Summer Camps
Registration opens at 12pm – Feb 11 for members and Feb 13 for everyone
Please make sure your camper’s membership is active and up to date at least 2 business days before registration opens. We are unable to sell any new memberships after close on Friday, February 7th. NECC will send you a member registration link via email before Feb 11th. We strongly encourage all members to make sure they can log in to their accounts and have received the registration link before the registration opens at noon. We encourage you to sign up for waitlists if a camp fills up.
See below for our 2025 Summer Camp offerings! The mission of the youth programs at the Northeast Community Center is to provide a safe and supportive environment for young people in Portland to learn, grow, and thrive. Through a variety of engaging and inclusive activities and services, we aim to promote the physical, social, and emotional well-being of youth and empower them to become confident, responsible, and engaged members of their community.
TIMES: 9:00 am to 4:00 pm
LUNCH & SNACK: Lunch is not provided, please pack your child a meal and snacks. Families needing accommodation or assistance providing lunch/snacks should contact the NECC’s Youth Programs Manager.
POOL: If you would like your child to have the opportunity to swim, please send your child with a swimsuit, towel, and any extra bathroom supplies you think your child will need. Campers will use the universal locker room with private, individual changing stalls. Children who cannot reach in the shallow end must wear a life jacket. All campers who would like a life jacket are welcome to have one. A camp counselor will be in the pool with the children at all times and our head lifeguard will perform a daily skill check to use the deep end. Children who do not wish to swim will be able to play with camp counselors in our Child Watch room.
FINANCIAL SUPPORT: We reserve a limited number of spots in our camps for Community Fund participants. If you are already a Community Fund participant, you may register early during member registration (February 11th at noon). Community Fund participants must register by calling the front desk or coming in person so our staff can administer your price reduction. Please note that financial support spots have filled for Summer 2025 due to limited available funds. Once all spots are filled, we will not be able to accommodate additional requests. However, we can place you on the camp waitlist in case spots become available. Contact our Front Desk by phone 503-284-3377 or frontdesk@necommunitycenter.org
ACCOMMODATIONS: To inquire about special accommodations, please reach out to the Youth Programs Manager at youth@necommunitycenter.org. We are prepared to care for neurodivergent children and work with families to meet children’s specific needs. Please note that our program allows kids to have extended periods of free time, which can be challenging for children who succeed with more structure or more individualized guidance and redirection. If you would like to discuss if this would be the right fit for your child, please reach out to the program manager.
EXTREME HEAT & SMOKE POLICY: Our camps spend extended periods of time outside. We are committed to keeping youth and staff safe in extreme weather conditions. Please review our inclement weather policy in section 4 of our refund policy.
Theme Camps | Ages 6-11
Join us for a fun and enriching summer! Our camps allow youth to actively engage with their peers while creating themed crafts with our art teachers, playing group games, splashing in our indoor pool, and visiting Grant Park. All of our camps have optional daily swimming time from 2:45-3:45 in our indoor warm water pool!
For the weeks of June 23rd and July 21st, please scroll down to the specialty camps section.
FEE: $450/week
AGES: 6-11 (also open to kindergarteners who attended our After School Time program in 2024-25)
TIMES: 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. We do not currently offer before and aftercare during Summer Camps.
June 30-July 3 – Harry Potter Camp #1*
Is your child a fan of the magical world of Harry Potter? If so, this is the perfect camp for them.
Throughout the week, campers will participate in a variety of activities that are inspired by the beloved book series, including the sorting hat ceremony on Monday! Campers will get the chance to watch parts of the Harry Potter movies (Rated PG). Other activities include magic lessons, spell books, and crafts such as wand-making and potion-making. Costumes encouraged!
In addition to these magical experiences, campers will also have the opportunity to participate in traditional camp activities such as swimming and playing at Grant Park.
*$360/week – Shortened holiday week, no camp on July 4th.
July 7-11 – Recycled Art Camp
Campers change the destiny of plastic, metal, cardboard, scrap wood, and clothing by upcycling them into beautiful art with our art teachers at NECC! Learn how to give every day objects a second life. The NECC receives donations from Ridwell Recycling and members of the community that allow us to provide exciting materials to the children!
July 14-18 – Space Explorers Camp
Dive into a galaxy of discovery through fun-filled activities, games, and cosmic adventures, learning about planets, stars, and space exploration.
Every day, campers engage in stellar activities—building model rockets, exploring constellations, and conducting space-themed experiments. Test out your model rocket with our sling shot launcher!
On Friday, the excitement peaks as we blast off to the planetarium at OMSI via Trimet bus & street car. Campers experience the marvels of the universe through immersive shows and stargazing as well as general admission to OMSI activities. OMSI admission and bus fare included in camp fee.
July 21-25 – See specialty “Out and About Camp” below
July 28-August 1 – Under The Sea: Mermaid Camp
Each day, campers will explore fascinating facts about marine life, coral reefs, and the beauty of the sea through interactive activities and games.
