Registration for spring 2023 season will open summer 2022 and remain open until all spots are filled.

Season: Spring.

Areas served: Beaverton, Hillsboro, Aloha, Lake Oswego, Tigard and Tualatin. i9 Sports flag football Search by zip code on the website to see the closest flag football leagues. i9sports.com/ portland-youth-sports-leagues.

Ages: 4 to 14.

When to sign up: Summer registration is April to June; fall registration is June to August; spring registration is January to March.

Season: Spring, summer and fall.

Areas served: Clackamas, Gresham, SE Portland, Tigard, Beaverton, SW Portland, Lake Oswego, Parkrose, North Portland and Vancouver.

Miranda Rake is a writer and editor in Portland. She is passionate about all the usual stuff — farmers markets, her two children and swimming in the warm sea.

pdxparent.com

| June/July

17

MOM’S GOT

GAME

Karina LeBlanc, the new general manager of the Portland Thorns, talks professional women’s soccer, motherhood and returning to the Rose City.

BY TIFFANY HILL

Karina LeBlanc is once again a Portlander. After nearly a decade away, the retired soccer player has returned to the Rose City with a new position, a young daughter and lots of career experience.

“My journey, this game has changed my life,” she says from her office at Providence Park.

“It helps me be the woman that I am today.”

LeBlanc made headlines locally and nationally in November after it was announced that the 41-year-old would become the next general manager of the Thorns. But for many Thorns fans, LeBlanc needed no introduction. She was the goalkeeper for the team’s inaugural 2013-2014 season, and a fan favorite. That season, the Thorns, under the newly minted National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL), went on to win the NWSL championship.

LeBlanc then played in Chicago before retiring in 2015. During her 18 years as a player, she participated in five FIFA World Cups and won an Olympic bronze medal.

Karina LeBlanc with her daughter, Paris during Paris’ first visit to

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KARINA LEBLANC

Providence Park.

Instead of taking up coaching like many of her predecessors, LeBlanc turned to executive positions. Most recently, she was the head of Concacaf Women’s Football, where she grew and fostered 41 leagues across North and Central America and the Caribbean.

LeBlanc’s hiring was met with approval from both players and fans, but her tenure as general manager — she’s responsible for the technical soccer operations of the club — comes at a precarious time for the Thorns. Reports over sexual abuse allegations, and the club’s handling of them, against former coach Paul Riley surfaced last fall. She says her first priority has been simply to listen and understand. “As a player, you come in, you train, you go home, you rest, you’re focused on your body and performance,” she says. “And now I’m seeking to understand. I have a lot more curiosity here right now.”

As if she’s not busy enough, she has regular extracurriculars, including the namesake foundation she launched in 2018 to empower girls and women in sports with scholarships and grants for college and sports camps (Karinaleblanc.com). She has also worked with the FIFA Women’s Leadership Program and in 2013, she became the first woman soccer player appointed as a UNICEF Canada Ambassador.

“I was the shyest kid in the world. Nobody ever believes that, but sports changed it for me,” she says. “I was the only Black kid in my school. I didn’t fit in. I moved from the Caribbean to Canada. I was bullied and all those things.

And when I went to my first soccer practice I felt, ‘oh, this is it.’”

LeBlanc often thinks about how the sport provided her with community and empowerment

and how important both things are, especially now that she’s a mother to her 2-year-old daughter, Paris. And out of all her jobs, she treasures the title of mom the most. “I always think about it, like if she was sitting here, would she be proud of her mom and how I’m dealing with this situation?”

LeBlanc has been open with the health scare she encountered just one week after giving birth in 2020 (and right before COVIDinduced lockdowns). She had pleural effusion, a buildup of fluid between the tissues lining the chest and lungs and was rushed to the hospital. “I remember realizing that as tough as that time was, it was preparing me to be a better mother and a better wife and a better person,” she says. “I know how special this franchise is and this club is, I know how special this community is and I wanted to do things that mattered.”

