Earth Ways Summer Camp 2025
2025-08-04 09:00 - 2025-08-08 15:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Prospector’s Park, 360 S. River Rd., Cottage Grove, OR, 97424
Monday – Friday, Aug 4 – 8, 9am to 3pm
Learn about indigenous ways of the Kalapuya and other Native tribes in this outdoor camp at Prospector’s Park. This day camp (9am – 3pm) includes special guest Native people who will share about culture, traditional crafts, and music. Learn some words in the Kalapuya language, make a leather pouch, learn about Pacific Northwest art forms and hear traditional stories. This camp is best for ages 7 – 11 and has a max of eleven students.
The park has a covered picnic table shelter, port a potty, and is right next to the Coast Fork of the Willamette River. We will go across on the swinging bridge, and go on nature walks. Students will try out the atlatl (spear throwing tool) and play games of sport. The river has several safe places where children can wade in shallow water and look for creatures. We treat all beings with respect and release back all creatures we find. Water shoes and tennies are most appropriate for this camp.
Location: Prospector’s Park in Cottage Grove, 360 S. River Rd. Cottage Grove, OR
This camp is currently FULL and has a waiting list. To be added to the Wait List please email us at: director@singingcreekcenter.org with your child’s name and age, and your contact info.
Learn more and register here:
Summer Camps

Old School: History Camp for Today's Kids 2026
2026-03-23 09:00 - 2026-03-25 14:00 | SMJ House, 303 Willamette St., Eugene,, OR, 97401, United States
Join us for a fun three day adventure for kids ages 6 – 10 during Spring Break!
We will have fun learning about the history of Oregon and doing all kinds of activities, indoors and out, at the Shelton McMurphey Johnson House (Eugene’s Victorian mansion).
Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, 9am to 2pmAges 6 – 10
Cost: $160 per student and $130 each for siblings.Reserve a spot for a nonrefundable $35 (deducted from your final tuition)Address: 303 Willamette St. (Go to Pearl and Third St and follow the signs)
Camp will be led by an instructor and a teen helper and will have a max of 10 students. We provide all the fun historical games and activities; you get to take home your creations each day. Try churning butter, Victorian flower painting, learning circle songs and music, weaving on a loom, embroidery and more! Camp stays on the site of the SMJ house each day. Open to kids of all gender expressions. We provide non-gendered dress up clothing for different sizes of bodies. You may bring your own lunch and water bottle; however if you are low-income and need help with food let us know and we will provide lunch and snacks.
We are happy to talk with you about any accommodations your child may need. The house does not have an elevator and has three floors. Most of the time we will be on the ground floor of the house but if everyone is able to walk up the stairs we may visit other floors.
This camp is jointly taught by Singing Creek Educational Center and the SMJ house.
Learn more and register: https://smjhouse.org/events/camps/

