Summer Camps 2023 Catalog

Catlin Gabel Day Camps
Weeks 1-7 (June 26-August 11)

SUMMER BEEHIVE: Ages 4-6

Summer Beehive
Ages 4-6
9a.m.-3p.m.
$430
$344 for Week 2 (July 3-7, no camp on July 4)
Weeks 1-7 (June 26-30, July 3-7, July 10-14, July 17-21, July 24-28, July 31-August 4, August 7-11)
Shanti Williams & staff

Come learn, play, and have fun on Catlin Gabel’s beautiful 67-acre campus with other campers and wonderful instructors. The magic begins in the Beehive building, where students dive into the imaginative, process-oriented world of play through stories, songs, art, and games both inside our classrooms and outside under the trees. Everyone will use real hand-powered tools in the woodshop, take apart electronics, and rebuild their own 3-D inventions. Art projects will involve lots of cardboard, tape, scissors, glue, paint, fabric, feathers, and clay. Each week has a different theme to provide a specific content focus, but a range of activities are always part of each camp, including outdoor education/gardening, woodshop, art, dramatic play and storytelling, as well as music and movement. Other perennial favorites are running through sprinklers on hot days, making snacks from delicious recipes, and constructing environments in the sandbox. Each camper will need to bring a lunch every day. Weekly Themes:

Mad Science Week
Adventure Week
Splish Splash/Under the Sea Week
Animal Week
Dinosaur Week
Make Believe Week (superhero, fairies)
Lost in Space

Please email Shanti Williams if you have any questions about this camp.

Honey Hollow Creative Corner: Ages 6-9

Honey Hollow Creative Corner
Ages 6-9
9a.m.-3p.m.
$430
$344 for Week 2 (July 3-7, no camp on July 4)
Weeks 1-7 (June 26-30, July 3-7, July 10-14, July 17-21, July 24-28, July 31-August 4, August 7-11)
Guinevere Getchell & staff

When school is out, the adventure begins at Catlin Gabel! Our talented instructors have planned seven awesome weeks of summer camp for students and their friends on our 67-acre campus. Honey Hollow Adventure is designed to spark each child’s inner spirit of inquiry. Experiential learning is all about empowering the creative thinker. Students will focus on storytelling through writing, acting, drawing, and building. We’ll ignite every camper’s desire to “take it further” and “go the distance.” We’ll encourage courageous discovery and marvel at every result.

Please email Guinevere Getchell if you have any questions about this camp.

Honey Hollow Science Adventure: Ages 6-9

Honey Hollow Science Adventure
Ages 6-9
9 a.m.-3 p.m.
$430
$344 for Week 2 (July 3-7, no camp on July 4)
Weeks 1-7 (June 26-30, July 3-7, July 10-14, July 17-21, July 24-28, July 31-August 4, August 7-11)
Guinevere Getchell & staff

When school is out, the adventure begins at Catlin Gabel! Our amazingly talented instructors have planned seven awesome weeks of summer camp for students and their friends on our 67-acre campus. Honey Hollow Adventure is designed to spark each child’s inner spirit of inquiry. Experiential learning is all about empowering the creative thinker. Students will focus on scientific inquiry through experiments, observations, building, and art. Each week offers a different theme and related activities. Example themes include: life cycles, animals, plants, all things that fly, space, and water. We’ll ignite every camper’s desire to “take it further” and “go the distance.” We’ll encourage courageous discovery and marvel at every result.

Please email Guinevere Getchell if you have any questions about this camp.

Explorers: Ages 9-11

Explorers!
Ages 9-11
9a.m.-3p.m.
$430
$344 for Week 2 (July 3-7, no camp on July 4)
Weeks 1-7 (June 26-30, July 3-7, July 10-14, July 17-21, July 24-28, July 31-August 4, August 7-11)
Jordan Heintz, Zach Bloom & staff

Spend a glorious week with us exploring our 67-acre campus and taking part in our cutting-edge labs, classrooms, and facilities. Students will take part in art, games and outdoor adventures, coding and tinkering, media, cooking, PE, and FUN. Each day, students will rotate through three 90-minute sessions, which change week-to-week. Explorers is designed for students who have finished 3rd through 5th grades and are up to the challenge of learning, playing, and having some exhilarating fun and adventure. Come explore with us.

Please email Jordan Heintz if you have any questions about this camp.

