The Wilderness Is Calling
Is Your Kid Ready for Overnight Camp?
Managing Editor of pdxparent magazine recently sat down with directors of 2 local overnight camps, including our very own Camp Two Roads director, Erin McPherson. They talked about how parents can tell if their children are ready to transition from day camp experiences to longer overnight camp adventures.
The short answer is: take your cues from your child. If they are excited to try overnight camp and feel ready – then they probably are! More often than not, it is the parent who is not ready…
Read the full article about how to prepare your camper for an overnight experience.
Is Your Kid Ready for Overnight Camp? (Are You?!)
For many kids, camp is the highlight of summer break, and well-deserved peace and quiet for parents. Day camps are great options for lots of families. but what if your kid is asking for more camp? Here’s how to know whether your child is ready for the next step in their summertime adventures. Overnight camp
Camp is a great place for kids to practice and build their independence and confidence away from home, says Erin McPherson, the director of Camp Two Roads, an overnight outdoors camp for girls in Yamhill.
McPherson says she recommends to parents and caregivers that their child has had successful sleepovers (grandma’s house counts) and tried out day-long camps before embarking on a week-long, overnight experience. She also says that campers should confidently be able to keep track of their belongings, as well as basic hygiene like teeth-brushing, hand-washing and showering.
“Getting them familiar with and comfortable in nature is also a helpful step in preparing for a first summer at camp. adds Sarah Hinton, the assistant camp director of the historic Camp Namanu along the Sandy River Hiking and camping trips can get young people excited to spend more time outdoors.”
While parents are instrumental in helping their kids build up their confidence outdoors and away from home, overnight camps provide a solid foundation when it comes to packing and efficiently dealing with any allergies and medications. McPherson and Hinton say their respective overnight camps work closely with camp counselors, nurses and cooks to ensure campers take any needed medications and avoid any foods they’re allergic to.
They’re also equipped to deal with bedwetting. “Bedwetting is nothing to be ashamed of. especially in a new environment” says Hinton. “Camp staff are prepared to deal with any bedwetting situations in a discreet manner. by helping campers wash up, running a load of their laundry, and making sure they feel reassured and not embarrassed about the incident.”
What about when they get homesick? “Our cabin counselors are trained to pick up on signs of homesickness” says McPherson, “to take time to listen to and normalize the camper’s emotions by acknowledging the pain they are feeling and to take however much time it needs to help them work through it.”
Hinton adds that she recommends parents help pack items familiar and comforting for them to aid in any nighttime homesickness. “For example, their favorite pajamas, a stuffed animal or cozy blanket that will help them feel connected while away.”
Talking up their big adventure before drop off also helps in staving off the away-from home-blues and first day jitters. Even experienced overnight campers can be nervous on the first day, says McPherson. “If your daughter is nervous about coming to camp, reassure her that you know that she will do great and that all of the other girls feel the same way
Overnight camps websites are a great place to find detailed information about what to expect. what your child will be doing and ways to keep in touch. Staff are there to support their camper in moments of need, but we find that parents are often more nervous than their campers.” says Hinton. “Writing mail to be delivered to your camper during the session is a great way to continue a connection while your camper is at camp.” – T.H. PDX Parent March 2023
Related Links:
- Learn more ways to help your camper have a successful week at overnight camp.
- Ready to try out Camp Two Roads our weeklong overnight camp for girls ages 8-18?
- Need more day camp experiences first? – register for one or both of our day camps here.
Wreath and Poinsettia Sale
Supporting our camp programming this fall is as simple as decorating your home with fresh evergreens and poinsettia for the upcoming holiday season. Help send more kids to camp by making your winter a little more festive.
New this year, hanging poinsettias, holly stems, giant pine cones and more. Click here to pre-order
Goodbye Summer ’22
As we come to the close of an incredibly fun and successful summer season, we invite our summer camp family and friends to join us for some fun, games and laughs!
Shooting Star Adventures and Camp Two Roads – Kickball Game and Potluck
When: Saturday September 24th from 1-4pm
Where: North Gresham Park 1111 SE 217th Ave. Gresham, Or 97080
Details: Shooting Star Adventures will provide beverages and a S’more dessert. Please bring your family, something yummy to share and don’t forget to bring a chair!
Contact: Please contact office@shootingstaradventures.org to let us know you are coming so we ensure there is enough plates, napkins, etc.
Questions? Email office@shootingstaradventures.org
Hope to see you there!
Where Childhood Memories Are Sweetest
What was THE sweetest moment in your childhood? Take a 10 second pause to recall the memory but don’t overthink it or analyze it. What experience comes to mind?
When I reflected on my own childhood memory, I was taken back to the summers when I would visit my cousins with my grandparents in eastern Oregon. Upon arriving, Chris, who was 1 week older than I and Matt, 2 years our junior would hop on our bikes and ride until the street lights came on. Eventually Kate, their younger sister would join us after years of not being allowed to hang with the big kids. We would often wander aimlessly with no real destination or reason other than to explore on our own.
Although the boys always knew exactly how to get home, I generally had no clue exactly where I was, nor did I care.
