If you are new to signing up for summer camps, we’ve got helpful tips and tricks for you to get your child’s summer booked.
Looking for our comprehensive guide instead? Find it right here. For even more info about a fun summer camp for your kiddo, click here.
Summer camp planning is a whole new world for the initiate. Who knew that you’d be considering art versus archery for hot August days when spring break hasn’t even happened yet. Welcome to Portland’s quirky world of preparing for those sunny days while it’s still gray and cold. We don’t recommend waiting until the last minute to determine your plans, as many camps fill up quickly. Instead, read our tips and tricks on how to make the most of summer with camps that suit your scheduling needs, family budget and children’s interests.
How Much Summer Camp Does Your Kid Need?
First up, do you need an all-day, every week camp for the entire summer, a week or two of day camp for a change of pace to your summer routine, or a few hours of occasional engagement and entertainment? From part time a few times a week to daily 8 am to 5 pm, there are camps that fit your exact needs. Conveniently, many camps have the option to add on earlier drop off or later pick up, to further facilitate your summer schedule.
Pro tip: Consider drop off and pick up times, along with locations. Driving across the river during rush hour for a three-hour camp might not make the effort worthwhile (take it from us).
Consider Types of Camps Available
Find a huge range of summer camp options in our summer camp directory. While the options can be extensive and overwhelming, don’t fret — having all these choices is actually a good thing! You can usually find something in your neighborhood that is exactly what your child is interested in, from paintball to pottery.
Camps tend to fall into the following categories: art, music and theater, sports, outdoors, and STEM/academic. You can do a variety of different choices or go all in on the area you know your kid will love.
Start to narrow down your choices by thinking about your child’s needs. Are they shy and do better in smaller, intimate settings? Then perhaps a quieter art class or learning-focused STEM camp will suit them. Is your child running circles in the backyard and climbing the walls? Direct them to an outdoor parkour or indoor climbing camp to channel that energy.
Another option is to involve the kids in the decision-making process. Portland camp institution, Trackers Earth, has been offering their camps for 20 years and suggests reading camp descriptions together and talking about the adventures they’ll go on to get them excited.
Pro tip: Portland Public Schools (PPS) offers free, extensive summer programming every year. However, enrollment and participation in summer programming for PPS and Schools Uniting Neighborhoods (SUN) community schools are dependent on district priorities and often limited to invitation-only. Summer programming for PPS and SUN haven’t been finalized, as of press time, which makes it a good, last-minute option if you forget to book early, or need a back up. Your best bet to find out more info is to ask at your child’s school if there will be summer programming, if there is a fee and who is eligible.
Navigating Portland Parks & Recreation
One of the best options for families is Portland Parks & Recreation (PP&R) summer camp programming. Not only are they pretty affordable and located all over the city, but their refund policy is forgiving for schedules changes.
There’s only one drawback — everybody knows about it!
Pro tip: The camps sell out quickly, so be ready to sign up, not just the day but the hour the camps go live. Set a calendar alert for May 15 at 9:30 am to sign up for June and July camps, as well as the Nature Day Camps. PP&R offers a second registration period to make it easier to secure a spot, with registration for July and August activities opening on June 12 at 9:30 am.
The PP&R waitlist works! Even if you are tenth in line, you could find yourself getting a call from PP&R offering you a coveted spot, as people’s summer plans change. But be forewarned — you only have 24 hours to decide.
Families with rising kindergarteners will be pleased to know that PP&R is designing programs specifically with younger participants in mind. As of press time, PP&R is also reviewing potential month-long options. Fingers crossed for both!
Additional Ways to Save on Summer Camps
Most week-long day camp fees range from $350 to $500 and up. A number of camps have early-bird pricing as incentive to get started on the summer planning now, providing the chance to save hundreds. Also, the majority of camps offer sibling discounts, so don’t be afraid to ask, even if it’s not posted!
One unique way to spend less money is also an interesting cultural exchange. UK International Soccer offers a discount if you host one of their camp counselors for a week.
Thanks to the Parks Local Option Levy, Portland residents can receive a discount on Portland Parks & Recreation programs and activity fees through the Access Discount program, ensuring cost isn’t a barrier for participation.
How to Apply for Summer Camp
This is actually the easiest part of the process. Most camps have you register and pay online. You’ll fill out emergency contact forms, a form if your child needs an inhaler or medication, and note any specific needs your child may have.
One slightly confusing element is how to register the age of your child. Many camps are organized by grade level, not age, referring to the grade the child will go into, not the grade currently in or recently completed. For example, if your child will have completed second grade this June and will go into third grade in the fall of 2025, this is noted as a rising third grader, and you would register them for third-grade-appropriate camps.
Now you are officially a summer camp registration pro! Whatever you and your kiddo decide for camp activities, here’s to a fun-filled — and stress free — summer break.
Additional Pro Tips
• Have your kiddo practice putting on sunscreen and pack an easy-to-open bottle in their day pack!
• Be warned — your kid will be tired when you pick them up.
• If you have an open schedule and a kid with no strong preferences, it can pay off to wait until camps actually begin in June. There are often remaining spots in a few camps and most companies will offer discounts to fill those spaces, including Vibe of Portland and BaxterSports.