urbanMamas Portland

This summer, Community Cycling Center’s Bike Camp program returns with more adventures, fun rides, and new games. The Bike Camp curriculum will offer more variety for both returning and new campers.

At Bike Camp, kids ages 6 through 15 build confidence, knowledge, and skills in a safe, creative, and supportive environment. The new lessons for advanced camps will take an in-depth look at shifting, breaking systems, and how to trouble-shoot mechanical problems.

“Last year, Bike Camp was an amazing experience for my daughter,” noted Susan Koonce, parent of a Bike Camper. “She is so proud that she learned how to fix a flat tire. I've noticed that Bike Camp gave her a lot more confidence in her riding ability. She continues to ride her bike to school everyday!”

This year, the Coasters Camp will meet with Friends of Trees to learn about the structure and benefits of trees, with plenty of engaging activities planned in neighborhood parks. Other camp sessions will host special guests, including Sugar Wheelworks and Icicle Tricycle. Last year, campers learned about bike maintenance from Gracie's Wrench, bike building from Ahearne Cycles, and how to confidently ride on the MAX with TriMet, to name just a few.

Each week-long camp session costs $283 and scholarships are available. Conveniently located in the Alberta neighborhood close to two bus lines, camps begin and end each day at the Community Cycling Center bike shop on the corner of NE 17th and Alberta Street. Camp hours are 9am until 3pm.

Register online soon – Bike Camps are sure to fill up fast. If you would like to speak to someone in person about finding the best camp fit for your child, stop by the Community Cycling Center on Saturdays in February and March to meet with Kim Whitney, the Youth Programs Manager.

To learn more about Bike Camp, visit www.CommunityCyclingCenter.org.

Kindergarten – 4th grade

9 a.m. – 4 p.m., March 26, 27, 28, 29, 30

The Oregon Zoo’s spring break ‘Nature Ranger’ camp will give kids a chance to get outside and connect with nature by exploring the living laboratory that is the Oregon Zoo. Campers will investigate local wildlife in some of the zoo’s green spaces and join in a variety of outdoor activities like animal track hikes, gardening for wildlife, and bird counts. Each day will also include guided tours of the zoo, art projects, games and a visit from one of the zoo’s touchable education animals. Optional early and late care is available. Visit www.oregonzoo.org for fee information and to register.

SPARKS will inspire youth to use their passions, skills, and talents to transform themselves and their community. Campers will spend the day serving at various community sites chosen to meet the SPARK of every camper. Afternoon sessions will include integrating lessons with activities in the arts, music, games and fun.

WHO:
-          CAMPERS: middle schoolers who have finished 6^th through 8^th grade who want to serve the community, celebrate their SPARK, build friendships and have fun!
-          COUNSELORS: high school students who want to build leadership skills, help young people discover and use their SPARK and have fun! Stipend or service credit will be provided.
-          CAMP LEADERS: college students who want to build leadership, foster the understanding of charity and social justice, and have fun! This is a paid opportunity.

WHEN: August 1-12, 2011 (Monday – Friday), 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

WHERE: Trinity Episcopal Cathedral (147 NW 19th Avenue, Portland, OR 97209) and throughout the city

TOTAL COST: $500. Some financial aid is available.

MORE INFO: www.TrinitySPARKS.org or e-mail SPARKS@trinity-episcopal.org

Tears of Joy Puppet Theatre presents

Puppet Camp

at Portland Center for Performing Arts, Dolores Winningstad Theatre

 Join Tears of Joy Puppet Theatre on stage! Make puppets, balance on balls, learn to juggle, and take home your own hand-made mask. Each camp session ends with a fun performance on the Winningstad stage for friends and family.

Puppetry for Young Children July 5 - 8,  9:30 - 12:00pm, Ages 5 - 7 $150

Puppet Construction and Performance July 11 - 15,  9:00 - 12:00, Ages 7 - 12 $175

Mask and Circus Performance July 11 - 15,  1:00 - 4:00pm, Ages 7 - 12 $175

 Space is limited, so call today! 503-248-0557 or download our orderform at http://tojt.org/PuppetCamp.pdf

The Meyer Boys & Girls club offers fun morning and all day summer camps for youth entering 1st-12th grade. Our camp offerings include sports, fine arts, drama, outdoor adventure and science & technology. In the afternoons we offer a free drop in program from 1:00pm-5:30pm.

We are hosting an open house and family BBQ event on June 9th from 4:30-6:00pm. We are located at 7119 SE Milwaukie Ave. Call 503-238-6868 for more details.

Our summer information packet is available here.