LeBlanc says she’s looking forward to getting to know Portland all over again with her husband and daughter, including the area’s amazing food scene, plus day trips to the coast and the Willamette Valley vineyards. In fact, one of her first stops upon returning to Portland was Salt & Straw, her go-to frozen treat when she lived here eight years ago. This time, her daughter joined her. “I was like, ‘you know what, we’re gonna go get mommy’s favorite, snickerdoodle,’” she says. “It was her first ever ice cream.”

Her time in Portland and as GM has been good so far, she says.

“Portland is still very warm and accepting of me,” she says, adding that she still gets stopped on the street like she used to as a Thorns player. “I’m doing this for the community. I’m doing this for the women’s game,” she adds. “At the end of the day, I’m doing this for her.”

OPEN 7 DAYKS! A WEE

INSPIRED LEARNING

Hands On Children's Museum Lauren Wylie 1/2 V Page

Tiffany Hill swam and did track as a kid. She still loves sports and today she plays roller derby. pdxparent.com

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MICK HANGLAND

SUNDAY

during the Latino Cultural Festival in Hillsboro featuring a parade, music and dance performances, and an art village. Don’t miss the futsal tournament!

Washingtoncountychamberor. com/latino-cultural-festival. ¢T

Oregon’s 5 Celebrate vibrant Latino culture

WASHINGTON COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

June/July 2022

Let your little explore nature during the weekly Monday morning Tree Time! walks at Hoyt Arboretum. hoytarboretum.org/learn/ youth/preschool-walks. ¢ R

6

MONDAY

Today is National Chocolate Ice Cream Day! Good thing we have so many stellar scoop shops in the Portland area.

Pdxparent.com/ celebrate-nationalice-cream-day-atthese-portland-scoopshops.

7

TUESDAY

8

Have your kids watch (or take part) in the Rose Festival Junior Parade from 1 pm-3 pm. This whimsical parade encourages children to get creative, build and dress up. Rosefestival. org/events. ¢ T

Calling all dino fans!

Mike Bennett is back with a new immersive arts adventure for the whole family. Dinolandia is a twostory space all about those giant prehistoric reptiles. 11 am-7 pm, 710 SW Yamhill St. $5 admission; kids 8 and under, free. ¢ R Also Summer Reading at Washington County libraries starts today! Wccls. org/srp/main2021. ¢ R

1

WEDNESDAY

FRIDAY

Stop and smell the roses — more than 4,000 blooms, to be exact — during the Spring Rose Show at the Lloyd Center. It’s the largest and longest-running rose show in the nation. Rosefestival. org/events. ¢

10

If you’re looking to beat the heat with some friendly competition, head to more than five bowling alleys in the Portland area for a summer of free bowling! Register your kiddo (ages 2 to 15) at kidsbowlfree.com and let the good times roll. ¢ R T

3

PORTLAND ROSE SOCIETY

Don’t miss the long-awaited second installment of the powerful program, The Americans — Take Two at Newmark Theatre. Tickets start at $29.

Obt.org/the-americanstake-two. T

9

pick-me-up?

Head to the Oregon Public House on Thursdays from 5 pm-6 pm. Get dinner for the family, plus wonderful entertainment by Mr. Ben! $10-20 suggested donation per family. R

2 Need a midweek

THURSDAY

June

ROSE FESTIVAL FOUNDATION

20

smörgåsbord of Nordic cuisine, drinks and sweets during the Oregon Midsummer Festival at Oaks Amusement Park. Kids can play games, make crafts and dance! $12 for adults, $8 for youth, kids 5 and under, free.

Oregonmidsummer. com. T

11 Enjoy a

The beloved Rose Festival has returned in all its glory. Kick off the month-long celebration at the Rose Festival Starlight Parade. Kiddos will love the lit-up floats, glow-inthe-dark umbrellas and funky fun live music. 7:30 pm-10 pm. Rosefestival.org/ events. ¢ T

4

SATURDAY

PORTLAND ROSE FESTIVAL ROSE FESTIVAL FOUNDATION

19

ALPENROSE

Gear up for another fun summer tradition during the Milk Carton Boat Race. Families build, showcase and race boats out of, you guessed it, recycled milk cartons and jugs. Westmoreland Casting Pond. Rosefestival.org/ events. ¢ T

26 Parks & Rec for its Summer Free for All Kickoff Celebration at Khunamokwst Park. The lunchtime event includes free meals, arts activities, games and live music.

