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PDXPARENT.COM PORTLAND | VANCOUVER | MARCH 2018 Adventure Club FOR KIDS IT’S FREE!
1st TUESDAY of EVERY MONTH • 9AM - 10AM Inside the Food Court Kids will enjoy meeting a new character each month, fun activities, dress up, snacks and more!
March 6th May 1st August 7th November 6th 2018 Animal Safari Guide Tinky the Fairy – Movie Pirates and Fairies Snow Queen SCHEDULE April 3rd Release Celebration September 4th December 4th Easter Bunny Hunt June 5th Super Hero Play Elf Workshop Events are best Cars! suited for kids up October 2nd to 8 years of age. July 3rd Circus Fun 4th of July Fun
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Contents
FEATURES
Parents of the Silicon Forest ...... 14 Some of your kiddo’s favorite apps were dreamed up right here in PDX. Story by Elizabeth Armstrong Moore. Photos by Jamie Carle.
Vive La Différence...... 22 Celebrating the season’s new performing arts productions. By Erin J. Bernard.
PDX Parent Picks...... 28 Our reader poll results for lessons and camps.
DEPARTMENTS
Editor’s Note ...... 6
Play Room ...... 8 Adorable picks for Easter basket treats, great graphic novels for kids and a dino-themed getaway.
Field Trip ...... 30 Cracking the laser tag code. By Julia Silverman.
Hands On ...... 32 A sweet seedlings project, just in time for spring. By Eve Hansen.
Baby Steps ...... 33 Plant a tree with your kiddos to help the planet (and have some fun). By Catherine Ryan Gregory.
Family Supper ...... 34 Exploring the menu and play area at etc… eatery, an eclectic new restaurant in SW Portland. By Denise Castañon.
Recipe File ...... 35 A healthier spin on chips and dip, just right for after-school snacking. By Joanna Sooper.
Time Out ...... 36 Kinder, gentler Easter egg hunts, Purim parties and robots take over OMSI.
CAMPS GUIDE 2018………………… ...... ………………….41
Do Your Kids Need Camp This Summer?...... 42 Let our fab flow chart guide you through the camp-choosing process. Text by Julia Silverman. Design by Susan Bard.
RESOURCES
School Open Houses ...... 19
* cover stories JAMIE CARLE JAMIE
pdxparent.com | March 2018 5 Editor’s Note
for the long days and short years
here are any number of true crime podcasts out there, and fraught politics podcasts. There PDX Parent P.O. Box 13660 are superfan TV recap podcasts galore and even podcasts aimed at your kids, perfect for a T Portland, OR 97213-0660 long car ride. What there hasn’t been is a podcast that’s just about being a parent in Portland — Phone: 503-460-2774; Fax: 503-331-3445 until now. Just in time for our annual Family Tech issue, we’d like to introduce you to the PDX Publisher Parent Podcast, a longtime dream that we’re Rose Caudillo, 503-460-2774 [email protected] finally turning into a reality, thanks to great Editor support from our whole team. Each month Julia Silverman, 503-922-0893 (and hopefully more often, once we get the [email protected] hang of it), Denise, Ali W. and I will gather Managing Editor Denise Castañon for some frank, funny talk about what’s on [email protected]
our minds and yours. We’re having a blast Art Director recording it, and are just thankful that the Susan Bard bits where we trip over our words or blurt Web Editor out something especially mortifying to one Alison Wilkinson [email protected] or the other of our children can be edited Calendar / Newsletter Editor out. (A *little* bit mortifying is okay though, Amy Conway right?) This month’s episode features me and [email protected] Ali schooling Denise on how to navigate Web Coordinator
DENISE CASTAÑON Michelle Carew, 503-914-6151 the summer camp shuffle, now that her [email protected]
Ali W. cracks me up on the regular during our podcast tapings. daughter Adela is old enough to dip a toe Customer Accounts Manager into those crowded waters, plus our regular Christie Kline, 503-810-9817 [email protected] restaurant scorecard and our picks for what we’ll be doing for fun with the kids in March. It’s all Distribution Coordinator set to our fun and poppy theme music, graciously given to us by PDX kindie superstar Red Yarn. Melissa Light In future episodes, we’re hoping to bring on some special guests, so let us know who you’d like [email protected] to hear more from, at [email protected]. And we’ll even be going live at the first-ever Senior Account Executive PDX Parent Celebrates the City, presented by KEEN Kids and Hopworks Urban Brewery, at Ali King, 503-331-8184 [email protected] Oaks Park on June 16. Bring the kids and come tell us your story! Until then, please tune in, give Account Executive us a rating and a review if you’re so inclined, and subscribe so you’ll never miss an episode. Kristy Olsen, 503-914-6481 [email protected]
— Web Administrator Casey Rhodes [email protected] P.S. Also this month, we’re rolling out the first wave of winners in our annual PDX Parent Picks President readers poll! We’re starting with your picks for the best lessons and camps around — find the results Keith Goben, 503-460-2774 on page 28 — and stay tuned. In the months to come, we’ll be publishing more of the winners, many [email protected] of whom will be on hand at PDX Parent Celebrates the City. More than 22,000 votes were cast in For distribution issues, e-mail us at [email protected] this year’s poll, which is a record for us — thanks for voting and sharing your family’s favorites! For calendar submissions, e-mail us at [email protected]
PDX Parent is published monthly by Metro Parent Publishing, Inc., and is copyright 2018 Metro Parent Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part On our cover: We think without written permission is prohibited. photographer Lindsay Baca’s PDX Parent is distributed free of charge throughout the Portland, OR / Vancouver, WA photo of local kiddos Ava and metropolitan area. Darius in their backyard captures PDX Parent reserves the right to refuse the March mood around these advertising for any reason. Distribution parts perfectly — we’re ready to of this publication does not constitute an endorsement of the products or services say goodbye to the rain. But as advertised herein. long as it is still around, you might PDX Parent does not discriminate on the as well accessorize with a cute basis of race, color, national origin, religion, umbrella and some rad boots! sex or sexual orientation.
See more of Lindsay’s work at Although every effort is taken to ensure the lindsaybacaphotography.com accuracy of published material, Metro Parent Publishing, Inc., and its agents and em- or on Instagram, where she ployees cannot be held responsible for the documents the adventures use or misuse of any information contained of her labradoodle, Louie, herein. The contents of PDX Parent and its website are for informational purposes only at @puponoodles. and are not intended to be a substitute for professional advice or treatment.
6 March 2018 | pdxparent.com
Play Room
Take Five: Erika Probst
Erika Probst, a mother of two, felt right at home when she He kept repeating things like, “I can’t believe you do this, you just moved to Hillsboro in 2009. Her neighbors have everyone come!” “This is the best street ever!” “Everyone needs were friendly and welcoming — and came to see this street, it is what truly represents America!” from across the globe from Barbados to South His words resonated with me and I really did want to Korea to Mexico and Hungary. After the share the beauty of our street. 2016 election she was saddened to hear that her friend who wears a hijab was scared Q: You self-published. What was that process like? to walk down the street. So she wrote a A: I looked around at several companies that worked children’s book, Friends on My Street, to with authors who self-published. Ultimately, I went show the value of love and acceptance. It’s with Gatekeeper Press. Their prices were reasonable, available on Amazon. For more info on and I was familiar with their work. In March of 2017, I cultural celebrations, visit: facebook.com/ was one of 80 women who had an essay published in a FriendsOnMyStreet. collection of essays and poems written by women from 48 states across the country. Because the proceeds of that Q: What’s so special about your street book went to a non-profit, Gatekeeper Press published in Hillsboro? that book pro-bono. That showed me the integrity of the A: Washington County is the most diverse company, and I wanted to county between Vancou- support that. ver, B.C. and San Francisco. With Intel and Nike, we Q: What do your have a lot of people moving neighbors think about the to this area from other book? countries. When a new My neighbors have all neighbor moves in, we A: been so excited. Many from welcome them to the street, different countries are also introduce ourselves, and invite them to our neigh- touched that I took the borhood get-togethers. This time to write about them. in turn has allowed all of us My neighbor from Nigeria to get to know each other told me that everyone and feel connected. Our needs to read this book to commonality is that we all see what our country is are connected as neighbors really about. who have become friends. Q: What do you hope Q: You’re a nurse ed- kids take away from your ucator, not a writer by book? trade. Why did you want A: I hope children see the to write a children’s book beauty of our differences. about your neighborhood? I hope they celebrate that A: I have always enjoyed the world is beautiful creative writing. But in 2016 in its diversity. I hope this at our annual 4th of July also lets children who street BBQ, one of our neigh- may be feeling unaccepted bors, who is from Nigeria due to their culture know and had just moved to our that they are special. — LORRIE LEVI neighborhood, stood in awe. Denise Castañon Erika with her husband, Brad, and their two sons, Rowan and Sawyer.
8 March 2018 | pdxparent.com TOP 5 ... Easter-basket treats
and sugar-free offerings. Sold in sets of can steal after ➊ Moonstruck Chocolate Co. never 2 ($6) and 5 ($15). 2712 NE Glisan St. fails in the cute department and their the kids go to ➌ Love all things retro? Check spring offerings of eggs sleep)? Creo out the throwback Easter and farm critters are no Chocolate’s bunnies from exception (and they are Woodblock award-winning much more reasonably sized Chocolate. truffles fit the bill. for kids). But if you are set The dark 5-piece box $12.50. 122 on a big, beautiful chocolate chocolate in an Easter basket, we are NE Broadway. ➎ No or milk smitten with their solid milk foil wrappers here. For the chocolate chocolate spring chicken, ultimate fancy chocolate treats $15. ➋ Food allergies are were made in bunny, go for Alma no match for vegan chocolatier vintage molds. Chocolate’s 23-karat, Missionary Chocolates. All of their ➍ Just want some Easter bunnies and eggs are dairy, gluten edible gold leaf rabbit. plain truffles (that you and nut-free. They even have soy-free 140 NE 28th Ave.— D.C.
Dino-obsessed Getaway: you can help the kids will go crazy locals construct the for this tiny Granger, Washington latest dino model Yakima County (They’re currently at town in central 32 and counting.) Washington, Last year, they added which is packed a Megalosaurus, with inventive, life- which now stands sized dinosaur by the entrance of sculptures. Make Hisey Park. That it a scavenger hunt, area is also home to and seek ’em all a manmade pond out, from a green which is stocked for velociraptor to a year-round fishing, brown triceratops. as well as a boat Most of the lifesize launch to the nearby models (and yes, Yakima River. the kids can climb Granger is too small on them — in fact, for hotels, so you’ll it’s encouraged) most likely stay are in Hisey and Raptor Parks, but some spill into the quaint about 20 miles away in Yakima — try the boutique Hotel downtown, from city hall to the public library. Pick up souvenir Maison, where they can help you plan a tour of area wineries, dinosaur regalia at the Dinostore at the park (open weekends once the kids are done with the dino-inspired adventures. only). If you happen to be visiting the first weekend in June, — Julia Silverman
pdxparent.com | March 2018 9 Play Room
Bookshelf: Great Graphics
The graphic novels genre for kids is exploding with new series, engaging storylines and eye-popping art. We asked Kim Tano and Richard Corbett, the children’s book buyers at Powell’s Books and our regular Bookshelf contributors, to choose this season’s most notable graphic novels for young readers.
Catstronauts: Space Station Situation by Drew Brockington The third entry in this super-fun series has chief science officer Pom Pom rejoining the Catstronauts on the International Space station. But what will happen when pilot Waffles is forced to orbit the space station in nothing but his space suit? Ages 6 and up. $16.99 in hardcover. Playlist: Narwhal & Jelly: Peanut Butter & Jelly by Ben Clanton Up the Narwhal likes peanut butter. So much that he wants to change his name to (you guessed it) peanut butter. Beanstalk Sensible Jelly, his best friend, is dubious — but both What happens when you take buddies learn some great lessons about trying new a classic fairy tale and turn it
PENGUIN RANDOM HOUSE BOOK GROUP HACHETTE things in the third in this popular series by Tacoma- into a folk-rock opera for kids? based Clanton. Great for ages 6 and up. $12.99. Something magical. Beanstalk Jack, from the Paper Canoe Anne of Green Gables: A Graphic Novel by L.M. Company, musically tells the tale of Montgomery adapted by Mariah Marsden, illustrated by Brenna Thummler poor daydreamer Jack who trades his mother’s cow for some magic beans. L.M. Montgomery’s spunky and timeless heroine is While Jack is on solid ground, the tunes enjoying a renaissance of late, with a new Netflix series adhere to folksy bluegrass and country based on the books, and now this delicately illustrated styles (my 3-year-old son loved the ANDREWS MCMEEL adaption. Montgomery’s original text is full of passionate descriptions of the beauty of Prince Edward Island in fiddles on Let Me Be and Lucky Jack). Nova Scotia; here, younger readers can get a visual of But once Jack climbs up the beanstalk, Anne’s Avonlea. $10.99. he discovers the castles of giants, where they have electric guitars
The Witch Boy by Molly Ostertag ... and rock ‘n roll. The track Lonely Boy, sung by Paper Canoe co- In 13-year-old Aster’s family, the girls are all raised as founder Tami Stronach (who you witches while the boys are raised as shapeshifters. But may remember as The Childlike Aster is fascinated with the forbidden art of witchcraft SCHOLASTIC in this warm graphic novel that challenges gender roles. Empress from the ’80s classic movie Perfect for ages 8 and up. $12.99. The Neverending Story) reminded me very much of The Hollies 1966
Misfit City by Kirsten Kiwi Smith and Kurt Lustgarten hit Bus Stop. And both my kids especially liked the giant’s song Fee From the screenwriter of Legally Blonde comes this Fi Fo Fum. This album is so unique awesome, Goonies-inspired adventure tale set in a in today’s kid’s music landscape and Pacific Northwest coastal town where nothing ever happens … until our heroes find a mysterious treasure truly something special. On iTunes and — D.C. map. Best for ages 10 and up. $14.99. Amazon. SIMON AND SCHUSTER
10 March 2018 | pdxparent.com pdxparent.com | March 2018 11 Play Room
Ask Dr. Corey:
: I need to talk to someone about poop, or lack thereof. Q Specifically, my 4-month-old has not had a bowel movement in over a week. She’s exclusively breastfed. I’m kind of panicking — is there anything I can do to move things along, so to speak?
: Constipation is an incredibly common issue in children. Most Aof the time it is pretty easy to treat, often by just modifying diet, but if left untreated it can become a big problem. Before we go any further, it’s important to define constipation based not on how often a child has a bowel movement, but the firmness of the bowel movements they do have. It’s not that uncommon for breastfed infants to go up to a week or sometimes even a little more between bowel movements. As long as the stool is soft, however, it’s typically fine. If you sense that it’s been several days since the last bowel movement and you think your child is in discomfort, you can always try adding a few ounces of prune or pear juice daily for a few days to see if that gets things moving. In my opinion, it’s safe to try this method if the baby is at Good Deeds: least 4 months old, though some providers suggest waiting until 6 months to introduce sustenance beyond breast milk or formula. The other option for babies is to simply take a rectal temperature. Sometimes just the gentle Kinship stimulation of this will be enough to trigger a bowel movement. For babies, if it’s been a week or more since the last bowel movement, an appointment with a health care provider is usually a good idea to make sure House there’s not some reason for the infrequent stools. When it comes to constipation in older children, the common culprit is After years in and out of foster care, many a combination of picky eating and holding stool when they feel the urge to kids struggle with traumatic mental health go. The holding behavior can be due to fear of having a bowel movement or issues. Clinicians at Northeast Portland-based because the new Lego set or book is just too darn good to put down and they Kinship House help them navigate those can’t be bothered to use the bathroom when they need to. feelings, and learn how to process them, using For older children, changing the diet a bit can also work wonders. many tools, including art as a way to express I typically recommend adding a handful of dried prunes at breakfast in things for which kids can’t find the words. But addition to lots of water and some prune or pear juice. Fiber gummy vitamins helping about 350 kids a year means a lot are available over the counter and are a great option for added fiber in kids of art supplies are needed — you can help! who are old enough for these types of medicines to not present a choking Throw an art supply drive potluck for friends hazard. and neighbors, and ask everyone to bring new As with babies, for older kids who continue to have problems despite the art supplies for the Kinship kids — think blank recommendations above, an appointment with a health care provider is a great idea. It’s usually not advisable to start using suppositories or other over scrapbooks and journals, stickers, colored the counter constipation remedies without first consulting your child’s care pencils, scissors, and glue sticks. (Tip: Make a provider. spreadsheet beforehand and share it with the party guests so that everyone can see what’s already been bought. An Amazon wishlist would work, too.) You can drop off the supplies Dr. Corey Fish is the founder of Pacific Crest Children’s any time at Kinship House, and find out about Urgent Care. He and his team specialize in high-quality, compassionate medical care for infants, children and other volunteer opportunities while you are adolescents. He attended the University of Washington there, too, including cleanup days at their School of Medicine and did his pediatric residency at Dell
onsite play room and garden space. — J.S. Children’s Medical Center of Central Texas in Austin. GORDON HIRSCH
12 March 2018 | pdxparent.com pdxparent.com | March 2018 13 Parents of the Silicon Forest That app that you (or your kid) is addicted to may very well be created by a fellow parent right here in Portland.
STORY BY ELIZABETH ARMSTRONG MOORE. PHOTOS BY JAMIE CARLE.
