Over 50 Summer Activities for a Healthy Heart and Mind
Hey parents! Summer is finally here, and we want to share some upcoming events and activities in our community with you. We know that kids tend to do best on structure and routine, even during the freedom of summer. Kids without structure and routine are at greater risk of developing unhealthy eating habits and becoming more sedentary, which can often lead to symptoms of depression. Being active releases chemicals in our brain that make us feel happy and can reduce anxiety and depression, while also improving self-esteem. Check out the events listed below to help keep your kids healthy and active all summer long!
Summer Camps and Classes
- Catlin Gabel Summer Camps (Portland)
- Crafty Mindz Summer Arts & Activity Camps (Beaverton)
- Portland Jewish Academy Summer Discovery Classes
- Portland Parks & Recreation
- Swimming Pools & Lessons: Pay when you can option; click link for details.
- Nature Day Camp (Ages 5-12): Pay when you can option; click link for details.
- Youth Conservation Crew (Ages 14-18): Crews protect, restore, and manage Portland’s parks and natural areas while developing job skills and exploring environmental career paths. The hourly pay for new youth 2022 is $14.75 per hour.
Browse more camp options by category:
Artistic Camps
Lovegood Performing Arts Company Summer Camps (Beaverton)
Musical theater camps and workshops for ages 7-22, with many weeklong camp options through the summer months.
- Cost: $324
- Free aftercare 2-6pm provided by camp volunteers
- Reduced tuition for students registered for additional classes/camps (maximum discount of 40%)
- Service scholarships available for ministry, military, education, and need-based families
Tryon Life Community Farm: Mime, Music & Discovery Summer Camp (Portland)
Campers ages 9-12 learn with their bodies, songs, and dirt about the world around us. We’ll tell stories about how we’ve discovered the world, and how we can make discoveries. We will make physical theater plays about atoms colliding, planets in orbit, and supernovas. We will explore geometries, rhythms, movements, and sound.
- Cost: $235
- When: July 9-22, 8:30am-2:30pm
- Offers a rideshare program
Vibe Summer Art Camps (Portland, multiple neighborhoods)
Camps available for different age ranges from 5-17, with many camp dates and options available pertaining to arts and crafts, music, and movement.
- Cost: $50-$80/day, depending on the camp
- Full scholarships available for qualifying families
- Proof of vaccination required
Willowbrook Arts Camp (Tualatin)
Camps for ages 3-18 that offer unscheduled self-discovery of more than 20 different artistic areas.
- Cost: $335/1 week or $1,770/6 weeks
- Tualatin residents get a 5% discount
- For special discounts or other financial questions/concerns, email [email protected]
My Voice Music Summer Rock Camp (Portland)
Artists ages 9-13 learn instruments and sing, write songs, and perform in a band they form.
- Cost: $140 for Virtual Camp (6/20-6/23) or $320 for In-Person Camp (multiple dates)
- No student turned away because of inability to pay
- For a full or partial scholarship (no questions asked), email [email protected] or call 971-533-8953
- Play It Forward: Your child’s program fee pays for a student who cannot afford one
PAM CUT Youth Camps (Portland)
Multiple camps and dates for ages 8-14 on podcasting, video game design, fashion filmmaking, and more!
- Cost: $310
Circus Cascadia Camps (Gresham)
An outdoor camp exploring different elements of the circus.
- Cost: $350
- When: Multiple dates, 10am to 3pm
- Before Care available for $20/day
- After Care available for $30/day
- $50 non-refundable deposit due at registration; remaining amount due the first day of camp
Tucker Maxon Cultural Arts Camp (Portland)
An 8-week camp for ages 3-8 that explores storytelling through art, music, and other inspirations.
- Cost: $399/week; financial aid available
- Child must be able to independently use the bathroom in order to attend camp
Camp SCRAP (Portland)
Art camp centered on themes of creative reuse. This camp is for kids (ages 7-12) who LOVE inventing, making, and bringing their creative ideas to life!
- Cost: $285; scholarships available
- When (two sessions available): June 20-24 & July 5-8, 11am-3pm
Oregon Children’s Theater Acting Camps (Multiple locations)
Full-day acting camps for multiple age ranges, dates, and topics.
- Cost: $190
Sports Camps
Avid4 Adventure Camps
Day, overnight, and expedition camps for multiple ages and dates. Camps cover learning to ride a bike, climbing, hiking, paddleboarding, and more!
