Steve & Kate's Camp - Portland

03/18/2022

We can't wait for summer! Reserve your spot with us today!

Steve & Kate's Camp is a summer day camp for kids in Portland, OR. Kids choose minute to minute from our Media Lab, Sewing Salon, Bakery, Sports, Water Games, and more. Buy any number of Day Passes and use them any time.

02/07/2022

We’re the people who pioneered self-directed summer camps while introducing the most flexible and fair attendance system in the industry, way back in 1980. At Steve & Kate’s, kids decide what to do and where they do it, giving them the confidence to risk, fail, rise, and develop a deep trust in their instincts and capabilities. We are now a part of the Bright Horizons Family.

Steve & Kate’s Summer Camp is a 10-week program, running from June to August. Our full-time staff work Monday through Friday with shifts between the hours of 8 AM and 6 PM.

At Steve & Kate's, we put kids in the driver’s seat, and counselors come along for the ride. Campers choose minute-to-minute how to spend their time because making decisions today helps to build the self-confidence they’ll need to wrangle unknowns tomorrow. As a Steve & Kate’s staff member, you’ll sharpen your inherent leadership skills and do meaningful work, all while immersing yourself in creativity and play.

Apply now at https://brighthorizons.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/External-NorthAmerica/job/Portland-Oregon-97232/Camp-Counselor_JR-050245

03/27/2020

HI Portland! Director Jesse here. A little update from me as I begin to take a pause for the next few weeks at the end of today.
Portland is such a beautiful small big city and I am proud to serve the families within it. It has been the joy of my life this past decade to do so. We are a special place that remains strong and helpful and as close as ever - even at a very necessary distance right now. So this message is important for you to hear directly from me and not just from a blanket email. Because I care about each family and kiddo that has come to camp with my whole heart. But do check your email in the next week you'll be receiving more updated information from our people in HQ.
To reach someone while I am away in regards to questions, concerns (urgent or not) you can email [email protected]. If you'd like to reach me on a personal level to say hello feel free to email them and ask the message to be forwarded along. It's always wonderful to hear from any of you.

Wishing you warmth and safety and health. Give those amazing kids big high fives for me!

My very best,

Jesse

03/24/2020

Hi Portland Families,

Director Jesse here. I hope this post finds you and your family safe, emotionally managing well, and healthy. I'm here to write a little personal post from my heart in my home to yours. If you are a front line worker right now - THANK YOU. Truly, from the bottom of my heart I know so many of our families have doctors and nurses and emergency response workers and truck drivers and grocery store staff and maintenance staff in them. Thank you for all you are doing and always do.

I wanted to take a second to make a personal request: have fun with your kids right now. Do it for my staff and myself as people who are missing being out in the community holding Parents Nights Out and tabling events and visiting our host school in the middle of the school day getting enthusiastic waves from my camp kiddos. Make up a secret handshake (our go-to greetings as childcare workers), have a dance party, sing karaoke, make a mess together, get lost in their imaginary world, do Cosmic Kid Yoga or Just Dance (you need the exercise anyway).
Maybe have a scavenger hunt inside, draw a giant sidewalk chalk creation or run around in the backyard, or create a billion paper airplanes to throw across the house. Let them lead the way in their at-home experience because play and self-direction are key regulators in their life. Let them keep growing their resilient bones and problem-solving skills and motivation and belief in themselves. Let them stay worry-free for as long as possible. Let them surprise you when they come and give you a hug before you even realized you needed it.
And if you don't mind, tell them we here at Portland Steve & Kate's say, "Hi!" Tell them I said I hope they are having fun on their long Spring Break and I hope to see them again super soon.

Please reach out if you need anything at all. My digital door is always open.

With Big Camp Love,

Jesse

03/17/2020

Hello, Portland! All our families have been on our mind a ton these past few days as your kids are at home and many of you are looking at new normals for the time being. We see you and continue to plan summer one day at a time to keep our eyes on the future. Nothing like planning a big summer of celebration to keep us excited about something! For now, here are a few activities to print out to keep you or your kids occupied for a few minutes. Enough to take a deep breath at least. We're in this together. And as always if you have questions send me an email so we can connect. My very best, Jesse (Director)

03/11/2020

Hi all! It looks like LEGOS at the Woodstock Library has been canceled for this month. Hope to see you in April!

03/11/2020

GOOD MORNING, Portland! First things first - don't forget to register today. Even if you aren't sure how many days you'll need, take 10 minutes and just grab one day for now so we know you are going to join us this summer. We appreciate it!

I'll be out at Crema Coffee this morning for anyone who cares to come by and chat about camp over a cup of coffee or a pastry. And then this afternoon we're out at Woodstock Library LEGO Club with our stop motion animation stations! I cannot wait to see you.

- Jesse (Year-Round Camp Director)

Completing registration will take 5-10 min. We ask for a lot of info upfront so you don't have to worry about forms when you arrive at camp.

03/10/2020

Morning Portland! We're staying positively focused on the exciting summer ahead despite a couple of worrisome weeks across the country. So I wanted to take a moment to speak openly and plainly about how we hope we can help you plan ahead without feeling too anxious about not having a place for your amazing kids for the summer. We know summer planning with the uncertainty of Coronavirus is tough for parents. We also know the privilege it is for you to trust us every day of the summer with your most precious commodities to keep them safe. It is not something we take lightly and we are currently brainstorming ahead on how to continue to do this. Coincidentally, our 40-year-old flexible enrollment system just might be what is needed at this time. Since you can buy any number of Day Passes, use them anytime, and get automatically refunded for unused Passes, you can stay as nimble as possible with plans. If you decide to bail altogether, you’ll get a full refund. If your work sends you home for the day, you can keep your kids home with you. Whatever works for you, works for us. The bottom line is that you can register as you normally would without any fear of getting stuck. We stick by our promise not to cause you more stress when life just does what it does sometimes and happens.

As always, if you have questions or concerns you can reach out to me via email: [email protected]

Be well and keep washing your hands. We can't wait to see you so soon!

All my best,

Jesse
Year-Round Portland Director

03/07/2020

PSA from us over here in summer camp world: THERE ARE 100 DAYS UNTIL THE 1ST DAY OF STEVE & KATE'S CAMP! Registration is open!

www.steveandkatescamp.com/portland

03/05/2020

Still trying to figure out how our camp works? How we could possibly offer 10 1/2 hours of camp without extra charges for before care or after care? How all food is included? How the flexible drop off policy works? Come to our Dessert Info Night at the end of the month! Whether you are already signed up or need a few extra questions answered, it's a great place to get to know us!

One thing comes above all else at Steve & Kate’s––the kids drive the decisions, and the adults ride shotgun. Kids choose from activities like The Media Lab, Sewing Salon, Bakery, Blocktopolis, Card Cave, Scrap Heap, Drawing Room, Arcade, sports, water play, weekly specials like gigantic inflat...

03/04/2020

Our 100-day countdown to camp is just around the corner! Financial Aid applications are available and registration is open.

Need-Based Financial Aid For Camp Steve & Kate’s Camp, LLC is offering limited need-based financial aid to qualifying families based on verification of current income. The income levels necessary for qualification are different by location, due to the variance in cost of living and housing. You ca...