Summer & School Break Camps
PWS offers exceptional camp experiences during school breaks and over the summer.
Our school break and summer camps are open to the community. We encourage friends and families interested in PWS to sign up for camp! All camps include a variety of artistic activities, games, time outdoors, seasonal offerings, and more.
School break camps are offered for students in preschool through 6th grade (ages 3-12).
Summer camps are offered for students ages 3-18.
2024-25 School Break Camps
School Break Camps include an Early Childhood (EC) Camp for children in preschool and kindergarten, and a Grades Camp for children grades 1-6.
November 1
November 25-26
Dec 30-31 and Jan 2-3
February 18-21
March 31-April 4
Summer Camp 2025
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Our Summer Camps take place here on our beautiful Portland Waldorf School campus where there is plenty of shade and river breezes, and lots of spring water to cool us down! Camp days hold a familiar Waldorf school rhythm of in-breath and out-breath, including rests and ample time for free and structured play inside and out.
In the mornings, our Grades campers will enjoy a themed activity, story and snack, and in the afternoons they will take a Wonder Walk with their teachers to Elk Rock Island, Milwaukie Bay, or another nearby nature spot to explore or gather.
Early Childhood will also enjoy themed crafts, stories, and games; explore and play on Walnut Hill; and take a gentle rest in the afternoon.
See the unique themes offered for each camp below!
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Early Childhood Camp: Ages 3-5, preschool & kindergarten. Must be toilet trained. Half and full days available.
Early Grades Camp: Ages 6-8, rising 1st, 2nd, and 3rd graders.
Grades Camp: Ages 9-12, rising 4th through 7th graders
Middle School Camp: Rising 6th through 8th graders
High School Camp: Rising 9th through 12th graders
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All camps run Monday through Friday
Full Day: 8:30am-3pm
Half Day: 8:30am-12:45m (option for Early Childhood only)
Camps are offered weekly from July 7 through August 22, scroll down for details on all camp dates
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Early Bird Pricing!
Open now through March 31:
$345 for One Week of Half Days (EC only)
$495 for One Week of Full Days
Regular Pricing, after March 31:
$400 for One Week of Half Days (EC only)
$550 for One Week of Full Days
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Contact our Auxiliary Programs Director at inquiry@portlandwaldorf.org, to learn more or ask questions.
Early Childhood, Early Grades, and Grades Camps
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Pollinator Gardens: July 7-11
Learning the best ways to help pollinators during the warmer summer months, campers will go home with skills and know-how for their own gardens and neighborhoods.
We’ll implement what we learn in gardens on the PWS campus and start a garden journal with easy tips and tricks to take home for gardeners of all ages and skill levels!
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Nature Art: July 14-18
After gathering beautiful and interesting bits of nature out and about in Milwaukie, campers will design and construct individual art pieces - and work together on a group project to display on campus!
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Wolf Week: July 21-25
Curious campers will learn all about wolves, the great apex predators of the Pacific Northwest!
For children who wonder what wolves really eat, how they communicate, and how we can coexist peacefully, they will be immersed in wolfpack behavior and lore all week.
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Kitchen Science: July 28-Aug 1
Learn how to follow recipes, measure ingredients, and add a little magic to make wonderful kitchen treats.
Campers will start their own recipe books to bring home and add to for years to come. Breads, muffins and cookies always taste better when made with love!
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Recycled Textiles: Aug 4-8
Campers will take well-loved textiles and infuse them with new life! See a favorite shirt turn into a bag, a pillowcase become an apron, or a sweater could become a new favorite stuffed animal!
With a bit of imagination, some scissors and thread, children will be inspired to view fabrics we use every day and see their future potential.
Middle School & High School Camps
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Babysitter Training: July 7-11
This will be a fun week of learning essential babysitting skills to become responsible and confident babysitters. Important topics covered will include child safety, basic first aid, engaging activities by age, behavior management, emergency procedures, communication with parents, and handling diverse situations.
New sitters will go home with a babysitting notebook, a starter babysitting kit hand-crafted by each participant, and a certificate of completion from the Heart and Hands Care Academy you can proudly display and show to prospective families!
For middle and high school campers, rising 6th-12th graders.
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Life Drawing & Landscape Art: July 14-Aug 1
This is a 3-week session, July 14-18, 21-25, and July 28-Aug 1
Art teacher Dexter Brightman brings his expertise as a renowned artist and Waldorf alum to enthusiastic young artists. This three-week camp session is intended for students interested in deepening skills in both life drawing and landscapes.
Rising 6th-9th graders.
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Parkour on Elk Rock Island: Aug 4-8
PWS is teaming up with sister non-profit, Parkour Visions, for a Nature-Adventure Parkour Camp at Elk Rock Island.
Campers will dive into forest exploration and thrilling parkour skills practice while playing games like tag, stealth challenges, and teamwork activities.
From rock jumping to tree climbing, every day is packed with fun and learning, all while fostering a sense of environmental stewardship.
Rising 6th-9th graders.
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Theater Camp: Aug 11-22
This is a 2-week session, Aug 11-15 and 18-22.
Come join Mr. Kevin Murphy and Ms. Janet Teller of Bridge City Theatre Camp for two full weeks of drama and design.
Campers will experience all the elements of skill building and collaboration techniques Mr. Kevin is known for bringing in such a fun, safe and inspiring way.
They will learn lines, design a set, costumes, make puppets, and perform a play for friends and family on the last day of camp!
For middle and high school campers, rising 6th to 12th graders.