- Cost: Varies by camp; payment plans available
Balance Soccer or Basketball Summer Camps (Vernonia)
Overnight (4 nights, 5 days) soccer or basketball camp with other fun athletic activities for kids ages 9-16.
- Cost: $589
Oregon Gymnastics Academy Summer Camps
Gymnastics camp with options of half or full day and half or full week, with different themed weeks. Other activities included based on weekly theme, such as bounce houses, face painting, etc.
- Cost: $65-$375, depending on day length and whether half or full week
- All campers must have an active $30 OGA Annual Membership
Rose City Hockey Club (Beaverton)
An all-girls hockey club for girls born between 2008-2013.
- Cost: $475; scholarships available
Glendoveer Golf & Tennis Summer Camp
Golf in the morning, tennis in the afternoon. Multiple dates and age ranges!
- Cost: $188-$498/week, depending on session hours
Anthony Newman Sports Camps
Multiple dates, ages, sports, locations, and options!
- Cost: $95-$265
River Ranch Riding Camp (Aurora)
Designed for children ages 5-14 who want to learn about riding, caring for, and grooming a horse. All campers will enjoy having the responsibility of a horse or pony for the week.
- Cost: $195 for half-day camps or $395 for full-day camps
Academic Camps
Aerospace Summer Camps (Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum, McMinnville)
Interactive 1-week programs filled with educational and exciting experiences for future aviators and space explorers.
- Designed for 3rd-9th graders
- Cost: $290; scholarships available
JA Biztown Summer Camp (Portland)
Campers take a look at what is needed to make a business plan, a budget, financial obligations, and identifying leadership positions and what is important in a community.
- Cost: $299 ($319 with extended care)
- 50% discount for providing 1 adult volunteer
- Help with funding available on a case-by-case basis
Saturday Academy (Multiple locations based on camp/class)
Multiple classes, camps, and other opportunities through PSU.
- Cost: Varies by camp or class; tuition assistance available
L’Etoile French Immersion Camp (Portland)
French bilingual camp with no language proficiency requirement. Campers must be ages 3-11 and potty-trained.
- Cost: $290 for full days or $240 for half days
Kids Like Languages Spanish Summer Camp (Laurelhurst Elementary School, Portland)
Spanish immersion camps for students grades K-5.
- Cost: $170 based on a minimum of 10 students
Tinker Camp (Peninsula Odd Fellows Lodge, Portland)
Different camps exploring different avenues, like throwing a play or civic engineering.
- For 3rd-9th graders
- Cost: $330
iD Tech Camp (Lewis & Clark College, Portland)
Weeklong, co-ed camp that offers courses for every interest, including coding, game development, robotics, and design.
- Cost: From $949
Steve & Kate’s Camp (All Saints School, Portland)
Choose from different activities, including media lab, sewing, performing arts, sports, baking, and more.
- Cost: $109/day or $3,270 for the summer
- Unused days are refunded at the end of the summer
Specialty Camps
Trackers Portland (Multiple locations in the Portland metro area)
Campers learn wilderness survival, archery, wild foods, fishing, boating, climbing, and blacksmithing for grades 1-12.
- Cost: $455
Camp Namanu (Sandy)
A classic outdoor overnight camp with many outdoor activities, such as hiking, swimming, canoeing, and more.
- Cost: Different options from $300-$1,200
OMSI
A multitude of science-based camps for all ages.
- Cost: Varies by camp
Camp Collins (Gresham)
- Choice of day or overnight camp
- Cost: $395; “camperships” available for financial assistance
Girls Rock! (West Hills Friends Church, Portland)
Combination of crafts, games, exploration, expression, and reflection for girls 6th through 8th grade.
- Cost: $260
Free Summer Activities and Parks
- Portland Parks & Recreation
- Universal Access Play Area Parks: The concept of a Universal Access Play Area environment is one that not only meets ADA requirements; it means an environment that is designed for all children of all abilities and their families.
- Ladybug Nature Walks (Ages 0-6 with adult)
Summer Counseling Groups
- Social Skills Group (Tigard): Very often, children and adolescents with ADHD struggle with peer relationships. The social skills training program at ADHD Children & Family Services is designed to help elementary and early middle school aged children learn how to get along better with others.
- Non-Binary/GenderQueer Support Group (Online)
- Rise Therapeutic Services (Sherwood): Multiple groups offered for ages 10+, including adult groups.