14 March 2018 | pdxparent.com f you’ve got kids ages 8 and under, chances are that they are logging significant screen Itime — at least two hours a day, according to a nationwide survey by nonprofit Common Sense Media — playing games, watching shows, even learning languages. And someone’s got to be making all that kid- approved content. Portland, it turns out, is home to a growing cadre of people developing apps for kids and parents, and many of those innovators are moms and dads themselves, filling a niche they’d identified. We get the scoop from three developers finding their own way in this ever-expanding market.
Peekaboo, I See You
or Nat Sims, it all started over a game of peekaboo. F The Portland father had recently founded a company, Night and Day Studios, to develop interactive media for museums — a natural fit after having worked with his father on several science and history exhibits for the likes of the Smithsonian in Washington, DC. But there he found himself one day making little cow and sheep noises with his 1-year-old daughter, right after Apple’s now famous app store opened its virtual doors in July of 2008. The light bulb went on and just four weeks later Sims and his colleagues had built Peekaboo Barn, one of the first ever kid apps for the store. The game is simple: An animal emerges from barn doors, makes its appropriate noise, then retreats back behind the doors, much to the Silicon Forest squealing delight of the child. But at the time, few people had heard of apps, and even fewer knew how to make money developing them. Sims also admits that nobody was making, let alone buying, apps for tots. “Who is going to hand their $600 iPhone to a 1-year-old?” he asks. It was the Great Recession, his company ran out of money pretty much immediately, and he was forced to lay off almost his entire staff. By 2009, he found himself on the brink of collapse.
pdxparent.com | March 2018 15 But in the background, thanks in part to minimal competition, Peekaboo Barn began to sell — and just as quickly as he’d run out of money, he had a serious success story. Virtual Piggybank Pretty soon, Peekaboo Barn boasted a few sequels, including Peekaboo Forest and Peekaboo Fridge, and Sims watched as the app store went from a gold rush mentality to “serious business,” with plenty of competition ver wished you could pay your kids for household chores just by for apps geared toward young kids. Epulling out your phone instead of bills from your wallet? Hundreds Night and Day Studios has since developed of parents across the country are now doing just that through a debit- board books, plush toys, stationary, dozens of connected smartphone app developed by two fathers from Portland. apps, and a board game, and says a TV show Piggybank: Personal Finance lets parents and caregivers assign is on the horizon. Peekaboo Barn, which has chores, mark when those chores are completed, and pay for those been a top 25 kids’ app since 2009, has been chores through same-day online transfers. Oscar Godson, the software engineer who came up with the free app, downloaded more than 3 million times and moved to Portland to work for the online banking company Simple a played more than 100 million times. few years ago, and decided he wanted to update how parents conduct “The whole universe has changed around banking transactions with their kids. this like five times in the 10 years we’ve been After about a year in development, the app officially launched in doing this,” Sims says. But he’s managed to stay November of 2017. Jakob Knightly, the original investor who now competitive by developing a diverse range of oversees Piggybank out of his home base in Portland, has been having products, and credits Portland with being a some fun running the initial numbers. great place to raise his daughter while running Looking at the $7,000 worth of transactions during that first month a successful start-up. of November, he says his team ranked the “top five weirdest chores,” “This is one of the best software development some of which turn out to be a bit snarky in nature. For instance, towns in the world,” Sims says. “Even when I chores aren’t always assigned to kids. One adult earned $5 for making started Night and Day 11 years ago, everybody a sandwich, a teen earned $25 for photocopying 400 Thanksgiving here was talented. And people were the same invitations on orange paper, and someone else finished the family age with similar skills, flexible schedules, and quilt — for free. it was affordable to live here. It was this mecca “It’s definitely fun to watch,” Knightly says. for software businesses.” Since its launch, the app is strongest in New York, Atlanta, and the Bay Area, with more than 4,400 users and growing. Not surprisingly,
16 March 2018 | pdxparent.com Lost in Translation
essie Marquez knows firsthand what it’s like Jto be fluent in English, yet sometimes feel stumped by the language of academia. The daughter of a father from Cuba and a mother from Portland, she spent her first few years in Puerto Rico speaking both Spanish and English, and says her family always nurtured her love of languages. But even though she is fully bilingual, Marquez, whose background is in music and producing interactive media, says she, and probably many others, can find themselves in situations having to “deal with language that’s a little outside their wheelhouse.” For instance, when she hears words like “health insurance deductible,” even though she can define the words, “A little barrier comes up, almost an imperceptible tightening. I have to brace myself to deal with this language that I don’t always understand.”
kids from higher-income areas can sometimes be paid a lot for their chores, with one in New York earning $15 for simply taking out the trash, which turns out to be the most common chore. Washing dishes is another popular one, with kids in those markets typically earning $4 to $5. Piggybank isn’t the first app to jump into chore management. ChoreMonster and FamDoo are among a growing crop, and iAllowance uses bank transfers to make payments. But Knightly says that Piggybank is different, in that money is paid to a Piggybank account directly through the app. While it can be transferred from there to other bank accounts for spending, “The purpose of the app is working at saving money,” Knightly says. There’s a strong visual component, too, as kids can take pictures of their work and include that content when they check off a chore as completed. Parents, in turn, can upload their own pics to demonstrate how to do The mother of three who lives in Portland has something, or make a comment on how a chore was done. spent the past few years developing a bilingual “It’s basically your Instagram for chores,” says Knightly, who was drawn app called STEM Familia for Eugene-based to Godson’s idea because it rewards specific chores instead of automating company Influents Innovations. With funding allowance. And with so much banking now done online, it’s a chance for from the National Institutes of Health, the goal is kids to learn about not just money in general, but how to interact with to help native Spanish-speaking elementary-age money digitally. students and their families learn and practice using By having an online piggy bank, Knightly hopes that kids will learn the academic vocabulary — in both English and Spanish value of leaving their money alone and watching it grow. In the next two — that they might not use frequently at home, and quarters, he says, they’ll likely add interest accrual to the accounts. “It’s that will help them become successful in STEM special to have a few weeks or months go by and you suddenly see $30 or (science, tech, engineering, and math) fields. $40 in there,” he says. “Parents want to see their kids save money.”
pdxparent.com | March 2018 17 “This project is based on a real need that’s been well documented,” STEM Familia is scheduled to be piloted with 40 ELD (English Marquez says. “Academic vocabulary is really important, and English language development) families in Oregon by the end of the 2017/18 language learners are seriously disadvantaged in school because of school year. A randomized control trial would follow, and the app lack of familiarity with it. And it’s not systematically taught in school, could become available for download as early as 2020. so it’s really hard for students whose families aren’t using academic Marquez describes a “tension” she sees in many first-generation vocabulary to learn it.” immigrant families where kids going to school in the United States Marquez, who has worked on dozens of NIH-funded projects over “can very quickly lose contact with their native languages,” and the the past decade, secured funding for the app in September of 2017, parents can have a hard time helping with homework. “And it can be and is working on producing video components and motion graphics painful,” Marquez says. aimed at 4th and 5th graders and their families to teach vocabulary She thinks that, “In addition to having an impact on the very in context. Students will play games to learn and then practice concrete skill of learning academic vocabulary, (use of the app) could academic words, and receive individual feedback through emojis also potentially have some impact on the relationship between and messages. parents and children.”
Elizabeth Armstrong Moore is a freelance journalist and piano teacher in Portland. She has written for National Geographic, CNET, Wired and more. In her spare time, she loves to bike, hike and climb with her husband and their two young daughters.
18 March 2018 | pdxparent.com SCHOOL OPEN HOUSES
pdxparent.com | March 2018 19 SCHOOL OPEN HOUSES
20 March 2018 | pdxparent.com SCHOOL OPEN HOUSES
OPEN HOUSES The Carl Preschool - 920 NW 25th; 503-226-6131; thecarlschool.com All Saints School - 601 NE Cesar Chavez Blvd; 503-236-6205; Cedar Hills Kindergarten & Pre- allsaintsportland.com; school - 11695 SW Park Way; March 14, 6:30 - 8:00 PM 503-643-9010; cedarhillskp.org
The Carl Preschool - 920 NW 25th; Creative Children’s Center - 503-226-6131; thecarlschool.com; 2515 SW 185th, Beaverton; 503-591- March 19 and 20, 9:30-11AM 0604; creativechildrenscenter.com
Creative Children’s Center - Dove Christian Preschool - 2515 SW 185th, Beaverton; 503-591- 7555 SW 45th; 503-246-5459; 0604; creativechildrenscenter.com; dovepreschool.com March 1, 6:30 - 8PM Franciscan Montessori Earth Franciscan Montessori Earth School - 14750 SE Clinton; School - 14750 SE Clinton; 503-760-8220; fmes.org 503-760-8220; fmes.org; French American International March 13, 10-11:30 AM School - 8500 NW Johnson St.; Micha-el School - 13515A SE Rusk, 503-292-7776; faispdx.org Milwaukie; 503-882-3322; German International School of micha-elschool.org; March 10, 10-12 PM Portland - 3900 SW Murray, Beaver- ton; 503-626-9089; gspdx.org Milwaukie Academy of the Arts - 2301 SE Willard, Milwaukie; 503-353- The International School - 025 SW 5843; academyofthearts.org; Sherman; 503-226-2496 ext. 100; March 1, 4-8 PM intlschool.org
Northwest Chinese Academy - L’Etoile French Immersion School 8565 SW Beaverton-Hillsdale Hwy, - 5839 SW Hood; 503-715-1258; Beaverton; 503-546-3455; letoilefrenchschool.com nwchineseacademy.org; The Marylhurst School - 1232 Linn, March 10, 10-12 PM Oregon City; 503-650-0978; Opal Beginning School - themarylhurstschool.org 4015 SW Canyon; 503-471-9917; port- Northwest Chinese Academy - landcm.org/teaching-and-learning/ 8565 SW Beaverton-Hillsdale Hwy, opal-school/opal-beginning-school; Beaverton; 503-546-3455; March 3, 9-10:30 AM nwchineseacademy.org
Scuola Italiana di Portland - Oregon Hope Chinese School 1542 NW 14th; 971-270-0470; - 4010 NW Kaiser; 971-226-7240; scuola.us; March 10, 9-11 AM oregon-hope.org
Tucker Maxon School - 2860 SE Portland Montessori Collabora- Holgate Blvd; 503-235-6551; tucker- tive - 4817 SW 53rd; 503-972-7100; maxon.org; March 10, 12:30-3PM pdxmc.org Trackers Forest School - Scuola Italiana di Portland - 1542 4617 SE Milwaukie; 503-345-3312; NW 14th; 971-270-0470; scuola.us trackerspdx.com; April 4, 6-7 PM Small Friends School - Village Home Education Resource 7475 SW Oleson; 503-388-2266; Center - Three Campuses: smallfriendsschool.com Beaverton, NE Portland, and Salem, villagehome.org; March 12, 13 and 14, St. Agatha Catholic School - 6- 8 PM (Please see website for 7960 SE 15th; 503-234-5500; locations - each open house is at a stagathaschoolpdx.us different campus.) Sunshine Montessori Preschool and Childcare Center - TOURS 4845 SW Murray Blvd, Beaverton; 503-644-1466 The Altair School for Gifted Children - 15188 NW Central Drive; Tucker Maxon School - 2860 SE 503-610-8270; altairschool.org Holgate Blvd; 503-235-6551; tuckermaxon.org A Renaissance School of Arts and Sciences - 0234 SW Bancroft; 971- Village Home Education Resource 221-2311; renaissanceschoolportland. Center - Three Campuses: Beaver- org ton, NE Portland, and Salem
pdxparent.com | March 2018 21 This spring, performers young and old raise their voices in support of a more inclusiv Vive la Différence
OREGON CHILDREN’S THEATRE VOICES FOR CHANGE
n 2016, American football Iplayer Colin Kaepernick took a knee during the national anthem to protest racial injustice. That controversial action is credited with sparking a new nationwide conversation about racism, but using sports as a platform for provoking change? That’s not exactly a new concept. In fact, it’s a move straight out of the playbook of Muhammad Ali — The play, written by unapologetically political born Cassius Clay in the Jim Crow ➼ CHECK IT OUT: playwright Idris Goodwin, focuses on Ali’s formative South. Ali advocated vocally for change in an era And in This Corner: years and has a “driving, immediate, in-the-ring when many believed people of color should be seen Cassius Clay runs feel,” says co-director Stan Foote (who will direct the and not heard and a boxing ring was viewed as no March 3-25. For details, play alongside Jerry Foster). If its weighty subject place for politics. visit octc.org. matter provokes intense conversation among family Ali’s story is a timeless reminder that there’s room members on the car ride home, Foote says, then they’ll Also coming up: Get in sports and the arts for the political and even the have done justice to Ali’s memory: “I want people to a load of 75 magical downright radical, says La’ Tevin Alexander, the walk out and feel like they’ve experienced something, puppets at The Very 26-year-old actor, writer and artistic director behind as opposed to just observing something.” Hungry Caterpillar Show, Portland’s Confrontation Theatre, who will play Clay Contemporary Portland isn’t significantly more which runs March 31- in Oregon Children’s Theatre’s springtime show, And welcoming of communities of color than it was in May 13 (sensory-friendly in This Corner: Cassius Clay. the days of Clay, Foote and Alexander note. And as showings available). That’s as true for children’s theater as it is for the woke Portlanders push for some long overdue change, Then, May 5-27, grown-up kind, says Alexander: “Our job is to go out they’re well advised to look to the legacies of men celebrate the changing and stir the conversation, get questions in the brains like Ali and Malcom X, says Alexander: “They used seasons by checking of kids and parents, and then some of the onus is on their gifts, used their platform, then went back to the out OCT’s award-winning the parents and teachers to take those conversations grassroots community, to the poor and the destitute, musical, A Year with and themes and ideas to the next level.” and lifted them up and empowered them.” Frog and Toad.
22 March 2018 | pdxparent.com oices in support of a more inclusive Portland arts scene. BY ERIN J. BERNARD ence
PACIFIC YOUTH CHOIR LIVING OUT LOUD PACIFIC YOUTH CHOIR YOUTH PACIFIC
alk the halls of southeast Portland’s Marysville the house, but choir has pushed her far past her comfort W and Whitman elementary schools late on zone: At a recent Christmas performance, bolstered by a weekday afternoon, and you’ll hear a joyful noise the encouragement of fellow singers, she even stepped ringing out, thanks to a flourishing partnership between up to perform a solo verse before the entire school. Portland’s Pacific Youth Choir, the Schools Uniting “I started choir, and I figured out there are things in Neighborhoods (SUN) Program and Impact NW.
OWEN CAREY life that sometimes you don’t want to do or are afraid to The mission for these outreach choirs? To bring do, but if you have the right confidence, you can actually music to Portland neighborhoods typically underserved do them,” she says. by the arts — and to have a little fun along the way. Cooperation constitutes the beating heart of any As participants learn the fundamentals of choral choral education, says Jason Sabino, PYC Artistic performance, they also develop skills in practice, Assistant and Conductor at Whitman: “When you do persistence and teamwork, says Brandon Brack, PYC something like music, especially in a group setting, you Assistant Artistic Director and Conductor at Marysville: discover something you can achieve by being part of a “[This is] a space to make mistakes and to make them whole that’s greater than the sum of your parts … with loudly and make them boldly … to sing a beautiful note, music, you’re experiencing the human condition at its getting there takes singing some bad notes, sometimes finest, even if you’re a third- or fifth-grader.” even horribly out of tune. It’s a process.” PYC’s outreach choirs represent a cultural investment Whitman fourth grader Alissa Barber, now in her that will pay the city rich dividends for decades to come, second term of choir, says singing has boosted her says Brack: “We’re helping them grow into amazing self-confidence and helped her forge some unexpected citizens who will then turn around and help their friendships. Barber has always loved singing around community.”
➼ CHECK THEM OUT: The PYC family of choirs will join together to perform at Spring into Song on April 28. For details, visit pacificyouthchoir.org. Or catch older members of the PYC family performing with the Oregon Symphony this spring (see Also Playing This Spring on page 26).
pdxparent.com | March 2018 23 NORTHWEST What better spokesperson for challenging CHILDREN’S THEATER youth and imagination, the limits than a boy who simply AND SCHOOL says Director, Set refuses to grow up? Designer and Puppet Peter Pan’s belief in the impossible carries IMAGINATION IS Designer John him (and those he loves) to some fantastic LIMITLESS Ellingson. In the spirit places. It’s magical thinking at its finest, and the of inclusivity, he says, worldview it embodies has long resonated with NWCT will continue Ryder Thompson, a seventh grader at Fowler its tradition of offering Middle School in Tigard who will play Pan in the Northwest several sensory-friendly showings. Children’s Theater and School’s upcoming rendition of its “Theater is about creating a sensory overload experience: flagship production, Peter Pan. the lights should jar you, the sounds should jar you,” explains Thompson says he’s tapping into the Neverland mentality Ellingson, but for kids on the spectrum, the effect can be by drawing on his own hopes and fears about getting older: overwhelming, so the sensory-friendly show features “There have been times when I have worried about what am gentler sounds and noises and a shorter runtime with fewer I going to do when I’m not with my family, when I’m on my transitions. own. In every child, there’s some fear about what’s going to In whatever form they encounter it, the tale of Peter Pan happen when you’re done with school and you become an encourages audience members to cling tightly to a childlike adult.” sense of wonder, says Ellingson: “This story is telling you NWCT’s Peter Pan features many classic moments, from that this is a precious time. Youth is a time of empowerment. snapping crocodiles and hook-handed villains to children Adults need to be reminded of that, and kids need to be taking flight, but it also tackles deep, universal questions about allowed to fly.”