Creativity will flow as campers dive into art projects like creating seashell jewelry and crafting ocean-themed masterpieces such as painted sea creatures or colorful coral reefs.
The highlight? Each day wraps up with swim time in our warm water pool, where campers can splash and play as mermaids and underwater creatures! It’s the perfect way to bring their underwater dreams to life.
August 4-8 – Pokémon Camp
Dive into card trading sessions, where you can swap and collect your favorite Pokémon cards with fellow campers. Unleash your imagination in our card-making workshops, where you’ll design and create your very own custom Pokémon cards, putting your unique spin on beloved creatures. But the fun doesn’t stop there!
Get your hands dirty in sculpting sessions, shaping Pokemon figures out of air-dry clay. From Pikachu to Charizard, bring your favorite characters to life in three-dimensional form! When campers aren’t trading cards they will jump in our warm water pool and head to the park!
August 11-15 – Scientist & Mythbusters Camp
Get ready for a week of curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking! Kids will dive into the thrilling world of science and investigation. Through hands-on experiments, engineering challenges, and fun demonstrations, campers will explore the scientific method and tackle popular myths to uncover the truth.
Whether it’s testing the strength of bridge designs, creating chemical reactions, or experimenting with everyday physics, this camp fosters a love of learning and discovery.
August 18-22 – Harry Potter #2
Is your child a fan of the magical world of Harry Potter? If so, this is the perfect camp for them.
Throughout the week, campers will participate in a variety of activities that are inspired by the beloved book series, including the sorting hat ceremony on Monday! Campers will get the chance to watch parts of the Harry Potter movies (Rated PG). Other activities include magic lessons, spell books, and crafts such as wand-making and potion-making. Costumes encouraged!
In addition to these magical experiences, campers will also have the opportunity to participate in traditional camp activities such as swimming and playing at Grant Park.
Specialty Camps
June 23-25 – Half Day Martial Arts & Movement Camp
This NECC camp is designed for kids who love to move. Led by experienced instructor Josh, a certified personal trainer and lifelong martial artist, campers will build balance, footwork, and learn basic striking techniques using mitts and pads—all in a safe and supportive environment. Josh brings years of experience working with people of all ages and skill levels, from beginners to professional athletes. He’s passionate about meeting kids where they’re at, helping them build a strong foundation, and encouraging them to challenge themselves in a fun and inclusive space.
In addition to martial arts training, campers will take on creative challenges like building forts, designing obstacle courses, and playing games that encourage teamwork and build confidence. Each day will wrap up with an hour of free swim time in our warm water pool.
With a balance of skill-building & creative play, this camp offers a rewarding experience that will leave your child feeling accomplished.
AGES: 8-12
FEES: $215 – 3 day program, includes all supplies
DAYS: Monday – Wednesday, 12:30 pm to 4 pm
July 21-25 – Out and About PDX Camp
Campers set out on a new adventure each day using Portland’s celebrated mass transit system. Go on a Portland adventure to discover parks, splash pads, urban farms, and new neighborhoods using Portland’s MAX, Streetcar, and aerial tram!
Throughout the week, campers will participate in interactive activities that teach them how to read maps, plan routes, and use public transit safely and efficiently. They will have the opportunity to put their new skills to the test as they explore the city and discover all it has to offer.
Campers will meet daily at NECC and end the day splashing in NECC’s warm water pool.
AGES: 8-12
FEES: $550 – Includes all admission for field trips and daily bus passes.
DAYS: Monday – Friday, 9 am to 4 pm
EXTREME HEAT & SMOKE POLICY: Our camps spend extended periods of time outside. We are committed to keeping youth and staff safe in extreme weather conditions. Please review our inclement weather policy in section 4 of our refund policy.
Bike Camps | Ages 8-12
Our bike summer camp is the perfect opportunity for young riders to improve their skills and have a blast on two wheels! We will take campers on daily rides through different parks and natural areas, allowing them to discover new trails and see the city from a unique perspective. As the week goes on and campers build confidence the group will bike further each day. Expect to travel between 5 and 10 miles each day. Campers spend the whole day traveling to different parks, playing, then hopping on their bikes to the next park.
Our experienced instructors will teach campers proper bike handling techniques, as well as how to navigate different types of terrain and overcome challenges. In addition to daily riding, campers will also participate in a range of activities designed to build confidence, teamwork, and street safety skills.
At the end of the day, campers will have the chance to cool off in our swimming pool, play games, and make new friends.
Campers must be comfortable riding their bike on neighborhood roads and be able to keep up with a group of similarly aged children. Participants will need their own bike, helmet, and bike lock.
July 21-25 with Travis
July 28-August 1 with Travis
August 4-8 with Graciela
August 11-15 with Graciela
FEE: $500
AGES: 8-12
DAYS: Monday – Friday, 9 am to 4 pm
EXTREME HEAT & SMOKE POLICY: Our camps spend extended periods of time outside. We are committed to keeping youth and staff safe in extreme weather conditions. Please review our inclement weather policy in section 4 of our refund policy.
