Relive Frontier Days at Historical Summer Camps
Does your kid love the rich history of Oregon? Here are some of our favorite camps that will immerse your little buckaroo in history. Book soon! Those lines of parents won’t wait long. Popular camps fill fast.
Blacksmithing – Trackers Earth
At Forest Forge: Knife Making and Survival Skills, campers will focus on wilderness survival as well. At the Artisans Studio: Blacksmithing and Folk Craft camp, the young smiths spend their time away from the forge woodworking and weaving.
Transportation is provided from Portland for overnight camps.
SE Portland and Sandy
$420-472 Early Bird Pricing (until March 8th! Hurry!)
trackerspdx.com
Living History Summer Camps – Philip Foster Farm
Campers can experience the working farm and learn pioneer skills like rope-making, gardening, blacksmithing, wood fire cooking (venison, anyone?), animal care and more. They’ll even wear pioneer clothing and hitch wagons. Kids ages seven through 12 are welcome the week of July 18-22, from 9am-3pm daily.
Eagle Creek
$150 + $50 refundable clothing deposit
philipfosterfarm.com
Wilderness Horse Camp – Wilderness Outfitters Network, LLC
The original one-week camp and two-week Ultimate Western Wilderness are intended for riders are 12- 17. For younger and novice riders, check out Saddle Club Camp. Transportation is available from Portland, but space is limited, so book early. Feeling a twinge of jealousy, mom? Book the mom and daughter weekend, August 12-14.
Cornucopia, Oregon
$500-$1,145
horse-camp.com
Wagon Train: Sisters Trek – 4-H via OSU Extension
Drive a covered wagon, walk or ride a horse to get a taste of life in Oregon’s beautiful backcountry, learning all the way about how pioneers made their way to the Willamette Valley. (Yes, parents are welcome!) If you’re not sure you’re up for the commitment, non-members are welcome at the tune-up event to check things out.
Hillsboro, Oregon
$225/person, $25/horse if you have one
4hwagontrain.org
Ancestral Skills – Rewild Portland
Depending on age, your little cavekids might learn to make digging sticks, set up their own shelter from natural materials, spin rope from rawhide or make fire from flint and steel. Camps for ages 5-11 last from 9am-3pm each day at Kelley Point Park. Rewild Camp for Girls, for girls ages 11-13, includes an overnight on Thursday with a Friday pickup.
North Portland
$225/week
rewildportland.com