➼ CHECK IT OUT: Peter Pan runs April 21-May 20. For details, visit nwct.com.
24 March 2018 | pdxparent.com olaris Dance Theatre Co-Founder and Program drawn to rhythm. One might beat a drum, another might PDirector Sara Anderson counts dance among the tap a finger, and yet another might explore free physical purest of human expressions, no matter its shape or form. movement. In the process, students hone skills including “Dance is its own language, and it has its own healing problem-solving, spatial awareness, respect, memory and powers,” she says. “Our mission [at Polaris] has been, community-mindedness. through dance, to awaken the heart, and through that, to Dancers with disabilities are welcome in all Polaris enhance humanity. And that’s what we’ve done.” classes, says Sara, and the theater’s many year-round Polaris, which began as a professional Portland camps and classes bring together people of all ages and company and has since grown through grassroots funding abilities to interact and connect through a shared love of to include a school, welcomes a diversity of dancers of dance. every age and ability, offering both career-track pre- Those interactions are more meaningful because professional training and recreational dance programming. they’re at the very heart of the Polaris ethos, says The theater’s popular All Access classes teach Sara: “Inclusivity can’t be an initiative; it has to be a core participants to create stories with movement, no matter value that starts from the beginning. It’s systemic; not the physical or developmental challenges they face. Some reactionary. And that’s where we’ve always been … this is students are driven by color, says Sara, while others are dance for the betterment of humanity.”
➼ CHECK THEM OUT: Polaris Dance Theatre’s Annual POLARIS DANCE THEATRE XPOSED company performance, which this year exclusively features choreographers of color, runs April 20-28. For more information, COME AS YOU ARE visit: polarisdance.org. BRIAN MCDONNELL/BMAC PHOTOGRAPHY BRIAN MCDONNELL/BMAC
pdxparent.com | March 2018 25 OREGON BALLET ooking for a fun, out-of-the-box way to introduce your kids to THEATRE GOES Lthe world of classical ballet? Oregon Ballet Theatre’s forthcoming THROUGH T HE premiere of Septime Webre’s ALICE (in wonderland) might be just the ticket. LOOKING GLASS You’ve never seen ballet quite like this, promises Artistic Director Kevin Irving. This ambitious production features a large cast and a formidable roster of sights and stunts, including flying. “It’s bright, it’s colorful, it’s giddy, and it’s really challenging,” he says. “Lots of classical ballet is on display in the work, but that’s not the point of it; the point is to be entertaining and to provoke delight and whimsy.” Just how much whimsy? Picture more than 100 vibrantly attired dancers (half of them young performers) bringing to life a cast of celebrated characters including the Queen of Hearts, the Mad Hatter, the Jabberwock, and, of course, Alice herself. But there are deeper lessons afoot, and Irving hopes audiences will connect with Alice’s powerful THE WASHINGTON BALLET ALICE (IN WONDERLAND) BY MEDIA4ARTISTS | THEO KOSSENAS imagination as well as her openness to experiencing difference, in whatever shape or form it takes. ➼ CHECK IT OUT: ALICE (in wonderland) runs February 24-March 3 at the Keller “Alice encounters everyone on equal footing, and it’s her sense of wonder at the world around her that’s her defining trait,” he says. Auditorium. For more information, visit obt.org.
OREGON SYMPHONY: ALONG THE OREGON T RAIL ALSO PLAYING Young adventurers are invited to set off on a lively musical tour of the Wild THIS SPRING West and the great Northwest. (Features members of the Pacific Youth Choir.) March 4, 2 pm, Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall.
OREGON BALLET THEATRE: ANNUAL SCHOOL PERFORMANCE
Admire the art, technique and physical prowess of Portland’s most promising young ballet dancers at the theatre’s annual school performance. April 21-22, 1 pm, Newmark Theatre.
PORTLAND YOUTH PHILHARMONIC: PICTURES AT AN EXHIBITION Talented young performers take on Mussorgsky’s classic work. Also featuring a clarinet concerto and a performance by PYP’s soloist competition winner. May 6, 4 pm, Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall.
BRIAN CLARK
Erin J. Bernard is a freelance writer and editor living the dream in Northeast Portland, where she resides with her husband and their bossy 22-month- old daughter. She spends her (nonexistent) free time eating tamales, scoping out garage sales, and blogging about the creative life at ejbwritingstudio.com.
26 March 2018 | pdxparent.com EN ARENT P P IC X K D S P CELEBRATE THE CITY
PRESENTED 2018 BY
the votes are in and we’re getting ready to party. JoinJoin usus
JuneJune 1616thth at the historic Oaks Amusement Park to celebrate your favorites with us.
PARTNER SPONSOR
pdxparent.com | March 2018 27 ARENT P P IC X K D S P Lessons & Camps The votes are in! Over the next few issues, we’ll be publishing the r 2018
SWIM INSTRUCTION
Top 5
Children of the Sea Swim School DolFUN SWIM Academy Farber Swim School Multnomah Athletic Club SWIMBABES
Winner: Portland Parks and Recreation
Lessons offered at community centers and pools all over town. 503-823-7529. portlandoregon.gov/ parks.
From Angelfish to Park Shark, Portland Parks and Rec offers swim lessons for every stage of your ARENT PA P X IC little one’s life, at a very affordable price point. D K P Registrations fill fast, so our pro tip is to be ready WINNER at your computer or on your phone as soon as 2018 they open! PORTLAND PARKS AND RECREATION
ARENT DANCE CLASSES KIDS’ SPORTS CLASSES PA P X IC D K P WINNER Top 5 Top 5 2018 BodyVox Dance + Dance PDX SportsCenter with Joy Studios (tie) Portland Lil’ Kickers Northwest Dance Project Rose City Futsal Oregon Ballet Theatre Soccer Shots The Portland Ballet + Tualatin Hills Parks & Recreation District Westside Dance & Gymnastics Academy (tie) Winner: Portland Parks & Winner: Recreation Local community Lessons offered at community centers centers and parks all over town. 503-823-7529. NORTH CLACKAMAS PARKS AND RECREATION DISTRICT Locations all over the portlandoregon.gov/parks. metro area. Visit portlandoregon.gov/parks, thprd.org and ncprd.com For sheer breadth of programming — and ease for more info. of access — it’s hard to beat the city’s parks Here’s what’s great about starting your kiddos off with dance classes department. They’ve got everything from at your local community center: They offer pretty much anything, intro-to-sportsball classes for the youngest set from ballet to tap to hip-hop, all at a reasonable price. And when to competitive leagues in major sports for the your kids are ready to move on to something more serious, our Top 5 winners provide plenty of excellent choices. bigger kids.
28 March 2018 | pdxparent.com ’ll be publishing the results of our annual reader poll. This month: Lessons & Camps.
SUMMER/SCHOOL’S OUT CAMPS KIDS GYMNASTICS CLASSES Top 5 ARENT PA P X IC Top 5 D K P Friends of Tryon Creek Do Jump @ Echo Theatre WINNER OMSI 2018 Local community centers + Westside Dance & The Oregon Zoo Gymnastics Academy (tie) Portland Parks & Recreation OMEGA Gymnastics + The Circus Project + The Children’s Gym The Playground Gym (three-way tie)
Forge Parkour Winner: Trackers Earth Skyline Ninja Four metro-area locations. 503-345-3312. Trackerspdx.com. Winner: A repeat winner in this category, The Children’s Gym Trackers is a go-to for parents around 1625 NE Sandy Blvd., 503-249-5867, the metro area for good reason — childrensgym.com. their nature-and-skills-based camps Tumblebugs of all ages give the Children’s Gym are engaging, flexible and oh-so- high marks for its very professional staff and much fun. New this year: Drop-off in super-active classes. Pro tip: Keep an eye Happy Valley, making Trackers even out for their regular Parents’ Night Out events, more attractive for parents in the where your kids can get a workout and you can ’burbs, and they are constantly add- have dinner out. ing new camps for preschoolers, too. TRACKERS EARTH
ROCK CLIMBING GYM
Top 5
ClubSport Oregon
THE CIRCUIT BOULDERING GYM. Planet Granite Portland Rock Gym Source Climbing Center Stoneworks Climbing Gym
Winner: The Circuit Gym
6050 SW Macadam, 410 NE 17th or 16255 SW Upper Boones Ferry Rd., Tigard. thecircuitgym.com.
A longtime favorite for birthday parties and rainy day playdates, the Circuit Gym has a dedicated area just for kids with a slide to whoosh down ARENT PA P X IC D K once they’ve made their way up the P WINNER bouldering walls. The hand-holds are 2018 constantly changing, too, so it’s a dif- ferent experience each time you go.
pdxparent.com | March 2018 29 Field Trip field-trip m/ Getting schooled by the kids at laser tag. pdxparent.co Tag, You’re It STORY AND PHOTO BY JULIA SILVERMAN
For more ideas for fun outings, visit For more ideas for think I may have uncovered some kind of conspiracy among the An employee remains in the theater of play at all times, to make sure I7-year-olds of this world, some kind of secret handshake to which there is no funny business, and points are tallied so that at the end of we adults are not privy. the game, everyone gets a personalized scorecard. If you’ve got a kid How else to explain how they all, seemingly overnight, woke up who takes losing hard, know that the results will be in front of him or possessed by the need to play laser tag? her in impossible-to-ignore black and white. Birthday parties used to be all about magic shows or roller skates, We faced off, my daughter and me against my son and his buddy. back in those halcyon preschool days. And it’s true, those activities And I have to say, my competitive instinct kicked in immediately. Elly still crop up on the calendar. But honestly, as though someone flipped and I practiced flattening ourselves against walls, moving stealthily a switch, a solid 85 percent of the birthday parties to which my twins around corridors and executing surprise attacks against the boys have been invited this year involve laser tag. with glee. Five minutes into the 20 minute game, I was sweating and I have complicated feelings about this. We are a no-gun household, concluding laser tag is not at all a bad way to get couch potato kids and I wasn’t sure how to feel about the fact that both kids (the boy and moving, especially during rainy winter months. the girl are equally entranced, further proof of laser tag’s allure) were Did I win? No, no, I did not. In fact, I came in a lowly fourth. (But so attached to the idea of rushing about with laser “guns” attempting the kids had all those birthday parties at which to practice. That’s my to ambush each other. (Though given how much they fight, perhaps I excuse and I’m sticking to it.) But even without bringing home the W, should not have been surprised.) I figured at the very least, we should go I have to say that this was way more fun than I expected — there’s check it out together, and see what all the fuss is about. something cathartic about being able to legally battle with your kiddos, We ventured to Ultrazone, the laser tag emporium in Milwaukie, especially if they’ve been driving you particularly crazy all winter long. though similar venues are dotted around the Portland area. (See It didn’t hurt that they were totally into it as well, and that they never sidebar.) On a Friday afternoon, we had the place to ourselves, but on stopped moving the whole time. weekends, the place can get packed, so call ahead. It’s $9 per person, One drawback is the adjacent arcade — come equipped with quarters dropping down to $8 per person for three or more games. and resign yourself, or be prepared to hustle everyone out while you For laser-tag newbies, like me, the pre-game tutorial was essential. ignore their wails of protest. I opted for the latter, but would submit to The employees explained that we’d be outfitted in special vests that the former when we return, most likely for another birthday party (at would record when we’d been zapped by a member of the opposite least until they are old enough to level up to paintball). team. When you get “shot,” your weapon is deactivated for a few seconds, presumably to give them time to escape into the dark, IF YOU GO: Ultrazone is at 16074 SE McLaughlin Blvd. labyrinthine arena, 5,000 square feet of strobe lights, dark corners for in Milwaukie. Ultrazoneportland.com. lurking about, ramps for taking aim at unsuspecting opponents from Tuesday-Thursday, 4 pm-9 pm. Friday, 3 pm-midnight. above and hidden Easter eggs that, if you aim at them, unlock extra Saturday, 10 am-11 pm. Sunday, 11 am-8 pm. Expanded hours points. in summertime. Best for ages 5 and up.
Laser tag is gaining in SuperPlay 9300 SW Beaver- Lazer Warz 1417 NE 76th St. Julia Silverman is the popularity all around ton-Hillsdale Hwy., also has #2c, Vancouver, Wash., has editor of PDX Parent. Portland and the ’burbs. old-school bowling, so there’s inflatable barriers and offers She doesn’t even want Here are some other something for every genera- 90-minute sessions for about to think about what comes after paintball. places to try it out. tion here. Superplayor.com. $25. Lazerwarsor.com Blazing LASERS
30 March 2018 | pdxparent.com pdxparent.com | March 2018 31 Hands On
hands-on Little m/ Sprouts STORY AND PHOTOS BY EVE HANSEN pdxparent.co
laying with dirt ranks pretty high on the list of P fun things to do for many kids. This gardening project lets kids do just that, and learn several lessons to boot! Before you and your kiddos plant your seeds, take a trip to the produce section of your favorite grocery store, or visit a farmers’ market. Explain that we grow and eat several types of vegetables and fruits, and ask kids to pick their favorite. Want to go deeper? Tell kids about the different parts of the plants we eat. For example, carrots and radishes are roots, celery and asparagus are stems, lettuce is the leaf of a plant, broccoli and cauliflower are the flower For more kid-friendly projects visit: and tomatoes are the fruit of the plant — and we often eat them whole, which means we are eating seeds, too.
Materials Instructions
One 12 pack egg carton 1. Fill each cell of the egg carton with seedling soil.
Seedling soil 2. Sort 3 seeds of a single variety to 1 cup, repeat Four varieties of seeds: 3 sugar snap pea seeds, with remaining varieties. 3 pumpkin seeds, 3 cucumber seeds, 3 sweet corn 3. Plant one seed in each cell. (You are planting (or other vegetables or herbs of your choice) more than one cell of each vegetable to make Large plastic baggie with twist tie sure that at least one grows well.) Dark crayon 4. Use the crayon to label each cell and keep track of which seeds are which. 4 small cups 5. Gently water the seeds. Place the egg carton into the plastic baggie and close it with the twist tie.
More lessons about seeds 6. Put your mini-greenhouse on a sunny window sill and watch your seeds sprout. All seeds are programmed to grow just like kids. Ask your kids if they can list what 7. Once they have sprouted (about 1 to 2 weeks), seeds need to grow. remove the plastic bag and allow the seeds to
MOISTURE Talk about where seeds get continue to grow and root out. Check the seeds moisture (rain, the hose, etc.). for water and make sure they don’t dry out.
AIR Just like we need air to breathe, seeds 8. Once the roots are established, the new vegetable starts can be transplanted into need carbon dioxide and oxygen to grow, 4-inch pots. Between May 1-15, plant the vegetables outside in the garden. which they get from water.
WARMTH Warm air encourages the seeds Eve Hansen is the Event Manager at Al’s Garden & Home. She loves playing in the to germinate. dirt with her own little one and can’t wait to plant her edible garden every year. LIGHT Ask your kids where seeds get Al’s Garden & Home offers a new Kids’ Club class once a month at each of their warmth and light. The sun, a grow lamp? locations in Woodburn, Sherwood, Gresham and Wilsonville. Learn more at als-gardencenter.com/kidsclub.
32 March 2018 | pdxparent.com Baby Steps Take Care of Your Mother Simple actions can help your kids protect the planet — and continue the fight as adults. BY CATHERINE RYAN GREGORY
n a recent blustery day, my two kids, husband Here, then, are some ideas to get you and your budding environmentalists Oand I planted trees at the Sandy River Delta, active. a 1,000-acre park outside Troutdale, with the Lower VOLUNTEER Even toddlers can help plant trees, as Maxine did this spring, Columbia Estuary Partnership. When we got or clean up a local park. I particularly love that my girls get to participate in a home, the girls rushed inside to tell their visiting group in these opportunities, showing that giving back depends on the whole grandparents all about it. community. Look for organizations like Friends of Trees, which runs kid- “We planted 10 trees!” exclaimed Edie, 4. “Some of friendly volunteer plantings virtually every weekend. them were as tall as my neck!” My mother-in-law oohed and ahhed over Edie’s GET OUTSIDE — OFTEN The more time kids spend in nature, the more prolific tree-planting work, and then asked Maxine, likely they are to want to protect the environment when they grow up, 2, what was her highlight from the volunteer day. according to researchers from Cornell University. The connection may seem “Me ate two donuts!” Maxine cried out. like a no-brainer, yet it’s still crucial to make a concerted effort to push back The ecological against national trends benefit of planting (and sometimes children’s trees may not have preferences) of indoor play been immediately and constant screen time. obvious to our GET YOUR SCIENCE pastry-loving ON Conservationists are toddler, but it’s ever keen observers, and you more crucial to raise can help your kids hone children to care that skill by becoming about, and protect, citizen scientists. Check the environment. out the projects at We live in a time SciStarter.com: Your when polar bears family can contribute to are running out of actual research projects ice, plastic garbage by recording bird songs, patches form in uploading photos of the the ocean and creepy crawlies that live atmospheric carbon in your vegetable patch or dioxide levels stargazing to measure light continue to climb. CATHERINE RYAN GREGORY pollution. My anxieties about the future of the planet have quieted a bit since LEAVE IT BETTER THAN YOU LEFT IT My family has a rule whenever I became a mother — more a result of competing we go to a playground or park: We each pick up a piece of trash before we worries (Are the girls getting enough iron? Will leave. I keep an eye on the kids to ensure they don’t grab anything dangerous this cold turn into croup? Are other parents judging or disgusting, but such a simple and easy habit can instill a conservationist’s me because Maxine isn’t potty trained yet?) than a mindset. reduced risk to the environment and our future. Yet TAKE AN ANIMAL’S SIDE My kids’ beloved pastime of pretending to be it’s my responsibility, and my family’s, to do our part babies is only slightly less annoying than their game of acting like monkeys, but in safeguarding our children’s inheritance: The earth. it turns out swinging from pretend trees might make them more empathetic to I have to remind myself, though, that being green non-humans. People who were asked to think of the world from an animal’s isn’t an either/or proposition; it’s a continuum, and point of view felt more concerned about the environment than those who there’s always an opportunity to improve. That’s were told to be objective, according to research conducted at the University of what I want to show my children as I try to raise California, San Marcos. I practice this idea when we go outside by asking what them to be conservationists: Even if they don’t do animals might think of the trees we planted or what a fish might do with a everything “right,” they can still be a positive force in piece of trash floating in the river. the world.