Portland.gov/parks/ freelunch. ¢

28 Join Portland

Portland Parks & Rec’s Free Lunch + Play is back! The much loved program kicks off today at 15 parks in the Portland Public Schools district. Portland.gov/ parks/freelunch. ¢ R

21

Looking to expand your (and your kids’) social circle? BIPOC families can visit NE Swap & Play on Tuesdays from 9 am-11 am for free indoor play. Vaccinated and masked adults only. Play groups are for children ages 0 to 4. (NE Swap & Play also has family play groups on Thursdays, 9 am-11 am, $7) ¢ R

14

29

Root for the home team!

Watch the Portland Timbers take on the Houston Dynamo.

Tickets start at $20. timbers.com/tickets T

Preschoolers rule at Oaks Amusement Park every Tuesday and Wednesday morning from June 14 to August 31. For $11 per child, kids 6 and younger can go on rides from 10 am-11:30 and then have a snack and storytime from 11:30 am-noon.

(Accompanying adults ride free!) Oakspark.com/ specials. R

22

For hungry book worms, participate in the Middle Grade Book Club at Maggie Mae’s Kids Book Shop in Gresham. This book club is perfect for kids ages 8 to 12. Meetings are the third Wednesday of each month on Zoom at 6 pm.

Maggiemaesbooks.com/ collections/middle-gradebook-club. ¢R T

15

wrangle and ride during the St. Paul Rodeo. In addition to the rodeo itself, families can participate in trail rides, carnival games and more.

Yeehaw! Tickets start at $22, children under 2, free.

Stpaulrodeo.com. T

30 Watch cowboys

Let your little craft to their heart’s content — while you sip coffee and have adult conversations — during the weekly Kids Crafts at Awake Coffee. $5 per child.

Awakecoffeeart.com/events ¢R

23

Summer reading at Multnomah County libraries kicks off!

Pro tip: While the reading game goes until August 31, encourage your kiddos to get in their 45 days of reading quickly so they are able to get their T-shirt (and in a size that fits!).

Multcolib.org/summerreading.

16

CIRCQUE DU SOLEIL

PORTLAND TIMBERS

STEVEN ENGLUND

Float away during the Festival of Balloons at Cook Park in Tigard. The three-day festival features tethered balloon rides, live music and a kids’ zone. $12.

Tigardballoon.org T And don’t miss the Summer Reading Festival at Cedar Mills Library from 6 pm-8 pm. Kids can play carnival games, giant board games and more. And grownups can enter to win several great raffle prizes.

Cedarmillbethany.libcal. com. ¢

24

whimsical circus experience during Alegría, the most iconic Cirque du Soleil production. Tickets start at $85. Portland-theater.com

Step inside the Portland Expo Center and splurge on a

17

KEY: ¢ = Free, or $5 or less R = Recurring throughout the summer T = Teen/tween

better than sharing a bag of buttery popcorn with your kiddos and watching a fun movie in the theater. Except when said movies are only $1.50! Cinemark’s Summer Movie Clubhouse runs through August. Don’t miss Peter Rabbit 2: The Runway today. Cinemark.com/ series-events-info-pages/ summer-movie-clubhouse. ¢R

27 There’s nothing

PORTLAND PARKS & RECREATION

Blueberries and strawberries and raspberries, oh my!

Get your fill of our farms’ tastiest fruits (and more) with a berry-picking adventure. Pdxparent.com/ berries.

20

beautiful, handcrafted boats glide through the Willamette during the Portland Rose Festival Dragon Boat Races at Tom McCall Waterfront. Held near the Hawthorne Bridge, more than 80 teams compete.

