NW Kids Magazine April 2025

LIVE • PLAY • DO
magazine
2025
SUMMER
CAMP GUIDE
PART 2
of 3
nwkidsmagazine.com APRIL 2025

2 | NW Kids Magazine

NW Kids Magazine | 3

Editor’s Note
Welcome, April! Arguably the Portland area’s
most gorgeous month of the year, it’s time for
all of the blooms and blossoms of the season to
show us what they’ve been waiting all winter
for. We’ve been in summer camp mode for a
couple of months already and April is when it all
comes together for us with our annual Summer
Camp Expo (Saturday, April 5th at OMSI). This is always a fun event
and this year promises to be the same. Jurassic World by Brickman ®
is the featured exhibit at OMSI and we’ve heard fantastic things
about it. Come on out and see us. Say hello to us at the NW Kids
booth on your way in, pick up a backpack for your kiddos and head
inside to learn everything you need to know about summer camp
season. Enter to win prizes, free days and weeks of camp and enjoy
the family friendly activities. We can’t wait to see you there!
Cheers!
Mary
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Contents
APRIL 2025
8
2025 Summer Camp Guide
24
Portland’s Best Summer Camp Contest Preview
28
PJA Perspectives
NW Kids Magazine | 5

magazine
Connect With Us:
• Phone: 503.282.2711
• email: contact@nwkidsmagazine.com
• Facebook: facebook.com/nwkids
• Instagram: @nwkidsmagazine
NW Kids is published monthly
by Miche Media, LLC.
Every effort is made to ensure accuracy;
sometimes we make errors. Please let us
know when we do and accept our apologies.
Printed locally; Please recycle.
Publisher
Michelle Snell
michelle@nwkidsmagazine.com
Editor/Account Manager
Mary Brady
mary@nwkidsmagazine.com
Graphic Designer
Robyn Taylor
robyn@folkloremedia.com
Advertising Inquiries:
503-282-2711, ext. 1
sales@nwkidsmagazine.com
Listings
Big Lake Youth Camp..................................... 27
Cedarwood Waldorf School............................. 3
Club K............................................................. 12
Friends of Tryon Creek.................................... 13
German International School........................ 12
Happy Hollow Children’s Center.................... 27
i9 Sports......................................................... 21
International School of Portland................... 27
Little Fruit Farm.............................................. 27
MJCC................................................................. 7
NWCT............................................................. 31
NW Kids Summer Camp Expo....................... 32
OES................................................................... 7
OMSI................................................................. 2
One With Heart.............................................. 12
Parkour Visions............................................... 22
PJA.................................................................. 13
Play Fit Fun..................................................... 21
Portland Drama Club..................................... 13
Portland Rock Gym........................................ 13
Portland Ultimate.......................................... 13
THPRD.............................................................. 3
Triskelee Farm................................................ 13
Tucker Maxon................................................. 22
YMCA Camp Silver Creek............................... 13
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2025
SUMMER
CAMP GUIDE
PART 2
of 3
Summer Camp season is around the corner
and it’s time to start planning your kids’
best summer yet!
From art to sports and everything in
between, you will find it here!
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ACADEMIC
Portland Jewish Academy
Explore your creativity, discover your talents,
nurture your curiosity, and broaden your
horizons at PJA’s Summer Discovery Program.
Learn coding, experiment with string arts,
construct elaborate Lego sculptures, and more!
Open to everyone ages 4-15!
pjaproud.org/summer
ARTS & CRAFTS
Tucker Arts Camp
Voted Best Arts Camp for 4 years running,
Tucker Arts Camp is back! Children in pre-k