Catherine Ryan Gregory is a writer who blogs about raising her two girls at TenThousandHourMama.com.
pdxparent.com | March 2018 33 Family Supper
Local Gem Heavy on the family friendliness and locally sourced food, etc… eatery is a welcome addition to the John’s Landing neighborhood. STORY AND PHOTO BY DENISE CASTAÑON
emember that time before Ryou had kids when going out NEIGHBORHOOD to eat was fun? You’d talk with FAVES your partner, enjoy a relaxing adult We love the fresh twists on classic beverage and actually get to finish your meal without breaking up a pub fare at Tabor Tavern. Case in fight or taking a small human to the point: The kids fish ‘n chips meal potty? Well the closest you may get comes with a side of minted peas. to that restaurant ideal while your 5325 E Burnside. Tabortavern.com. children are still preschool age may be the fast casual etc… eatery in Old Portland in the best sense, Southwest Portland. Sckavone’s in Southeast dishes up My family arrived early on a hearty comfort food for the whole Saturday evening and checked out family. Bonus: Complimentary the menu of Pacific Northwest- fresh warm scones at brunch. inspired fare. The organization 4100 SE Division. Sckavones.com. of the menu is a little strange, separated by states (Oregon, Washington and Idaho) instead of Station Public House offers appetizers, salads and entrees. But a well-rounded kids’ menu (kid- we figured it out easily enough and sized chicken nachos and pork ordered at the counter. tacos, yum!), with many choices We had plenty of seating options accompanied by a fruit cup. and found a table that allowed us 2703 NE Alberta. Stationpdx.com. to keep an eye on the kids as they headed over to the sizable and well-stocked play area. (My husband really liked the old local maps that decorated the table tops; ours the kids back from the play area. In a fit of health-consciousness, we depicted the Gifford Pinchot National Forest.) The play area, dubbed tried to balance everything by splitting a beet and arugula salad ($9), The Finntastic Forest, boasted a bounty of kids’ books tucked which was tasty, but not superlative. My daughter ordered the kids’ into cubbies, building blocks, a play kitchen and a creation station dog ($5), which came sans toppings. She promptly ate most of it so she could go back to the play area. My 3-year-old’s chicken nuggets For more stocked by Art ala Carte mobile. My 3-year-old son and 5-year- kid-friendly old daughter spent most of their time stamping, cutting and ($5) were clearly made in house and very good — even if he was in a restaurant stickering with the art supplies. This meant my husband and I picky mood and only had a few bites. I do wish that the kids’ meals reviews visit: could sit and drink our beers ($6) by ourselves while waiting for offered a choice of fruit or vegetable side instead of only the option pdxparent.com/ of potato chips. And I wish that either of my kids had wanted to try family-supper our food to arrive. Ahhh. I tried the Brussels sprouts poutine baked potato with the intriguing kids’ menu offering called a “pizzadilla” — a fusion of peppered bacon from the Idaho section ($13), and found it cheesy two of their favorite meals. and satisfying. Even my son liked the crispy Brussels sprouts I After eating, both kids headed back to the play area to finish off shared from my plate. My husband went for the etc… eatery dog, their creations. And my husband and I got to relax … again. loaded with bacon, onion, barbecue sauce and candied jalapeños 6500 SW Virginia Ave. Monday-Friday: 11 am-9 pm, Saturday: 11 am- ($9). I think he was almost done with it by the time I had wrangled 10 pm, Sunday Brunch: 10 am-3 pm. Etceaterypdx.com.
Cooking and baking since she was a kid, managing editor Denise Castañon loves all things food related. She lives in Southeast Portland with her husband and their 5-year-old daughter and 3-year-old son, who are budding food critics and eager kitchen helpers/mess makers.
34 March 2018 | pdxparent.com Recipe File
he daphne in my yard are starting to die off. I love the Hip, Hip tlemon-scented, January-blooming flowers, but once they have faded, I know that spring is almost here. Have you gone out to check your long-neglected garden bed for signs of life? I wouldn’t be surprised if you find some brave kale, chard or spinach holding steady through the dark and rainy Oregon Veggie Dip winter. If your garden is barren, take advantage of the breaks in the spring rain to visit the farmers market or any market for This versatile veggie-packed some greens to make this easy-to-make, veggie-packed dip. (You can use just about any leafy green in this recipe.) Have your kids dip is good for an after-school help you wash and tear the greens or shred the carrot. Scoop snack or the dinner table. this up with veggie sticks or potato chips. It is also delicious tossed with hot pasta. BY JOANNA SOOPER TREVOR PARKER
GREEN DIP Ingredients Directions
1 tablespoon olive oil 1. Heat a large nonstick pan over medium heat. Add ½ cup shredded carrot (from about 1 medium carrot) olive oil. When it shimmers, add the onion, carrots ½ cup yellow onion, small dice and garlic, and cook until soft. Add shredded 2 medium garlic cloves, finely chopped greens and cook 3-5 minutes or until the greens are 2-4 cups finely chopped (or torn) spinach, kale or chard (remove the tough stems) bright green and slightly softened. 1 cup sour cream 2. Move greens mixture to a mixing bowl. Stir in ½ cup mayonnaise sour cream and mayo. 1 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more as needed ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, plus more as needed 3. Taste and adjust flavor with salt and pepper.
Looking for more kid-friendly recipes? Visit pdxparent.com/recipe-file
Joanna Sooper is a Portland native, mom to a great little boy, and owner of Turnip the Heat Cooking School. Learn more at turniptheheatcooking.com.
pdxparent.com | March 2018 35 Time Out
go. play. explore. March | 2018 PORTLAND KIDS’ FILM FESTIVAL pass the popcorn The third annual Portland Kids’ Film Festival is bigger and better than ever. This year screenings will be held at both the Hollywood Theatre and Clinton Street Theater. In addition to the live-action and animated short films (broken up into Flix 1 for ages 3 to 7 and Flix 2 for ages 8 and older), LAIKA animators will be on hand to demo how they create their films. Bonus: Ticket prices have been lowered to $4 per screening. Friday, March 2 to Sunday, March 4. Visit pdxkidsfilmfest.com for more info. purim one out No Jewish holiday brings the party tiger time quite like Purim, when friends and family gather to celebrate the narrow If you’ve got a little Daniel Tiger fan in escape from the nefarious plots your household, don’t miss this one- of the ancient King Haman. There night-only show. It’s Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood Live: King for a Day, are costumes and parades, music in which our hero learns all about the and dancing, and of course (always) privileges and pitfalls of being royalty, food. Celebrate on Thursday,
plus tried-and-true lessons like the EMPORIUM PRESENTS March 1 with Chabad Clark County’s importance of being a good friend. It’s Royal Purim Banquet, featuring an evening show, and if your little one wants to attend in his/her jammies, that’s okay — the a masquerade, live music and an show’s producers are asking audience members to bring sets of new children’s pajamas to “elaborate” feast. The fun starts at the event, to be given to kids in need via the nonprofit Pajama Program. Monday, March 5, 5:15 pm; $15 per adult and $12 per kid, 6:30 pm at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall. More info, including ticket prices, which range ages 12 and under. Find out more at from $20-$75, at portland5.org. jewishvancouverwa.com.
lego lovers unite For as immersive a Lego experience as you can get without heading to Legoland, buy tickets for Bricks Cascade at the Oregon Convention Center. You’ll find incredibly elaborate Lego structures, including detailed replicas of Oregon landmarks, plus a massive Duplo play area with tons of loose bricks, demos of cool new Lego products and vendors hawking Lego sets of every size and stripe. Saturday, March 24 and Sunday, March 25. Doors open at 10 am. For tickets, head to brickscascade.com. FORDEN
36 March 2018 | pdxparent.com the robots are coming luck of the irish Got a kiddo who thinks Alexa and Siri are hilarious? Bring ’em to OMSI’s Kells Irish Pub throws a legendary weekend-long latest eye-opening exhibit, Robot Revolution, for an up-close, interactive St. Patrick’s Day party, but you may not realize that look at how robots could someday be both companions and colleagues. Sunday is their family day. They’ll host fun activities On display will be a collection of cutting-edge robots lent by robotics for the kids, from face painting to petting giant Irish companies and wolfhounds to Celtic art activities. universities from You can also catch Irish dancing around the world. and bagpipe performances. Robot Revolution Sunday, March 18, 12pm-5pm. opens on 112 SW 2nd Ave. Free entry. Saturday, March 17 and will be on view through Hillsboro’s Murphy’s St. early September. Patrick’s Day Parade Visit omsi.edu for has been a community tickets and hours. tradition for decades. Expect school floats, rodeo queens, J.B. SPECTOR FROM THE MUSEUM OF SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY, CHICAGO marching bands and just groups of neighbors walking together and having a blast. strings attached Oh, and lotsa green. Saturday, March 17. 11 am. Starts at Hare Field, 1151 NE Grant The Portland Youth Philharmonic’s yearly Cushion Concert is a star St., Hillsboro. Get more info at: murphysfurniture.net/ event in a town rich in cultural opportunities for kids. Conductor Inés Events. Free. Voglar Belgique and her string ensemble of young performers play classical pieces, but are known to mix in fun, playful songs, such as the lively Plink Plank Plunk and Happy by Pharell Williams, during the 45-minute concert. Aimed at kids ages 2 to 8, audience members are encouraged to bring blankets or cushions from home to sit on during the show. Pro tip: Starting 30 minutes before the concert, the “instrument petting zoo” gives your child a chance to test out violins, cellos and other string instruments. And you’ll want to arrive at least that early since the parking situation at the Oregon Zoo can be challenging. Sunday, March 18. Shows at 12:30 pm and 2:30 pm. Cascade Ballroom at the Oregon Zoo. Adults $12, seniors, $8, kids $5. Find tickets and more info at portlandyouthphil.org.
DISNEY kid flicks Props to the curators at the NW Film Center, who have started a series of classic flicks aimed at kids and their grown-ups. Our picks for this month include Mary Poppins on Saturday, March 17 at 2 pm, because there is never a bad time for chimney sweeps, animated dancing penguins and a spoonful of sugar, and When Marnie Was There, the final film from Japan’s revered Studio Ghibli, which tells the story of two friends who meet across generations, on Saturday, March 24 at 2 pm. All films at Whitsell Auditorium; visit nwfilm.org/film-series/kid-flicks/ BRIAN CLARK for more info, including to buy tickets.
pdxparent.com | March 2018 37 Time Out
the spirit of easter You’ve read the horror stories of Easter egg hunts gone awry on your favorite local parenting Facebook group: Tales of kids leaving in tears with no eggs, babies pushed over by grown men, eggs snatched out of the hands of toddlers by … moms. We’ve searched for events that parents say are kinder and gentler and listed them here. But no matter where you go — please don’t be those parents who trample kids to get free candy for their own children.
You might just want to go to hopecitypdx.com and register for the Code Orange Egg Drop before you read any more. This egg hunt makes things fair for kids ages 1 to 11 by dividing the hunts into four age groups and only allowing parents in with the littlest kids. Also the eggs on the field are empty and can be exchanged for candy after the hunt. Oh, and did we mention all the eggs will be dropped from a helicopter? /pdx_parent/ Pretty cool. Saturday, March 24. 10 am-noon. Brentwood Park. Registration opens $
February 26 and fills quickly! Free. | CODE ORANGE
Looking for a low-sensory egg hunt? The Vancouver Moms Autism Support Group is holding a hunt for kids who might otherwise be overwhelmed at a large, loud event at the The Arc of Southwest Washington. Saturday, March 31. 11 am. 6511 NE 18th St., /pdx_parent/
Vancouver. %
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The Rolling Hills Community Church’s Easter Egg Hunt keeps the meaning of Easter at the heart of their event while giving kids plenty of chances to find 15,000 eggs. To ensure everyone has a good time, they stagger the hunts for kids of different ages and ask that parents don’t enter the field with kids older than 3. (For kids with special needs who may have a harder time getting eggs, they offer a special bag of goodies.) After the hunt they @pdx_parent have a church service specifically for young families that includes singing and dancing. (
There’s also a raffle for extra prizes! Saturday March 31. 10 am. 3550 SW Borland Rd., | Tualatin. Free.
Lee Farms keeps things fair and safe, starting with requiring pre- registration for specific times. Then, the eggs placed in the field are empty and once each child has collected 12, they can go swap the eggs for 12 prizes (which parents can help pick out so kids can avoid any /pdxparentonline food allergies). Some eggs have a golden ticket, for an extra prize. But !
everyone is guaranteed 12 — and gets a sugar cookie to decorate to boot. They’ve also got free photo ops with the Easter bunny and plenty of arts and crafts for the kiddos. New this year: Two dates, Saturdays March 24 and March 31. Sign up at leefarmsoregon.ticketleap.com. LEE FARMS $6 per child.
Want your kids to go on a hunt, but can’t stand the thought of more candy? (Seriously we still have
Get social with us! Halloween candy that’s hidden away!) The Rice Northwest Museum of Rocks and Minerals is throwing a thunder egg party with tons of fun kid activities, including an egg hunt in which everyone who finds four different colored eggs gets to cash them in for their very own thunder egg. (Adults can hunt, too!) Bonus: The hunt lasts all day, so kids can search at their own pace all through the day. Saturday March 31. More info at ricenorthwestmuseum.org. $5.
38 March 2018 | pdxparent.com Listen up! The PDX Parent podcast is now on the iTunes, SoundCloud and Stichr. podcast Tune in for a fresh scoop on parenting in PDX, hosted by our editors.
pdxparent.com | March 2018 39 40 March 2018 | pdxparent.com summer camps guide 2018
TRACKERS EARTH
pdxparent.com | March 2018 41 Smash the patriarchy? Do your k Great. With power tools or without power tools?
With Negative on the power tools, power tools duh need Try Mercy Corps’ ca For girls or co-ed? social justice camp for older kids. Just girls: this summ Girls Build because girls can and Boys and girls: should know The woodshop how to weld, at Catlin Gabel is Get out from under drill and saw builder nirvana. like a boss. your thumb? New this year: Explorers’ camp YES For just For a for grades 3-5, For three three days? whole week? with plenty weeks? of time for Okay. Try Camp Namanu, Level up to tinker-makers. Head to Canoe the starter level Camp Island French sleepaway camp Westwind, Camp, in the lush Do they for generations on the San Juan Islands. of PDX kids. Oregon Coast. want to ...
Prepare for the apocalyp Be a horse whisperer? Yes, please. I plan Yes, please. to hide behind Robots will Actually Or just communing with animals? my kids when the become our riding a horse? Big One hits. overlords any day now. The zoo kind Our fine Yes, please. Send them to River Ranch, to Farm of animals? feathered We’re looking Trackers Earth, Learn coding at saddle up and animals? friends? into getting Coding with ride out. Um, the Oregon where they learn dual Kids or the Old Zoo of course. Put birds to forage for food, citizenship. Oregon McDonald’s For close-up on them, shoot an arrow Episcopal School. Farm Camp or encounters literally, at and start a fire by Zenger Farm, of the exotic the rubbing their for egg-gath- animal kind. Audubon hands together. ering, sheep Society brushing, camp at and other Forest Park. In Germany? In France? In Asia? Little House-esque You want the Try the Yu Miao skills. German French Chinese International American Preschool School. International School.
42 March 2018 | pdxparent.com r kids Unleash their inner artiste? With a In the studio? On the stage? soundtrack? How much Preferably, stuff do The spotlight’s on at the summer The Broadway nothing. you want to camps at Northwest Children’s Rose Theatre come home Send them Theater or Oregon Children’s Company at the end of camp Theatre. to School of is staging the week? Rock, and at Beauty and the end of the the Beast A boatload. week, you get Or on film? and Aladdin to be their ummer? in summer The summer Let ’em make groupie when 2018. Journey camps at the their own at the they perform Theater Arts Pacific Northwest NW Film Center. with their new has Seussical College of Art Or try a short bandmates. the Musical. yield enough NO starring Legos Your souvenir cool projects to What are you at OMSI’s dig- is the video decorate your ital animation you take with doing here? kiddo’s entire classes. your phone. S Go read room. No something more Target runs! else. Hit their steps goal and then some?
Inside? Outside? want to ... With visions of With visions of At the On the field? sugarplums? shredding? country club? Send them to Serious dancers will Get thee to the The pros at Baxter Sports for pse? love Oregon Ballet Lumberyard for a Glendoveer Golf soccer, soccer Theatre’s summer literal crash course and Tennis will and more soccer. offerings; or perfect in mountain biking. school your kids in What that back handspring the finer points of apocalypse? at Oregon golf and tennis. Everything’s fine. Gymnastics Academy. La la la, I can’t hear you!
Why must all this be so complicated? I just want ...