Rosefestival.org/ events. ¢ T

For all the selfidentifying geeks and nerds, this expo is for you. The free, annual Geek Craft Expo at the convention center sells handmade toys, art, accessories and more.

Cosplay is encouraged! ¢ T And love is love! Celebrate Portland Pride today with a festive parade beginning at 11 am. Portlandpride.org. ¢T

arms and loves fish? Learn about octopi and their invertebrate friends — squid, nautilus and cuttlefish — during Cephalopod Movie Night at OMSI’s Empirical Theater.

Tickets are $18 for adults and $10 for youth. Tickets. omsi.edu/events. T

MICK HANGLAND

13 Who’s got eight

KENT SOULE

OAKS AMUSEMENT PARK AWAKE COFFEE & ART

12 Watch these

It’s all good! Listen to live music, watch a parade and shop in the marketplace during the Good in the Hood Multicultural Festival at King School Park. Good in the Hood works to promote the culture of the North and Northeast communities in Portland. Goodnthehood. org. ¢

25

And this year marks the 50th anniversary of Juneteenth in Oregon. Celebrate and commemorate during the Clara Peoples Freedom Trail Parade. Juneteenthor. com. ¢ T

Live music!

Fun kids’ activities! Tasty food!

Experience all this and more at PDX Parent’s free family festival at Oaks Amusement Park Saturday, 10 am-2 pm.

We can’t wait to see you there! ¢

18

FESTIVAL OF BALLOONS

June/July 2022

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pdxparent.com

At the Helvetia Lavender Festival, breathe in the relaxing scents at the u-cut lavender field, and lavender distillation and wreath-making demos.

And check out the kids’ station, local vendors and food. Free admission for kids 13 and younger!

Helvetialavenderfarm.com.

3

MICK HANGLAND

SUNDAY

BRIT FORBES PHOTOGRAPHY

>>add summer vectors

fireworks shows after the Hillsboro Hops baseball game, at the Waterfront Blues Fest and at Oaks Park! Kids can’t stay up to see fireworks? There’s a free celebration and concert at Beaverton’s Veterans Memorial Park from 11 am-2 pm.

4 Find spectacular

MONDAY

There is such a thing as a free lunch! Starting today and weekdays through August 19, kids can grab a free sack lunch at Midland Library provided by the Wattles Boys and Girls Club.

Bgcportland.org/wattles. ¢R

5

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

summer like a frolic through Portland’s splash pads and fountains.

Don’t forget the sunscreen!

Pdxparent.com/ splash-padmap-2021. ¢

6 Nothing says

Portland Opera artists will show off their stupendous skills at Pioneer Courthouse Square from noon-1 pm. ¢ R

downtown for 7 Head some (free) culture!

PORTLAND OPERA

1

FRIDAY

Give your kid’s favorite stuffie an adventure with the Stuffed Animal Campout at Cedar Mill Library. Drop the stuffie off with their staff and the next day you’ll receive a link to photos of adventures the toy experienced overnight at the library! 10 am-5 pm; pick up after 10 am on July 9. ¢

8

Get serenaded during dinner at the Oregon Public House by PDX favorite, Tallulah’s Daddy. He’ll be jamming kid-friendly classic rock from 5 pm-6 pm. $1020 suggested donation per family. Oregonpublichouse. com. R

THURSDAY

July TALLULAH’S DADDY

22 NORM EDER

Head to Ventura Park in Hazelwood for Portland Parks & Recreation’s East Portland Summer Arts Festival. The two-day event will feature fantastic performances!

Or hit Beaverton to catch incredible performers on seriously small stages during 10 Tiny Dances.

Beavertonoregon. gov/498/Ten-TinyDances. ¢

9

The all-ages Waterfront Blues Festival is back and will have something for everyone — including plenty of family-friendly activities for the littles!

Free admission for kids 12 and younger! July 1-4.