Explorers Middle School (new!): Ages 11-13

Explorers Middle School (new!)
Ages 11-13
9a.m.-3p.m.
$430
$344 for Week 2 (July 3-7, no camp on July 4)
Weeks 1-7 (June 26-30, July 3-7, July 10-14, July 17-21, July 24-28, July 31-August 4, August 7-11)
Jordan Heintz, Zach Bloom & staff

Due to popular demand, Catlin Gabel has developed a new summer camp designed especially for these ages with all the adventure and snow cones that they’ve enjoyed in the past. This program is for students entering grades 6, 7, and 8. Explorers MS is also a choose-your-own-adventure camp, which means participants will share in some of the adventures available during the week. Explorers MS will also leave campus for even more adventures. Depending on the week, you might find yourself treasure-hunting in forests, building costumes for a movie you’re producing, or trying a new outdoor adventure. You can expect choices that are created with Middle School students in mind!

Please email Jordan Heintz if you have any questions about this camp.

Catlin Gabel Specialty Camps
Ages 6-18

WEEK 1 (June 26-June 30)

Learn the Olympic Sport of Fencing
Ages 6-12
9 a.m.-12 p.m.
$255
Cathy Zagunis

Learn the basic tactical and technical skills of the Olympic sport of saber fencing. This dynamic sport offers challenges to quick thinking (it is like a physical game of chess!) and improves coordination, strength, and agility. Fun games are incorporated while learning footwork and drills. Safety is emphasized. Sanitized equipment is assigned to each individual on the first day. This half-day camp runs from 9-12.

Please email Cathy Zagunis if you have any questions about this camp.

Konichiwa!!! Japanese Summer Camp
Ages 8-11
9 a.m.-3 p.m.
$430
Ronna Fujisawa

This bilingual summer camp is for Japanese and non-Japanese kids who want to learn about Japanese language, culture, arts and crafts, culture, anime and cooking. This fun camp is a great way to be introduced to Japanese art and culture with hands-on activities. At the end of the week, campers will celebrate with a “Natsu Matsuri,” summer festival celebrated in Japan.

Please email Ronna Fujisawa if you have any questions about this camp.

DJ Camp
Ages 9-14
9 a.m.-3 p.m.
$430
Keith Murphy

It doesn’t get much cooler than this! If you’ve ever wanted to DJ an event and create that magic atmosphere that gets everyone having a great time, this is the perfect place to start. Conquer beat matching, song dropping, and mixing on high-tech virtual turntables by getting hands-on experience and performing with your friends right here at camp. Receive professional DJ instruction, develop your own DJ persona, use world-class equipment and software, DJ and record your own set, and learn DJ tips and practical techniques. Music enhances a child’s development and cognitive skills, and campers will have a blast entertaining the whole camp. On the final day, campers will show off their new-found skills in a DJ performance for campers only. Laptop computer and flash drive recommended but not required.

Please email Keith Murphy if you have any questions about this camp.

Nature & Outdoor Photography
Ages 10-14
9 a.m.-3 p.m.
$430
Iris Taboh

Let’s develop your photo skills this summer and learn to use light and color the way a painter does. We will take photo walks at several locations around Portland. Then, we will use different photo apps to enhance your photos. You will discover how to capture fast moving objects like a waterfall, take photos at night, and learn close-up photo techniques to take pictures of insects and flowers. You don’t have to go to exotic places to find great photos. Amazing shots are all around you if you look carefully and use your imagination.

Please email Iris Taboh if you have any questions about this camp.

Model Rocket Lab
Ages 11-14
9 a.m.-3 p.m.
$430
Stuart Evensen

Few things are more fun than pushing a button and hearing the rush of the thrust as your own rocket shoots into the sky. This is a very special camp: students will learn the history and science behind rocketry, build their own rockets, and then individually launch at least three times. We will use a very safe, wireless launch system, and campers will have the opportunity to paint and decorate their rockets as they choose—the wilder, the better. Each camper will build and take home a payload rocket that can be launched in the future.

Please email Stuart Evensen if you have any questions about this camp.

Hoop Dreamers
Ages 12-18
9 a.m.-3 p.m.
$430
Javier Duque

My basketball camp will focus on practicing important basketball skills that will help you improve your game and learn offensive and defensive strategies. We will be learning skills such as fakes, defense, dribbling, passing, shooting, rebounding, footwork, step back, side step, screens, pick and roll, pick and pop, point guard moves, and posting up moves. Come and be part of the awesome experience of learning, playing, and applying your skills to one vs. one games and full-court scrimmages.

Please email Javier Duque if you have any questions about this camp.