Forest Path Nature Spring Break Camp 2026
2026-03-23 09:00 - 2026-03-27 15:00 | Dorris Ranch Living History Village, 205 Dorris St., Springfield, OR, 97477
CANCELLED DUE TO ORCHARD SPRAYING CLOSURES ON SITE
Join us during Spring Break week March 23rd- 27th for a fun adventure camp!
Perfect for ages 6 – 10, this camp will get you exploring the woods around the Living History Village (our location) at Dorris Ranch! Learn about plants, animals, seasonal changes, edible foods and medicines, indigenous traditional knowlegde and more. We’ll play games every day and enjoy the historical buildings in the village like the pioneer cabin, the cedar plankhouse and more.
Time: 9am – 3pmMonday – FridayPre-registration required. $40 deposit required to hold your child’s spot.
CostEarly Bird by Feb 15th: $220 ea, $200 ea for siblingsAfter Feb 15th: $250 per student, siblings $220
Cancellation fee: Refund/ Cancellation Policy: There is a $40.00 cancellation fee per registration. Up to 14 days before the first day of the program you may cancel your child’s enrollment and receive your money back (minus the $40 cancellation fee). Cancellations made less than 14 days before the first day of the program will not be refunded. Registrations and fees are non-transferable.
All genders and abilities are welcome at this camp. We are happy to talk with you about any accommodations your child may need. We will be on different surfaces including gravel, grass and pavement and might be walking all the way to the river if all are able. There are many wonderful paths in Dorris Ranch and it is a public park so you can explore there anytime it’s open.
Please let us know if you have questions. Email Karen Rainsong at: director@singingcreekcenter.org.
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Forest Path Summer Camp June 2026
2026-06-29 09:00 - 2026-07-03 15:00 | Dorris Ranch Living History Village, 205 Dorris St., Springfield, OR, 97477
Join us for summer camp the week of June 29 – July 3 for a fun outdoor adventure camp!
Perfect for ages 6 – 10, this camp will get you exploring the woods around the Living History Village (our location) at Dorris Ranch! Learn about plants, animals, seasonal changes, edible foods and medicines, indigenous traditional knowlegde and more. We’ll play games every day and enjoy the historical buildings in the village like the pioneer cabin, the cedar plankhouse and more.
BONUS: Join staff from Nearby Nature on an insect safari! Use bug nets and magnifiers to look for cool creepy crawlies in the tall grass and soil nearby.
Time: 9am – 3pmMonday – FridayPre-registration required. $40 deposit required to hold your child’s spot.More info and registration: https://www.singingcreekcenter.org/summer-camps/
Cost$250 per student, siblings $220 each
Refunds/Cancellation fee: There is a $40.00 cancellation fee per registration. Up to 14 days before the first day of the program you may cancel your child’s enrollment and receive your money back (minus the $40 cancellation fee). Cancellations made less than 14 days before the first day of the program will not be refunded. Registrations and fees are non-transferable.
All genders and abilities are welcome at this camp. We are happy to talk with you about any accommodations your child may need. We will be on different surfaces including gravel, grass and pavement and might be walking all the way to the river if all are able. There are many wonderful paths in Dorris Ranch and it is a public park so you can explore there anytime it’s open.
Please let us know if you have questions. Email Karen Rainsong at: director@singingcreekcenter.org.

Earth Ways Summer Camp July 13 2026
2026-07-13 09:00 - 2026-07-17 15:00 | Dorris Ranch Living History Village, 205 Dorris St., Springfield, OR, 97477
Monday – Friday, 9am to 3pm
Learn about indigenous ways of the Kalapuya and other Native tribes in this outdoor camp at the Dorris Ranch Living History Village. This day camp includes special guest Native people who will share about culture, traditional crafts, and music. Help put up a full size tipi and learn about the meaning of the poles and traditional symbols. Learn some words in the Kalapuya language, make a leather pouch, learn about Pacific Northwest art forms and hear traditional stories. This camp is best for ages 7 – 11 and has a max of ten students.
Our location includes historic buildings and regular bathrooms on a 268 acre wooded park near the Coast Fork of the Willamette River. We will go on nature walks and explore the indigenous-style cedar plankhouse. Students will try out the atlatl (spear throwing tool) and play games of sport. We may go down to a shallow, mellow place by the river if the kids are all able to walk there. We will look for creatures and learn about local plants and trees. We treat all beings with respect and release back all creatures we find. Water shoes and tennies are most appropriate for this camp.
Location: Dorris Ranch Living History Village: 205 Dorris St. Springfield, OR
Hold your child’s spot in this camp for only $40.
More details and registration form here:https://www.singingcreekcenter.org/summer-camps/

Our friend and partner, Deitrich Peters, is a member of the Grand Ronde tribe and loves teaching about his culture. He is a kind and compassionate person and gently teaches about living cultures today and traditional ways. Learn more about Deitz on our Acorn Circle page here.