(age 4+) through 5th grade explore the art of
storytelling with crafts, music, & visual arts.
The SE PDX campus offers a organic garden,
tree house studio, goats, and gym.
8:30-2:30 + aftercare avail until 5:30PM.
tuckermaxon.org/tuckerartscamp
DANCE, GYMNASTICS & ACTIVE PLAY
DolFUN Dynamics
DolFUN Dynamics: Swim-Move-Play-Learn
Their Dynamic camps provide kids with
an active day of Sports & FUN including
Gymnastics, Ninja, Swim, Crafts, & More!
Summer: June 16-Aug 28. Early-Bird pricing by
April 1. Exciting themes each week.(beautiful
air-conditioned facility, located right off I-205)
dolfundynamics.com
DISABILITIES
ABI: Bike First!
Riders blossom and beam with pride over
their new-found skill, volunteers cheer, and
parents tear up to see their child take flight,
alone, for the first time. Bike First! is open to
children eight years and up; meaning there is
no cap on the end age.
nwdisabilitysupport.org/about-bike-first
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Camp Meadowood Springs
A summer camp experience for children with
communication challenges, including speech
sound disorder. Activities include: Confidence
Courses, canoeing, arts & crafts, nature hikes,
bug catching, and much more!
meadowoodsprings.org
Camp Yakety Yak
Camp Yakety Yak is an inclusive social skills
day camp supporting friendship development
for children with special needs, ages 5-15, &
social skills in the workplace instruction for
young adults ages 16-22.
campyaketyyak.org
GENERAL
Catlin Gabel School
Catlin Gabel’s 67-acre campus offers a variety
of weekly camps from July 7-Aug. 8 (preschoolhigh
school). Options include sports, arts and
crafts, photography, LEGO robotics, model
rockets, writing, DJing, day camps, and more.
Extended care available.
catlin.edu/summer
Cedarwood Waldorf School
Cedarwood’s summer camps offer handson
fun, outdoor adventures, and creative
exploration in a nurturing environment.
Children of all ages thrive through storytelling,
crafting, movement, and nature-based
activities inspired by Waldorf education.
cedarwoodschool.org
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Club K Summer Camp
Give your campers an unforgettable summer
at Club K’s Dream Big, Achieve More
Summer Camp! This day camp offers handson
activities and exciting career-themed
adventures with daily and weekly themes all
summer long. Check them out!
clubkafterschool.com/summer-camp
Happy Hollow Children’s Center
They are an inclusive Summer Day Camp
for children 2.5-5 and School Age Groups
(Kindergarten to 2nd Grade - 5-8 Years). They
offer weekly enrollment full-day camp or halfday
camp and drop-in day options as well!!
happy-hollow.net
Mittleman Jewish Community
Center
Have an AWESOME summer at MJCC Summer
Day Camp! Enjoy quality, age-appropriate
programs that are super fun including
swimming, cooking, Jewish culture, drama,
nature, sports, and more! Flexible options
8am – 5:30 pm. Open to everyone ages 3-15.
oregonjcc.org/daycamp
Oregon Episcopal School
Summer at OES offers students in pre-K
through grade five a variety of fun, inquirybased
summer enrichment programs, plus
special workshops for grades 6-11. From rock
climbing to creative arts, river running to STEM,
your child will find their passion at OES.
oes.edu/summer
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Tualatin Hills Parks and
Recreation District
Full and half day camps available. General
camp, sports, nature, art, and more. #1
Summer camp provider on the Westside.
Open to ages 3-17.
thprd.org
YMCA Camp Greider
YMCA Camp Greider is a day camp located
on 80 beautiful acres in the West Salem Hills,
offering programs for campers ages 6-15.
Throughout a week at Camp Greider, campers
will create life-long memories, develop new
friendships, and build life skills.
theyonline.org/camps/ymca-camp-greider
HORSES & FARM
Ekone Ranch Summer Camp
At Ekone, days are spent outside, doing projects,
and exploring the forests & canyons, and
building community with humans & animals.
Kids come home feeling confident, supported,
and ready to tackle new things! Programs
offered in horses, art, cooking, music, leadership,
and hands-on skill-building.
ekone.org
