Winter Camp

2025–2026 Winter Camp Now Enrolling!

Come for one day or for the entire break! Each day includes programming for grades K–5 from 7:30am to 6pm with engaging activities, creative play, and snacks. Pricing is by day, with a sliding scale to fit your family’s budget. 

Enrollment Process

Currently Enrolled Families:

1. Will be sent a message in Brightwheel to offer them a new application for future programs that are opening for enrollment.
2. Families who request an application form will be assigned the application for the following year by a Children’s Programs administrative staff member.
   1. The Family will complete the application.
   2. Applications will be reviewed in the order that they are received.
      1. Applications will be approved by a Friendly House Children’s Programs administrative staff member.
      2. Once an application is approved, a Children’s programs administrative staff member will assign any additional paperwork required for the program or forms that need to be updated.
      3. After all assigned paperwork is completed by the family, and approved by a Children’s Programs administrative staff member, Friendly House will notify the family using the Brightwheel messaging app to inform them that their enrollment is complete.
   3. Once a program is full, waitlist will be added to the title of the application, or to the specific days that are converted to waitlist status.
      1. Once a family is on a waitlist they will be contacted in the order received when space becomes available for their child. A Children’s Program administrative staff member will confirm that the family is still interested in enrolling their child into the program they have applied for.
         1. If a family is no longer interested in enrolling, we will contact the next family on the waitlist.
      2. If the family confirms that they are still interested in enrolling into the program that they have applied for a Children’s programs administrative staff member will assign any additional paperwork required for the program.
      3. After all assigned paperwork is completed by the family, and approved by a Children’s Programs administrative staff member, Friendly House will notify the family using the Brightwheel messaging app to inform them that their enrollment is complete.

Check out all the fun we’re going to have this winter!

Week 1

Tuesday 12/23 – Under the Icy Sea 

**Featuring a Field Trip to Mike Bennett’s Cartoon Aquarium!

Dive into an unforgettable underwater adventure! In this chilly, creative “Under the Icy Sea” camp day, K–5 students will explore ocean science and art through the whimsical world of Mike Bennett’s Cartoon Aquarium. Campers will enjoy a special field trip to Bennett’s interactive art installation, where they’ll meet colorful sea creatures and learn how imagination brings art to life.

Back at camp, kids will dive into ocean-inspired STEM experiments, create frosty marine art, and play active, sea-themed games that keep them moving and laughing. It’s a perfect blend of creativity, curiosity, and adventure—no snorkel required! 

Wednesday 12/24 –  Gingerbread Architects

Step into a sweet and magical adventure with our “Gingerbread Architects” Winter Break Camp! K–5 campers will explore the wonder of gingerbread architecture through hands-on STEM building challenges, candy-inspired art, and festive engineering fun.

The day begins with a special live performance from the incredible Spencer Sprocket, whose high-energy magic, comedy, and interactive tricks bring a burst of excitement and winter wonder to camp. His show sets the perfect tone for a day filled with creativity and imagination.

Campers will then dive into projects like gingerbread house engineering, candy geometry art, frosty window painting, and even gingerbread bridge construction. The day stays lively with candy-themed games like the Candy Cane Relay and Gingerbread Freeze Dance.

It’s a joyful blend of magic, engineering, creativity, and holiday fun—a day guaranteed to leave kids smiling and inspired!

No Camps Thurs–Fri (December 25th & 26th)

Week 2

Tuesday 12/30 – Winter Break Camp: Winter Wonderland

Step into a magical Winter Wonderland! K–5 campers will enjoy a full day of snowy-inspired creativity, hands-on STEM experiments, and active winter-themed games. Kids will explore icy science experiments, craft sparkling winter art, design frosty engineering projects, and stay moving with playful obstacle courses and relays.

Campers will experiment with ice and water science, paint sparkling winter landscapes, engineer snow forts and icy structures, and create winter luminary lanterns that glow with a cozy “winter magic.” They’ll also stay active with fun games like a snowball toss relay and an arctic obstacle course that encourage teamwork, coordination, and laughter.

It’s a day full of creativity, learning, and movement, all wrapped in the magic of winter!

12/31 – Winter Break Camp: PJ Party & Cozy Cocoa Day

Put on your favorite pajamas and get ready for a cozy, creative adventure at PJ Party & Cozy Cocoa Day! K–5 campers will enjoy a relaxed morning filled with hands-on art and science fun before heading out for an extended field trip to PDX Playdate, where we’ll enjoy lunch together and spend the afternoon exploring, climbing, and playing indoors.

The morning will be packed with marshmallow science experiments, cocoa-inspired art, and cozy fort building before we head out for an exciting afternoon of free play and movement. After returning to camp, we’ll wind down with a cup of cocoa and a gratitude reflection circle.

It’s the perfect balance of creativity, comfort, and active fun, celebrating the joy of winter in cozy style!

No Camp Thurs (January 1st)

Friday 1/2 – Winter Break Camp: Blast Off Into the New Year!

Featuring a Visit from Experiment PDX

Start the new year with curiosity, creativity, and hands-on science in “Blast Off Into the New Year!” K–5 campers will explore the wonders of STEM through exciting experiments, collaborative engineering challenges, and active, space-themed games.

The day features a special visit from Experiment PDX, who will lead a live science experiment presentation, inspiring campers with awe-inspiring demonstrations. Back at camp, kids will build rocket-inspired structures, create fizzy reaction art projects, experiment with mini-launch physics challenges, and stay active with movement games like a rocket relay and asteroid obstacle course.

It’s a high-energy, curiosity-packed day designed to kick off the new year with creativity, science, and fun!