All-Purpose Camps

Below is a list of camps that focus on a variety of subjects, not just computers, math, or one type of science. In fact, many of these camps include such subjects as art, literature, or physical education, to name a few.

See also our Science Camps, Math Camps, and Technology Camps.

Adventures in Learning

So you say you're bored with nothing to do all summer, and it feels like your mind is flabby from lack of mental exercise? There is hope for you yet. Adventures in learning will turn your summer around. For ten full days, you'll be challenged with classes on a wide variety of subjects: the kind they don't offer in school. There are also tours of the labs and facilities, games, presentations and planned recreation in the afternoons. Note: Adventures in Learning camp is for students who are TAG or have demonstrated extraordinary interest, ability, and/or effort in a particular area.

Ages: 5th - 7th Grade
Contact: Email Mark Latz, Coordinator or call: 541-737-2403

Awesome Academics

Awesome Academic Adventures at Willamette University Salem's very own Willamette University is sponsoring an amazing, stupendous, colossal extravaganza of mammoth proportions for students entering grades 1–8. Each week of camp follows a different theme with fun activities in science and the arts. From bird-watching to printmaking to rocketry, the sky really is the limit. Classes are taught by enthusiastic recent MAT graduates. Camp runs from 9am-3pm. Session start July 9.

Ages: 1st - 8th Grade
Contact: Email Gaelen McAllister or call: (503) 370-6513

Education Soaring Summer Program

Here's a great program for capable, motivated students in the Portland and Vancouver areas to take up to three classes a day in a variety of interesting classes such as Chemistry, Robotics, Bridge Construction, Algebra, Geometry, Digital Movie-Making and Website Design. Education Soaring offers accelerated learning with intellectual peers in a nurturing social setting.

Ages: 4 – 12; students entering kindergarten through 6th grade
Contact: Email info@educationsoaring.com or phone 503-255-SOAR

Expeditions

Brought to you by the creators of Adventures in Learning, Expeditions is a ten-day, fun-filled and mind-stretching program for gifted, talented, and creative 3rd and 4th graders. Take classes on such courses as aeromodeling, computers, chemistry, foreign languages, middle ages, and more. You'll wish regular school was so much fun.

Ages: 3rd & 4th Grade
Contact: Email Carol Brown or call: (541) 737-2670

OES Summer Programs

OES has fun-filled day camp programs for kids of all ages (even adults). With passionate and knowledgeable teachers, state of the art technology, and a beautiful campus, how could they go wrong? Some of the classes include Legos ®, digital filmmaking, science and nature, Chess Odyssey, and web design. For more information, check out the programs below:

Summer Explorers: For children entering Kindergarten
Summer Discovery: For children entering first through sixth grade
Mini Camps: pre-Kindergarden through sixth grade (Adults may also join the Lego® classes)
Challenge Workshops: For middle and high school students and adults

Ages: Grade Pre-K – Adults
Contact: Email the webmaster or call 503-768-3145 or 503-416-9249

Outside the Box

If you want to go in-depth on projects and challenge yourself with other kids with the same passion and curiosity for learning, then you must explore the wide range of fast-paced courses such as water bottle rocketry, physics, video production, and more. This is a one-week, day camp where you pick four out of the more than 25 classes, and there aren't just science and technology classes. You could also pick up Italian, or create murals, or produce a musical on Little Red Riding Hood (from the wolf's point of view).

Ages: 7th & 8th Grade (for Gifted Talented and Creative Learners)
Contact: Email Judy Michael or call: (541) 737-1289

Saturday Academy Camps

Where would we be without Saturday Academy? Well, for one, we would be short by ten—yes, you heard me right—ten camps. From the miniature world of nanotechnology to the expanse of Puget Sound, Saturday Academy explores the widest range of scientific exploration. Don't take our word on it. Just take a look at some of the following camps they offer:

