PWS Summer Camp
Our exceptional summer camps reflect the unique interests of our students and faculty. Our nature-based weekly camps take place on our seven-acre campus and explore Waldorf crafts and experiences, offering families a wonderful window into Waldorf education. Open to the public, our summer camps welcome friends and families, alongside current PWS families, who are curious about our school and interested in discovering our vibrant community.
Summer camps are offered for students ages 3-18.
Registration for Summer 2026 Now Open! Early Bird Pricing Available Until April 30
Seven weeks of daily camp for our young campers from July 6 - August 21
Middle School & Teen Camps
PWS Summer Camp covers the school day hours, 8:30am-3pm, with a half-day option, 8:30am-12:45pm, for early childhood.
Learn More below in our Camp FAQ section or Sign in to Popsicle to register below.
Teen Summer Camps follow a different rhythm with some camps running 9am - 1pm. Please read more below.
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Most of our Summer Camps take place here on our beautiful Portland Waldorf School campus where there is plenty of shade and river breezes, and lots of spring water to cool us down! Camp days hold a familiar Waldorf school rhythm of in-breath and out-breath, including rests and ample time for free and structured play inside and out.
In the mornings, our Grades campers will enjoy a themed activity, story and snack, and in the afternoons they will take a Wonder Walk with their teachers to Elk Rock Island, Milwaukie Bay, or another nearby nature spot to explore or gather.
Early Childhood will also enjoy themed crafts, stories, and games; explore and play on Walnut Hill; and take a gentle rest in the afternoon.
Our middle and high school camps each focus on one distinct theme, and are sometimes offered in partnership with local community organizations.
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Preschool Camp: Ages 2-6. Must be toilet trained. Half and full days available.
Kindergarten & Rising Grade 1: Ages 5-8.
Grades 2- 6 Camp: Ages 7-12
Middle School Camp: Rising 6th through 8th graders
High School Camp: Rising 9th through 12th graders
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All camps run Monday through Friday
Full Day: 8:30am-3pm
Half Day: 8:30am-12:45m (option for Early Childhood only)
Middle & High School Camps: Times vary
Camps are offered weekly from July 6 through August 21, scroll down for details on all camp dates
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Early Bird Pricing! 10% Off Full Price with Discounted Price Listed Below.
Open now through April 30:
$378 for One Week of Half Days (EC only)
$495 for One Week of Full Days
$315 for Middle School and High School
Regular Pricing, after April 30:
$420 for One Week of Half Days (EC only)
$550 for One Week of Full Days
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Our Summer Camp Cancellation Policy is:
Cancellation by May 1 - full refund less a $25 cancellation fee
Cancellation by June 1 - 50% refund less a $25 cancellation fee
Cancellation after June 1 - No Refunds
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Contact our Auxiliary Programs Director at camps@portlandwaldorf.org, to learn more or ask questions.
Camp Details & FAQ
PWS Summer Camp 2026
Explore the Elements
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July 6-10: Earth
Children will explore their connection to the earth through gardening, seed planting, and the pollinators who make so much of it possible: bees.
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July 13 -17: Wind
Campers will enjoy crafting all things breezy like windsocks, weather vanes, kites and more. We will notice and listen to the wind in the trees and show our gratitude to sky’s way of cooling us off on hot summer days.
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July 20-24: Water
An essential element for cooling during the season, water will be the focus of week 3. In addition to playing in the campus creeks, nearby parks and sprinklers, campers will create boats, crochet water balloons and more!
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July 27-31: Fire
We honor the fire element in Week 4, focusing on the ways we create light both inside and outside of ourselves. Crafts include beeswax and wool fire starters, campfire songs, sundials, and sandbox volcanoes.
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August 3-7: Spirit
In Waldorf education, we create connection with the magical imaginal world of fairies and recognize that spirit and matter are intertwined. Crafts focusing on earthly beauty and curiosity like making earth paint, henna, and fairy houses will be the focus of this element camp.
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August 10-14: Caves
Climbing rocks and finding nooks within them to explore is the focus of cave week. Finding a cool place to hide and rest is tried and true way to be with the restful days of summer.
This week will include Japanese crafts like Origami in addition to stone-focused activities like playing with gems, painting bears, and polishing stones!
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August 17-21: Sun
In our last week of Explore the Elements, we engage with the sun and notice all the ways its light shine on us and creates beauty in the world.
This week will include Japanese cooking in addition to crafts focused on rainbows, sun tea, and paper stars!
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Japanese Crafts & Cooking: August 10 - 21
During the last two weeks of camp, Japanese-focused crafts and cooking will be incorporated into the Caves and Sun themes.
The wonderful PWS Assitant Teacher, Yuka Yoshida, will bring her culture to the young students.