Triskelee Farm
Join Triskelee Farm this summer! They have a
variety of camps for all ages. They offer Farm,
Art, and even Demigod training camps for
Greek mythology lovers. Spend the day outside
connecting with nature and animals, and making
new friends!
triskeleefarm.com/school-%26-camps
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LANGUAGE
German International School
Join GIS this summer for their German or
Mandarin language immersion summer camps.
They offer students from preschool – 8th
grade the opportunity to experience handson
learning through a variety of exciting,
innovative and entertaining themes.
gspdx.org
International School of
Portland Language Immersion
Summer Camp
It’s a world of fun at the International School
of Portland’s award-winning summer camp!
Chinese, Spanish, or Japanese language and
culture come to life through hands-on projects,
games, outdoor fun, and more! Learn a new
language or practice one that you know!
intlschool.org/summer
The International Leadership
Academy
ILA Summer Camps in Lake Oswego provide
continuity in language and culture, with
instruction in both French and English. French
proficiency is not required. Sessions include
Cooking, Arts and Crafts, Robotics, Science,
Dance, Yoga, Movie Making and more!
ilapdx.org/summer-camp-2025
MUSIC
Summer Sing
(ORS Youth Choir)
Summer Sing campers will dance, play
instruments, make arts and crafts, listen and
write stories, make friends, and, of course,
SING! Each Summer Sing camp culminates
with a final performance to showcase the
creativity and music created during the week.
Financial Aid Available!
orsingers.org/youth-choir/summer-sing
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NATURE
Friends of Tryon Creek
Grow, learn, and have fun outdoors! Observe
the forest hiking tree-lined trails and crossing
bridges over Tryon Creek. Hone your nature
science knowledge. Express your creativity
through arts and crafts. Play games, build
forts, and make friends.
tryonfriends.org/forest-adventures
OUTDOOR SPORTS & ROCK CLIMBING
i9 Sports
Nike Kids Camps powered by i9 Sports
provides an unforgettable summer camp
experience! All skill levels are welcome and
every young athlete grows and glows. The
earlier you register, the more money you save!
i9sports.com
One With Heart
Join at Woodstock Park for One With Heart’s
summer camps! Kids will learn martial arts
with skilled instructors from the OWH
community. Their camps are packed with
adventure & excitement and suitable for
martial artists of all skill levels.
onewithheartfightingarts.com/summercamps
Parkour Visions
Kids are thrilled to explore the PNW’s greatest
parks with Parkour Visions! * Washington Park
* Westmoreland Park * Irving Park * Grant Park
* Elk Rock Island * Mt. Tabor Park * Embark
on one of the PNW’s greatest movement
adventures for kids!
parkourvisions.org/summer-camps
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Portland Rock Gym
Looking for a summer adventure for your child?
Portland Rock Gym’s weekly climbing camps
(ages 9-13) help kids build confidence, learn
new skills, and make friends—all while having
a blast! Camps run June 15–Aug 15 in NE &
Beaverton. Sign up today!
portlandrockgym.com
Portland Ultimate
Their ultimate frisbee camps get kids outside
to exercise, make friends and have fun! Their
experienced coaches foster a safe and inclusive
environment that promotes spirit of the game.
They offer affordable camps for all ages &
experience levels. Go play!
portlandultimate.org/summer-campsoverview-2025
OVERNIGHT
Big Lake Youth Camp
Youth camps (ages 7-17) are 6 days of
adventure, learning, and new friends! Activities:
archery, canoeing, art, horsemanship, wake
sports, ceramics/pottery, robots, rockets, & more.
Family camps are 4 days, open to all ages!
biglake.org
PERFORMING ARTS
Acting for Kids & Teens
Portland’s Acting for Kids & Teens offers
dynamic summer camps for all levels where
young performers explore improv, voiceover,
scene study, and filmmaking. Led by industry
pros, each camp builds confidence, creativity,
& acting skills in a fun and safe environment.
actingforkidsandteens.com
NW Kids Magazine | 19