Animal Camp: Visit a farm, the zoo, and wildlife center to observe animal behavior
AWESEM Camp: Girls! Visit labs, scientists, and engineers, and explore life as a woman scientist
Dragonfly Science Camp: Be prepared to think, act and breathe like a real scientist because we are about to undertake a huge amount of exciting learning in our week. This class is for girls only.
Engineering Camp: Explore just about every form of engineering imaginable through labs, workshops, tests, visits, and more
Math in Summer: Hot Numbers: explore math through games, history, stories, art, building projects, math debates and even some math flicks
Nanotechnology: conduct experiments and visit research labs and businesses that are big in the way they think small
Science Excursions: Go to the best lab of all: the great outdoors, and study Ape Caves, Mt. Hood, the Coast, and more
Super Science Academy: Here you get the choice between studying physics and chemistry or biology, paleontology and earth science while conducting experiments
Marine Campout: San Juan Island Adventure: You'll enjoy exploring one of the most beautiful spots in the country through camping, hiking, kayaking, and whale and river otter watching

Science Works Summer Camps

If you're in Southern Oregon, you must check out one or more summer science camps through Science Works Hands-on museum. Take a one-week morning or afternoon session, or take both morning and afternoon sessions.

Ages: 4 - 14
Contact: Email or call 541 482-6767.

SKIES at Summer Day Camp (Spirited Kids In Engineering and Science)

SKIES is a one-week, all day science, math, and engineering jamboree. In it, young 'uns will explore a veritable smorgasbord of subjects in a fun, interactive environment. Interspersed throughout learning will be fun physical activities. One week sessions run from June 20 through September 2nd

Ages: entering K-5
Contact: Email Kidspirit or call 541-737-KIDS (5437) or 541-737-PLAY (7529)

Southern Oregon University Youth Programs

Southern Oregon University must really like kids because they have more programs going on than just about any other university. They sponsor enrichment camps, workshops, assemblies, competitions, college courses for high schoolers, and more. Their camps, all called Academy, are enrichment camps that offer classes in science and other subjects, and as you can see, they all reach different audiences. Check out the ones listed below to find what you're looking for:

Academia Latina: Hang out and interact with other Latino students from throughout Southern Oregon while being challenged by creative, imaginative instructors and activities.
Academy: Get to know other talented and gifted students as you are challenged by a large range of classes, events, and activities.
Kids's College: Kids ages 9 through 13 are welcome to take one or more great classes at the Kids' College at Southern Oregon University. Some of the courses you might be interested in are: Lego Robotics, Animation, CSI, Under the sea Robotics, Wildlife Biology, and Hydroponics
Native American Youth Academy ("KONAWAY NIKA TILLICUM"): Spend time with tribal elders and Native American teachers during classes, lectures, and outdoor presentations.

Contact: Nicole Norris or call 541-552-8256

There are other science related programs other than camps, it would be worth your time to explore the website on your own.

Ages: 4th - 12th Grade
Contact: Email Carol Jensen or call: (541) 552-6326

Summer Chess Camps

If you don't know the difference between a rook and a knight or you're the next Bobby Fischer, you'll love joining a summer chess camp. Camps range from novice, to intermediate, to advanced. You'll get to study chess and its strategies, and you'll get lots of opportunities for practice and competitions.

Ages: 7-19
Contact: Chess Master Pete Prochaska (503) 504-5756, Tony Hann (503) 880-0581 or email camps@chessodyssey.com

Summer Enrichment Program (SEP)

You'll never be bored at this camp at the University of Oregon. It's aimed at students who want and can handle a challenge. The Summer Enrichment Program has classes in all subject areas, not just science. It's jam-packed with all kinds of classes like "Ecosystems of the Willamette Valley," "It's Not Easy Being Green: A lab class about plant cells, genetics and photosynthesis," or "Introduction to Calculus." [note: these are just a sample of previous year's classes to show you the types of classes offered]. There are also many other fun activities, events and get-togethers like swimming, canoeing, arts & crafts.

Ages: 6th - 10th Grades
Contact: Email sep@uoregon.edu or call: Cheryl Hunter, Program Coordinator, at (541) 346-1405

Super Summer Program

Have I mentioned how boring your summer would be without a camp like this one? I have? Well, it's still true. How can a camp with Super in its name go wrong? It can't. Just look at some of the activities you may find yourself doing: making rockets and comets, eating space food, solving mysteries using math, flying paper airplanes, balloons, kites, boomerangs, and your first rocket. Who knows what you might be doing?

Ages: K - 5th Grade
Contact: Email supers@oregon.uoregon.edu or call Jody Barlow: (541) 346-1400