To not spend every To not drive a million miles from my house to get the kids to camp. penny I’ve saved for Where do you live? retirement. Beaverton Southwest Clackamas Northwest East of the The Portland Parks and Portland County Portland Willamette Recreation Department VillaSport River has a whole host Athletic Club. Portland The North The Portland of affordable options. Jewish Academy Clackamas Children’s Steve and So does the YMCA and the Parks and Museum. Kate’s Camp. and Vermont Hills Mittleman Jewish Recreation Family Life Center. Community District. Center.
Want to find out more?➜
pdxparent.com | March 2018 43
Girlsbuild.org Catlin.edu mercycorps.org/action- center/artivism
Riverranchhorses.com Oldmcdonaldsfarm.org ZengerFarm.org Oregonzoo.org AudubonPortland.org
CampNamanu.org CAMP NAMANU Westwind.org Find out Canoeisland.org more portlandoregon.gov/parks ymcacw.org/ Trackerspdx.com summer-day-camp Obt.org Codingwithkids.com Villasport.com Ogagym.org Oes.edu Pjaproud.org Lumberyardmtb.com gspdx.com Oregonjcc.org Baxtersports.com Faispdx.org Ncprd.com playglendoveer.com ahscpdx.org/yumiao.html Steveandkatescamp.com portlandcm.org vhflc.org
PORTLAND PARKS AND RECREATION
TRACKERS PORTLAND CHILDREN’S MUSEUM
Nwcts.org Octc.org Broadwayrose.org Journeytheater.org Nwfilm.org Omsi.edu Pnca.edu Schoolofrock.com
DAVID KINDER
44 March 2018 | pdxparent.com summer camps guide 2018
ACADEMICS/ [email protected] 934 SW Salmon, Reg. Deadline: Register by the Wednesday LEARNING SKILLS/ saturdayacademy.org Portland, OR 97205 • 503-221-1156 before each week of camp. Please see ad on page 53 [email protected] 4015 SW Canyon Rd, TUTORING nwfilm.org Portland, OR 97221 • 503-223-6500
Please see ad on page 70 [email protected] Catlin Gabel School portlandcm.org Summer Camps ARTS & CRAFTS Please see ad on page 53 Catlin Gabel Summer Camps offer a VISUAL ARTS Open Signal, Portland wide variety of integrated day camps FILMMAKING Community Media Center and programs in arts, music, technol- Open Signal Youth Saturday Academy ogy, robotics, writing, sports, outdoor Filmmaking Camps Children’s Healing Art Project We offer classes and camps in science, adventures, and more! All camps are Open Signal offers seven summer camp CHAP Summer Workshops technology, engineering, math and the taught by accomplished and dedicated sessions for youth ages 8 to 18. You’ll Announcing the 4th year of Inclusive Sum- arts. From Curiosity Challenge to Club teachers on our beautiful 67-acre campus learn professional filmmaking skills like mer Art Workshops at CHAP! Experience Med: Medical Careers to Game Develop- in Southwest Portland. Sessions are open animation, HD camera operation, story- artistic freedom + learn from a variety of ment to Veterinary Medicine to Sports to all children in the Portland metro area, boarding, audio production and editing, skilled Guest Artists, all while having the Science to Animation Academy, we have from preschool through 12th grade. using high-quality software and equip- continuity of support from CHAP staff and a camp for you. Follow your curiosity! volunteers. Experience the healing power of ment. No prior experience is necessary, Dates: Jun 25-Aug 10 Financial aid is available. 8825 SW Barnes Rd, art. Session themes: Sculptural Arts, Fiber and final projects will air on TV! Ages: Students entering grades 2-12 Portland, OR 97225 • 503-297-1894 Arts, Visual Arts. Ages: 8-18 Cost: Varies. Financial aid is available. [email protected] Cost: $150 for 1 session / $250 for 2 sessions/ Cost: $365 before 3/30, $390 after. Dates: Various dates, weekly Jun 18-Aug 20 catlin.edu attendees Dates: Weekly, Jun 18-Aug 20 Classes and camps are located through- Dates: Jul 9-Jul 12, Jul 23-Jul 26, Jul 30-Aug 2 Reg. Deadline: Early Savings Deadline: 3/30 out the Portland Metro area • Please see ad on page 75 8065 SE Grand Ave Ste 160, 2766 NE MLK Jr Blvd, 503-200-5858 Portland, OR 97202 • 503-243-5294 Portland, OR 97212 • 503-288-1515 [email protected] [email protected] Oak Hill School [email protected] saturdayacademy.org chappdx.org/workshops opensignalpdx.org Summer Enrichment Program Please see ad on page 53 Spend two weeks living on campus at Please see ad on page 47 the University of Oregon enjoying an ex- Little Loft Studios ceptional college experience that weaves SCRAP Offering week long art camps. We’ll ex- challenging academic enrichment with Pacific Northwest Camp SCRAP plore the art of self portraits, collage and fun events and new friends. Bring your College of Art Camp SCRAP is an art camp centered on collections, ocean adventures, African Community Education unique talents and interests along with themes of creative reuse. This camp is for American artists, fiber arts and dollhouse Youth Program your love of learning to a place where children who LOVE inventing, making, and design. We offer two project blocks PNCA’s youth classes in Art + Design give intelligence and creativity are celebrated. bringing their creative ideas to life! Each each day and plenty of time for open art young artists, ages 4-18, the chance to day there will be a fun mix of staff-led Ages: Completing 6th-11th grades exploration. explore their skills in studios equipped Cost: $1,800 plus a $50 non-refundable projects and time for free building. Ages: Best for ages five to ten. for college students. PNCA is in the heart application fee Ages: Entering 1st through 6th grade. Cost: $265 of the Portland’s art scene and minutes Dates: Jul 15-Jul 28 Cost: $285 Dates: Jun 18-Aug 10 Reg. Deadline: 6/30 for priority consideration away from galleries, museums, and every- Dates: 6/11-6/15, 6/25-6/29, 7/9-7/13, 7/16-7/20, Reg. Deadline: May 30th 5259 University of Oregon, thing else that makes our region exciting. 7-30-8/3 Eugene, OR 97403 • 541-744-0954 1520 SE Bybee Blvd, Reg. Deadline: June 4th Ages: Ages 4-18 Portland, OR 97202 • (971) 303-8698 [email protected] Cost: $180 and up 1736 SW Alder St, oakhillschool.com [email protected] Dates: Jun 18-Aug 11 Portland, OR 97205 • 971-294-0764 littleloftstudios.com Reg. Deadline: Jun 11 [email protected] Please see ad on page 58 Please see ad on page 48 511 NW Broadway, scrappdx.org Portland, OR 97209 • 503-821-8967 Saturday Academy [email protected] Northwest Film Center pnca.edu Smartypants We offer classes and camps in science, Film Camps for Kids + Teens Please see ad on page 55 Mixed Media! Comics! Kinetic Art! Art in technology, engineering, math and the Join the Northwest Film Center for one Nature! Join us as we collaborate with arts. From Curiosity Challenge to Club of our week-long summer film camps! Get friends, learn new art techniques, explore Med: Medical Careers to Game Develop- hands-on with Digital Movie Making, Com- Portland Children’s Museum a variety of mediums, and make beautiful ment to Veterinary Medicine to Sports puter Animation, Stop-Motion Animation Museum Summer Camps art! Full day and half day options. Science to Animation Academy, we have and more. Go behind-the-scenes on the a camp for you. Follow your curiosity! Museum Summer Camps are available for Ages: 5-10 year old artists moviemaking experience. We bring the Financial aid is available. children age 4-9 years. Each week has a Cost: $200/half day, $300/full day. Member equipment, you bring the ideas. Every specific focus to guide the use of art ma- discounts Ages: Entering grades 2-12 camp finishes up with a final project terials combined with science and nature Dates: Multiple weeks this Summer Cost: Varies. Financial aid is available. screening for family and friends. 5512 N Montana Ave, Dates: Various dates, weekly Jun 18-Aug 20 explorations. All camps include time in the Portland, OR 97217 • 503-477-8884 Classes and camps are located through- Ages: 8-18 years old indoor and outdoor Museum exhibits. Cost: $295-$365/week. Financial assistance [email protected] out the Portland Metro area • Ages: Open for ages 4-6 & 7-9 available. smartypantspdx.com 503-200-5858 Cost: $285, 15% discount for members Dates: Jun 18-Aug 17 Dates: Weekly, Jun 25-Aug 24 Please see ad on page 62 Reg. Deadline: Until filled
46 March 2018 | pdxparent.com pdxparent.com | March 2018 47 Trackers Earth Portland 5633 SE Division St, Trackers Earth Camps Portland, OR 97206 • 503-560-3592 Trackers Earth offers award-winning [email protected] vibestudio.org camps in traditional arts and crafts. Under the guidance of expert educators and Please see ad on page 69 artisans, students learn new skills and gain firsthand experience. Programs include ceramics, blacksmithing, felting, Willowbrook Arts Camp bow making, woodworking, photography, Integrated arts in a beautiful setting! Chil- filmmaking, and more. Options for youth dren explore theater, music, dance, world and teens for day or overnight camps. arts and crafts, nature, creative writing. Ages: Grade K – 12 / Ages 4 – 17 ceramics, basketry, weaving, photography, Cost: Starting at $367 filmmaking and more. Beginners and Dates: Jun 11-Aug 31 advanced students may sample freely or Reg. Deadline: Camps fill fast. Register early. hone favorite skills. Theater productions 4617 SE Milwaukie Ave, are open to all ages. See web site or call Portland, OR 97202 • 503-345-3312 for details. 2334 NE 57th Ave Portland, OR 97213 Ages: 3-18 Cost: $260/wk $58/day, $29/half day [email protected] Dates: Jun 25-Aug 3; M-F 9:00-3:15; flexible trackerspdx.com/arts-and-crafts-camps scheduling options
Please see ad on the back cover Reg. Deadline: Please see website Browns Ferry Park, Tualatin, OR 97062 • 503-691-6132 Tucker Maxon School [email protected] willowbrookartscamp.org Your children will experience art, music, movement, and culture from all around Please see ad on page 55 the world. Our professional artists help children explore their natural creativity at our beautiful SE Portland campus, which DAY CAMPS features an organic garden, tree house, chickens, goats, a full-sized gym and rock-climbing wall, and plenty of summer Adventure Camp time fun-in-the-sun! Adventure Camp provides 11 weeks of Ages: Preschool - 5th Grade all-day camp for elementary kids in Bea- Cost: $209 for campers entering Pre- verton, OR. Come join us on our 27 acre school/$249 for campers entering K-5 with campus for nature hikes, water slides, art early bird pricing until April 15 / ceramics, field trips, cooking projects, Dates: Jun 25-Aug 17 and various STEM activities - all led by our Reg. Deadline: Registration open until weeks are filled friendly and well-trained staff team. 2860 SE Holgate Blvd, Ages: Kindergarten - 5th Grade Portland, OR 97202 • 503-235-6551 Cost: $195/week Dates: Jun 20-Aug 31, M-F [email protected] Reg. Deadline: Registration is due the tuckermaxon.org Wednesday before each week of camp. Please see ad on page 53 14605 SW Weir Rd, Beaverton, OR 97007 • 503-524-7000 [email protected] Vibe of Portland swkidsadventure.org
Preschool and Elementary school-aged Please see ad on page 60 summer camps aimed at empowering youth through Art & Music. Elementary students explore Photography, Art Adventure WILD! and Nature, POP Art, African Rhythms, Adventure WILD Summer Day Camp and Global Folk Art. Preschoolers are At Adventure WILD!, we believe that immersed in themes of Rain Forests, authentic learning takes place when chil- Mythical Creatures, and Robots. Join dren are able to investigate and interact Vibe in inspiring the next generation of with the world around them. Nature is our creative leaders! playground and children are encouraged Ages: 3-18 to wonder, inquire, learn and discover Cost: $175-350 their surroundings. Through thematic Dates: Jun 4-Aug 17 activities, your child will laugh, learn, and Reg. Deadline: Till camps are sold out
48 March 2018 | pdxparent.com make memories to last a lifetime. Plus, Christian Youth Theater every camp includes one or two days of Portland/Vancouver rock climbing at the Mazama Mountain- Camp Awesome, Camp All Aboard, eering Center and a day at the Mazama Camp Enchanted Lodge! We’re excited to offer an optional CYT Portland Vancouver Summer Camps overnight trip for 8-10-year-olds, and a are Amazing! Your student will act, sing, full-day field trip to Kelly Point Park. and dance with fully trained professional instructors that provide a safe exciting Ages: 4 - 10 Cost: $325-$375 experience for your budding actors! Dates: Jun 18-Aug 10 Choose from three camp themes at two Reg. Deadline: First come first serve camp locations to fit your needs. CYT, 527 SE 43rd Ave, Developing character one stage at a time. Portland, OR 97215 • 503-227-2345 Ages: 5-15 [email protected] Cost: $215 adventurewild.org Dates: 7/9-7/13; 7/23-7/27; 7/30-8/03 Reg. Deadline: Jul 9 Please see ad on page 68 PO Box 1328 Tualatin, OR 97062 • 503-272-6600 B’nai B’rith Camp [email protected] cytportlandvancouver.org BB Day Camp Portland BB Day Camp Portland provides mean- Please see ad on page 71 ingful and memorable experiences within a safe and nurturing community to build lifelong friendships and deepen Jewish Coding with Kids identity. Each week offers age-appropri- Coding with Kids offers a variety of STEM ate field trips and classic camp activities summer camps for children of all skill such as art, athletics, performing arts, levels from ages 5 to 18. Our proven cur- and gaga! Bus transportation and riculum drives engagement and learning extended day available! outcomes, while small class sizes ensure plenty of personalized attention. Camps Ages: Rising Kindergarten-Grade 5 Cost: $199/week before March 1,$249/week available in Game Development, Minecraft before May 1, $299 after May 1 Modding, Robotics & Electronics, and Dates: Jun 25-Aug 17 more!