Waterfrontbluesfest.com. T

2

SATURDAY

CATHEDRAL PARK JAZZ FESTIVAL

Cheese lovers, get ready: It’s the start of Portland Nacho Week! Find crunchy, cheesy goodness throughout the city for $6 a pop.

Portlandnachoweek.com.

18 Head to

17 Savor the

11

last day of the Washington County Fair! Head to Hillsboro to see prize-winning livestock, eat fair food, go on carnival rides and more!

Free admission.

Bigfairfun.com ¢ T

25

24 It’s the Head to the Pittock Mansion for the exhibit Black in Oregon: 1840–1870, which highlights some of the Black individuals and families who lived in Oregon when the territorial government explicitly barred Black people from residency. Free admission for kids 5 and younger.

Pittockmansion.org. R

26

Have your kids dress up as their favorite Frozen characters for the free Enchanted Family Days at Commonwealth Lake Park.

Expect themed activities, music, treats, giveaways — and surprise guests! 10 am-noon. Thprd.org/events/ summer-neighborhoodevents. ¢ R

27

dinner to Tualatin Hills Parks and Recreation District’s grand opening of Parivar Park — and they’ll bring the free fun: a DJ spinning tunes, prize drawings and other activities! 6 pm-8 pm. Thprd.org/ events/detail/rock-thepark/07-20-2022. ¢

20 Bring a picnic

Take your toddler to storytime with the people’s clowns, Olive & Dingo, at Uplifted Boutique in SE Portland. Tuesdays, 10:30 am. $5 per kid. ¢ R

19

Cool off in the Willamette at Poet’s Beach on the South Waterfront. Find more swimming spots and pools here: pdxparent.com/poolswaterparks-and-swimmingholes. ¢

28

Get your fill of island vibes at the 4 Days of Aloha Festival in Vancouver, Washington, a celebration of Hawaiian arts and culture. Free admission for kids 10 and younger.

4daysofaloha.com. T

21

With more than 40 concerts and movies in the park scheduled for PP&R’s Summer Free for All, we bet there’s one happening near you! Portland.gov/parks/ arts-culture/sffa. ¢ R

14

Head to Leach Botanical Garden for live kids’ music in a beautiful outdoor setting!

Fridays in July from 11 amnoon. $5 for everyone ages 3 and up, 2 and under are free.

Find tickets at leachgarden. org. ¢ R

22

Cool off at Oxbow Regional Park and skip the parking fees; it’s Metro Free Parking Day! Or pick up a craft kit at Bethany and Cedar Mill Libraries, Library.Cedarmill.org/ Events/Kids. ¢ R

15

¢T

backstory on Disney’s most fashion-obsessed and Dalmatianhating villain at the Cedar Mill Library’s Teen Movie night for ages 11-18. 6 pm8pm. Registration required.

Cedarmillbethany. libcal.com/ event/9123500.

29 Get the

KEY: ¢ = Free, or $5 or less R = Recurring throughout the summer T = Teen/tween

If you’ve got a Multnomah County Library card, you can get free passes to the Portland Japanese Garden, Rose City Rollers bouts and many more activities! Find out more at multcolib.org/ how-it-works-my-discoverypass. ¢ R

TrackTown USA for the Track and Field World Athletics Championships in Eugene! More than 2,000 star athletes from 190 countries will compete at the University of Oregon from July 15-24.

Worldathletics.org/ competitions. T

music at the free Cathedral Park Jazz Festival (July 15-17) in St. Johns.

Jazzoregon.org/ event/42nd-annualcathedral-park-jazzfestival ¢ T

Find fun — and loads of fresh fruit and veggies at the Shemanski Park Farmers Market from 11 am-2 pm in downtown. And the Kenton Farmers Market shines every Wednesday from 3 pm-7 pm. R

13

This summer local artisans, food vendors and musicians will converge at the Hillsboro Tuesday Night Market, 5 pm-8:30 pm. Tuesdaymarketplace. org. R T

12

LEACH BOTANICAL GARDEN

On your mark, get set, go at PP&R’s 5K Series Fun Run at Columbia Park. Stick around for raffle prizes, music, face paint, crafts, vendors and bananas! Free for 17 and younger and only $5 for 18 and older! ¢ R T Portland. gov/parks/sports/5k-seriesfun-runs.