If interested, make sure to sign up for Aug 10-14 or Aug 17-21 weeks in Popsicle
Middle & High School Camps
PWS Summer Camp is expanding upon its popular camps for teens! We currently offer Art, Parkour, and Babysitting Skills. Join our uniquely talented Middle School and High School Faculty and Staff as they explore their craft and skills in depth with students.
Drawing & Printmaking for Teens (Ages 11-15)
with Middle School Art Teacher, Dexter Brightman
July 20-31 and August 3-14
Deepen your artistic skills in both printmaking and drawing with peers who share your interest and passion for visual art. You will explore new artistic techniques and strengthen your skills through observation of different art styles and drawing exercises. Activities will include life drawing, contour drawing (blind, continuous, etc,) and blocking techniques.
Please note: You must sign up for two-week sessions in order to register for this camp. First two-week session: July 20 -31. Second two-week session: August 3 - August 14. All sessions are 9am-1pm
PWS Middle School Art Teacher Dexter Brightman brings his expertise as a renowned artist and Waldorf alum to enthusiastic young artists in this one-of-a-kind summer camp. Dexter studied printmaking and illustration at The Academy Of Art San Francisco & The San Francisco Art Institute. An alumnus of the Santa Cruz Waldorf School, he began his teaching career in 2011 at the San Francisco Waldorf School. Learn more here!
Sign up for camps on the Popsicle App by clicking the link above
The Artist’s Workshop for Teens (Ages 14-18)
with High School Director, Nina Churchill
June 22 - July 10
Spend the weeks exploring opportunities to deepen your artistic skills and process tailored to high school in level, skills and subjects, with time to extend beyond our regular trimester classes. In each week the emphasis will begin with process, exploration and furthering your artistic ideas. Each week will have a thematic emphasis and will consider individual interests and goals as much as possible:
Week 1 June 22- 26: Landscape Focus
Week 2 June 30 - July 3: Figurative Focus
Week 3 July 6 - 10: Life, Still Life and Design
All sessions are Monday - Friday 9am-1pm
Ceramic Handbuilding
with artist and PWS Development Manager, Mia Farrington
July 6-10
In this hands-on camp, students will learn the fundamentals of ceramic handbuilding while discovering the joy of working thoughtfully and imaginatively with their hands. Students will also learn first-hand all about clay’s transformation—from soft earth to fired ceramic—and at the end of the session, all work will be fired and glazed. Each student will take home finished pieces that reflect their creativity and growth. Emphasis will be placed on craftsmanship, curiosity, and allowing ideas to unfold naturally through the making process. Open to students from Rising Grade 6 through Rising Grade 9. This will be a perfect camp for beginners, students who have participated in Ms. Mia's after school Handbuilding Club this year, and students wanting to hone their skills and learn new techniques alongside fellow artists.
Led by Mia Farrington (PWS Development Manager and parent), a fine artist with a passion for process-based learning and creative confidence, students will explore essential techniques such as pinch pots, coil building, slab construction, and score-and-slip assembly. Through guided projects and open-ended making, they will learn how simple forms can grow into functional vessels and sculptural pieces of their own design.
Sign up for camps on the Popsicle App by clicking the link above
Parkour with Parkour Visions
Ages 7 - 14 with PWS Parent, Brady Romberg
July 6-10 and August 17-21
PWS is once again teaming up with sister non-profit, Parkour Visions, for afternoon Parkour right here on our campus and Elk Rock Island! Children run, jump, and climb their way into building skills while playing tag, stealth-challenge games and more.
Campers will dive into forest exploration and thrilling parkour skills practice while playing games like tag, stealth challenges, and teamwork activities.
From rock jumping to tree climbing, every day is packed with fun and learning, all while fostering a sense of environmental stewardship.
Learn more about this camp here!
Camp Leader Brady Romberg is a professional stunt coordinator who has worked on Marvel Studio productions such as Guardians of the Galaxy. His enthusiasm for his craft inspires campers all day long.
Heart and Hands: Babysitting Fundamentals
With Educational Support Teacher Rochelle Giametta
July 13-17
Middle and high school students will experience a fun and interactive week of learning essential babysitting skills to become responsible and confident babysitters. Important topics covered will include child safety, basic first aid, engaging activities by age, behavior management, emergency procedures, communication with parents, and handling diverse situations.
New sitters will go home with a babysitting notebook, a starter babysitting kit hand-crafted by each participant, and a certificate of completion from the Heart and Hands Care Academy - something to proudly display for prospective families!
For middle and high school campers, 6th-12th grade. Learn more about this camp here!
Taught by Rochelle Giametta, the Student Support, Life Skills, and College & Career Advisor at Portland Waldorf High School. Rochelle is not only a seasoned teacher at PWHS, but has also been a Case Worker, Intervention Specialist, and Childcare Consultant for nonprofits across the country. And of course, as a teen - she was an expert babysitter!
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