1972 NW Flanders St, Cost: $207-$499 Portland, OR 97209 • 503-496-7447 Greater Portland [email protected] [email protected] bbcamp.org codingwithkids.com Please see ad on page 74 Please see ad on page 65
The Children’s Garden Creative Roots The summer program at The Children’s Summer Camps Garden is 10 weeks of camp focused fun Explore a different artist, art style or and learning for students interested in theme each week. Camps include art STEM, Art and Adventure. Our STEM instruction time, outdoor exploration, time sessions include Robotics, Engineering for lunch, occasional field trips, and play. and Coding. Visit our website to browse Each camp also includes tours of the our schedule of programs here and historic neighborhood, led by Slabtown reserve your spot. Tours. All camps are taught by profession- Ages: Kindergarten - 4th grade al artists and/or professional educators. Cost: Full Day STEM $350 Part Day STEM Ages: Camps are offered for 6-9 and 10-13 $275 year olds Dates: Jun 11-Aug 24 Cost: $325/week Dates: Jun-Aug 2035 NW Front Ave, 2661 NW Thurman St, Portland, OR 97209 • 503-228-2443 Portland, OR 97210 • 503-451-5179 [email protected] [email protected] thechildrensgarden.com creativerootspdx.com
Please see ad on page 71 Please see ad on page 72
pdxparent.com | March 2018 49 Franciscan Montessori Girls Rock Earth School Empowerment Camp Camp FMES Girls Rock Empowerment Camp helps Camp FMES offers a wide range of your middle-school daughter navigate the stimulating programming, from sports to challenges of adolescence and equip her academic reinforcement to the arts to with strength, confidence, and compas- nature studies. Day classes are available sion. Games, mindfulness, discussions, for students ages 3-12, with before and and crafts build her resilience and give after care available. Take a moment to her tools to manage stress and anxiety. study our diverse camp offerings, and Camp size is small to ensure a supportive make this summer “Remarkably Different” community. for your child! Cost: $220 Ages: Pre-K through Grade 6, 3-12 year olds Dates: Jul 16-20, Jul 23-27 or Aug 6-10 10am- Cost: $160-$280 2:00pm Dates: Jun 18-Aug 3 Reg. Deadline: Open until filled Reg. Deadline: Rolling 7426 SW 53rd Ave, 14750 SE Clinton, Portland, OR 97219 • 503-381-5292 Portland, OR 97236 • 503-760-8220 [email protected] [email protected] kimdavies.org/summer-camp fmes.org
Please see ad on page 66 iD Tech Camps We are the world’s #1 summer tech camp French Hill Farm for kids and teens ages 7-17! We offer day Riding Academy & overnight summer camps for aspiring programmers, app developers, video Our camps are for horse lovers of any game designers, engineers, filmmakers, ability. Everything we do is geared to photographers, and more. With personal- learning about the horse and riding. Full ized, hands-on instruction, we anticipate day campers ride 2x day. We teach safety our students will become the next around horses in all activities. Campers creators of innovative technology! learn the parts of the horse, how to Dates: Jun 17 - Aug 3 groom, care and bathe the horse. Held at Lewis & Clark College and 150+ Ages: 7-14: 5 day camps; 5-6: Kindercamps locations nationwide • 888-709-8324 Cost: $450 for 5 full day camps, $140 for 2 [email protected] half day Kindercamps idtech.com Dates: Weekly, Jun 18 - Aug 17 15770 NE Eilers Road, Aurora, OR 97002 • 503-678-6336 The International School [email protected] Summer Camp frenchhillfarm.com At The International School’s Language Please see ad on page 64 Immersion Summer Camp, children will enjoy a world of fun while learning Spanish, Chinese, or Japanese. Language and German International culture will come to life through hands- School of Portland on projects, songs, games, outdoor fun, Kindersommer and more! Activities are designed to be German International School offers sever- engaging and fun while also developing al different English and German language and enhancing language skills. camps each week from July 9 - August Ages: From PreK to 5th Grade 24. Our summer camps have different Cost: $470 - $575 per TWO WEEK session themes and allow our kids to socialize, Dates: 3 Two Week Sessions: Jun 25-Jul 6, play, build, and grow in a fun, caring, and Jul 9-20, Jul 23-Aug 3 nurturing environment. Visit our website Reg. Deadline: Based upon capacity for more information! 025 SW Sherman St, Portland, OR 97201 • 503-226-2496 ext. Ages: 3 - 12 100 Dates: Jul 9-Aug 24 Reg. Deadline: June 1 [email protected] intlschool.org 13600 SW Allen Blvd, Beaverton, OR 97005 • 503-626-9089 Please see ad on page 72 [email protected] gspdx.org
Please see ad on page 52
50 March 2018 | pdxparent.com 15% OFF YOUR ORDER WHEN YOU BUY A PAIR OF KIDS’ SANDALS Visit keenfootwear.com/kids-pdxparent to activate this discount
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@KEEN.KIDS Offer ends at 11:59 PM Pacific on June 30, 2018. Offer valid when you purchase a pair of kids’ sandals and is limited to stock on hand. Offer not valid with any other promo codes, coupons, or on pro orders. Offer valid at www.keenfootwear.com/kids-pdxparent in US and KEEN PDX Garage 505 NW 13th Ave, Portland, OR 97209 only. Leach Botanical Garden Mittleman Jewish Art in Nature Summer Day Camp Community Center Leach Garden’s woods, meadows & creek MJCC Day Camp abound with birds, insects, crawdads, MJCC Day Camp offers full-day fun all leaves & flowers - you’ll even find bea- summer with options from 7:30am - ver-chewed saplings. In June, the Garden 6:00pm. Great for working parents and transforms into an art studio. Exploring tons of options from traditional day camp the natural world, campers will record their to specialty camps including swimming, observations through painting, botanical gymnastics, cooking, art, rock climbing, illustration, sculpture and more. There will and more. Open to everyone – ages 3-15! also be plenty of games, and an art show Camps run in one-week, full-day or half-day for family & friends to finish off the week! sessions. Ages: 9-12 Ages: 3-15 Cost: $220 Dates: Jun 25-29 Cost: Varies by camp Reg. Deadline: Jun 15 Dates: Jun 25-Aug 24, with vacation camps 6704 SE 122nd Ave, offered Jun 18-22 & Aug 27-31. Pre-care & Portland, OR 97236 • 503-823-1671 After-care available. [email protected] Reg. Deadline: Opens 2/11 leachgarden.org 6651 SW Capitol Hwy,
Please see ad on page 65 Portland, OR 97219 • 503-244-0111 [email protected] oregonjcc.org Living Wisdom School Joyful Heart & Yoga Day Camp Please see ad on page 65 Joyful Heart Summer Camp for preschool & kindergartners helps children practice North Clackamas Parks and loving-kindness through play, movement, Recreation District yoga, stories, and songs. Yoga Day Camp helps elementary-age children learn about NCPRD offers a wide variety of affordable their highest selves through games, swim- and engaging camps to keep kids of all ming, yoga, cooking, and handicrafts. ages active, learning and having fun all summer long. Camps include Super Ages: Joyful Heart: 3 1/2 to 5 years. Yoga Day Hoopers, Cheer Starz, Lacrosse, Track and Camp: elementary age. Field, Outdoor Explorers, Dance, Theater Cost: $130-175 and more. Dates: Jul 23-27 Reg. Deadline: Early registration is recom- Ages: Ages 4-18 mended. Multiple Locations • 503-794-3877 4855 SW Watson Ave, [email protected] Beaverton, OR 97005 • 503-671-9112 ncprd.com
[email protected] Please see ad on page 47 livingwisdomportland.org
Please see ad on page 48 Northwest Children’s Theater and School Mercy Corps Action Center NWCT’s award-winning theater camps are Summer Programs taught by top theater professionals! Stu- Calling all changemakers: Join us for dents will hone specific theater skills, such fun, hands-on, week-long camps at our as costuming or stage combat; audition for, global headquarters in downtown Portland. rehearse, and perform a play; or explore Participants will explore tough challenges the world of theater through themed play, around the world, meet like-minded friends, art, and games! and gain skills for making change. These programs are only offered once a year, so Ages: Ages 3 - 16 don’t miss your chance to take part. Cost: $90 - $295 Dates: Jun 18-Aug 24; 9AM-12PM and/or 1-4PM. Ages: 11-15+ One week and two week options available. Cost: See Website for Details Dates: See Website for Details Before and aftercare available. Reg. Deadline: See Website for Details 1819 NW Everett St, 28 SW First Ave, Portland, OR 97209 • 503-222-2190 Portland, OR 97204 • 503-896-5750 [email protected] [email protected] nwcts.org mercycorps.org Please see ad on page 59 Please see ad on page 68
52 March 2018 | pdxparent.com pdxparent.com | March 2018 53 Old McDonald’s Farm, Inc. Pedalheads Bike Camps The Summer Program Pedalheads is a Learn-to-Ride summer Get out of the city and thrive at our bike camp for kids 3-10. The camp educational Farm Program for children. offers children an opportunity to build Learn the care and maintenance of our confidence, independence and skills farm animals. Get active with gardening, on their bikes with week-long half-day environmental studies and even learn to and all-day kids camps. Pedalheads has ride a horse! Academics are important; over 75 locations across North America the entire program is taught by an and 4 planned locations in Portland this Oregon State Certified Teacher. summer.
Ages: Entering 2nd - 6th grades Ages: 3 - 10 Cost: $229 Cost: 1 hour $109, 1/2 Day $219, Full-day Dates: Weeks of 6/25, 7/9, 7/16, 7/23, 8/6, 8/13 $409 Reg. Deadline: When full. Classes fill up. Dates: Monday-Friday PO Box 326, Three Locations in Portland, Corbett, OR 97019 • 503-695-3316 Portland, OR • 888-886-6464 [email protected] [email protected] oldmcdonaldsfarm.org pedalheads.com
Please see ad on page 69 Please see ad on page 63
Oregon Episcopal School Portland Child Art Studio Oregon Episcopal School Summer Rather than offer weekly summer camps, Programs combine our acclaimed inqui- PCAS offers daily camps Monday thru ry-based approach to over 250 camps Thursday, 10am-1pm, providing you with a with our experienced faculty and small whole lot of flexibility to take advantage classes. Full and partial day camps are of our program according to your unique available for students in grades Pre-K-12 schedule. We can accommodate up to from 7:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. weekdays. eight children each day to be dropped Offerings include athletic, academic, and off. Children must be 4+. creative camps. Ages: 4+ Ages: Pre-K through Grade 12 Cost: $25 per day Cost: Varies depending on camp Dates: Throughout the summer Dates: Jun 25-Aug 17 1819 NW Everett St Ste 204, 6300 SW Nicol Rd, Portland, OR 97209 • 971-200-7554 Portland, OR 97223 • 503-416-9500 [email protected] [email protected] portlandchildart.org summer.oes.edu Please see ad on page 57 Please see ad on page 57
Portland Jewish Academy Oregon Zoo PJA Summer Discovery Your zoo connects kids to nature. Exceptional classes taught by profes- Campers explore little-known areas of sional, experienced, passionate teachers. the zoo, learn about animals by meeting Exercise your brain in a fun way with them face-to-face, and leave inspired to engineering, gardening, theater, and care for the natural world. Enrich your more. Create, build, or test a new idea. kids with a day camp like no other. Full Challenge yourself to learn something week day camps and single day options new! Full day options. Open to everyone. available. Don’t miss this fabulous summer enrich- ment experience. Ages: Children 4 years old to youth entering eighth grade Ages: 4-14 Cost: $155-$400, most camps are are Cost: $185-$200 around $300 Dates: Jul 9 - Aug 3 Dates: Jun 18-Aug 31 Reg. Deadline: Opens Feb 11 4001 SW Canyon Rd, 6651 SW Capitol Hwy, Portland, OR 97221 • 503-226-1561 Portland, OR 97219 • 503-244-0126 [email protected] [email protected] oregonzoo.org pjaproud.org
Please see ad on page 45 Please see ad on page 49
54 March 2018 | pdxparent.com Portland Parks & Recreation Summer Day Camps - Many Themes Portland Parks & Recreation offers hun- dreds of active day camps and activities all summer long throughout Portland. Children can explore a variety of activities that encourage creativity, discovery of nature, or playing sports and games — all while making new friends. Play, swim, discover, laugh, and be active at Portland’s parks, community centers, and swim pools.
Ages: All Ages Cost: Varies by location Dates: Available throughout the summer • 503-823-7526 portlandparks.org
Please see ad on pages 47 and 63
Portland Timbers Soccer Camps Competitive and Recreational camp programs for all soccer players, ages 5-18, through out Oregon and Southwest Washington. For more information, visit timbers.com/camps
Ages: 5-18 Cost: Camp cost varies depending on location, duration, etc. Dates: Jun-Aug 1844 SW Morrison, Portland, OR 97205 • 503-553-5400 [email protected] timbers.com
Please see ad on page 54
Royal Ridges Retreat Choose from Traditional Day Camp, Day Horse Camp, Day Adventure Camp & Paintball Day Camp! Bus transportation is available for all day camps $50/week. Discounts for early registration! Activities may include: mountain boards, hay ride, horseback rides, swimming, hikes, crafts, Bible story, climbing wall and much more! Register online TODAY!
Ages: Varies by camp. Entering 1st grade through 12th grade. Cost: $135 - $270 Dates: Jun 25-29; Jul 2-6; Jul 9-13; Jul 16-20; Jul 23-27; Jul 30-Aug 3; Aug 6-10; Aug 13-17; Aug 20-24 20115 NE 354th St, Yacolt, WA 98675 • 360-686-3737 [email protected] royalridges.org
Please see ad on page 73
pdxparent.com | March 2018 55 Sauvie Island Center Dates: July 9-20, Monday - Friday Farm Camp Reg. Deadline: June 1 Every day at Sauvie Island Center’s Farm 147 NW 19th Ave, Camp is a new adventure! We’ll explore Portland, OR 97209 • 503-222-9811 the 18-acre Sauvie Island Organics farm, [email protected] play in the garden and cook with fresh trinity-episcopal.org veggies every day. Kids are outside all day, learning about where food comes from while soaking up the fresh air and Vermont Hills sunshine. Family Life Center
Ages: Children entering 2nd, 3rd or 4th Come and join us for a summer filled grade in the fall of 2018. with camper lead choices and clubs, with Cost: $225 weekly swimming and excursions into Dates: Jun 25-Aug 3 Portland. Reg. Deadline: Jun 25 Southeast and Southwest Portland, 13901 NW Howell Park Rd, Beaverton • 503-452-8633 Portland, OR 97231 • 503-201-5923 [email protected] [email protected] vhflc.org sauvieislandcenter.org
Please see ad on page 69
Trackers Earth Portland Trackers Earth Camps VillaSport Trackers Earth offers day and overnight Athletic Club and Spa camps. Children discover great friends, Each week will be full of fun and explo- new skills, and outdoor adventure. Teens ration! Bring your sense of adventure as embark on wilderness expeditions of we navigate through different lands and outdoor leadership. Skill Camps include experience the world of wonder. Your wilderness survival, archery, farm craft, antics will include field trips, crazy crafts, fishing, and filmmaking. Story Adventures wacky sports and games, and splashing offer secret agents, ninja, elves, wizards, away in VillaSport’s amazing pools. Get or dragons! Teens can choose from ready for an action-packed summer! blacksmithing, rock climbing, kayaking, Ages: 5-12 ceramics, and much more. Dates: Jun 25 - Aug 24 Ages: Grade K – 12 / Ages 4 – 17 13900 SW Meridian St, Cost: Starting at $367 Beaverton, OR 97005 • 971-317-2600 Dates: Jun 11-Aug 31 villasport.com/beaverton/camps Reg. Deadline: Camps fill fast. Register early. 4617 SE Milwaukie Ave, Please see ad on page 67 Portland, OR 97202 • 503-345-3312 2334 NE 57th Ave Portland, OR 97213 WeVillage 8111 SW West Slope Dr Each month we’ll have a few themes to Portland, OR 97225 immerse kids in fun! From outdoor safety, [email protected] park trips, animals, space & dinosaurs — trackerspdx.com/youth/summer-camps. kids will have nonstop fun at WeVillage php all summer long. Only want one day of
Please see ad on the back cover camp instead of a week? We’ve got you covered at all four of our locations.
Ages: Ages 3-12 Trinity Episcopal Cathedral Cost: $299 per week, $85 for individual days. SPARKS! Service in the City Camp Lunch included. Uncover your purpose this summer Dates: June 11 - end of PPS summer break, all with SPARKS! Service in the City camp. week days aside from the 4th of July Through experiential learning and commu- Reg. Deadline: None, drop in rates available nity service, discover your sparks! Learn 1024 NW Glisan St, to share what energizes you and makes Portland, OR 97209 • 503-935-5590 you happy, and create meaning and relationships with your community. Daily [email protected] varied service projects are paired with fun wevillage.com and reflective activities. Please see ad on page 71 Ages: Rising sixth-Rising ninth graders Cost: $500/week
56 March 2018 | pdxparent.com World of Speed all provided. Our small (7-8 kids per week) Motorsports Museum camps allow extensive individual riding Summer Camps instruction with each camper enjoying World of Speed takes summer camp to a the responsibility of loving and caring for whole new level with camps that engage, a horse for the week. Pony camps with excite, educate, and challenge students only 4 students allow the little ones to grades K–12 in a fun, supportive environ- learn the basics with our gentle ponies in ment. Your student can get hands-on a safe, and fun setting. experience with real car engines, go-karts, Ages: 5-14 explore tech from robots to 3D printers, Cost: $375 and so much more! Dates: Weekly, beginning Jun 11. 16000 NE Eilers Rd, Ages: K-12 Aurora, OR 97002 • 503-678-5478 Cost: $175-$225 Dates: 6/25-8/17 [email protected] riverranchhorses.com 27490 SW 95th Ave,
Wilsonville, OR 97070 • 503-563-6444 Please see ad on page 60 [email protected] worldofspeed.org
Please see ad on page 52 FOREIGN LANGUAGES
Youth Music Project Bodhi Tree Language Center Spend the summer learning songs Happy Chinese Campers: by your favorite pop & rock musicians, Chinese Summer Camp unleashing your inner rock star in a band Camper activities include learning Chi- or learning to write lyrics to express the nese language arts and songs, hearing music inside you. stories, doing arts and crafts, having fun and playing games and participating in 2015 8th Ave, West Linn, OR 97068 • 503-616-5967 outdoor activities -- all in Mandarin Chi- nese. Focus on conversational skills, but [email protected] characters also taught. Native language youthmusicproject.org teachers. Over 15 years teaching Chinese Please see ad on page 54 to kids in Portland
Ages: 6-12 Cost: Varies by number of weeks. See Web- EQUESTRIAN site for details Dates: Jul 9-Aug 17 Reg. Deadline: Register early to secure a French Hill Farm Riding place Academy 5403 SE Center St, Our camps are for horse lovers of any Portland, OR 97206 • 503-788-0336 ability. Everything we do is geared to [email protected] learning about the horse and riding. Full bodhitreechineseschool.org day campers ride 2x day. We teach safety around horses in all activities. Campers learn the parts of the horse, how to German International School groom, care and bathe the horse. of Portland Ages: 7-14: 5 day camps; 5-6: Kindercamps Kindersommer Cost: $450 for 5 full day camps, $140 for 2 German International School offers sever- half day Kindercamps al different English and German language Dates: Weekly, Jun 18 - Aug 17 camps each week from July 9 - August 15770 NE Eilers Road, 24. Our summer camps have different Aurora, OR 97002 • 503-678-6336 themes and allow our kids to socialize, [email protected] play, build, and grow in a fun, caring, and frenchhillfarm.com nurturing environment. Visit our website
Please see ad on page 64 for more information! Ages: 3 - 12 Dates: Jul 9-Aug 24 River Ranch Reg. Deadline: June 1 Summer Horse Camp 13600 SW Allen Blvd, Summer Equestrian Day Camp Beaverton, OR 97005 • 503-626-9089 River Ranch is offering weekly summer [email protected] day camps tailor made to your child’s gspdx.org needs. Horses, ponies and equipment are Please see ad on page 52
pdxparent.com | March 2018 57 Hope Chinese Charter School Portland Early HCCS Global Citizen Camp Learning Project Global Citizen Camp, a weekly Chinese Pasaporte a Peru & Fiestas Latinas language immersion summer camp, aims Campers will stamp their passports daily to cultivate students’ Chinese language as they play games, sings songs, work skills and nurture their cultural adaptabil- on cooking and cultural craft projects! ity. They will be taken on a grand tour of Children are warmly supported by our 7 continents and spotlight the diverse instructors to follow directions, complete cultures in architecture, animal & environ- projects and make their requests in ment, food, music & dance, and sports. Spanish, with English being reserved for
Ages: PreK - Middle School cultural conversations and sharing. Cost: $225/week Ages: 4-9 Dates: Jun 25-Aug 3 Cost: $290 3500 SW 104th Ave, Dates: Jun 18-22; Jun 25-29; Jul 16-20; Aug 13-17; Aug 20-24 Beaverton, OR 97005 • 971-226-7500 Locations Throughout Portland • 503- [email protected] 284-0610 hopeccs.org [email protected] portlandearlylearning.com
The International School Please see ad on page 62 Summer Camp At The International School’s Language Schoolita Alegria Immersion Summer Camp, children will Campamento de Verano/ enjoy a world of fun while learning Span- Summer Fun Camp ish, Chinese, or Japanese. Language and The Campamento de Verano provides a culture will come to life through hands-on lot of Spanish exposure through songs, projects, songs, games, outdoor fun, rhymes, games, cooking class, art proj- and more! Activities are designed to be ects, science, water play, gardening, and engaging and fun while also developing hands-on activities. It’s 4 days a week, and enhancing language skills. Monday thru Thursday, 9-1pm, or 9-3pm. Ages: From PreK to 5th Grade It fills quickly and has always been a Cost: $470 - $575 per TWO WEEK session whole lot of fun! Muy divertido! Dates: 3 Two Week Sessions: Jun 25-Jul 6, Jul 9-20, Jul 23-Aug 3 Ages: 3-8 yrs Reg. Deadline: Based upon capacity Cost: $185/wk 9-1pm or $200/wk 9-3pm, (2 wk min), $40 registration fee. 025 SW Sherman St, Dates: Jun 26-Aug 9 Portland, OR 97201 • 503-226-2496 Reg. Deadline: Open until filled, usually late ext. 100 May, early June. [email protected] 1814 NE 33rd Ave, intlschool.org Portland, OR 97212 • 503-288-5574
Please see ad on page 72 [email protected] schoolita-alegria.com
Please see ad on page 60
58 March 2018 | pdxparent.com
GYMNASTICS day of camp DANCE 16101 SE McLoughlin Blvd, Milwaukie, OR 97267 • 503-560-5860 Echo Theater Company [email protected] Circus Theater & Aerial Camps idppdx.com Explore acrobatics, trapeze, aerial, and physical storytelling in a variety of NW Dance Project week-long camps! Campers build confi- Summer Training with NW Dance dence, gain strength, and unlock their Project imaginations, collaborating with peers to NW Dance Project’s Summer Programs create unique end-of-camp performances. offer exceptional curriculum. Dancers will Instructors use small groups to engage experience the joy of dance taught by and challenge all levels of students from Portland’s finest teachers. With an open beginning to advanced - all abilities and inclusive environment that values welcome. the creative process, our program de- Ages: Weekly camps: mornings, afternoons, velops coordination, balance, individual and all day options for ages 3 - 17; aerial expression, spatial awareness, flexibility, intensives throughout the summer. strength, and group cooperation skills. Cost: $100 - $400 Dates: Jun 25-Aug 24 211 NE 10th Ave, Reg. Deadline: Jun 20 Portland, OR 97232 • 503-421-7434 1515 SE 37th Ave, [email protected] Portland, OR 97214 • 503-231-1232x2 nwdanceproject.org [email protected] echotheaterpdx.org Please see ad on page 73
Please see ad on page 70 Oregon Gymnastics Academy
Independent Dance Project OGA Summer Camps offer friends, fit- ness, and fun all rolled into one! Campers The Independent Dance Project offers partake in hours of gymnastics instruc- a variety of summer dance camps for all tion from our coaches along with games, ages and ability level. With camps like: So crafts, and field trips based on that You Think You Can Dance, Hip Hop/Break week’s theme. OGA Camps are for ages Dancing and Tumbling, Ballet Princess, 4-12, and gymnasts of all levels. Visit www. Leaps and Turns, Choreography and ogagym.org for more information! Improv, campers are sure to find a style Ages: 4-12 that suits them! 16305 NW Bethany Ct Ste 109, Ages: 3-18 Beaverton, OR 97006 • 503-531-3409 Cost: $85-$140 [email protected] Dates: Jun 18-21 Jun 25-28 Jul 10-12 Jul 17-19 ogagym.org Aug 6-10 Reg. Deadline: Able to register up to first Please see ad on page 55
60 March 2018 | pdxparent.com INCLUSIVE / ACCESSIBLE
Echo Theater Company Circus Theater & Aerial Camps Explore acrobatics, trapeze, aerial, and physical storytelling in a variety of week- long camps! Campers build confidence, gain strength, and unlock their imaginations, collaborating with peers to create unique end-of-camp performances. Instructors use small groups to engage and challenge all levels of students - let us know if the student needs any special accommodations.
