ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION

Environmental Education offers outdoor programs that focus on stewardship and nature connection. All programs meet in PP&R parks and natural areas. For children and families, Environmental Education offers field trips, summer camps, and guided walks. For teens and young adults, Environmental Education offers stewardship, nature education, and jobs in natural areas.

Ladybug Nature Walks | Age 6 & under with an adult

Ladybug Nature Walks take place in Portland’s parks and natural areas. Children attend with an adult who assists in guiding them as they explore. While participating, children borrow a ladybug backpack with fun tools. Walks last about an hour and take place at 10:00am in a different Portland Park each week. This season, we will be visiting parks that allow us to explore wildflowers, plants, and the many colors of spring! Day Date Location

Thursday 2/23 Lents Park 1150326

Monday 3/6 Irving Park 1150328

Monday 3/20 Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge 1150330

Register for these Ladybug Nature Walks and many more this season by scanning the QR code or by visiting: portland.gov/parks/environmentaleducation/ladybug-nature-walks

Contact

Youth Conservation Crew | Age 14–18

Youth Conservation Crew is a workforce development program for a diverse population of Portland-area youth. Crews protect, restore, and manage Portland’s parks and natural areas while developing job skills and exploring environmental career paths. Over seven weeks in the summer, youth work on crews that help remove invasive plants, monitor tree health, build trails, and more! YCC alumni are eligible to participate in paid internships and year-round work on Saturdays and no-school days with PP&R work units. For more information, visit: portland.gov/parks/environmental-education/youth-conservation-crew

Nature Day Camp | Age 5–12

Nature Day Camps are full-day nature-themed camps for children ages 5–12. Camps create ways for children to connect to nature through outdoor play and exploration. Children spend the entire day outdoors and each day contains a mixture of activities: group circles, songs, stories, hiking, games, crafts, and snacks along the trail.

Eight weeks of Nature Day Camp will take place in June, July, and August at five parks across Portland. These include: Mt Tabor Park (Southeast), Pier Park (North), Hoyt Arboretum (Southwest), Sellwood Park/Oaks Bottom (Southeast), and Powell Butte (East).

Nature Day Camp Registration is May 1, 2023 at 12:30pm*

*Please note: This registration date is ONLY for Nature Day Camps with Environmental Education. This is not the registration date for sports and community center camps.

For more information about prices and Access Pass options, scan this QR Code or see our website for the most up-to-date information: portland.gov/parks/environmental-education/nature-day-camp

Junior Educators | Age 13–17

Teens can apply to participate for FREE at Nature Day Camp where they can develop confidence and prepare for future jobs by learning leadership and basic professional skills. Teens will spend all week outside helping lead games with children. The Junior Educator Application is open! No experience required. Apply now by scanning the QR Code or learn more at: portland.gov/parks/environmental-education/jr-educators

For more information, visit: portland.gov/parks/environmentaleducation/tnt

Teen Nature Team is a free outdoor program for 6th–8th graders. Learn about plants and animals and go on fun outdoor adventures. On many Saturdays throughout the year and during seven weeks of the summer, the program meets at East Portland Community Center and takes field trips to different parks across Portland. Spots are limited.

Participants who are low income and/or from groups underrepresented in professional environmental fields are especially encouraged to apply: people of color, immigrants, refugees, people living with disabilities, and the LGBTQ+ community.

Hours

Monday–Friday 9:00am–5:00pm

Closed

May 29

1120 SW 5th Avenue, Suite 858

Portland, OR 97204

503-823-4328

Program Locations

For bus lines, schedules, and route information, call TriMet at 503-238-7433

Meals on Wheels sites

For additional meal sites, call 503-736-6325

Charles Jordan Community Center

503-823-3631 | 9009 N Foss Avenue, 97203

Community Music Center

503-823-3177 | 3350 SE Francis Street, 97202

East Portland Community Center

503-823-3450 | 740 SE 106th Avenue, 97216

First Congregational Church

503-228-7219 | 1126 SW Park Avenue, 97205

Matt Dishman Community Center

503-823-3673 | 77 NE Knott Street, 97212

Montavilla Community Center

503-823-4101 | 8219 NE Glisan, 97220

Mt. Scott Community Center

503-823-3183 | 5530 SE 72nd Avenue, 97206

Recreation Coordinator II

Shelby Coshow

Shelby.Coshow@portlandoregon.gov

Recreation Coordinator I

Molly Donaldson

Molly.Donaldson@portlandoregon.gov

Recreation Leader

Chad Carver

Chad.Carver@portlandoregon.gov

Multnomah Arts Center

503-823-2787 | 7688 SW Capitol Hwy, 97219

Peninsula Park Community Center

503-823-3620 | 700 N Rosa Parks Way, 97217

Portland Tennis Center

503-823-3190 | 324 NE 12th Avenue, 97232

Southwest Community Center

503-823-2840 | 6820 SW 45th Avenue, 97219

St. Johns Community Center

503-823-3192 | 8427 N Central, 97203

Woodstock Community Center

503-823-3633 | 5905 SE 43rd Avenue, 97206

We care for each other!

Please be cautious and stay home if you’re feeling ill for any reason. If you need to miss an activity due to illness, contact us for a refund!

Creative Arts

Painting—Independent Study

A painting studio. An opportunity for experienced painters of all levels and mediums to express their creativity through self-directed projects. Consultations and feedback is offered through instructor oral critiques of student's work.

Mt Scott Community Center

Instructor: Bonnie Allen

Tu 4/4–6/6 12:00–2:00pm

1151075

Painting—Pastel Techniques

$228

Watercolor—All Levels

Express your creativity exploring basic to advanced methods. Use techniques such as sketching, mixed colors and laying washes to develop a unique style. Discover elements of light and shadow, composition and texture that you can bring to all the visual arts.

Mt Scott Community Center

Instructor: Carolynn Wagler

W 4/5–6/7 12:00–2:00pm

1151077

Artists have long valued this medium for its immediacy in application and fabulous color. Vibrant tones are mixed on the paper by overlaying or blending, rather than on a palette. Gain knowledge in composition, shading and value contrast.

Mt Scott Community Center

Instructor: Carolynn Wagler

W 4/5–6/7 9:30–11:30am

1151076

Beginning Smartphone Photography

Age 18 & up

$228

$228

The best camera is the one you always have with you. Your Smartphone. This workshop explores the native camera and free apps that will help you take better quality images. A knowledgeable photo instructor will provide guidance in a fun, non-judgmental environment. Explore and create. No critiquing, no assignments. Simple and straight forward instruction. Guaranteed fun and learning in a safe space. This class accommodates both Apple™ and Android™ users.

Southwest Community Center Sa 4/8 10:00am–12:00pm $20

1151110