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Winter Break Day Camp Roundup
By Teresa Carson
The winter vacation from school can be a fun break for kids, but can create headaches for working parents. Many area institutions have camps that keep the kids safe and entertained while parents are on the job. Some camps and workshops inspire or build skills. We’ve listed just a few of them. The December calendar and Holiday Highlights also lists many more activities during winter break. Parents should also contact their local parks and recreation district or community schools, if not listed here. (Many organizations offer discounts for members and some offer scholarships; ask when registering.)
Oregon Zoo.
Winter Zooventure Day Camp introduces kids to the zoo’s animals. Campers explore exhibits, do crafts, play games, hear stories and more. Different parts of the Zoo featured every day. Camp is for kids 4 years to 4th grade runs 9 am to 4 pm Dec. 21 through 23 and Dec. 28 through 30. $38 per day, discount for members, extended care available.
4001 SW Canyon Road. 503-220-2781. www.oregonzoo.org.
The Little Gym of Lake Oswego
offers three-hour camps packed with creative, non-competitive winter-related games, adventures and theme-related gymnastics stations. Choose to come one day or every day. Ages 3 (potty trained) to 8. 9 am to noon and 1 to 4 pm Dec 20 to 24 (afternoon only on Dec. 20.) $31 per session; sibling discounts.
17890 SW McEwan Rd., Lake Oswego. 503-595-9702. www.tlglakeoswegoor.com.
Sound Roots School of Modern Music
offers their Holiday Rocks! Band Camp, keeping the kids busy and giving them a chance to experience being a rock star. Ages 6 to 16. 9 am to 3 pm Dec. 26 through 31. $220.
3954 N Williams Ave. 503-282-9999. www.soundrootsmusic.com.
Audubon Society.
Spend the day learning how the Audubon Society cares for injured or orphaned wildlife. Or, take a field trip to the Wolf Haven Sanctuary and learn about these majestic predators. Audubon offers an enticing variety of outdoor-centered camps for kids in 1st to 8th grades. Camps run 9 am to 4 pm, no extended care available. Fees range around $65 or $75 per day, with discounts for members.
5151 NW Cornell Road. Reservations: 971-222-6120. www.audubonportland.org/trips-classes-camps/camps/winter.
Vancouver-Clark Parks and Recreation.
Every day will be buzzing with active fun at the different winter break camps for kids ages 4 through 16. Field trips, crafts, rock climbing, swimming and more tailored to different age groups. Camps have varied hours, many are 9 am to 4 pm with extended care available. Prices vary by camp and pre-registration is required. Two locations: Firstenburg Community Center, 700 NE 136th Ave, Vancouver: call 360-487-7001. Marshall and Lupke Community Centers, 1009 E. McLoughlin, Vancouver: call 360-487-7096.
www.ci.vancouver.wa.us/parks-recreation/facilities_locations/day camps.htm.
Tualatin Hills Park & Recreation District.
Spend your days off from school having fun in nature. Expect hiking adventures, creative crafts, games, activities and friends. Ages 7 to 11. 8 am to 5 pm Dec. 21, 22, 23, 28, 29, 30 and 31. $49 and up per day (in district); pre-registration required.
Nature Park Interpretive Center, 15655 SW Millikan Way, Beaverton. 503-629-6350. www.thprd.org.
YMCA.
The Y’s School Age Childcare program offers fun winter break camps at different locations all around the metropolitan area. Campers might go bowling, swimming or enjoy a Mad Science day. Every day will be packed with games, crafts and rollicking activities. Prices are about $40 per day or $160 per week. Camps are open to kids in kindergarten through 12 years old; they do not have to be a regular client. Bring your own lunch.
503-327-0007. www.ychildcare.org.
Tryon Creek State Park.
Want to learn all about woodpeckers? How about how animals feed themselves in the cold, dark winter? Kids enjoy crafts and experiments and have loads of foresty fun. Tryon hosts half-day camps from 9 am to 1 pm from Dec. 21 and 28 for kids in kindergarten and 1st grade. They have full day camps from 9 am to 3 pm for nature lovers in 1st through 4th grades on Dec. 22, 23, 29 and 30. Half day costs $30; full day costs $45, discount for members and extended care is available. Register online.