Ages: Weekly camps: mornings, afternoons, and all day options for ages 3 - 17; aerial inten- sives throughout the summer. Cost: $100 - $400 Dates: Jun 25-Aug 24 Reg. Deadline: Jun 20 1515 SE 37th Ave, Portland, OR 97214 • 503-231-1232x2 [email protected] echotheaterpdx.org
Please see ad on page 70
MEDICAL DENTAL
Portland Children’s Dentistry At Portland Children’s Dentistry, Dr. Patricia Peirano Franklin and Dr. David Raphael provide exceptional, comprehensive dental care to our patients from infancy through adolescence. Our priority is to create a friendly and comfortable environment where our young patients have a positive dental experience.
2323 NW Westover Rd, Portland, OR 97210 • 503-893-2889 [email protected] portlandchildrensdentistry.com
Please see ad on page 69
pdxparent.com | March 2018 61 OUTDOOR Portland Parks & Recreation EDUCATION Nature Day Camp Children and youth - grab your backpack, Friends of Tryon Creek a nutritious lunch, and your curiosity! Nature Day Camp - SW Portland Register for Nature Camp and head out into Portland’s natural areas to learn Nature Day Camps balance fun, learning, about ecology, be imaginative, play teamwork and friendship in a beautiful games, make friends, and connect with urban forest setting. Join Friends of nature. Portland Parks offers partial and Tryon Creek for our 44th year of camp, full-day camps for children and youth. connecting children to nature at Tryon Come explore with us this summer! Creek State Natural Area in SW Portland. Discounts for Friends of Tryon Creek Ages: All Ages members! Cost: Varies Dates: All Summer Ages: 4 - 14 Locations Near You Throughout Portland Cost: $205 - $310 • 503-823-3601 Dates: Jun 18-Aug 24 portlandoregon.gov Reg. Deadline: None Please see ad on page 4763 11321 SW Terwilliger Ave, Portland, OR 97219 • 503-636-4398 [email protected] tryonfriends.org Sauvie Island Center Farm Camp Please see ad on page 58 Every day at Sauvie Island Center’s Farm Camp is a new adventure! We’ll explore the 18-acre Sauvie Island Organics farm, Old McDonald’s Farm, Inc. play in the garden and cook with fresh The Summer Program veggies every day. Kids are outside all Get out of the city and thrive at our day, learning about where food comes educational Farm Program for children. from while soaking up the fresh air and Learn the care and maintenance of our sunshine. farm animals. Get active with gardening, Ages: Children entering 2nd, 3rd or 4th environmental studies and even learn to grade in the fall of 2018. ride a horse! Academics are important; Cost: $225 the entire program is taught by an Dates: Jun 25-Aug 3 Oregon State Certified Teacher. Reg. Deadline: Jun 25
Ages: Entering 2nd - 6th grades 13901 NW Howell Park Rd, Cost: $229 Portland, OR 97231 • 503-201-5923 Dates: Weeks of 6/25, 7/9, 7/16, 7/23, 8/6, 8/13 [email protected] Reg. Deadline: When full. Classes fill up. sauvieislandcenter.org PO Box 326, Corbett, OR 97019 • 503-695-3316 [email protected] Trackers Earth Portland oldmcdonaldsfarm.org Trackers Earth Camps
Please see ad on page 69 Trackers Earth offers day and overnight camps. Children discover great friends, new skills, and outdoor adventure. Teens Oregon Zoo embark on wilderness expeditions of outdoor leadership. Skill Camps include Your zoo connects kids to nature. wilderness survival, archery, farm craft, Campers explore little-known areas of the fishing, and filmmaking. Story Adventures zoo, learn about animals by meeting them offer secret agents, ninja, elves, wizards, face-to-face, and leave inspired to care or dragons! Teens can choose from for the natural world. Enrich your kids with blacksmithing, rock climbing, kayaking, a day camp like no other. Full week day ceramics, and much more. camps and single day options available. Ages: Grade K – 12 / Ages 4 – 17 Ages: Children 4 years old to youth entering Cost: Starting at $367 eighth grade Dates: Jun 11-Aug 31 Cost: $155-$400, most camps are are around Reg. Deadline: Camps fill fast. Register early. $300 4617 SE Milwaukie Ave, Dates: Jun 18-Aug 31 Portland, OR 97202 • 503-345-3312 4001 SW Canyon Rd, 2334 NE 57th Ave Portland, OR 97221 • 503-226-1561 Portland, OR 97213 [email protected] 8111 SW West Slope Dr oregonzoo.org Portland, OR 97225 Please see ad on page 45
62 March 2018 | pdxparent.com [email protected] HVC has provided lifelong friendships & trackerspdx.com/youth/summer-camps. memories for campers since 1947! php Ages: 7-16 Please see ad on the back cover Cost: $1420-$1980 Dates: 6/30-7/13; 7/15-8/5; 8/7-8/26 Reg. Deadline: Based on availability 24314 Hidden Valley Road, OVERNIGHT Granite Falls, WA 98252 • 425-844-8896 CAMPS [email protected] hvc-wa.com
Camp Fire Columbia Please see ad on page 52 Camp Namanu Our mission to build caring, confident youth leaders welcomes everyone to res- Oak Hill School Summer ident, ranch, day camp, and school-based Enrichment Program programs. Camp Namanu is a uniquely Summer Enrichment Program Oregon experience, voted “Best Summer Spend two weeks living on campus at Camp” by Willamette Week readers the University of Oregon enjoying an ex- 2-years running. Camp Fire youth find ceptional college experience that weaves their spark, lift their voice, and discover challenging academic enrichment with who they are. fun events and new friends. Bring your unique talents and interests along with Ages: 5-18 your love of learning to a place where Cost: Varies by session Dates: July 1 - August 18 intelligence and creativity are celebrated. Reg. Deadline: Rolling deadline, space Ages: Completing 6th-11th grades limited Cost: $1,800 plus a $50 non-refundable 10300 SE Camp Namanu Rd, application fee Sandy, OR 97055 • 971-340-1608 Dates: Jul 15-July 28 Reg. Deadline: 6/30 for priority consider- [email protected] ation campfirecolumbia.org 5259 University of Oregon, Please see ad on page 49 Eugene, OR 97403 • 541-744-0954 [email protected] oakhillschool.com Canoe Island French Camp Please see ad on page 58 Campers aged 9-16 learn French while participating in outdoor and artistic activ- ities on private Canoe Island in the San Opal Creek Juan Islands. Enjoy kayaking, sailing, the- Ancient Forest Center ater, art, cooking, photography, fencing, Opal Creek Expeditions and swimming. No language prerequisite. Send your child on a wilderness adven- Fifty campers per session learn from ture! Our 5-8 day backpacking trips in native Francophones. Family Camps over the Opal Creek, Bull of the Woods, and Memorial and Labor Day weekends. Mt. Jefferson Wildernesses combine Ages: 9 - 16 years backcountry skills with field science. Cost: $2140 Basecamp for 8-10 year olds provides an Dates: Jun 24-Aug 30 introduction to wilderness. Three trips 278 Killebrew Lake Rd, culminate in a half-day of rafting. Scholar- Orcas, WA 98280 • 360-468-2329 ships available. [email protected] Ages: 8-18 canoeisland.org Cost: $300-$575 Dates: Jun 24-Aug 24 Please see ad on page 47 721 NW 9th Ave Ste 236, Portland, OR 97209 • 503-892-2782 Hidden Valley Camp [email protected] opalcreek.org Hidden Valley Camp is a traditional resident summer camp for boys and girls. Activities include: horseback Royal Ridges Retreat riding, sailing, swimming, arts & crafts, canoeing, drama, archery, sports/games, JR grades 4-8/SR grades 8-12. Adventure hiking and much more. Carefully selected Camp lets you learn new skills throughout and trained staff work with small living the week such as: orienteering, first groups to help provide a safe, fun, caring, aid, survival skills, climbing wall, high friendly camp community. ACA Accredited. & low ropes, pool, archery and much
pdxparent.com | March 2018 63 more! Horse Camps are all about horses youth entering grades 1-6, Teen Camps Ages: Ages 8 - 12 Ages: 5-teen starting Sunday evening and ending for youth entering grades 9-12 and Family Cost: $300; scholarships available Cost: $245 with a Showdeo and lunch on Saturday. Camp for all ages offered Memorial Day Dates: Beauty and the Beast: Jun 29 – Jul 14; Dates: 1/2 day Camps available in Jun Jul Aladdin and the Magic Lamp: Aug 6 – 18 & Aug Discounts for early registration! and Labor Day Weekend 9000 SW Durham Rd, 12660 NW Cornell Rd, Ages: Entering 4th-12th grade Ages: All Ages Tigard, OR 97224 • 503-620-5262 Portland, OR 97227 • 503-336-3121 Cost: $325-$480 3001 SE Oxbow Pkwy, [email protected] [email protected] Dates: Jun 24-30; Jul 8-14; Jul 15-21; Jul 22- Gresham, OR 97080 • 503-663-5813 28; Jul 29-Aug 4; Aug 5-11; Aug 12-18 broadwayrose.org hoffmanacademy.com [email protected] 20115 NE 354th St, ymcacw.org Please see ad on page 54 Yacolt, WA 98675 • 360-686-3737 Please see ad on page 72 Independent Dance Project [email protected] royalridges.org Echo Theater Company The Independent Dance Project offers Circus Theater & Aerial Camps Please see ad on page 73 a variety of summer dance camps for all PERFORMING Explore acrobatics, trapeze, aerial, and ages and ability level. With camps like: So ARTS physical storytelling in a variety of You Think You Can Dance, Hip Hop/Break Trackers Earth Portland week-long camps! Campers build confi- Dancing and Tumbling, Ballet Princess, Leaps and Turns, Choreography and Trackers Earth Camps Acting for Kids & Teens dence, gain strength, and unlock their Improv, campers are sure to find a style Join the award-winning overnight camps imaginations, collaborating with peers to Acting for Kids & Teens is the Northwest’s create unique end-of-camp performances. that suits them! of Trackers Earth--offering outdoor premier TV & Film acting studio! Students Instructors use small groups to engage Ages: 3-18 leadership skills in a safe and supportive work with experienced acting coaches, learning environment. At their residential and challenge all levels of students from Cost: $85-$140 in front and behind the camera in a sup- Dates: Jun 18-21 Jun 25-28 Jul 10-12 Jul 17-19 site in the foothills of Mt. Hood, campers beginning to advanced - all abilities portive community where they can safely Aug 6-10 can train in wilderness survival, shepherd welcome. explore their own artistry & self-expres- Reg. Deadline: Able to register up to first a flock of sheep, or embark on an epic sion. Conveniently located at The Studio Ages: Weekly camps: mornings, afternoons, day of camp role-playing quest of elves and dragons. and all day options for ages 3 - 17; aerial NW. Come join us! 16101 SE McLoughlin Blvd, On their Adventure Travel Expeditions, intensives throughout the summer. Ages: 5 - 19 years old Milwaukie, OR 97267 • 503-560-5860 teens can explore the San Juan Islands Cost: $100 - $400 Cost: Varys [email protected] or hunt for jade on a journey to the Lost Dates: Jun 25-Aug 24 Dates: Jun-Aug Reg. Deadline: Jun 20 idppdx.com Coast. 1633 NW Glisan, 1515 SE 37th Ave, Ages: Grade 5-8 Grade 9-12 Portland, OR 97209 • 503-806-0909 Portland, OR 97214 • 503-231-1232x2 Cost: From $695 to $1390 [email protected] My Voice Music Dates: Jun 11-Aug 31 [email protected] actingforkidsandteens.com MVM Rock Camp Reg. Deadline: Camps fill fast. Register early. echotheaterpdx.org Campers will learn to play, write, and 4617 SE Milwaukie Ave, Please see ad on page 70 Portland, OR 97202 • 503-345-3312 record music as a band. No musical expe- Broadway Rose rience is necessary. Basic instruction on [email protected] Theatre Company instruments and musical concepts ensure trackerspdx.com Hoffman Academy of Music Musical Theatre Camps kids will be ready to blow away friends Please see ad on the back cover Broadway Rose offers two exciting This summer, Hoffman Academy of Music and family during their final concert! MVM summer camps for children ages 8-12. is offering a wide range of great music provides sliding scale and full tuition Campers experience all aspects of camps for kids ages 5 - teen. Beginners scholarships if needed. YMCA Camp Collins can start learning piano or ukulele in a fun theatre, from improvisation and theatre Ages: 9-13 interactive group while more advanced YMCA Camp Collins offers a variety of games to technical and performance skills. Cost: $320 summer camp programs. Camp options These skills are showcased when the musicians can dig into complex jazz and Dates: Camp I: Jul 9-13 Camp II: Aug 6-10 include: Overnight Resident Camps for campers perform in the ensemble of one even start songwriting. Piano, guitar, Camp III: Aug 20-24 youth entering grades 2 - 9, Day Camp for (or both!) of our summer children’s theatre ukulele & choir. Reg. Deadline: June 30 productions! 8911 SE Stark St,
64 March 2018 | pdxparent.com Summer Coding Camps
Minecraft Modding » For kids ages 5-18 » Week-long Full and Robotics & Electronics Half-Day Camps » Locations throughout the 3D Game Development Greater Portland Area and much more!