PDXPELLIARMUS

10

OLIVE & DINGO

PORTLAND PARKS & RECREATION BLUELINE STUDIOS

July 29-31 is Wizarding Weekend at McMenamins Kennedy School! Apparate to Diagon Alley, join in trivia and costume contests, and solemnly swear you are up to good by donating books to kids in need.

Pdxhpa.com.

30 31

Take off to the Pearson Field Education Center at Fort Vancouver for Open Saturdays — free aviationrelated STEM activities for kids! 10 am-2 pm.

Pearsonfieldeducation.org. ¢R

23

This weekend’s Sherwood Robin Hood Festival features medieval reenactments, a parade (with lots of candycatching opportunities), a castle-building contest, a kids’ area, vendors, food and more. Or browse local artists selling their wares at the Gresham Arts Festival.

Free admission to both. ¢

16

PEARSON FIELD EDUCATION CENTER

SUMMER OF FUN

&BOATS

r e m m Su LE SA

600+ Indoor & Outdoor Booths

Something for everyone Vintage to New & Everything in between

July 2nd, 2022 8am to 4pm

Clark County Event Center @ the Fairgrounds 15 minutes North of Portland www.nwgsales.com | 360.907.5919

PEDAL OR PADDLE rentals for a great cause!

Have fun. Get exercise. Do good!

E-BIKES • ROAD BIKES • MOUNTAIN BIKES ADAPTIVE CYCLES • TANDEMS • SURREYS KIDS BIKES • KIDS TRAILERS • HAND TRIKES KAYAKS • STAND-UP PADDLEBOARDS • & MORE

KerrBikes.org Proceeds benefit Albertina Kerr: A local nonprofit offering children’s mental health services and programs for people experiencing intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD).

Columbia River Maritime Museum Three Reasons to Celebrate • The Museum’s 60th Anniversary • Return of the Restored Lightship • Opening of the Shipwrecks! exhibit

LOTS OF REASONS TO VISIT • MORE THAN YOU IMAGINED 3D THEATER • MUSEUM STORE • LIGHTSHIP TOUR • MODEL BOAT POND

1792 Marine Drive, Astoria, Oregon Open Daily 9:30 to 5:00 • 503.325.2323 • crmm.org 24

June/July 2022

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pdxparent.com

SUMMER OF FUN

CHILDREN’S MUSICAL PRODUCTION

Sleeping Beauty ets:

Tick

18)

TH (2 YOU LTS 0 1 $ ADU o $12 der tw un ! kids re free a

50-minute musical for all ages.

Meet the cast after the show.

Photo by Kevin Hume

July 20 - 23 at 11:00 a.m.

Broadway Rose New Stage • 12850 SW Grant Ave., Tigard

broadwayrose.org • 503.620.5262

Zip, click, pull!

Always wear a life jacket when you’re in or near water. oregonmetro.gov/watersafety

Parks and nature Arts and events Garbage and recycling Land and transportation Oregon Zoo

pdxparent.com

| June/July

25

The votes are in and we are rolling out more winners of the 2022

PDX Parent Picks!

Here are our readers’ top choices in the Food & Drink and Family Fun categories.

Find the complete list of winners at pdxparent.com/picks-winners.

KID - FRIENDLY DINING

ADVENTURE ATTRACTION

Winner Laughing Planet

Winner Mt. Hood Adventure Park at Skibowl

Multiple locations, laughingplanet.com

PIZZA - TAKE OUT Winner Pizzicato Multiple locations, pizzicatopizza.com

7000 E Highway 26, Government Camp, skibowl.com

Laughing Planet has earned the top

When it comes to fun, outdoor activities in virtually every

spot with its fresh, healthy array of

Pizzicato is not just a take-out

burritos, bowls and salads, a kids’

hero with a great selection of

menu that tempts even picky eaters,

kid-pleasing options, it’s also a

donations to local nonprofits making a

community hero. Pizzicato has

positive impact — and those table-top

raised funds for local nonprofits

dinos! It’s no wonder it is a repeat winner

such as Street Roots, Urban

in our readers’ poll.