Pioneer Homesteading Summer Camp 2026
2026-07-20 09:00 - 2026-07-24 15:00 | Dorris Ranch Living History Village, 205 Dorris St., Springfield, OR, 97477
Pioneer Homesteading Summer Camp July 2026
Monday – Friday; July 20 – 249am to 3pm
Each camp will feature crafts, games, stories, outside exploration, walking field trips, cooking, and more! Wash clothes on the washboard, learn felting and sewing techniques, grind grain, make shadow puppets, and help on the farm! Enjoy visits from special guests who will teach us, trade with us, or share stories, such as the medicine healer who will bring her doctoring kit (circa 1850) to share with us about healing of the time. We’ll play games every day and enjoy the historical buildings in the village like the pioneer cabin, the cedar plankhouse and more. Read about the values children learn in our summer camps.
Children aged 6-10 are welcome. Eleven year olds may also register if they are really into the theme and motivated- they may be asked to help out a bit with the younger ones. Children bring their own lunches and water bottle each day.
Cost: $250 per weekSiblings in the same camp: $200 each per week.Hold your child’s spot for only $40 deposit.
Scholarships for low income families are available, see the form below. Camps are limited to 10 children.
Location: Living History Village at Dorris Ranch, Springfield205 Dorris Street, Springfield, OR
All genders and abilities are welcome at this camp. We are happy to talk with you about any accommodations your child may need. We will be on different surfaces including gravel, grass and pavement and will not likely be walking all the way to the river. There are many wonderful paths in Dorris Ranch and it is a public park so you can explore there anytime it’s open.
Please let us know if you have questions. Email Karen Rainsong at: director@singingcreekcenter.org. If there is enough interest we may add a second week of this camp.
Learn more and signup on this page: https://www.singingcreekcenter.org/summer-camps/

Opal Whiteley Nature Fairies Summer Camp 2026
2026-08-03 09:00 - 2026-08-07 15:00 | Dorris Ranch Living History Village, 205 Dorris St., Springfield, OR, 97477
Learn about the famous pioneer girl, Opal Whiteley, as you explore nature! Opal was a nature lover who kept a childhood diary relating her adventures in the woods around Cottage Grove in 1905, including her “explores” with her animal friends. We will make fairy houses, create a journal and write and sketch in nature, play games outside, and discover homesteading life.
Enjoy visits from special guests who teach us about fiber arts and how to take care of the Earth and reduce our waste. Opal would appreciate our lessons on how to be kind to all beings and the Earth.
We’ll have lots of fun as we learn to appreciate Opal’s youthful relationship to the natural world. You can wear your own dress up clothes or borrow some of ours. All genders/gender expressions are welcome to sign up for this camp (and all our programs!)
Ages 6 – 10, ten kids max for this campHold your child’s spot in this camp for a $40 deposit.
Location: Dorris Ranch living history village, 205 Dorris St., Springfield, OR
Learn more and register here.

Lewis & Clark: Explorers Summer Camp 2026
2026-08-10 09:00 - 2026-08-14 15:00 | Dorris Ranch Living History Village, 205 Dorris St., Springfield, OR, 97477
Join us for some fun adventures during our Lewis & Clark: Explorers summer camp August 10 – 14, 2026.
This day camp will feature lots of outside time, learning about the Lewis & Clark Corp of Discovery, creating crafts, exploring, learning about the native peoples they encountered along the way and more. We may have special guests come to camp to share special skills with us. Try your hand at the bow and arrow, hear
Do a trading activity, make your own journal with leather, write a letter to Thomas Jefferson with a quill pen and more. We will share perspectives of Native people whose lives and homelands were impacted by this journey as well as about living Native cultures today. We present this perspective in a respectful, culturally-sensitive way.
Our Executive Director, Karen Rainsong, has developed this curriculum after years of professional development in the area and working with local tribes to understand patterns of inequities and resilience. Feel free to reach out to her with any questions at: director@singingcreekcenter.org.
Monday – Friday, 9am to 3pmLocation: Dorris Ranch Living History Village, 205 Dorris St. Springfield, OR
Hold your child’s spot in this camp for a $40 deposit.
Learn more and register at: https://www.singingcreekcenter.org/summer-camps/
