It’s time to book summer camps in Portland, Oregon, and the best recommendations are always the ones you get from other parents.
Check out the winners of our annual readers’ poll in the Camps Category below. Can’t get enough camp content? Find even more summer camps listed in our Summer Camps Directory.
Congratulations to these fabulous winners!
Outdoor Adventure Camps
WINNER: Trackers Earth Portland
Trackers Earth Portland is practically synonymous with outdoor camp around here — think wilderness skills, archery, shelter-building, crafting, and big-confidence adventures with other kids who love being outside.
TOP 5
Friends of Tryon Creek
Girl Scouts of Oregon and Southwest Washington
Bird Alliance of Oregon
Camp Two Roads
Alpengirl Camp
🎨 Arts & Crafts Camps
🏆 WINNER: Tucker Arts Camp
For kids who want to spend summer creating, Tucker Arts Camp is a longtime reader favorite. Expect lots of hands-on making, experimenting, and creative energy — the kind of camp where kids come home proud of what they made.
TOP 5
Willowbrook Arts Camp
Whimsy Wees Art Studio
Children’s Healing Art Project (CHAP)
PDX Preschool of the Arts & The Hangout
Owl and Bee Clay Company
🧗 Climbing & Obstacle Camps
🏆 WINNER: The Circuit Bouldering Gym
For kids who love to move (and move fast), The Circuit Bouldering Gym is a reader favorite for building strength, confidence, and problem-solving skills on the wall — with youth programming that keeps things supportive and fun.
TOP 5
Portland Rock Gym
Skyhook Ninja Fitness
The Movement Park
Revolution Parkour
Aim High Academy of Martial Arts
🩰 Dance Camps and Classes
🏆 WINNER: Oregon Ballet Theatre
Through beloved performances and a strong training program, Oregon Ballet Theatre is a reader favorite for dance camps that inspire young dancers — whether they’re brand new or have been dancing for years.
TOP 5
The Everybody Dance Project
NW Dance Project
Classical Ballet Academy
Steps PDX
June Taylor’s School of Dance
☀️ General Day Camps
🏆 WINNER: Trackers Earth
If you’re looking for a day camp that feels like a real summer adventure, Trackers Earth Portland offers a wide range of themes and age groups — one reason it continues to show up as a reader favorite year after year.
TOP 5
Sellwood Community House
YMCA of Columbia-Willamette
Friendly House
North Clackamas Parks & Recreation
Masterthinkers
🗣️ Foreign Language Camps
🏆 WINNER: International School of Portland
For families who want language learning to feel natural and fun, International School of Portland is a reader favorite for immersion-style programs where kids learn through play, culture, and connection.
TOP 5
L’Etoile French Immersion School
Kids Like Languages
Adventures in Spanish
Atlas Immersion Academy
Camp Abenteuer
🤸 Gymnastics Camps and Classes
🏆 WINNER: The Children’s Gym
Founded in 1984 and loved by generations of Portland families, The Children’s Gym is a reader favorite for camps that build strength, coordination, and confidence — in a positive, non-competitive environment.
TOP 5
Oregon Gymnastics Academy
OMEGA Gymnastics
The Little Gym Lake Oswego
Westside Dance & Gymnastics Academy
Echo Theater Company
🐴 Horse & Animal Camps
🏆 WINNER: Oregon Humane Society
Animal-loving kiddos can learn, create, and connect with furry friends at Oregon Humane Society camps — a reader favorite for hands-on fun paired with lessons about animal care and welfare.
TOP 5
Triskelee Farm
Wilsonville Equestrian Center
Royal Ridges
River Ranch Horse Camp
Cascade Pacific Council, BSA
Inclusive Camps
🏆 WINNER: Mt. Hood Kiwanis Camp
This beloved organization offers the best parts of summer camp — nature, community, supportive counselors, and fun experiences — and makes it accessible and enriching for campers with disabilities. Mt. Hood Kiwanis Camp remains a reader favorite for inclusive, supportive programming.
TOP 5
Camp Yakety Yak
Tucker Arts Camp
BB360
Upward Bound Camp
Easterseals Oregon
🏕️ Overnight Camps
🏆 WINNER: OMSI
Kids who dig science and the natural world will have a blast at OMSI overnight camps — with regional locations and themes that blend learning, adventure, and serious summer-camp memories.
TOP 5
Camp Namanu
Camp Two Roads
Big Lake Youth Camp
Camp Howard
Camp Tilikum
🎭 Performing Arts Camps and Classes
Camps
🏆 WINNER: Northwest Children’s Theater and School
At Northwest Children’s Theater, kids can spend the week building skills, confidence, and community — whether they’re new to theater or ready to level up their singing, dancing, and acting.
TOP 5
Oregon Children’s Theatre
Lovegood Performing Arts Company
Broadway Rose Theatre Company
Echo Theater Company
Portland Drama Club
🔬 STEAM Camps
🏆 WINNER: OMSI
OMSI has been offering kids’ camps for decades, and the focus is always on science — with a fun, hands-on approach that keeps curious kids engaged.
TOP 5
Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum
Code Ninjas
Journey to STEAM
Experiment PDX
Coding with Kids
⚽ Sports Camps
🏆 WINNER: Soccer Shots
For younger athletes, Soccer Shots is a reader favorite for positive, age-appropriate coaching that focuses on skill-building, coordination, and fun.
TOP 5
Pedalheads
Skyhawks Sports Academy
Rose City Futsal
Baxter Sports
Stronger Skatepark
🎶 Music Camps and Classes
🏆 WINNER: Backbeat Music Academy
For kids who want their summer soundtrack to include real skill-building (and real fun), Backbeat Music Academy is a reader favorite for supportive instruction and camps that help kids play.
TOP 5
School of Rock
Music Together of Portland
Ethos Music Center
The Musikry
Summer Sing – ORS Youth Choir
Spring and Winter Camps
🏆 WINNER: Tualatin Hills Parks & Recreation
When school’s out but work isn’t, it helps to have reliable options. Tualatin Hills Parks & Recreation is a reader favorite for seasonal camps that keep kids active, learning, and having fun.
TOP 5
Northwest Children’s Theater
Oregon Children’s Theatre
Baxter Sports
One River School Lake Oswego
Echo Theater Company