Day camps and sleepovers across the region offer activities for every interest

Yes, parents, the end of the school year is fast approaching. In mere weeks, those quiet, kid-free days at home will be no more … at least until August rolls around. What can you do to keep your offspring occupied for the next few months? Summer camps, of course! And this year, EO Parent has even more to choose from, as we expand into the counties east of the Blue Mountains. Grab your calendars and let the registration begin!

DAY CAMPS

ATHENA

YMCA Summer Camp, YMCA of Walla Walla; Athena Elementary School, Mondays through Thursdays, June 23 to July 31 (no camp on 4th of July); for kids entering first through fifth grade, 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., breakfast and lunch provided. $50/week. Five weeks of themes including daily activities and outdoor exploration, with speakers on site. Programs are a mix of outdoor learning skills and local field trips. Details: 509-301-1716 or khuling@wwymca.org.

BAKER CITY

YMCA Summer Camp, Baker County YMCA, 3715 Pocahontas Road, Baker City. Gym construction has limited advance planning this summer, so camp dates and times are TBA. For current information, visit the Baker County YMCA Facebook page, visit www.bakercityymca.com or call Austin Weatherby at 541-523-9622.

BOARDMAN

Nuts, Bolts and Thingamajigs Camp, BMCC Workforce Development Center, 251 N. Olson Road. Camp runs July 22-26, Monday to Thursday, 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Students entering grades 6 to 8 can learn about the entire manufacturing process, including entrepreneurship, design software and construction, by creating their own product. Also includes tours of a local power plant and food processing business. Cost: $65, lunch and supplies included (some scholarships available). Details: 541-371-0980 or www.portofmorrow.com/workforce-training/nbt-camp/.

FUNtastic Kidz, Boardman Marina. Camp runs Monday-Thursday, 8:30 to 11:30 a.m., June 16 to July 24 (no camp June 30-July 4). Ages 5-13. Camps are free (meals included), but registration is required by June 6. Details: 541-616-1050 or check Boardman Parks & Rec Facebook page.

Teen Summer: various locations near Boardman. Teen summer program is a Monday-Thursday day camp for youth 13 to 17. Choice of three camps: June 16-26, July 7-17 or July 21-31. Camp ends on Aug. 4 with a trip to Silverwood theme park. Camps are free (with meals), but registration is required by June 6. Details: 541-616-1050. The link to register is teamsideline.com/sites/boardmanor/current-programs# or go to the Boardman Parks and Recreation District website at www.boardmanorprd.gov.

ELGIN / PENDLETON

Elgin Opera House Summer Theatre Camps, Elgin Opera House, 104 N. Eighth Ave. Includes performances of Disney’s “The Little Mermaid.” The first camp is July 22-26 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the. The second camp is July 29-Aug. 2 at the Vert Auditorium in Pendleton from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. For children 6 to 18 years old. Fee is $200/camp. No auditions are required. For more information contact the Elgin Opera House at 541-663-6324 or visit the web page at www.elginoperahouse.com.

ENTERPRISE

Summer Fishtrap Youth Workshop, 107 W. Main St. Workshop runs June 16-20, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., with a showcase on Friday at 3 p.m. Young writers ages 9-12 will embark on a literary adventure, led by professional writers, learning how to express what’s inside, listening to the stories of others and connecting with a community of storytellers. Cost: $100, lunch and snacks included. Registration opens in mid-May. For more information visit fishtrap.org/sfyw2025 or call 541-426-3623.

ENTERPRISE / WALLOWA

Building Healthy Families Exploration Camps, 207 E. Park St., Enterprise. Summer exploration camp for grades K through third. K and first grades, June 23-26; second and third grades, July 7-10. Both camps are at the BHF building. In Wallowa, camp for K-3 is held July 28-31 at Wallowa Elementary, 315 W. First St. All camps are free. For more information call Building Healthy Families at 541-426-9411.

HERMISTON

Summer Bowling Youth League, Desert Lanes Family Fun Center, 1545 N. First St. Saturdays from 9 to 11 a.m., May 10-July 12; ages 6 to 17. Every registered bowler will receive an entry level bowling ball. Drilling and fitting included, along with instructional coaching from qualified bowling instructors. Cost: $150. League without bowling ball or coaching is $100. Details: 541-567-6364 or visit bowldesertlanes.com/leagues/league-schedule.