Gleaners and Black Resilience Fund.

season, there’s only one place to go: Mt. Hood Adventure Park at Skibowl. Naturally, this place is a wintertime must-visit with tubing and skiing. But it’s just as fun when the powdery stuff has melted. There’s ziplining, bungee jumping, race karts and more!

Top 5

Top 5

Top 5

Lumberyard Bike Park Skamania Lodge Zipline Tour & Aerial Park Skyhook Ninja Fitness Tree to Tree Adventure Park

MT. HOOD ADVENTURE PARK AT SKIBOWL

iFLY Indoor Skydiving

Grand Central Bakery

Hot Lips Pizza

Hopworks Urban Brewery

Mississippi Pizza Pub

La Provence & Petite Provence

Pietro’s Pizza & Pirate Adventure

Slappy Cakes

Pizza Schmizza

Waffle Window

Sizzle Pie

Expanding Minds, Nurturing Spirits, Stewarding the Earth •

Small class size

•

Pre-K to 8th grade

•

Earth experiences

•

Foreign language programs

•

Before and after care

•

10 acres campus with extensive gardens Visit

www.FMES.org to schedule a

virtual or in-person

TOUR!

www.FMES.org | 503-760-8220 | Portland, Oregon 97236-2316 26

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The votes are in and we are rolling out more winners of the 2022

PDX Parent Picks!

Here are our readers’ top choices in the Food & Drink and Family Fun categories.

Find the complete list of winners at pdxparent.com/picks-winners.

KID - FRIENDLY DINING

ADVENTURE ATTRACTION

Winner Laughing Planet

Winner Mt. Hood Adventure Park at Skibowl

Multiple locations, laughingplanet.com

PIZZA - TAKE OUT Winner Pizzicato Multiple locations, pizzicatopizza.com

7000 E Highway 26, Government Camp, skibowl.com

Laughing Planet has earned the top

When it comes to fun, outdoor activities in virtually every

spot with its fresh, healthy array of

Pizzicato is not just a take-out

burritos, bowls and salads, a kids’

hero with a great selection of

menu that tempts even picky eaters,

kid-pleasing options, it’s also a

donations to local nonprofits making a

community hero. Pizzicato has

positive impact — and those table-top

raised funds for local nonprofits

dinos! It’s no wonder it is a repeat winner

such as Street Roots, Urban

in our readers’ poll.

Gleaners and Black Resilience Fund.

season, there’s only one place to go: Mt. Hood Adventure Park at Skibowl. Naturally, this place is a wintertime must-visit with tubing and skiing. But it’s just as fun when the powdery stuff has melted. There’s ziplining, bungee jumping, race karts and more!

Top 5

Top 5

Top 5

Lumberyard Bike Park Skamania Lodge Zipline Tour & Aerial Park Skyhook Ninja Fitness Tree to Tree Adventure Park

MT. HOOD ADVENTURE PARK AT SKIBOWL

iFLY Indoor Skydiving

Grand Central Bakery

Hot Lips Pizza

Hopworks Urban Brewery

Mississippi Pizza Pub

La Provence & Petite Provence

Pietro’s Pizza & Pirate Adventure

Slappy Cakes

Pizza Schmizza

Waffle Window

Sizzle Pie

Expanding Minds, Nurturing Spirits, Stewarding the Earth •

Small class size

•

Pre-K to 8th grade

•

Earth experiences

•

Foreign language programs

•

Before and after care

•

10 acres campus with extensive gardens Visit

www.FMES.org to schedule a

virtual or in-person

TOUR!