Week 2 (July 3-7, no camps on July 4)

Nature, Art & Journaling
Ages 8-11
9 a.m.-3 p.m.
$344
Ronna Fujisawa

This exploratory and creative camp will inspire children to observe, create, and engage in the outdoors! Come explore the beautiful nature around campus and learn how to identify common PNW native plants, flowers and birds, and also take part in bird watching, nature sketching, and illustration with watercolor and collage.

Please email Ronna Fujisawa if you have any questions about this camp.

Golden Goal Soccer
Ages 9-13
9 a.m.-3 p.m.
$344
Javier Duque

During this camp, we will focus on creating fun activities to practice and build soccer skills. Participants will work individually with a partner and in a big group setting. The skills that we will work on include:ball control, dribbling, passing, kicking, receiving, movement with and without the ball, etc. We will scrimmage and also play fun games, such as tennis-soccer, bowling-soccer, and golf-soccer.

Please email Javier Duque if you have any questions about this camp.

Ink & Magic: Creative Writing
Ages 11-14
9 a.m.-3 p.m.
$344
Debby Dodds

Ink and Magic is for students who love writing and those who want to explore different formats and genres. We complete writing exercises but also stay active through outdoor adventure on the school’s glorious and expansive campus and improv games. We share writing in-class for feedback, and I foster an extremely supportive atmosphere. Many students choose to come multiple weeks and year-after-year because there are always new things to explore in every class! Many students have gone on to win writing contests and have their work published.

Please email Debby Dodds if you have any questions about this camp.

Photography Book by You
Ages 11-14
9 a.m.-3 p.m.
$344
Stuart Evensen

Students will learn the fundamentals of how to take great photographs, and how to create a compelling photobook. The books become little creative treasures, and the skill to make them will likely be used many times during a student’s life. Campers will have several opportunities to snap shots on Catlin’s majestic and expansive campus, which includes an orchard, forest and open fields. Campers will learn basic editing, how to effectively layout their favorite photographs, and then how to create photobooks on Walgreen’s website, from which there are lots of templates to choose from. This generally costs $10-15 depending on the length and format the student chooses for their book.

Please email Stuart Evensen if you have any questions about this camp.

WEEK 3 (July 10-14)

Sports Spectacular
Ages 9-13
9 a.m.-3 p.m.
$430
Javier Duque

Campers will learn and play a wide range of sports, games, challenges, and activities. The fun may include basketball, soccer, volleyball, pickleball, ultimate frisbee, tennis, and possibly, badminton. Activities will vary week to week depending on participant interest. We look forward to having your kids come join us for this super active and fun sports camp.

Please email Javier Duque if you have any questions about this camp.

Konichiwa!!! Japanese Summer Camp
Ages 10-14
9 a.m.-3 p.m.
$430
Ronna Fujisawa

This bilingual summer camp is for Japanese and non-Japanese kids who want to learn about Japanese language, culture, arts and crafts, culture, anime, and cooking. This fun camp is a great way to be introduced to Japanese art and culture with hands-on activities. At the end of the week, campers will celebrate with a “Natsu Matsuri,” summer festival celebrated in Japan.

Please email Ronna Fujisawa if you have any questions about this camp.

Ink & Magic: Creative Writing
Ages 11-14
9 a.m.-3 p.m.
$430
Debby Dodds

Ink and Magic is for students who love writing and those who want to explore different formats and genres. We complete writing exercises but also stay active through outdoor adventure on the school’s glorious and expansive campus and improv games. We share writing in-class for feedback, and I foster an extremely supportive atmosphere. Many students choose to come multiple weeks and year-after-year because there are always new things to explore in every class! Many students have gone on to win writing contests and have their work published.

Please email Debby Dodds if you have any questions about this camp.

Light Sabers: Build Your Own, Learn the Science & 7 Combat Forms
Ages 11-14
9 a.m.-3 p.m.
$430
Stuart Evensen

The thrilling feeling of lancing the air with a blade of light is so much fun. I have developed a light saber that is bright, durable and can be made in several different colors. I use high-impact, clear resin tubes, a high-intensity light source and reflective powder to give the light sabers their brilliance. With my guidance, campers will build their own light saber and choose their own color; they will learn the science behind light sabers; and the official “seven forms of light saber combat.” We will practice the seven forms and have mock, no-contact duals where campers can demonstrate the beauty and finesse of each of the forms. We will watch two Star Wars movies, as voted on by the campers.

Please email Stuart Evensen if you have any questions about this camp.