Fun @ the Fair Camp, Umatilla County Fairgrounds. August 6 to 9, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Children entering first through fifth grade are invited to a fun filled week focused on events at the county fair. Campers will have fun while creating arts and crafts, playing games, viewing fair entertainment, and more. Cost: $100. Registration opens June 9; for more information visit www.umatillacountyfair.net.

Hydromania Summer Science Camp, hosted by Umatilla Electric Cooperative, held at Sandstone Middle School, 400 NE 10th St. Three two-week camps run Mondays through Fridays, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Camp dates will be announced in early May. Open to students who have completed fourth and fifth grades, with a focus on science, water, our environment and energy through hands-on experiments and activities. Cost: Free. Details: 541-289-1558 or check the Youth Programs at www.umatillaelectric.com/community.

Science in the Park, Harrison Park. Tuesdays or Thursdays, June 17-Aug. 5; 9 a.m. English, 10 a.m. Spanish. Ages 4-8. Join your children and learn about science and nature through fun educational activities. New activities weekly for you and your curious explorer. Cost: Free. Details: Hermiston Parks & Rec at 541-667-5018 or visit bit.ly/hermistonrecreation.

Starbase Rees STEAM Day Camps, hosted by the Oregon Military Dept. OMD runs four Starbase locations in Oregon; Starbase Rees is located at the Raymond Rees Training Center (former Umatilla Munitions Depot), 78798 Ordnance Road, Building 5062. This year, there are three camps: STEM Academy for fifth graders, June 26-30; Battle Bots for those fifth grade and above, July 24-27 and Aug. 21-24; STARBASE Summer, for fourth to sixth graders, July 10-13 and Aug. 7-10. Students must bring snacks and a lunch. Cost: Free. More information and registration at www.starbaseoregon.com/res-summercamps.

JOSEPH

Chief Joseph Summer Camp, Ferguson Ski Area, east of Joseph. Camp runs July 14-18, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. For youth entering second grade through sixth grade. Activities include arts and crafts, outdoor cooking, hiking, games and archery. Cost is $150 and includes a T-shirt.  For more information visit www.chiefjosephsummercamp.org.

LA GRANDE

Summer Day Camps, La Grande Parks & Rec, various locations in La Grande. Geared for K through Fifth grades. Half day camps run 8 a.m. to noon; full day camps at 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Themes include: “Blast Off Into Summer” (June 16-20); “Crafty Camp” (July 7-11); “Lego Camp” (Aug. 4-8); “Little Engineers” (July 21-25); “Science and Stuff” (June 23-27); “Sports For All” (June 30-July 3); “Water Fun Camp” (July 28-Aug. 1); “What’s in the Box” (July 14-18); and “Summer Wrap Up” (Aug. 11-15). Costs: $100 per week for full-day camps; $60 for half-day camps; shortened “Sports for All” camp is $80 for full-day, $48 for half-day. For more information contact La Grande Parks & Recreation, 541-962-1352.

Outdoor Adventure Program, EOU Field House on Eastern Oregon University campus. Camps run June 9-13 and July 14-18, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day. Focus is on getting kids into nature, with activities such as hiking, rock climbing, paddle boarding and more. Cost: $325/child. For more information call 541-962-3621.

LOSTINE

River Quest Horse Camps, 78365 Caudle Lane. Camp offers three sessions: June 16-20, June 30-July 4, or July 14-18, from 9 a.m. to noon, all days. Teaches beginning exercises, balance, steering a horse, horse care and more. Horses and snacks provided. For more information call Gail Murphy, 541-263-1685.

MILTON-FREEWATER

YMCA Summer Camp, YMCA of Walla Walla. Held at Freewater School, 17 NW Eighth Ave., Mondays through Thursdays, June 23 through Aug. 14 (no camp on July 4), 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Weekly sessions are offered for those entering K to fifth grade, with a mix of hands-on learning activities based on a variety of themes. Swimming and local field trips once a week; breakfast and lunch provided. Cost: $100/week; free to enrolled Milton-Freewater School District students. Details: 509-301-1716; registration packet is online at www.wwymca.org/camps.