Northwest Children’s Theater
Hang with Hagrid, swim with Nemo and
defy gravity with Elphaba! Half-day and
full-day camps are offered all summer long
across 5 locations in Portland, Beaverton and
Sherwood. Choose from 30+ camp titles, like
Peter Pan, Tangled and more! Ages 4-14.
nwcts.org/summer-camp-25
Portland Drama Club
Offering K-8 student’s summer camp and
after school performance opportunities,
Portland Drama Club teach Portland’s youth
the power in themselves through play,
practice, and performance.
portlanddramaclub.org
STEAM
Oregon Museum of Science
and Industry (OMSI)
Explore, learn, and create this summer with
OMSI camps and classes! Whether it’s at
the coast at Camp Gray, in the high desert
at Hancock Field Station, or at the museum,
youth can experience hands-on learning and
adventures while making lifelong friends.
omsi.edu
Check out our full camp guide
at nwkidsmagazine.com
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2025
Best Summer Camps
Contest
This month we’ll launch our 2025 Best Summer Camps Contest!
From April 15th through April 30th, NW Kids will open nominations
for Portland’s Best Summer Camps. The three camps in each
category with the most nominations became finalists. Then from
May 1st through May 15th, readers will vote for their favorite camp
in each category.
Here’s a list of camps that you, the readers, voted as
Portland’s Best Summer Camps in 2024.
Who will win this year? Stay tuned, nominate, and then vote for
your favorites!
ACADEMIC
Code Ninjas
codeninjas.com
ARTS
Tucker Arts Camp
tuckermaxon.org
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DISABILITIES
Camp Yakety Yak
campyaketyyak.org
GREAT OUTDOORS
Big Lake Youth Camp
biglake.org
LANGUAGE
International School
of Portland
intlschool.org/summer
MOVEMENT
The Movement Park
themovementpark.com
MUSIC
School of Rock
schoolofrock.com/locations/portland
continued on next page
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OVERNIGHT
Camp Namanu
campfirecolumbia.org/namanu/
PERFORMANCE
Portland Drama Club
portlanddramaclub.org
SPORTS
BaxterSports Camps
baxtersports.com
STEAM
Code Ninjas
codeninjas.com
TRADITIONAL
Trackers Earth
trackerspdx.com
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Portland Jewish Academy provides a well-rounded education
infused with Jewish values that emphasizes collaboration,
critical thinking, social-emotional learning, and character
development for kids from early childhood through 8th grade.
We’ve invited writers from PJA’s middle school to join our team
for a series that gives you a glimpse into thoughts and life -
from their perspective. Explore PJA at pjaproud.org.
Words
by Sofia
It can be hard to use words
To speak up,
Put your opinions out into the world
For everyone to hear
They can go unheard
Unnoticed
Unrecognized
Or they can spark like wildfire
Spreading from one mind to another
Once the words are out,
Once they’re heard,
They can’t be taken back
The balloon let go
Shining red as it floats away
Words are judged
Opinions critiqued
Delivery criticized
Sometimes the words don’t come out
Lips stuck together,
Words caught in your throat
Begging to escape but unable to make the jump
But paper is free of judgement
The pencil glides across the paper
Like a dancer in a ballet,
Making shapes and symbols
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They can be erased and rewritten,
Modified and perfected,
To the writer’s desires
An opinion can be expressed but not spoken
An opinion delivered but not stated
Paper provides a shield
From the harsh judgement of others
And the words can be read again and again
The message repeated for many audiences
Words allow for self-reflection
Looking into a mirror,
And studying what is deeper than the surface
Beliefs,
Values,
Wishes
Just like letters on paper,
A person can be rewritten
Modified and improved
Changed to what feels right
Beliefs can be studied and questioned
Values can be thought about and modified
Wishes can be fulfilled, and new ones created
Sometimes, ideas that are given don’t settle
The stones don’t balance well
And if they aren’t changed,
Or are simply ignored,
The whole tower can topple
It must be rebuilt,
With the right stones
At the right pace
Or else it could all come crashing down
Sofia is a current 8th grader at PJA. In
addition to writing, she enjoys hanging
out with her cats and painting.
NW Kids Magazine | 29

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®
magazine
Saturday, April 5, 2025
10am - 5pm
at OMSI
1945 SE Water Ave, Portland
Join us for a "one-stop shop" opportunity to learn about all of
the best summer camps in the Portland Metro area. With dozens
of different camps represented, you are sure to find the perfect
fit for your family. Make this your kids' best summer yet!
ADMISSION TO THE EXPO IS FREE!
For more information visit
nwkidsmagazine.com
Portland's
Original
Camp Expo
since 2011
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