www.FMES.org | 503-760-8220 | Portland, Oregon 97236-2316 26

June/July 2022

|

pdxparent.com

SALT & STRAW

SWEET TREATS TAKE OUT

ARCADES/BOWLING/FAMILY FUN CENTER Winner Bullwinkle's Wilsonville

Winner Salt & Straw

29111 SW Town Center Loop W, Wilsonville, fun-center.com/wilsonville

Multiple locations, saltandstraw.com

Whether the family’s idea of fun is inside or out, Bullwinkle’s Wilsonville is sure

Breakfast cereal, edible flowers,

to have it. This ultimate family-fun center has bowling, laser tag, an arcade

Thanksgiving turkey — the makers at Salt & Straw ice cream find flavor inspiration in (oftentimes) the unlikeliest places. And our readers love them for it!

Top 5

and an indoor play space for the littles. And if everyone is looking for fun in the sun, there’s bumper boats, a mini golf course, ziplining and go-kart racing.

The hardest part is deciding which activities to do!

Top 5 Ground Kontrol

Pip’s Original Doughnuts & Chai

Electric Castle's Wunderland

Cloud City Ice Cream

Ruby Jewel

Cinema and Nickel Games

KingPin's Family Entertainment Center

Fifty Licks Ice Cream

Voodoo Doughnut

Grand Central Bowl

Pietro's Pizza & Pirate Adventure

MUSEUMS/FAMILY MEMBERSHIP Winner Oregon Zoo 4001 SW Canyon Rd., oregonzoo.org Any animal lover will tell you the Oregon Zoo is a special place. Home to more than 2,500 animals, birds, reptiles and more, the zoo also has a stellar family membership. Annual memberships start at only $39 for SHERVIN HESS

kids ($59 for adults)! And members get some sweet perks like 10% off

Top 5 Northwest Forest Pass OMSI - Oregon Museum of Science & Industry Portland Art Museum Portland Japanese Garden

on the zoo train and carousel rides and 10% off the popular wintertime

Rice Northwest Museum of

ZooLights installation.

Rocks & Minerals

Free

ANIMAL WALK - EVERY TUESDAY 11 AM Cross the Sauvie Island bridge, stay straight for one mile. Topaz Farm is open daily, except Mondays. Great for birthday parties.

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KID - FRIENDLY BIKE TRAIL Winner Banks-Vernonia State Trail Stateparks.oregon.gov/index.cfm?do=park.profile&parkId=104 Kids love all the bridges — there are 13 of them! — on this 21-mile, paved trail. Don’t miss the 733-foot long and 80-foot high Buxton Trestle. In between the bucolic towns of Banks and Vernonia await glimpses of wildlife, wide pastures and lush forests.

Top 5 Eastbank Esplanade

What do parents want in a school?

Happy students Quality teachers Small class sizes Cutting-edge curriculum Academic excellence A great library Top-notch facilities and playground

North Clackamas Trolley Trail Springwater Corridor Trail Tualatin River Greenway Trail Willamette River Greenway

PLAYGROUND Winner Westmoreland Park Portland.gov/parks/westmoreland-park Families know and love Westmoreland Park because it’s not like your average outdoor playground. The Southeast park features settings that foster engagement and encourage creative play with natural features, like sand, logs and boulders. Portland Parks & Recreation is also working on a new improvement: the replacement of the park’s pedestrian bridge across Crystal Springs Creek.

Top 5 Harper’s Playground at Arbor Lodge Park Khunamokwst Park Peninsula Park Pirate Park Washington Park

FAMILY- FRIENDLY HIKE

We have it all!

Winner Forest Park Portland.gov/parks/forest-park Did you know that there are more than 40 access points to Forest

Only a few spots left for 2022-23!

Join us for our 75th Anniversary tuckermaxon.org/enrollment

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Park? This 5,200-acre park is a Portland institution, and a repeat PDX Parent Picks winner. With more than 80 miles of trails, there’s a terrain suitable for your family to explore, whether it’s on foot, wheels or horseback.

Top 5 Eagle Creek Trail

Timothy Lake

Powell Butte

Tryon Creek

Wahclella Falls

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Reserve your tickets oregonzoo.org