Preschool Day Camp, YMCA of Walla Walla. Little Explorers, age 3 to 4, get their own camp at Freewater School, 17 NW Eighth Ave., Mondays to Thursdays, June 23 through Aug. 14 (no camp on July 4). Half-day camp runs 7:30 a.m. to noon ($75/week); full-day camp is 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. ($100/week). Details: 509-301-1716; registration packet is online at www.wwymca.org/camps.

PENDLETON

Level Up Arts Exploration Camp, Pendleton Rec Center. Monday to Friday, June 9-13, 9 a.m. to noon. Ages 6 through 17. Campers will learn how to level up their skills with partnerships with College Community Theatre, Pendleton Public Library, Pendleton Center for the Arts, and Heritage Station. Cost: $30. Details and registration at pendletonparksandrec.com.

Summer Adventure Camp, Pendleton Parks & Rec., Monday to Friday, June 16-Aug. 15, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Community Park. Week 3 is only Monday to Wednesday due to Independence Day. These camps are for children entering first through sixth grade. Campers can explore and play in the park’s 40 acres of soccer and softball fields, disc golf, basketball courts and two playgrounds. Cost: $80 per week, includes lunch, an afternoon snack and weekly trips to the library and Aquatic Center (entrance fee included). For details and registration, call 541-276-8100 or visit pendletonparksandrec.com.

Theater Camp: Music Man Jr., Fridays, June and July, with rehearsals TBA, in the Bob Clapp Theatre at Blue Mountain Community College. College Community Theatre will stage “The Music Man Jr.,” open to ages 7-18, with participants developing the show through hands-on workshops and mentorship. Everyone plays a part, either onstage or behind the scenes, running lights and sound, etc. Auditions for roles will be 5 to 7 p.m., Friday, May 16, and 10-11 a.m. Saturday, May 17. Workshops be held on Fridays and rehearsals will be scheduled based on participant schedules. Performances will be Aug. 8-9. Cost is $40 per child. Register at pendletonparksandrec.com

Basketball Camp with Coach Pearl, Pendleton Parks and Recreation. Aug. 4-8, Sunridge Middle School, 700 SW Runnion Ave. Morning camp will be for youth age 5 to 8; afternoon camp is for ages 9 to 13. Cost is $40 for 5- to 8-year-olds and $55 for ages 9-13. Register at pendletonparksandrec.com.

Rock and Roll Camp XX, Pendleton Center for the Arts. Monday to Friday, Aug. 11-15, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Campers age 12 to 18 can rock out for five full days – for free – at this 20th anniversary event! West Coast indie band musicians act as instructors for the camp. No musical experience required. Some teens put together bands, write original music and record their songs. Others work on rock journalism, putting together a camp zine and generating video for YouTube. The week ends with a big camp concert on Main Street. Details and applications will be posted online at pendletonarts.org/rock-roll-camp or call 541-278-9201.

Summer Art Camp, The Studio, 233 S. Main St. Multiple weekly art camps will be held from June through August, each with a different theme, for ages 5 to 12. Students create themed art projects using varying media while they learn about different art techniques and develop and understanding of the elements and principles of design. Costs vary by class; pay for the week or day. Details at 541-398-2787 or www.thestudiopendleton.com.

Summer Strings Music Camp, Oregon East Symphony. Monday to Friday, July 14-18, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Open to youth string musicians of all ages (violin, viola, cello, bass) who are able to read music at an elementary level. Campers will rehearse and perform in an orchestra ensemble with instruction by professional musicians and conductors, learning music theory and history, with performance opportunities. Cost: $200 for early registration; $250 for late registration. For program information and to receive announcements, contact OES at 541-276-0320 or education@OregonEastSymphony.org.

Teen Adventure Camp Outdoors (TACO), Pendleton Parks & Rec. Day trips run Fridays, usually 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. For grades 7 to 10. Each TACO day-long field trip is filled with adventures that provide your teen with a safe and healthy environment to play outside and make new friends while creating lasting memories. The schedule lists main activities and exciting destinations of each trip. Campers need to pack a lunch for each day. Cost: $55 per trip. Visit bit.ly/TACOcamp for schedule and registration.

