Summer Camp Links

I'm sure that I'm not alone, in that I work full time and my daughter is in child care during the summer. I set aside funds pre-tax for child care reimbursement and Day Camps are a reimbursable expense. FINDING good day camps are always a challenge for me. WHEN will the IRS allow a partial reimbursement for the day camp portion of residential camp?!?!?

I've spent some time locating camps in the Southwest Metro area and thought others might benefit from my research. If we go to the same camps, I'd be willing to try and car pool, too, so please leave comments.

Girl Scouts
We've been a scout for several years and their Day Camps are an affordable (under $100) and enjoyable option. Wil-Lo-Linn is June 22-26 in Wilsonville, and is an amazing camp that is SO well put together. The also bus from the LO and WL areas, and by using that option this 9-3 camps ALMOST works in my work schedule. Registration opened 3/15 and fills fast. Website link HERE. Trillium Valley is a day camp in Tigard's Cook Park the week of July 20-24. Also fills FAST - info HERE.

Camp Tilikum
This Christian day camp is just outside of Newberg, and a real favorite. Our church, Rolling Hills Community, always goes the first full week of July, this year the 6th-10th. Registration open April 20 HERE. I like it because the bus leaves Tualatin at 8am and comes back at 4:30 pm so I don't have to adjust my work schedule TOO much. Tilikum also offer individual registrations for Day Camp but I'd have to drop/pick-up every day which does NOT fit into a working mom's schedule.

Canby Grove
Apparently everyone but me sends their kiddos to this camp in the summer. They have a jam-packed schedule HERE. I'd definitely have to carpool to make this one work since it's so far out of my normal travel pattern.

Saturday Academy
Registrations just opened for grades 2-12 in these camps that span topics like science, engineering and technology to humanities & the arts. We have YET to fit a camp into our schedule. Website HERE. I'm really interested in the Dragonfly Science Camp grades 4-6 (T is VERY interested in forensics right now) but it's at PSU from 9 - 4 the week of August 3-7. If anyone else is signing up and wants to carpool, we might able to make this one work.

Fir Hollow Stables (Sherwood)
My darling LOVES horses and I just found a day camp not too far from home where she can learn more about horsemanship. Fir Hollow Stables has three weeks of camp (7/6-10, 7/13-17 and 8/10-14). Small groups sessions will alternate between riding and other arts/crafts/sporting activities from 9 - 3.

YMCA Camp Collins, Gresham
A Gresham camp wouldn't normally work but there is a bus from North Clackamas Aquatic Center. The session we're looking at is the only one that include horseback riding, the week of 8/31-9/4.

Oregon Zoo, Portland
A regular camp for us, this is one that is perfect for carpooling because who wants to face the traffic twice EVERY DAY? Anyone going the week of 6/29-7/3, 7/27-31, 8/17-21 or 8/24-28? Camp is from 9 - 4 with an extended care option.

Club Sport, Tigard
We went there one year and T had fun even though it was much more physical than expected. Actual camp went 8 - 5 which was nice.

Columbia Academy, West Linn
Again, went there a few weeks one summer. Fun activities, small groups, but the times were tough ending at 3:30 with no extended care option.

Willowbrook Arts Camp, Tualatin
A definite throw-back to the 70s, the kids really enjoy this camp. Only in session June 29 through August 7, they do offer an extended care option that can allow the 8:30-3:15 camp to fit into a working parent's schedule.

Music Man Studios, Wilsonville
The Givens offer music instruction at the public schools in addition to their studio. We would love to take advantage of one of these summer camps: Strings, Guitar, Musical Theatre, Music Theory or Rhythm.

Fine Art Starts, Oregon City
Never been but looks interesting.

Once Upon a Horse, Wilsonville
T REALLY enjoyed this a few summers ago. However, I had to beg and barter for help to make this 9 - 2, Monday through Thursday camp work for us.

OMSI, Portland
The brochure looks amazing.

Oregon Episcopal School, Beaverton
Never been. Their multi-activity camp is on a two-week schedule.

CREST, Wilsonville
Environmental camp that offers outreach and on-site program for West Linn-Wilsonville schools. Their full day grades 1-6 camp is from 9 - 4 in either Wilsonville (8/3-7) or West Linn (8/10-14).