Corvallis parents, we hear yuh – late summer day camp openings are sparse, but be assured, we made sleuthing for spots our sole focus this week, and we’ve found you some options. We’ll caution, this is what was available at press time, slots are getting scooped up daily, and sometimes hourly, so without further ado, let’s start with your best bets.
Boys & Girls Club of Corvallis. Good fun for kids and a compelling value for working parents, B&GC camps run from 7:30 am to 5:30 pm, and the groups are divided by ages. But happily, everyone gets choices of art, organized sports, STEM learning opportunities, and physical fun and a game room. All that at only $155 weekly, and they throw in free lunches, dinners and snacks. Bonus, they offer scholarships if you need one. Quick note, yes, it’s a club, but you don’t have to be a member to enroll your kiddo into their camps, so how cool is that.
KidSpirit. For grades K-8, it’s camps with titles like Galactic Adventurers, Adventure Quest, Pacific Northwest Explorers, Clue Finders, Wizards and Magic of Science, and Unleash Your Inner Hero. For grades 9 to 12, there is the Teen Leader Program, and according to KidSpirit, a number of those campers eventually become camp counselors. At press time, there was good availability for most of the programs, but like other OSU offerings, you do have to create an online account to check for yourself.
There are options for one- and two-week camps, half day or full, and even meals. Costs range between $192 and $655. Scholarships are available.
After B&GC and KidSpirit, it gets a little tighter, but here’s what some of the other options looked like at press time.
Corvallis Environmental Center
Bike Camp: Planet Pedal, $320
Ages 6 to 9
August 21 – August 25
9 am to 3 pm
Journey by bike on the rays of the sun through our solar system, atmosphere, and into the Earth’s molten core. Embark on a hunt for the hidden power of the sun’s energy and unearth the secrets to life on our planet! Planet Pedal is designed for independent bikers that can start and stop on a pedal bike without training wheels. Click here for info and registration.
Majestic Theatre
Fun with Games and Improv for Teens, $53
Ages 11 to 17 Aug 5, 2023 – Aug 26, 2023
11 am – 12:15 pm
This class will focus on building trust with your peers and embracing uncertainty and failure as means of growing. It will also help with public speaking skills and how to have courageous conversations. Improv skills can be used in all facets of life, including the classroom, and in relationships with family and with friends. The class begins with using the “Yes and” approach to building on each other’s stories. Then they will do a variety of theater and improv games that develop body awareness, confidence, voice and performance quality. As participants celebrate each other in each of these activities, they will begin to see the beauty of making mistakes and creating art with each other.
Chintimini Wildlife Center
All their camps are $300, but new registrants can input discount code NEWFRIENDS for $30 off. All Chintimini camps run from 9 am to 3 pm, with after care available at $15 up to 5 pm.
Jr Wildlife Rehabbers. Ages 10 to 12.
July 31 – Aug 4
Learn about the basics of wildlife rehab from Chintimini’s seasoned staff! Participants will practice kid-friendly (but life-saving!) ways to respond to an animal in need.
Take Flight! Ages 10 to 12.
Aug 7 –11
Imagination takes flight as participants zoom in on their new winged friends, from bugs to bats to birds!
Wilderness 101. Ages 6 to 12
Aug 14-18
Participants learn and test basic survival skills including how to find shelter, water and food.
Wilderness 202. Ages 10 to 12
Aug 21-25
Learn and test more advanced survival skills, great for older campers who attended Wilderness 101.
Forest Explorers. Ages 6-9.
Aug 28-Sept 1
What will we find waiting in the woods? Explore and observe trees, mosses, insects, birds – and more!
Click here for information and registration at Chintimini.
Corvallis Parks & Rec Department
These camps are various prices and times.
Intro to Wilderness Survival. Ages 6 to 8
July 31- Aug 4
This camp is an exciting adventure in experimenting with nature and thriving in the wild. Campers learn confidence, initiative, communication and common sense through fun survival scenarios in teams on and their own. Skills mastered include shelters, fire building, cordage, navigation, knots and primitive skills. Bring appropriate clothing, snacks, lunch and water bottles. Click here for info and registration.