UAV Camps, Pendleton UAS Range, 4529 NW A Ave., Pendleton Airport. Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (drones for short) are front and center at two workshops sponsored by Pendleton Robotics. On Tuesdays/Thursdays in May and Monday/Wednesdays in June, kids will explore programming and prototyping while learning to plan, sketch and document their inventions in an engineering notebook. Beginner workshops run from 5:15 to 6:15 p.m. and Advanced workshops are 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Cost: $20 per student, per workshop. To register, contact steve@thelawnchpad.com.

SLEEPOVER CAMPS

Ascension School Camp, Episcopal Diocese of Eastern Oregon. Faith-based, three- to five-day sleepover camps outside of Cove in Union County. Discovery Camp (preschool-2nd grade) requires a parent or guardian to attend, June 29-July 1, cost: $225 per camper and $125 for chaperone. Beginner’s Camp (3rd-4th grade), July 13-17, $450; Combined Camp (5th-6th grade), July 6-11, $475; Junior High Camp (7th-8th grade), July 20-25, $500; Senior High Camp (9th-12th grade), June 22-June 28, $550. Activities include swimming, crafts and outdoor games. Details: 541-568-4514 or www.coveascensionschool.com/summer-camp.

Big Lake Youth Camp, Oregon Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. Faith-based sleepover camps in Willamette National Forest near Sisters run June 29-Aug. 8. Open to boys and girls, ages 7-17. Week-long camps are available for ages 7-9, junior camps for ages 10-12, tween camps from ages 11-13, teen camps from ages 13-17, and RAD-to-Staff camps for ages 15-17 with a variety of different activities from swimming, creative arts, pony rides, canoeing, rock climbing, sailing, and sports. Sessions are age-specific; check which dates are appropriate for your camper. Family camp is also offered in August. Camp prices vary; scholarships may be available. Details: 503-850-3583 or visit www.biglake.org.

Buckaroo Rodeo Bible Camp, Buckaroos for Christ. June 15-19. Registration deadline is May 31.  This non-denominational Christian camp in the Pendleton Round-Up Pavilion focuses on rodeo skills for budding competitors from 12 to 18. Instruction in pole bending, roping, barrel racing and bareback riding is provided by professionals with a goal of developing future rodeo champions. Cost is $150 with $50 refundable stall deposit. Campers select their clinic focus. Details and online registration at www.buckaroosforchrist.com.

Camp Elkanah, near La Grande. Three- to six-day faith-based sleepover camps, grouped by age: Primary (entering grades 1-3), July 11-13, $135; Upper Elementary (entering grades 4-6), July 6-11, $250; Middle School Camp (entering grades 7-8), June 29-July 4, $255; High School (entering grades 9-12), June 22-June 27, $255. Camp includes speakers, workshops, chapel time, low ropes course, zip line and giant swing, paintball, night games, giant slip ‘n’ slide, water fights, crafts and indoor games. Details: 541-963-5050 or visit www.campelkanah.com.

Camp Meadowood Springs, near Tollgate. Sleepover and day camps designed for children with social learning and communications challenges and their peers/siblings. Camp is located in Weston and focuses on children with speech, hearing and other communication related disorders for ages 7-14. Activities also include canoeing, fishing, zip lines, crafts, sports, swimming, mini golf and bug catching. Overnight will be held July 13-18 for Session 1, July 20-25 for Session 2, and July 27 – Aug. 1 for Session 3, $1350 per session; Day Camp is July 14-18 for Session 1, July 20-25 for Session 2, and July 28 – Aug. 1 for Session 3, $600. There is a $35 registration fee. Scholarships are available depending upon need and information is available online. Details: Call 541-276-2752 or visit www.meadowoodsprings.org.