11321 SW Terwilliger Blvd. 503-636-4398. www.tryonfriends.org.
Portland Parks and Rec.
A stocking full of fun camps at locations around the city for kids as young as 4. For example, the Fulton Park Community Center invites kids 4 to 6 years old to “Escape Those Winter Break Blues” with sports, games, crafts and music from 1 to 4 pm for $18 per day Dec. 21, 22, 23, 29 and 30. 68 SW Miles. For kids 6 to 17, St. Johns, Hillside, Sellwood, Mt. Scott, Montavilla, Peninsula and other community centers offer action-packed all day and half-day camps with various activities for about $35 for a full day. Some camps offer extended care. Check Web site for details.
503-823-2525. www.portlandparks.org
Culinary Camps.
Kids learn to cook and might even gather some of the ingredients off the farm. Campers also get outside (dress in layers and bring boots) and enjoy crafts and games. Dec. 21 through 23, kids bake cookies, make pasta and pizza. Santa will come with his sheep. Dec. 28 through 30, kids make omelets, ice cream, cassoulet and other dishes with recipes from historic artists. Three age groups: K-2, 3-5 and 6-8. $32 per day, $90 for all three days. Camps are 9 am to 3 pm, extended care available.
Storied Ridge Farm, 15811 NW McNamee Road. 503-621-9239. www.facebook.com/pages/Portland-OR/Kitchen-Kids-at-Storied-Ridge-Farm/161054105757.
Winter Princess Class.
Dress up in gowns (provided) and staff will do hair and make-up. Plus, princess crafts, games and a royal tea party lunch every day. Perfect for that little princess. Girls ages 4 to 7. 10 am to 1 pm Dec. 28, 29, 30 and 31. $130, reservations by Dec. 21.
Doll House Tea Room, 3223 SE Risley Ave., Milwaukie. 503-653-6809 or info@dollhousetearoom.com. www.dollhousetearoom.com.
TrackersPDX.
This group promotes outdoor leadership and traditional skills in their camps for 4 to 13 year olds. Winter break camp offerings include a mountain trip for snow play and animal tracking ($95 all day) and Magic School ($30 to $50). On one day campers get busy with pioneer holiday cooking, grouped by age. The younger kids cook at Trackers Sellwood “campus” from 8:30 am to 12:30 pm ($30 one day) and older kids go to Trackers cabin in Sandy from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm ($55 one day). Aftercare is available.
5040 SE Milwaukie Ave. 503-680-1508. www.trackerspdx.com.
Winter Chess Camp.
These camps are open to all levels of chess players from beginners to state champions. Outdoor breaks, weather permitting. Three locations. Bring lunch and snacks. 8:30 am to 4 pm, plus half-day options. Dec. 21, 22 and 23: Oregon Episcopal School, 6300 SW Nicol Road, cost $125; register at www.oes.edu. Dec. 21, 22 and 23 Lake Grove Elementary, 15777 Boones Ferry Road, Lake Oswego, cost $161. Dec. 28, 29 and 30.
Cornerstone Christian School, 7708 NE 78th St., Vancouver, cost $120. 503-880-0581. www.chessvision.net.
AC Gilbert.
Salem’s children’s museum offers a smorgasbord of holiday classes for kids 2 years and up. Dec. 21 at 11 am kids 2 through 6 can listen to stories and make gingerbread projects. $11, discount for members. 12:30 pm Dec. 21 or Dec. 22 kids 4 and up can make candy condos, $11, discount for members. 10 am to noon Dec. 22 kids can make candy cane sleighs for free (with museum admission), while supplies last. 2 to 4 pm Dec. 22 kids age 4 and up can make gifts, $17, discount for members. And, 11 am to 1 pm Dec. 23 children ages 2 though 6 can attend a free workshop about winter holidays around the world and make crafts tied to the celebrations. Pre-registration required for fee-based workshops.
AC Gilbert’s Discovery Village, 116 Marion St. NE, Salem. 503-371-3631. www.acgilbert.org.
