Grow, learn, and have fun outdoors with Tryon Forest Adventures Camp.
Observe the sights and sounds of the forest while hiking tree-lined trails and crossing bridges over Tryon Creek. Hone your nature science knowledge with hands-on activities and practicing observation skills. Express your creativity by writing journals, storytelling, and making arts and crafts in our indoor nature classroom space. Run and play games in an open meadow, then build a fort of tree limbs and moss nearby.
Friends of Tryon Creek is a community-supported nonprofit connecting youth to nature at Tryon Creek State Natural Area in SW Portland, since 1970! Tryon Forest Adventures is designed for youth ages 6 - 14. We create a space that is inclusive and caring by being respectful to each other and the forest. Together we’ll make memories and friendships forged in the forest that will last a lifetime! We look forward to welcoming your family to Tryon this year!
Register for Summer Open - See weekly themes below.
See below for the upcoming camp schedule, themes, fee details, policies, and contact information. Select the camp week to find the direct registration link…
2024 Weekly Camp Themes
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Bird calls and chipmunk chatter. Hone your observation skills to spot familiar flowers, fungi, and animals that call Tryon home. Play nature games and crafts to learn about life cycles, adaptability, and how plants, animals, and people co-exist in an urban forest like Tryon.
TIME: Camp day runs Monday - Thursday (9am - 4pm)
COST: $425 Non-Member $375 Current Member
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Get your hands and boots dirty learning about the plants that make up the Tryon forest and the ways that people both impact and steward a healthy forest. Learn about forest ecology and plant species through tree-planting activities, games, and crafts. Hiking and hands-on forest exploration will help you to become a true forest steward.
TIME: Camp day runs Monday - Friday (9am - 4pm)
COST: $475 Non-Member $425 Current Member
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Counselors in Training CIT: Where older youth can still be a camper while training to be future counselors and environmental educators!
Get your hands and boots dirty learning about the plants that make up the Tryon forest and the ways that people both impact and steward a healthy forest. Learn about forest ecology and plant species through tree-planting activities, games, and crafts. Hiking and hands-on forest exploration will help you become a forest steward.
TIME: Camp day runs Monday - Friday (9am - 4pm)
COST: $475 Non-Member $425 Current Member
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Find your sense of place at Tryon Creek. Hike the trails and cross over bridges while learning navigation and directional skills. Create and use maps, compasses, and sundials! Play geographical-based games that examine the world that surrounds us.
TIME: Camp day runs Monday - Friday (9am - 4pm)
COST: $475 Non-Member $425 Current Member
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Watch the water flow under your feet from one of the park's many bridges. Collect water samples and find out why clean and cold water is so important to a healthy creek and forest community. Through hands-on crafts and games, follow the salmon life cycle and learn to identify fish and aquatic species who also love Tryon Creek.
TIME: Camp day runs Monday - Thursday (9am - 4pm)
COST: $425 Non-Member $375 Current Member
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Counselors in Training: Where older youth can still be a camper while training to be future counselors and environmental educators!
Watch the water flow under your feet from one of the park's many bridges. Collect water samples and find out why clean and cold water is so important to a healthy creek and forest community. Through hands-on crafts and games, follow the salmon life cycle and learn to identify fish and aquatic species who also love Tryon Creek.
TIME: Camp day runs Monday - Thursday (9am - 4pm)
COST: $425 Non-Member $375 Current Member
-
Get your hands and boots dirty learning about the plants that make up the Tryon forest and the ways that people both impact and steward a healthy forest. Learn about forest ecology and plant species through tree-planting activities, games, and crafts. Hiking and hands-on forest exploration will help you to become a true forest steward.
TIME: Camp day runs Monday - Friday (9am - 4pm)
COST: $475 Non-Member $425 Current Member
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Bird calls and chipmunk chatter. Hone your observation skills to spot summertime flowers, fungi, and animals that call Tryon home. Play nature games and crafts to learn about life cycles, adaptability, and how plants, animals, and people co-exist in an urban forest like Tryon.
TIME: Camp day runs Monday - Thursday (9am - 4pm)
COST: $425 Non-Member $375 Current Member
-
Watch the water flow under your feet from one of the park's many bridges. Collect water samples and find out why clean and cold water is so important to a healthy creek and forest community. Through hands-on crafts and games, follow the salmon life cycle and learn to identify fish and aquatic species who also love Tryon Creek.
TIME: Camp day runs Monday - Friday (9am - 4pm)
COST: $475 Non-Member $425 Current Member
-
Find your sense of place at Tryon Creek. Hike the trails and cross over bridges while learning navigation and directional skills. Create and use maps, compasses, and sundials! Play geographical-based games that examine the world that surrounds us.
TIME: Camp day runs Monday - Thursday (9am - 4pm)
COST: $425 Non-Member $375 Current Member
-
Counselors in Training: Where older youth can still be a camper while training to be future counselors and environmental educators!