Camp Tamarack, near Sisters. Five-day camp for ages 8 to 13 runs in multiple sessions, June 22-Aug. 15. These co-ed camps encompass typical camp experiences such as arts and crafts, water fun, team sports, woodworking and more. Camp cost: $700. All-day week-long camps are currently full, but families may join the wait list. A three-night Type 1 Diabetes Buddy Camp is also offered for ages 8 to 18 from Aug. 17-20, camp cost is $425 and spots are still open. Week-long Counselor-in-Training camps are available for those entering ninth grade, at a cost of $500 per week. For details, call 541-633-9847 or visit www.camptamarack.com/summer-camp (registration packet available online).

Chockstone Climbing Camp, Chock-stone Climbing Guides, Smith Rock State Park in Redmond. Multiple options available. A four-day camp for ages 12-16 runs July 1-4; full-week camps for ages 13-17 run June 8-14 and July 27-Aug. 2, and 11-day camps for ages 14 to 17 run June 21-July 1 and July 9-19. Some camps may be full and have a waitlist. Prices start at $750 per person with significant discounts available for multiple climbing group members. Airport pick-up and drop-off at RDM is available. Details: 541-318-7170 or visit www.chockstoneclimbing.com.

Cove Christian Camp, faith-based camp in Cove. K-2nd grade camp held July 17-19; cost: $160 ($110 by July 3). 3rd-4th grade camp, June 24-28, cost: $230 ($180 by June 10). Fifth and sixth grade camp, July 8-12, cost: $230 ($180 by 6/24). Day Camp is an option for campers not ready to stay overnight. Youth/Teen Camp (7th-12th grade), June 17-21, cost: $230 ($180 by June 3). Details: 541-805-5050 or visit www.covechristiancamp.org.

Dream Haven Ranch, 14540 Angel Lane, Baker City. Camp 1 runs June 16-20; Camp 2 runs June 23-26 and Boys Camp runs June 27-30. This faith-based horse camp is designed for youth age 10 to 16. Covers horse safety and care, with picnics, games, crafts and trail rides. Cost is $650 per camper. Visit www.dreamhavenranch.org/summer-camps or call 208-830-2705 for more information.

EOU Summer Institutes, Eastern Oregon University. EOU offers six focused week-long institutes on their La Grande campus for high school students entering grades 9 to 12; some provide college credits. The 2025 summer institutes are: Cottonwood Crossing (cultural or natural resources), June 1-20; MedQuest camp explores health careers, June 1-21; Eastern Oregon Teacher Academy (free) gives future educators specialized training, June 24-27; Science Institute, June 23-28; Business Institute, June 23-28; Theatre/Music/Art Institute, June 23-28. Costs vary from free to $450, plus a $25 application fee. Some scholarships are available. For full details, visit www.eou.edu/early-college-initiatives/summer-institutes.

Music Camps at Wallowa Lake, 84522 Church Lane, Joseph. For youth in middle and high school. Brass camp, for those who play a brass instrument, is set for June 22-28. Woodwind camp will be held July 20-26, for woodwind players (flute, clarinet, oboe, bassoon or French horn). Cost is $820 per camper, including private instruction, music history and theory. Attend both camps for $1440. To register online, visit wlmusiccamps.org.

Rodeo Bible Camp, by Northeast Oregon Christian Cowboys, held at Union’s Expo Grounds. Week-long faith-based camp, from July 6-10 (check-in is 3 to 6 p.m., Sunday), will introduce campers ages 13 to 18 to basic rodeo skills. Participants will be able to put these skills into practice during a rodeo competition on the final day of camp. Cost: $100, includes all meals. For details and registration packet, visit www.rodeobiblecamp.org or call 541-910-3705.

Trackers Portland camps offer a large variety of specialty co-ed camps for youth. Day camps for grades Kindergarten through 12 are held in Portland and Sandy; overnight camps for grades 2 through 12 are held at Camp Roslyn near Sandy. Numerous five-day sessions run from June 16 through Aug. 22. Camp costs vary. Trackers Portland offers unique camping experiences that include fishing, foraging, stealth, farmcraft, hiking, paddling and wilderness survival. For details and to register, visit www.trackerspdx.com or call the camp office at 503-345-3312.

Tri-County 4-H Camp, Blue Mountain 4-H Center in Summerville. Camp is planned for July 7-11, but details are pending. For cost and other information, call 541-426-3143 or visit the Union County 4-H Facebook page.