DAY CAMPS FOR KIDS IN SE PDX

Inspiring creative expression and a love for Urban homesteading

Earth Tenders Day Camps for Kids

We Believe in Child-Led Learning

Earth Tenders is a summer camp, fostering a love for the arts and urban homesteading.

Children are treated with respect, while their natural desires to learn and grow are cherished and facilitated. We are a choice-based program where students forge their own experience. We care for the chickens, Work with food, tend the garden, create beautiful art, and foster healthy peer to peer relationships. Our focus is on fun, food, and freedom to explore the artist within.

  • Forest Exploration & Nature Crafts

    Date: June 30-July 3

    9am-2pm

    Ages: 4+
    Cost: $75 per day
    (Tuition assistance available upon request.)

    We will meet at a local park in SE Portland or Milwaukie (location to be determined) to explore the land, play games, and create nature crafts. This camp will be available for drop-in registration (by the day) until full.

  • Natural Building

    Recycled Art

    Date: July 21-25

    9am-2pm

    Ages: 4+
    Cost: $350
    (Tuition assistance available upon request.)

    Students will use their imaginations creating up-cycled art with recycled materials and a variety of mediums. Think collaborative “trash” village designs, T-shirts turned re-usable bags, egg carton animals, and decoupage containers. As with all Earth tenders camps, there will be a garden and homesteading element too.

  • FULL: Camp Yarn-Mania

    Date: July 28-August 1

    9am-2pm

    Ages: 4+
    Cost: $350
    (Tuition assistance available upon request.)

    Please contact to be placed on the wait-list. Registration is currently closed!

    During this camp week students will be learning new skills using the wonderful material of yarn to create both visual and functional art. Where yarn will be the main headliner, several other mediums will come along to back up the show. Each student will have an opportunity to work at their own skill level as individuals, as well as, supporting other students hone new skills.

  • FULL: Homesteading Head-Start

    Date: August 18-22

    9am-2pm

    Ages: 4+
    Cost: $350
    (Tuition assistance available upon request.)

    Please contact to be placed on the wait-list. Registration is currently closed!

    This camp will focus on food preservation, chicken and garden care, medicine making, and using natural materials to create beautiful and useful projects. Activities may include: Natural dying, jam making, harvesting and food prep, compost exploration, paper making, and natural fence design.

Registration is now open for the 2025 summer camp season. Aftercare available for an additional fee: 2-4 (With the exception of the Forest Exploration week).

Happy kiddos make happy parents

  • “Brooklyn's summer camps are so much fun that my daughter preferred them over our summer vacation! She has talked about returning to camp nonstop since last summer, and we cannot wait for her to attend camp with Brooklyn and teacher Todd again this year. I talk up this all-outdoor, Waldorf-inspired camp every chance I get because my daughter had such a beautiful experience there.“

  • “I signed up my daughter to several of Brooklyn's summer camps last year on a recommendation from her preschool teacher. It was everything we hoped it would be and more. The program was completely outdoors, with many Waldorf-inspired activities. To say she loved it would be an understatement. All she has talked about since the summer is returning to camp. Also, after each camp, she proudly brought home arts and crafts. We still have most of them displayed throughout our home and garden.”

  • "My twins attended summer camps for two years. The teachers create such a warm and inclusive space. My kids loved the art and gardening activities along with making new friends. They still use skills and ideas from camp in their play, and we are excited to return this year."

  • “Brooklyn is a real gem of a child care provider! She is very grounding, gentle, consistent and loving. Both my kids have benefitted from her offerings over the years and I cherish, not only the beautiful art they have created with her, but her magical influence on their lives.”

  • “She LOVED puppets in the garden last year and has been asking to come back to [Earth Tenders] this summer! We will be hoping to sign up for the first three camps when the time comes. Looking forward to hearing about the next steps! “

Earth Tenders is a backyard program in the Woodstock Neighborhood where gardens, art, and friendships blossom!

Our camps are designed to provide hands-on experiences promoting artistic exploration, social development, and a passion for gardening. We believe the best way to grow is through play and exploration, which is why our summer camp takes a play and choice-based approach to learning. Our welcoming and experienced staff create a nurturing environment where children can learn new skills, make friends, and engage with sensory-based food and art projects. Join us this summer and discover the joys of Earth Tenders!

(Click photos to enlarge)

Meet Brooklyn

Earth Tenders has been inspired by the beautiful children who’ve made it what it is today!

With over 20 years experience, Brooklyn’s appreciation for Waldorf, Reggio, and Montessori philosophies are at the root of what she brings to the program. At the heart is respect for the children and the earth we inhabit.

She brings her love for art, and passion for gardening to Earth Tenders, and takes a gentle but firm approach guiding children through projects and activities. Her love for fostering creative expression, artistic skill, and interest in working with and caring for the earth and it’s creatures is at the heart of this program.

Please send me information about future programming

Details for All Camps

Where: near 65th & Woodstock

When: 9 am-2 pm

(After care available)

Camp enrollment: 10-15 students 

Staff: 1 lead teacher, 1 assistant or junior counselor.

What your child/ren will need for camp:

  • Children should arrive pre-sunscreened. I have quite a bit of shade, but we will be in and out of the sun.

  • Please be sure your child is dressed for messy art/ play, and in comfortable shoes or sandals. A sun hat or cap if available.

  • Water bottle.

  • Children will need a lunch bag including a healthy lunch and snack! If you would like us to help differentiate snack/ lunch items, please let me know or mark them, so we can support your child/ren with this! It may also be helpful to label their lunch containers with their name, especially if they aren't familiar with it. They will have a designated place for their things. So this should help with any confusion.

  • Optional: change of clothes. If you feel this is necessary for potential accidents, or sensitivities to being a little wet or messy, please send a change of clothes.

  • Optional: bag or backpack to hold said items.