The holidays are wonderful and all, but what to do with the kidlets when school’s closed for two whole weeks? … Send ’em off to camp, of course! Here are some of the coolest around.

Trackers Earth

Dec. 19-30; 7:30am-6pm
With safe outdoor and holiday themed camps, Trackers Earth offers something for all the kids in your household. With high-quality staff, flexible check-in and check-out hours and outdoor activities that increase confidence and skills, you’ll be wishing you were a kid again just so you can attend these incredibly fun winter camps! Fairy tale adventures for your littlest ones, archery classes for your 2nd-5th grader or snowshoe hikes in the mountains for your teenager, Trackers has everything you need and then some.
Ages: 4 yrs-10th grade
Tuition: $74-97
trackerspdx.com

Seam Divas Sewing Lounge

Dec 19-22, 27-30; 10am-2pm
Winter break can be sew great when learning the ABCs of sewing! Put the zig-zagging, reversing, and pivoting of corners you’ll learn in these classes toward crafting your very own personalized creations. With daily snacks, games, stretching and outside walks, Seam Divas is a great way for your children to seamlessly transition through their holidays.
Ages: 10-15 yrs
Tuition:$150
seamdivas.com

Echo Theater Company

Various dates Dec 12-30
Tumble on in to Echo Theater for some high-flying winter fun for children of all ages. Activate your child’s imagination with the Circus Theater themed camp or show them the heights with the aerial, trapeze and acrobatics youth classes held daily. Also, welcome the new year together on Dec 31 at the family workshop where you can practice all your circus tricks together!
Ages: 4-12 yrs
Tuition: $15-$20 daily; $180+ for camps
echotheaterpdx.org

Zenger Farm

Dec 19-30; 8:45am-3pm
Get back to your roots with Zenger Farm’s winter camp. Each day is oriented around different themes and fun activities. Bake gifts for loved ones with herbs and spices picked from the gardens. Make a gingerbread barn to show off at home – if you don’t eat it first, that is! This and many more arts and crafts inspired projects await your child during the winter break at Zenger Farm!
Ages: K-6th grade
Tuition:$60/day
zengerfarm.org

World of Speed

Dec 19-23; 8:30am-12pm
Keep your child’s motor skills revving with this fun winter camp. Each day will challenge campers’ innovation, creativity and problem-solving skills through designing and racing model cars. Children will also have access to the on-site museum, including the interactive components. There will be podium finishes and prizes at the end. Enroll by Dec 14!
Ages: 2nd-5th grade
Tuition:$35/day, $150/week
worldofspeed.org

Oregon Ballet School

Dec 17, 10:30am-4pm; Dec 19, 9:30am-3pm
Share this year’s winter cheer with your children by enrolling them in the Nutcracker Camps at the Oregon Ballet School! They’ll enjoy a fun-filled day of ballet, music, crafts, snacks and an end-of-camp performance for parents and friends. Be sure to wear ballet attire for the camp and pack a sack lunch.
Ages: 5-9 yrs
Tuition:$50
oregonballetschool.com

Portland Children’s Museum

Dec 19-22, 27-30; 8:30am-2:30pm
Offering two differently themed camps this winter, Portland Children’s Museum is a great way to spend the break learning and exploring. The Art Exploration camp will cultivate creativity by drawing inspiration from the museum’s exhibits. The Nature Creations camp also inspires, but through hands-on projects and outside exploration.
Ages: 4-6 yrs
Tuition: $170 members/$200 non-members
portlandcm.org

The Circuit Bouldering Gym

Dec 19-30; 9am-2pm
Children driving you up the walls during the winter break? Send them down to Camp Rockstar at the Circuit so they can climb theirs instead! All three locations will be offering a social environment with experienced instructors where children can problem solve, build strength and gain confidence. In a fun, yet challenging environment, children will enjoy making new friends and progressing at their own pace.
Ages: 5-12 yrs
Tuition: $59 first day/$49 each day after
thecircuitgym.com

Mason is a long-time barista, with roots in Austin, TX, but now residing in Portland, OR, where he works for Coava Coffee. An organizer of monthly latte art competitions for the PDX coffee community, you can find him on his off days coffee shop hopping and dreaming about the next breakfast taco he’ll eat. He hasn’t quite caught on to the bagel craze up here yet.