The Sauvie Island Center offers day camps designed to increase environmental literacy in Portland's youngest city dwellers.

This July and August, Portland-area children will have the opportunity to experience the Sauvie Island Center curriculum in a day camp format. During the school year elementary school students participate in day long field trips to the center, which is located on the Sauvie Island Organics farm and the grounds of the 120 acre Howell Territorial Park.

Day camps, which begin at 9:30 am, include opportunities for kids to:
*       Tour the farm, taste vegetables fresh from the field and learn about organic farming.
*       Search for hummingbirds and honey bees in the native hedgerow, in the heritage orchard and on the farm while learning about pollinators and the important role they play in our food supply.
*       Harvest produce from the Grow Lunch Garden and participate in a hands-on cooking project.

Camps begin and end with children gathering in a circle in front of the center's big, red barn.  They talk about experiences children have had with gardening or farming and discuss plans for the day.  They also learn about the wildlife kids are likely to see on the farm.  Camp leaders use examples,
such as "deer ears" and "owl eyes", to explain how children should listen and watch the way animals do for signs of life on the farm.

Dates & Details
*       July 26th - Grades 1 & 2, August 2nd - Grades 3 & 4
*       August 11th - Family camp is an opportunity for parents and children to spend the day together on the farm.
*       Completed registration forms (available on www.SauvieIslandCenter.org ) and $30 per child payment are required to hold your space.
*       Camps begin at 9:30 am and end at 2:00 pm
*       Children should bring a sack lunch & water bottle
*       Camps take place in Howell Territorial Park, which includes Sauvie Island Organics farm, located on Sauvie Island.

Established in 2005, the Sauvie Island Center educates youth about food, farming and the land. Shari Raider, owner of Sauvie Island Organics, founded the center in response to the overwhelming number of requests for farm tours she received from local schools. Ms. Raider teamed up with James Beard award-winning chef Cory Schreiber and recruited educator-volunteers to develop the farm-based, hands-on curriculum. This year the center will host more than 1,200 students, which represents a 300% increase over 2008, the 1st year they began tracking attendance.

Fairy Tale Adventures camps are for ages 5-12 for dancers with any level of dance experience, even newcomers!  Each week features an engaging story, and dancers learn a variety of dance styles, songs, and make costumes for a performance that takes place at the end of each week.  Come for one week or all three!

Go to www.portlandfestivalballet.org for more info about Portland Festival Ballet or Call 503-245-5269

    Rapunzel Adventure    July 18-22
    Toy Story Adventure   July 25-29
    Mermaedia Adventure  August 1-5

Each of the above camps are $250.

The Mini Prince and Princess and Mini Fairy Camps are creative movement programs where our 3-5 year olds learn a new prince/princess/fairy story each day, and do dance, tumbling, crafts, and games, followed by a costume dress up day at the end of the week!
    Mini Princess   August    8-11
    Mini Fairy         August 15-18

Each Mini Camp is $90

Portland Taiko is offering two summer camps this year, for kids and youth.

Times and dates:
Kids Taiko Camp: (ages 7-9)
Monday-Friday July 11-15, 10-3:00pm, $200
plus recital on Friday 2:30-3:30

Youth Taiko Camp: (ages 10-16)
Monday-Friday, August 8-12, 10-3:00pm, $200
plus recital on Friday 2:30-3:30

Kids Camp is a week-long summer camp where kids can embrace the principals of taiko. Students learn respect, cooperation and perseverance through games, rhythms and activities.

Contact us at info@portlandtaiko.org or 503-288-2456 for more info.
www.portlandtaiko.org

Come join us for a week of hand printmaking in SW Portland! We'll explore both ancient and modern techniques for making prints -- with ink and paint, by creating impressions in clay, even by using the sun. We'll spend time drawing from nature in Washington Park and then turn those drawings into colorful masterpieces. Each day will include time spent outside (both to get the wiggles out and to discover the bounty of materials and inspiration nature provides). 

This camp is being co-led by Rebecca Zenk, director of the after school art program at Ainsworth Elementary and Julie Wheeler, of Creative License art classes. 

July 11-15  or  August 1-5
9:30-1:00

$155 + 25 materials fee

Best suited for ages 6–9
Limit 10 children

Please call 503-473-6677 or email julie@strongrrl.com for details and to register.

 
Kids Central Kitchen is offering a series of summer baking classes just for kids! Join us at Bliss Bake Shop in Bethany Village as we create delicious treats to bring home and share with friends and family. Many class options are available. Don't delay...space is limited! To learn more: Class Info & Registration