Find your sense of place at Tryon Creek. Hike the trails and cross over bridges while learning navigation and directional skills. Create and use maps, compasses, and sundials! Play geographical-based games that examine the world that surrounds us.
TIME: Camp day runs Monday - Thursday (9am - 4pm)
COST: $425 Non-Member $375 Current Member
Questions? See below for FAQs or contact Friends of Tryon Creek, Education Programs Director, Jonathan Hayden (aka Mr Crabapple) at adventures@tryonfriends.org.
All the details…
LOCATION
Tryon Creek State Natural Area 11321 S Terwilliger Blvd Portland OR 97219
REGISTRATION FEES
4-Day: $425 non-members or $375 Friends of Tryon Creek Members at the $50 Family Level or higher.
5-Day: $475 non-members or $425 Friends of Tryon Creek Members at the $50 Family Level or higher.
REGISTRATION SYSTEM
We have an improved system to process registrations. New camp families will need to log in to create an account (if you currently receive emails from Friends of Tryon Creek, please use that email address in the login process). After creating a login and password, weekly sessions are listed separately in the Upcoming Events section. Options to add additional sessions or youth are offered before checking out.
MEMBERSHIP & FEES
Membership donations support Friends of Tryon Creek’s mission in partnership with Oregon State Parks, to inspire every community to identify, cultivate or reclaim their relationship with nature in this cherished urban forest. Your support makes a difference for the entire community – bringing us together to care for nature and each other, now and for future generations.
Membership Price: To receive the Friends of Tryon Creek Membership price you must be a current $50 Family Member (or higher). Begin or renew your membership through the EXPRESS MEMBERSHIP option during registration. If you have questions or are unsure of your membership? Log into the new registration system, to view your current membership status and/or Contact our Development Director.
SAFETY
Friends of Tryon Creek will continue to follow guidelines to help reduce the risk of transmission and infection of COVID-19. Indoor mask-wearing is encouraged.
During the registration process, parents/guardians will receive and are required to sign the following forms:
Emergency Contact Information Form
Covid-19 Liability and Medical Consent Waiver
Medical Authorization Form
See the full COVID-19 Policy for details below.
EXPECTATIONS
Programs at Tryon cultivate a community of respect and inclusivity. We want all participants to feel connected and welcome while providing a safe space for learning and growth. Behavior that is not acceptable includes, but is not limited to, physical violence or threats, emotional abuse, bullying, and/or purposefully leaving adult supervision. Participants that engage in this behavior will be asked to leave and will not receive a refund.
That said, we can accommodate many learning and social behaviors, especially if our Instructors are prepared. Please share strategies that work well for your child during the online registration process. We may follow up with you individually if we need additional support or information.
Please review our current Parent/Guardian Code of Conduct.
PROGRAM LEADERSHIP
Tryon Forest Adventures have an instructor-to-youth ratio of 2:13 or less. Youth are placed in age-appropriate groups.
The program is led by our Education Programs Manager, Jonathan Hayden, aka Mr. Crabapple, who is the point of contact for general information, billing, scheduling, and logistics, as well as any health and safety questions.
In addition, experienced Instructors will be welcoming your child into nature! Staff are certified in the practices of health, safety, and youth engagement within a dynamic natural environment.
CONTACT
Take a look at the Frequently Asked Questions below and feel free to contact us with additional questions.
Jonathan Hayden, Education Programs Manager aka Mr. Crabapple (generally available M - F 9 am to 5 pm)
Email adventures@tryonfriends.org
Cell phone (503) 707-0256
POLICIES & GUIDELINES
Frequently asked questions…
Why is the youngest participant age 6?
Based on previous years of programming, we know the additional staff and space are needed to adequately support youth under the age of 6 at the Park. We are not able to accommodate this younger age group this summer.
What are check-in and pick-up procedures this summer?
Registration begins at 8:45am at the picnic tables (between the two main parking lots) with a 9:00am session start time; please drop your child off between 8:45-9:00am. Pick-up will also be at the picnic tables and will go from 4:00pm until 4:15pm. If you are having issues picking your child up by 4:15pm, please let us know. Staff will stay on-site until all youth are picked up.
Is there a waitlist for each session?
Yes. There is a limited waitlist for each weekly session. If space becomes available, you will be contacted. Not all waitlisted families will be notified.
Can I change sessions?
Yes, subject to availability. There is no fee to switch.
Can friends or siblings be in the same group?
Yes, we do offer the opportunity for friends and siblings to be in groups together if they are in the same age range. Please indicate the name of the friend or sibling during registration. We will do our best to accommodate these requests.
Are scholarships available?
With reduced program size and space, we are still trying to make Tryon Adventures available to everyone who is interested. We have specific programming in place now to meet all of our community needs, please reach out to adventures@tryonfriends.org with any requests or questions.
What should we bring each day?
Well-fitting and comfortable mask
A backpack that your child is able to carry throughout the day
Food for the whole day — including a full lunch, a hearty snack
Refillable water bottle
Weather-appropriate clothes (we recommend long pants and layers), closed-toe shoes, hat, and a raincoat.