Jr. Mountain Biking Camp. Ages 8 to 11
July 31-Aug 4
Students ride trails every day, learning to navigate trees, rocks, roots, and hills. Bike maintenance and proper gear are covered. Basic bike skills required. If you need ideas for renting, borrowing or purchasing a bike contact Dan Coyle at 541-760-0774. All profit goes to Team Dirt, a local nonprofit that builds trails. Bring a bike, helmet, food and water. Click here for info and registration.
Jordan Kent Summer Baseball Camp. Ages 6 to 11
Aug 7-Aug10
A baseball specific camp where campers will build fundamental skills while participating in games, contests and nutrition education in our positive atmosphere. The perfect start for your developing slugger! Includes t-shirt and post camp goodie. Click here for info and registration.
Jr. Mini Tennis Camp. Ages 11-17
July 31-Aug 10
Learn the basics or improve the skills you already have! Join the fun in a games based instructional atmosphere. They will work on fundamentals for beginning players and developing shot consistency for those with more experience. Emphasis will be on rallying and working toward playing matches. Bring racquet, water, and a snack. Information: 541-753-1043. Instructors: Timberhill Tennis Club staff. Location subject to change. Click here for more info and registration.
Horse Camps
These camps often fill quickly, but there were just a few of the more advanced classes and camps that still have openings. For instance, Inavale Farm Stables has two weekend Eventing Series classes open.
It looks like Sunflower Farms has openings in two of their camps, but by press time, we couldn’t get a confirmation.
Jumping I. $350
Aug. 21 – 25t, 8 am to 1 pm
Head Instructor: Nariana Aldarondo
Jumping is a sport that requires precise control over speed and steering as well as an excellent seat and it rewards you with thrills and laughter! Students who sign up for this camp don’t need to be jumping already (although it certainly helps). Students will need to be proficient and confident at the walk, trot and canter on the rail, and be at least eight years old. They will jump cross rails and verticals, play jumping games to improve their skills and possibly jump outside of the arena!
Topics in Advanced Training. $350
Aug. 28 – Sept.2, 8 am to 1 pm
Head Instructor: Robyn Hauck
For advanced riders only, join us for a week of exploring training beyond the basics. Jump in the big field. Do some drill team maneuvers at full speed. Teach your horse to lay down on cue. Build some new bridges, literally and figuratively. Open to current and alum members of the training teams, plus other similarly experienced riders (please ask to sign up).
And, some reminders from last week’s column…
Class for Expectant Siblings: Activities and video that will help explain to siblings-to-be what their new baby will look like, how to hold and talk to baby, what baby eats, how to be a helper, new feelings, and how to make becoming a sibling fun. Each sibling will receive an activity folder and a new sibling certificate. Participants will have the opportunity to tour the labor and delivery unit at the end of class.
The target audience is families with children ages 3 to 7 who are expecting a new baby.
This class is on Sunday, July 30, from 1 to 2:30 pm at the Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center. Cost: Free. Registration required. Register online or call Pollywog at 541-917-4884. For questions about the class, contact Mary Jackson at 541-768-6908.
Weekend Childbirth Class: This weekend childbirth education class is designed to prepare you to walk into your birth and new parent experience confidently. This class will help you view birth as a normal, healthy event and to help you build that confidence in your own body and its capability to birth. All the information is evidence-based and includes recommendations from major health organizations such as CDC, ACOG, and WHO.
Classes are at the Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center, Saturday and Sunday, Noon to 4 pm, August 5 and 6. A virtual option is also available. $110 per pregnant person (partner included). If you have Oregon Health Plan insurance (IHN or Pacific Source), your plan will cover this class at no cost to you. Click here for more information and registration.
Free CPR Classes: Santiam CPR is offering free single session trainings for parents and teens. Attendees who pass the class can get themselves a certification for children and infant CPR, AED use, and choking emergencies. The certificate is good for two years. We suggest signing up early, there’s classes in August and September. For full info and the schedule, click here. But, to register, you’ll need to click here.
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