Jefferson High School
5210 N Kerby Ave
Portland
OR
97217
(503) 916-5180
Make this an AMAZING SUMMER!
We've done some research to help you find Oregon-based summer programs. This is not an exhaustive list and does not include sports camps. Don't forget to check out our other pages like Internships, Jobs, and Study Abroad. Please note that while we don't post everything that comes our way, we also do not endorse or recommend any specific program on the list below. Many are fee-based, some offer scholarships/sliding scale fees and some are free.
Oregon Goes to College also has a list of Summer Programs in Oregon that is helpful!
BodyVox workshops and intensives for dancers (beginner-advanced)
Coding with Kidsoffers coding summer camps (Python, arduinos, game development, etc.)
Portland Metro Fire Camp from Portland Fire and Rescue, is a fire training camp for young women ages 16 - 21 years old. This three-day camp is an opportunity to experience the unique aspects of being a firefighter.
Free Geek’s volunteers learn how to build computers, save the environment from toxic e-waste, and transform the lives of people in your community.
iDTech, a national tech education company, offers STEM education on the Lewis & Clark campus
Multnomah County Library Summer Reads is the largest youth volunteer program in the county. Offers transportation assistance if needed, and is located right in your communities.
My Voice Music offers music lessons, classes, Hip Hop Lab and an Artist Mentorship Program
NW Film Center Summer Camp for Kids + Teens at the Portland Art Museum, is an informal, interest-based program which provides young people entering grades 4-12 with the chance to experiment with and learn about media arts and technology from experienced teaching artists. Scholarships available.
NW Youth Corps non-residential, day program for 15 - 18 year olds. With the experience of field staff guiding them, participants complete service projects in their own community each day and return home at night. The Camping programs combine education and job skill training with outdoor adventure for 16 to 18/19* year olds. With the guidance of experienced field staff, youth crew members work on conservation, reforestation, and recreation projects, while developing leadership skills and learning how to work as a team. Crews camp in the field for their entire 5-6 week session, traveling to a new project each week and recreating on the weekends.
OMSI’s Youth Volunteer Program: Teen Science Alliance solve creative design challenges, get a backstage look at museum education, and build skills perfect for your next step.
OMSI’s 9-12 grade summer science camps. An individual can receive financial assistance for up to two classes, or one camp per year.
OMSI Counselor jobs: position requires living with campers in cabins for the duration of the program at the Coastal Discovery Center at Camp Gray, in Newport, Oregon; at Hancock Field Station near Fossil, Oregon; and on overnight campouts at other sites.
Oregon Department of Transportation’s Driver Education Teen Parent Resources
Oregon Zoo has many volunteer opportunities for youth.
Outward Bound's wilderness adventures (some Oregon rafting/mountain trips, most programs in other states)
Portland Center Stage, Summer Intensives in Theatre
Portland Community College, Summer Teen Program
Portland Parks & Rec, Teen Force has lots of free activities! And lots and lots of jobs, some starting at age 14!
Portland Oregon Women’s Film Festival (POWFest) offers POWGirls filmmaking classes for girls
Saturday Academy, offers a wide variety of hands-on classes and camps all year round and on school holidays.
TrackersPortland offers teen adventure camps and jobs for counselors for both day and over night camps.
Young Entrepreneur’s Business Camp is a statewide initiative to educate Oregon youth in business, leadership, teamwork, and more, hosting week-long experiential education programs for high school students at college campuses each summer, including at UofO, OSU Corvallis and Cascades, and the University of Portland.
Youth and adults can find one-time and extended volunteer opportunities at Hands-On Portland’s website. Type in your zip code or a keyword like computers or animals to find non-profits that need your time and talent!
Volunteer Match is another great online resource for finding a cause or non-profit that needs your passion and talent.
Pre-College Programs
Brown Pre-College - Explore A Day in the Life videos from Brown Pre-college alumni
Oregon State University’s pre-college summer programs
Princeton AI4All Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly changing the world. AI has amazingly broad applications, and we need people with a comparably broad set of experiences and worldviews working on AI problems. However, there is a distinct lack of diversity of people in the AI community, leading to a lack of diversity of thought. This results in technology biased for certain demographics, needs and values, accruing the benefits of AI to the few instead of the all.
The solution to the problem has to start with education. The Princeton Computer Science Department, the Princeton Center for Information Technology Policy, and the AI4ALL Organization run an annual summer camp to teach AI to high school students. The camp runs for two weeks in the summer and is open to low-income current 10th graders (rising 11th graders). Applications from racial/ethnic groups dramatically underrepresented in AI are particularly encouraged: e.g., women and non-binary students; students identifying as Black, Hispanic/Latino/Latina, and Native American; would be first-generation college students; etc.
Portland State University’s Invention Bootcamp (free, four week program includes lunch and TriMet pass!)
Portland State University’s Transportation Institute
RISD Pre-College Program - Rhode Island School of Design, Whether you attend RISD Pre-College in person or virtually, you’ll follow a college-level curriculum led by accomplished teaching artists. Learn alongside a community of talented students who will inspire you to push your limits and produce your best work.
Satori Camp, Eastern Washington University, for rising juniors and seniors, students choose 3 mini course and live on the main campus in Cheney, Washington.
Summer Science Program (SSP), located at various universities
University of Oregon’s FREE Summer Academy to Inspire Learning (SAIL) is an innovative bridge program for high school students from underrepresented backgrounds, which include lower income and/or first-generation college students, with the aim of encouraging students to enroll and succeed in college through early exposure and exploration. SAIL offers free one-week summer programs on the Eugene, where students learn about various subjects from distinguished University of Oregon faculty members through fun social and interactive activities. Each summer, returning students choose a new academic subject. SAIL programs include sessions on the college admissions process, scholarship availability, and the financial aid process.
University of Portland Pre-College
Willamette University Camp College, No cost to attend, for rising juniors and seniors, include sample college classes and opportunity to live on campus. Students who have a drive to excel, display leadership potential and who will be first in their family to attend college are ideal candidates for this summer pre-college program.