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pdxparent.com | March 2018 65 Portland, OR 97214 • 971-533-8953 Rose City Music Academy Youth Music Project Hands On Art and Play Summer Fine Arts Camp [email protected] Have fun learning music and making Join Hands On for summer fun! Your child myvoicemusic.org Rose City Music Academy’s outstand- friends! Week-long Rock & Pop summer can attend 1 day, 1 week or even every Please see ad on page 73 ing teaching faculty provides caring camps (ages 6-12) start June 25 and run camp! Each camp has a new exciting instruction in piano, violin, viola, cello, through August 10. Teen Week (ages theme, like dance, nature, building and guitar, music composition, and voice to 13-18) runs August 13-17 with Rock Band more! Children get to create art projects, Northwest Children’s Theater students age 4 and up. We offer summer Experience, Songwriting Workshop, and learn and play with friends and enjoy and School camps and provide private and group Sound Engineering focus tracks. Tuition plenty of outdoor play. lessons in multiple locations with options assistance available! Contact us for more NWCT’s award-winning theater camps Ages: Preschoolers available both during the day and after information. are taught by top theater professionals! Cost: $40 per day, discounts for siblings Students will hone specific theater skills, school hours. Ages: 6-18 Dates: Camps during June and July, can such as costuming or stage combat; Ages: 4 - 18 Dates: Week-long camps run Jun 25-Aug 17 choose 1 day or more Cost: $375 audition for, rehearse, and perform a play; 2015 8th Ave, Dates: Jul 9-13, 16-20, 23-27 2800 SE Harrison St, or explore the world of theater through West Linn, OR 97068 • 503-616-5967 Reg. Deadline: Rolling Portland, OR 97214 • 503-239-8521 themed play, art, and games! [email protected] 8825 SW Barnes Rd, Ages: Ages 3 - 16 youthmusicproject.org [email protected] Portland, OR 97225 • 503-308-8863 Cost: $90 - $295 handsonartandplay.com Please see ad on page 54 Dates: Jun 18-Aug 24; 9AM-12PM and/or [email protected] 1-4PM. One week and two week options avail- rosecitymusicacademy.com able. Before and aftercare available. The International School 1819 NW Everett St, PRESCHOOLS Portland, OR 97209 • 503-222-2190 the Circus Project Summer Camp [email protected] Keeping it Unique: At The International School’s Language nwcts.org Circus Summer Camps AHSC Yu Miao Chinese Immersion Summer Camp, children will for Kids & Teens Immersion Preschool enjoy a world of fun while learning Span- Please see ad on page 59 A unique and creative way to spend the Yu Miao Chinese Cultural Camp ish, Chinese, or Japanese. Language and summer, our camps offer immersion in Camp themes include Chinese Brush culture will come to life through hands-on an array of circus arts for beginning to Oregon Children’s Theatre Painting, Chinese Songs & Rhymes, projects, songs, games, outdoor fun, pre-professional students. From trapeze Rhythm Movement, Chinese Calligraphy, and more! Activities are designed to be Our Acting Academy classes are the to tumbling, to theatre and juggling, our Chinese painting, Idioms, Martial Arts, engaging and fun while also developing perfect summer activity to improve your camps provide a safe and empowering Chinese Folk Stories, Sea World and and enhancing language skills. child’s theater skills, whether they’re just environment where youth can explore, more. Each session includes a wide Ages: From PreK to 5th Grade starting out or have been practicing for create, and learn new circus skills. variety of indoor and outdoor play Cost: $470 - $575 per TWO WEEK session years. The skills they learn will be useful Ages: Kids and Teens activities, crafts, stories, nutritious snack Dates: 3 Two Week Sessions: Jun 25-Jul 6, all their lives, from public speaking to Cost: $180-$395 depending on camp choice and loads of fun! Jul 9-20, Jul 23-Aug 3 self-confidence. Dates: Varies depending on camp choice: Ages: 3-7 6/18-8/24 Reg. Deadline: Based upon capacity Ages: 4–18 Dates: Ten weekly sessions, M-F Reg. Deadline: Registration open until filled. Cost: $95-$310 Reg. Deadline: Register early to qualify for 025 SW Sherman St, Early Bird Discount until 5/1! Dates: Jun-Aug early bird discount. Portland, OR 97201 • 503-226-2496 1420 NW 17th Ave Ste 388, 1939 NE Sandy Bl, 5239 SE Woodstock Bl, ext. 100 Portland, OR 97209 • 503-764-9174 Portland, OR 97232 • 503-228-9571 Portland, OR 97206 • 503-775-3767 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] thecircusproject.org intlschool.org octc.org ahscpdx.org/yumiao.html Please see ad on page 72 Please see ad on page 48 Please see ad on page 50 Please see ad on page 65
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SCIENCE / NATURE Dates: Jun 18-Aug 24 11507 SW Pacific Hwy, The Audubon Society Portland, OR 97223 • 503-330-8781 of Portland [email protected] engineeringforkids.net/location/portland- The Audubon Society of Portland includes metro/Camps truly awesome elements in each of our onsite programs, excursions and mobile adventures. Each summer camp is sci- Mad Science of Portland ence-based and experiential, with problem and Vancouver solving and thought-provoking challenges Mad Science Summer Camp presented daily. Our holistic approach Mad Science offers a wide range of STEM allows campers to express themselves camp programs where science is the individually through different mediums star! Designed for ages 5-13 our science like crafts, poetry, skits and music. We camps will fascinate kids with rockets, recognize that children have different robots, chemistry, and more. Operating learning styles and we address these by all throughout Portland and Vancouver; doing, seeing, touching, smelling, hearing there is always a Mad Science camp and, at times, tasting! Our student-direct- nearby. ed approach allows for the organic nature Ages: Ages 5-13 of the informal outdoor setting to build Dates: Jun 18 - Aug 31 on the student’s personal passions and Reg. Deadline: One week prior to camps interests in the natural world. Multiple locations in the Portland/Vancou- Ages: 6-18 ver Metro Area Cost: $175-$515 • 503-230-8040 Dates: Jun 25-Aug 31 [email protected] 5151 NW Cornell Rd, portland.madscience.org
Portland, OR 97210 • 503-292-6855 Please see ad on page 62 [email protected] audubonportland.org
Please see ad on page 61 Old McDonald’s Farm, Inc. The Jr. Vet. Feline/Canine (Cats and Dogs) Program Engineering for Kids Calling all Junior Veterinarians; this class is for you! Learn the diagnostic plan that Join us this summer to explore the Vets use to determine a treatment plan fantastic world of engineering through for our pets, our cats and dogs. Learn our fun, hands-on summer camps! We will how to maintain health, how to treat have Junior Camps, Apprentice Camps ailments, when to call a Vet, how to vacci- and Master Camps. (Ages may vary by nate, the K.I.S.S. principle and more. location.) Through both directed and open-ended projects, campers will explore Ages: Entering 4th - 12th grades Cost: $239 everything from aerospace engineering to Dates: Jul 30 - Aug 3 electronic game development. Reg. Deadline: When full. Classes fill up. Ages: Age 4-7; Age 7- 12; Age 11 and over PO Box 326 Cost: $141 - $368 Corbett, OR 97019 • 503-695-3316
68 March 2018 | pdxparent.com pdxparent.com | March 2018 69 [email protected] Locations throughout Portland Metro • oldmcdonaldsfarm.org 808-285-5584
Please see ad on page 69 [email protected] play-well.org
OMSI - Oregon Museum of Science & Industry Saturday Academy We offer classes and camps in science, OMSI overnight camps and day classes technology, engineering, math and the are the can’t-wait-for-what’s-next kind arts. From Curiosity Challenge to Club of adventure. With 200+ camps and Med: Medical Careers to Game Develop- classes to choose from, you can paddle ment to Veterinary Medicine to Sports wild rivers, animate your own story, Science to Animation Academy, we have build a robot, and more! Packed full of a camp for you. Follow your curiosity! science-fueled fun, OMSI summer camps Financial aid is available. are available for all ages, all summer long. Ages: Entering grades 2-12 Ages: Kindergarten through High School Cost: Varies. Financial aid is available. Cost: $200-$1063 Dates: Various dates, weekly Jun 18-Aug 20 Dates: Jun 11-Aug 24 Classes and camps are located 1945 SE Water Ave, throughout the Portland Metro area • Portland, OR 97214 • 503-797-4661 503-200-5858 [email protected] [email protected] omsi.edu saturdayacademy.org
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Oregon Zoo Sauvie Island Center Farm Camp Your zoo connects kids to nature. Every day at Sauvie Island Center’s Farm Campers explore little-known areas of Camp is a new adventure! We’ll explore the zoo, learn about animals by meeting the 18-acre Sauvie Island Organics farm, them face-to-face, and leave inspired to play in the garden and cook with fresh care for the natural world. Enrich your veggies every day. Kids are outside all kids with a day camp like no other. Full day, learning about where food comes week day camps and single day options from while soaking up the fresh air and available. sunshine. Ages: Children 4 years old to youth enter- ing eighth grade Ages: Children entering 2nd, 3rd or 4th Cost: $155-$400, most camps are are grade in the fall of 2018. around $300 Cost: $225 Dates: Jun 18-Aug 31 Dates: Jun 25-Aug 3 Reg. Deadline: Jun 25 4001 SW Canyon Rd, Portland, OR 97221 • 503-226-1561 13901 NW Howell Park Rd, Portland, OR 97231 • 503-201-5923 [email protected] oregonzoo.org [email protected] sauvieislandcenter.org Please see ad on page 45
Trackers Earth Portland Play-Well TEKnologies Trackers Earth Camps LEGO-Inspired engineering summer Trackers Earth offers day and overnight camps that explore STEM concepts camps. Children discover great friends, through hands on learning with LEGO. new skills, and outdoor adventure. Dream it, build it, wreck it, repeat! Teens embark on wilderness expeditions Choose from themes like robotics, of outdoor leadership. Skill Camps minecraft, star wars, ninjago and more! include wilderness survival, archery, We also offer Girl-Powered camps that farm craft, fishing, and filmmaking. Story inspire the next generation of Women Adventures offer secret agents, ninja, in STEM. What will your child build this elves, wizards, or dragons! Teens can summer? choose from blacksmithing, rock climbing, Ages: Grades K - 8 kayaking, ceramics, and much more. Cost: Pricing Varies Depending on Camp Ages: Grade K – 12 / Ages 4 – 17 and Location Cost: Starting at $367 for Day/ $695 for Dates: Multiple weeks of camp at each Residential Overnight location Dates: Jun 11-Aug 31
70 March 2018 | pdxparent.com Reg. Deadline: Camps fill fast. Register early. 4617 SE Milwaukie Ave, Portland, OR 97202 • 503-345-3312 2334 NE 57th Ave Portland, OR 97213 8111 SW West Slope Dr Portland, OR 97225 [email protected] trackerspdx.com/youth/summer-camps.php
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SPORTS / FITNESS MARTIAL ARTS
BaxterSports BaxterSports offers All Sports Camps during Spring, Winter, and Summer Breaks, plus all PPS days off. We also offer Bax- terSports Soccer camp for ages 5-13, and 4 Pillars Elite Soccer Camp for ages 9-16. Locally owned, community environment, extras include sports nutrition and sport psychology components at all camps.
Ages: 5-13 for most camps, 12-16 4 Pillars Soccer Camp Cost: $249 Dates: Jun, Jul and Aug Reg. Deadline: Day before camp starts Clinton Park, Portland, OR 97206 • 503-309-3347 [email protected] baxtersports.com
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Breakthrough Basketball Camps Breakthrough Basketball conducts quality, high-intensity, drill based camps that focus on not only bettering a players skill set on the court but also building character and confidence off the court. These camps will strengthen your athletes mentality while boosting their confidence to become more aggressive and skilled players. Our camps will provide a focused, fun learning environ- ment that cannot be rivaled.
Ages: 10-18 Reg. Deadline: 20% early bird discount expires Apr 15 Locations Throughout Portland • 866-846- 7892 [email protected] breakthroughbasketball.com
Glendoveer Golf & Tennis K-Lean’s Tennis/Golf Summer Camp K-Lean’s Tennis/Golf Summer Camp, Port- land’s best kids’ tennis program, is a junior development program for kids ages 5 to 17.
pdxparent.com | March 2018 71 We focus on providing a FUN, fast paced, Imagination Yoga and a game based approach that adds Imagination Yoga camps are led by excitement and enjoyment for the kids trained educators and yoga teachers as they learn through a progression of that skillfully integrate the wonderful drills and games specific for each of the body/mind/heart benefits of Yoga with tra- levels of play. K-Lean’s Tennis directed ditional summer camp activities. Children by USPTA Professional Kaleen Worley enjoy yoga adventures, art projects, will provide high quality instruction for science and nature exploration and yoga families. Delivered with passion, loads of games daily. Your child will leave feeling energy, and an environment for the kids calm, balanced and nourished. to realize and attain their potential. Come join the FUN! Ages: 5-12 Cost: $290 Ages: 5 - 17 years old Cost: $159/wk (2 hr). $269/wk (4 hr). $429/wk Dates: Jun 25-Jun 29; Jul 23-Jul 27; Jul Tennis/Golf (All Day) 30-Aug 3 Dates: Jun 11-14, Jun 18-21, Jun 25-28, Jul 12755 NW Dogwood St, 9-12, Jul 16-19, Jul 23-26, Jul 30-Aug 2, Aug Portland, OR 97229 • 971-645-9606 6-9, Aug 13-16, Aug 20-23 Reg. Deadline: Early bird 10% discount [email protected] through Apr 2018 imaginationyoga.com 14015 NE Glisan St, Portland, OR 97230 • 503-253-2402 [email protected] Naydenov Gymnastics k-leans.com Sports Camp: Gymnastics, bat mitten, Please see ad on page 68 basketball, soccer, fitness, water play, inflatable bouncers, giant obstacle cours- es, relay races, picnics, and crafts. Cost i9 Sports $160.00 per camp week. M-F 9am-3pm. i9 Sports offers a multi-sport program de- Preschool Camp: story time, art & crafts, signed to keep your child active and give gymnastics, water play, and picnics. parents a break from planning. Campers $60.00 per camp week. Snacks provided. will get loads of instruction, game-play Tue, Wed, & Thu 9am-12noon and daily sportsmanship values. Sports Ages: 3-12yrs will take place outdoors, and include flag Cost: $60 to $160 per camp week football, basketball, soccer, baseball, kick Dates: June 26 - Aug 25 ball & more. 5313 NE 94th Ave, Ages: 5-12 Cost: $225 Vancouver, WA 98662 • 360-944-4444 Dates: Various weeks Jun through Aug [email protected] Reg. Deadline: Jun 22 ngymnastics.com Locations throughout Portland Metro • 503-305-8841 Please see ad on page 61 [email protected] i9sports.com
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72 March 2018 | pdxparent.com SUMMER ROCK CAMP! Ages 9-13 No experience necessary Register at MyVoiceMusic.org SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE!
pdxparent.com | March 2018 73 Portland Shotokan Karate Trackers Earth Portland SUPPLIES AND SWIM Summer Kids Karate Trackers Earth Camps SERVICES INSTRUCTION Have your child and teen learn At Trackers Earth’s award-winning camps, traditional Japanese karate from an kids make friends and learn new skills. KEEN Kids Footwear Children of the Sea instructor with over 25 years coaching Swim School Under the guidance of expert educators, Camp-approved sandals from KEEN experience. Instruction in Japanese campers learn stealth and awareness Kids Footwear. KEEN Kids’ sandals are Family schedule and/or vacation conflict- and English. Coach is certified in Japan, through outdoor adventures. They dis- a must-have for summer camp – they’re ing with swim lessons during summer? JKF and vetted by Safe sport, Olympic Swim camps are a great way to get a cover the ancient secrets of the Forest easy to get on, provide toe protection Official USA Karate 2018. Intensive in- jump start on swimming. Kids have fun Ninja, training martial arts, wilderness and are machine washable. Plus, kids troduction with emphasis on obtaining and the daily repetition increases the survival, and invisibility. Unleash your will go crazy for the rainbow of colors to pace of learning. Camps run 30 minutes first belt level skills. inner ninja! choose from. Go to www.keenfootwear. Monday through Thursday in two week Ages: Grade School - High School Ages: Grade K – 12 / Ages 4 – 17 com/kids-pdxparent and receive 15% off increments starting June 18. Cost: $160-$225 weekly. 9-12 or 9-3 pm Cost: Starting at $367 for your order when you buy a pair of Dates: Jun 11-Aug 31 Ages: 3-8 years Dates: Jun, Jul, Aug kids’ sandals. Reg. Deadline: Camps fill fast. Register Cost: $150 Reg. Deadline: May 31 Dates: 6/18-6/28; 7/2-7/12; 7/16-7/26; 7/30-8/9; early. Multiple Locations • 503-402-1520 8/13-8/23 210 SE Madison St, 4617 SE Milwaukie Ave, keenfootwear.com/kids-pdxparent Reg. Deadline: Registration starts May 3 Portland, OR 97202 • 503-345-3312 Portland, OR 97214 • 503-975-0448 at 9:00am 2334 NE 57th Ave Please see ad on page 51 [email protected] Portland, OR 97213 10170 SW Nimbus Ave Ste H7, portlandshotokankarate.com 8111 SW West Slope Dr Portland, OR 97223 • 503-620-5970 Portland, OR 97225 [email protected] [email protected] childrenofthesea.com trackerspdx.com/ninja-camp Please see ad on page 73
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74 March 2018 | pdxparent.com