Camps for Kids

Join Bird Alliance of Oregon for summer, spring break, November and No School Day camps! Whether youth discover a Coastal Giant Salamander along our trails, observe a Bald Eagle soaring over the gorge, or bask in the wander of the giant Redwoods, children get to learn, play and explore, all while making friends and connecting to nature.

Our programs are fun, safe, inclusive, and offer a holistic approach that allows campers to express themselves individually through hands-on learning. 

View our Frequently Asked Questions for information on food allergies, student ratios and more.

 

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What to Expect

Each week-long summer camp or day-long winter/spring camp is thematic, giving campers the chance to learn new skills, gain knowledge, and pursue their passions. Our holistic approach allows participants to express themselves through different mediums like crafts, poetry, skits, and music, and experience hands-on learning, problem solving, and teamwork.

We recognize that children have different learning styles and we address these by doing, seeing, touching, smelling, hearing and, at times, tasting! This student-directed approach empowers youth to connect with nature in a way that is organic and meaningful to them, helping each person to build on their own authentic relationship with the natural world.

We always recognize that within a program we have the fantastic opportunity to create a culture of care and respect for each other and the Earth through teamwork and big belly laughs.

Group of campers laughing in the Gorge

Professional Environmental Educators

Our professional Environmental Educators are highly trained to serve participants in a safe, inclusive, and authentic way. Along with our intensive interview and hiring process, our staff training provides two weeks of community building, diversity, equity and inclusion training, curriculum development, safety protocols, and child behavior training. We strive to create a community of care between all participants and educators.

Photo by Andre Dengo

Camps Schedules and Locations

Pick Up and Drop Off Locations for Summer Camp 2025

(Eastside Pick-up for Topaz Farm Camps)
Pick-up and drop-off for Topaz Farm Camps will be at an eastside location TBD.

(Grades 1-2)
Pick-up and drop-off are at Bird Alliance of Oregon, 5151 NW Cornell Rd. 1-2 grade camps will be checked in and out of camp in Heron Hall, located UPSTAIRS in the Nature Store/Interpretive Center building.

(Grades 2-3)Pick-up and drop-off are at Bird Alliance of Oregon, 5151 NW Cornell Rd. All 2nd/3rd grade camps will be checked in and out under the Gazebo next to the Wildlife Care Center in our main parking lot.

(Grades 3-5)
Pick-up and drop-off are at Upper Macleay Park on Cornell Rd, just east of Bird Alliance of Oregon campus. All 3rd-5th grade camps will be checked in and out of camp here. Upper Macleay Park is just east of the Bird Alliance of Oregon campus. Upper Macleay neighbors Bird Alliance of Oregon on Cornell Road (please park at the Upper Macleay trailhead).

(Grades 6-8)
Pick-up and drop-off are at Bird Alliance of Oregon, 5151 NW Cornell Rd. All 6th-8th grade camps will be checked in and out of camp in the north gravel parking lot. Please walk up to the table next to the garage/shop and an educator will meet you there.

(Grades 9-12)
Pick-up and drop-off are at Upper Macleay Park on Cornell Rd, just east of Bird Alliance of Oregon campus. All 9th-12th grade camps will be checked in and out of camp here. Upper Macleay Park is just east of the Bird Alliance of Oregon campus. Upper Macleay neighbors Bird Alliance of Oregon on Cornell Road (please park at the Upper Macleay trailhead).

 

When  

Summer Camp runs for ten weeks from Monday, June 23, through Friday, August 29 (there will not be camp on Friday, July 4). Camps run Monday through Friday unless otherwise stated. Winter and Spring Break Camps occur during Portland Public School’s winter and spring breaks.

  • Week-long day summer camps start between 8:30/9 am and end 3:00/3:15 pm daily, unless otherwise noted. The camp day ends at 1:15/1:30 p.m. every Friday. Aftercare will run from 3:00-5:15 p.m. Monday-Thursday and 1:30-5:15 p.m. on Fridays.