Boxing 101: Fitness, Fighting & Self Defense
Ages 12-18
12 p.m.-3 p.m.
$255
Boxing Staff

In this course, students will learn the fundamental techniques of western boxing in a fun, safe, and dynamic environment that’s perfect for boxers of ALL shapes and sizes. No experience is necessary and all equipment will be provided in this inclusive, all levels camp. Professional Boxing Coach Jordan Guenther has worked with the best boxers and mixed martial artists in the Pacific Northwest and is excited to share his passion for the sweet science with the community at Catlin Gabel. Our classes are hands on, light contact, and SAFE for kids curious about boxing. Be prepared to sweat, learn, and have fun!

Please email Jordan Guenther if you have any questions about this camp.

WEEK 4 (July 17-21)

LEGO Robotics
Ages 9-13
9 a.m.-3 p.m.
$430
Engineering Staff

Do you enjoy Legos? Are you interested in engineering and robots? Then you might like the Catlin Gabel Lego Robotics summer camp! Campers will work together to design and create a Rube Goldberg machine out of Lego robots. A Rube Goldberg machine is an intentionally complex system that has many parts and serves to complete a simple task. This leads to some super creative and exciting systems that are fun to watch. Our camp will help teach awesome and valuable skills like teamwork and creativity and will also touch on some basic engineering and programming. Tasks will include designing the path the machine will follow and what robotic components will be needed, building Lego-based mechanisms to serve those purposes, and then putting them all together to build and test the final machine. We hope you will join us in having fun while sparking an interest in STEM!

Please email Kevin Forbes if you have any questions about this camp.

Please email Javier Duque if you have any questions about this camp.

From Photo to Art to Painting
Ages 10-14
9 a.m.-3 p.m.
$430
Iris Taboh

Let’s create original paintings by using your own photographs for inspiration. This class will combine photography and painting. We will go to several locations around Portland and take photographs. Then we will use different photo and painting apps to enhance our photos. Next, we will use our manipulated photos to create your own original mixed-media artwork using acrylic paint, watercolor and photography. This process encourages growth and develops both photo and painting skills.

Please email Iris Taboh if you have any questions about this camp.

Nature Art & Journaling
Ages 10-14
9 a.m.-3 p.m.
$430
Ronna Fujisawa

This exploratory and creative camp will inspire children to observe, create and engage in the outdoors! Come explore the beautiful nature around campus and learn how to identify common PNW native plants, flowers and birds, and also take part in bird watching, nature sketching, and illustration with watercolor and collage.

Please email Ronna Fujisawa if you have any questions about this camp.

Bling! Bling! Jewelry Studio
Ages 11-14
9 a.m.-3 p.m.
$430
Stuart Evensen

Campers will design and create their very own charms, pendants, rings and bracelets. Each camper will receive and take home a jewelry tool kit so that they can continue making jewelry after camp is over. We will use resin as our casting agent. A broad assortment of materials will be available to each student: beads, glitter, pigments, semi-precious stones, metal leaf and metal ornaments like clock parts, keys and gears. Campers are also welcome to bring in any materials that they would like to use in their jewelry. Last year, campers sold their jewelry on the last day and I hope to do the same thing this year, as it was a lot of fun.

Please email Stuart Evensen if you have any questions about this camp.

How To Make Your Artwork Like A Pro
Ages 11-18
9 a.m.-3 p.m.
$430
William Hernandez

Learn the fundamentals of the fine arts. Master your skills in drawing and painting techniques while exploring sculpture and printmaking. We will have fun with acrylic paint, watercolors, clay, wood carving, anime, and more! This class is designed for anyone who is interested in expressing themselves through the creative process. All skill levels are welcome.

Please email William Hernandez if you have any questions about this camp.

WEEK 5 (July 24-28)

Sauvie Island Farm Camp (Starts on Campus)
Ages 7-11
8:30 a.m.-3 p.m.
$430
Sauvie Island Farm Staff

Catlin Gabel Summer Camps is excited to partner with Sauvie Island Center for this weeklong farm experience! Spend a week exploring Topaz Farm. Each day will be a new adventure, focusing on one area of the Sauvie Island Center curriculum, including the Pollination Station, Plant Parts Investigation, Seed to Harvest (plant life cycle), Food Web, and Soil, Compost and Decomposers. Sauvie Island Center’s education staff will guide campers through farm exploration activities including planting, tending and harvesting in the Grow Lunch Garden. If conditions allow, campers will gather produce from the Grow Lunch Garden and use their harvest to prepare fresh, tasty supplements to their own sack lunches. Other activities include nature-themed arts and crafts, games, and exploration. A Catlin Gabel bus will transport the campers to and from Sauvie Island. The bus leaves Catlin Gabel at 8:30 a.m. and returns by 3 p.m.

Please email Helen Dixon if you have any questions about this camp. For questions related to registration, please email summercamps@catlin.edu.

LEGO Robotics
Ages 9-13
9 a.m.-3 p.m.
$430
Engineering Staff

Paper Marbling
Ages 11-14
9 a.m.-3 p.m.
$430
Stuart Evensen
Week 5
Beautiful marbled paper looks complex, but making it is surprisingly easy. Campers will be successful during their first attempts. Campers will make gorgeous, colorful patterns such as the Bouquet, French Curl, Nonpareil, Peacock, Turkish, and Boulder. Campers will learn to make flowers within their marbled designs, common in Turkish marbling. The process is easy to learn. Paint or ink is floated on the top of water in a large shallow tray. Rakes and combs with metal pins are swirled through the water to create the designs. It’s magical. Watch an example of Making Marbled Paper in Florence, Italy.

Please email Stuart Evensen if you have any questions about this camp.

WEEK 6 (July 31-August 4)

Partner Camps
Ages 4-15

Catlin Gabel hosts a number of partner camps on our campus, which are managed directly by these different organizations. Campers are welcome to sign-up for Catlin Gabel’s before-camp and after-camp care.

WEEKS 1-7

WEEKS 1-7

Yoga Playgrounds
Ages 4-9
Offered Week 1 (June 26-June 30)
9 a.m.-3 p.m.
Cost $430

This unique yoga summer camp is designed to nurture a sense of inner strength, self-esteem and happiness. Packed with playfulness, positivity and fun, each day will include a wonderful mix of poses and movement, games, mindfulness, creativity, nature exploration and art. Kids will leave this uplifting and inspiring camp with new friendships and a foundation for good health and well being.

Registration online

Engineering For Kids Summer Camp
Ages 4-14
Offered Weeks 1-5 (June 26-30, July 3-7, July 10-14, July 17-21, July 24-28)
9 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
Full Day: $429
Half Day: $279

If you’re searching for a fun summer camp, look no further than Engineering For Kids! Our STEM (Science, Technology, Math, Engineering) camps offer both full day and half day options. Through interactive, engaging and open-ended projects, campers will learn in a fun, safe environment and explore everything engineers do from toy-making (mechanical engineering), building sturdy structures (civil engineering), creating airplanes (aerospace engineering) to designing your own video games through coding softwares, building and programming Lego robotics and much more. Call (503) 914-9995 or email portlandmetro@engineeringforkids.net to learn more!

Avid4 Adventure Camps
Ages 4-15
Prices and offerings vary per week and age
Offered June 20-August 26

These days, a lot of kids grow up surrounded by screens. They are disconnected from the natural world, and from the joy of authentic adventure. At Avid4 Adventure summer camps we introduce kids to the power of the outdoors. Our mission is to empower kids of all ages and skill levels to choose active, outdoor lifestyles. Camps offered include Learn to Bike Camp, Explorer Camp, Adventure Camp, Mountain Biking Camp, Expedition Backpacking, Expedition Multi-Sport, & Expedition Backpacking. To find out more click on the link below. Join us this summer.

Anthony Newman Multi-Sport Camps
Ages 6-14
8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
Full Day: $299
Half Day: $240
Offered Weeks 1-5 (June 26-30, July 3-7, July 10-14, July 17-21, July 24-28)

Anthony Newman’s Sports Camps is proud to offer our Multi-Sport Camp for young athletes who are not quite ready to focus on just one sport. This camp will serve as an introduction to the world of sports for children just starting out and as an alternative to specialty camps. ANSC is a young athlete’s dream come true offering basketball, volleyball, soccer, baseball, indoor and outdoor recreational games, etc. Anthony Newman’s Sports Camps is a great opportunity for children to discover the thrill of sports while making new friends. Call (503) 828-3003 or email admin@anthonynewmancamps.com to learn more.

In This Section

Extended Care:
Ages 4-14

Morning: 7:30-9 a.m.
Afternoon: 3-6 p.m.

Extended care is offered for both Catlin Gabel and partner camps. To ensure adequate staffing, weekly sign-up is required. You may choose mornings, afternoons, or both.

Have Questions?

For questions related to registration, please email summercamps@catlin.edu.

Summer Camps 2023 Catalog

Extended Care: Ages 4-14

Have Questions?

Extended Care:
Ages 4-14