One summer I remember creating challenges for each other around the parks and church fences in their “downtown.” We would create these long complex courses and maneuvers attempting to complete each circuit without touching the ground, which was of course “hot lava.” It was during one of these challenges that we turned the corner and there sat a semi-truck and double trailer, loaded with hay bales. I’m sure you can guess the next challenge. Before I knew it, we were scrambling up the bales of hay and leaping back and forth from trailer to trailer. While the leap was small, being 14 feet up in the air made it dangerous and exciting… and a reason for a stern lecture from my uncle when the adults discovered what we were up to.
Were your parents there for your sweetest childhood memory? Mine weren’t and if yours weren’t either, then you are in good company. According to Dr. Michael Thompson in his book, Homesick and Happy: How Time Away from Parents Can Help a Child Grow
80% of parents answered that their single sweetest memory from childhood didn’t involve their own parents.
Michael Thompson, PhD
Now, of course I’m not advocating that you allow your children to roam the streets of your town, climbing up walls and jumping hay trucks, but do there have the opportunity to form memories of their own away from you?
In our modern society, parents want to be involved in nearly all aspects of our children’s lives and it can be difficult to let go and give them the opportunity to make memories without us. But if we want to raise loving, productive, moral and independent young adults that is exactly what we need to do.
Part of the “magic of camp” relates to the fact that in order for kids to grow, face their fears, and ultimately become more responsible, they have to take healthy risks and do it on their own away from their parents. Their self-esteem cannot be created through parental support, they earn that character and confidence by building skills.
“…camp ushers your children into a thrilling environment—an electronics-free zone, a multigenerational community, meaningful daily rituals like group meals and cabin clean-up, and a place where time simply slows down. In the buggy woods, icy swims, campfire sing-alongs, and daring adventures, children have emotionally significant and character-building experiences. They often grow in ways that surprise even themselves.”
Curb the impulse to help your child navigate the world. Let them mess up, make mistakes, and then figure out how to rebound. It’s counterintuitive, but it’s the only way to allow them to grow confidence.
Children are quite capable of more responsibility than we give them credit for and sometimes it is necessary for parent’s to step aside and ask other adults to take over. Or better yet to send our children off to summer camp where a camp counselor is more likely to get them to pick their clothes up off the floor than we are.
Learn More About our Parent-Free Camp Two Roads Programming.
PDX Parent Readers Choice Award
It’s official, Camp Two Roads has once again been named a Top 5 Overnight Camp in the PDX Parent Reader’s Choice Awards. As a program that currently runs just one week of overnight camp, it is no small feat to be recognized alongside well known camps in the area that operate multiple weeks of overnight camps. We are also unique in that we are the only camp on the list that is entirely for girls! We may be small, but we are mighty!
All this attention has really seen an increase in our registration numbers as well. As such we are getting close to capacity in some of our older grade levels and we anticipate being full well before the summer begins.
Don’t miss out on all the fun to be had – register now for summer 2022.
2022 Camp Staff Applications
Applications for all 2022 Shooting Star Adventure camp sessions, including Camp Two Roads, are now available.
This year there are even more opportunities to volunteer, intern or work with Shooting Star Adventures as a camp counselor. We have added 7 weeks of day camps to our summer schedule and are looking for camp counselors to assist in all aspects of the day camp experience. If you love working with children in an outdoor environment, we encourage you to apply. Please see our “Work at Camp” page for all qualifications and requirements.
If you participated in our Camp Two Roads counselor-in-training program in years past, this is a great way to gain further training and experience prior to fulfilling a role as a cabin counselor at C2R. In fact, many of our current counselors began their camp careers as day camp program assistants.
Day Camp Counselor
As a day camp counselor, you will be responsible for leading programming for a small group of campers. Often counselors work together in teams of 2 but you may be asked to lead activities independently. All program materials and training will be provided to you and instruction will be overseen by the program manager. Your role also includes facilitating whole camp games, songs and supervision of lunch and break times.
Our day camps are co-ed and both genders are welcome to apply. Applicants must have completed 9th grade to work at our spring break camp and 8th grade for all other summer day camps. Additionally, you must be 14 years of age or older.
All camp staff hours are 8:30-3:30 except for Mini Stars, which is 8:30-2:00. Counselors may apply for whichever weeks fit your summer schedules whether that is only one week or all seven weeks. Priority will be given to current C2R cabin counselors and/or those applicants that can commit to participating in multiple weeks of programming.
To apply as a Day Camp Counselor – click here.
Day Camp Schedule – (All camps are 5 day programs, Monday- Friday except those marked *)
To learn more about all our day camps, classes and workshops – click here.
- March 21-25 Spring Break – Taste of Summer – Camper Ages 8-12
- June 20-25 – Mini Stars – Camper Ages 4-7
- *July 6-9 – Jr. Naturalist – Camper Ages 8-12
- July 11-15 – Wilderness Skills – Camper Ages 8-12
- July 18-22 – Mini Stars – Camper Ages 4-7
- *July 26 – 28 Nature Art and Engineering – Camper Ages 8-12
- August 1-5 – Mini Stars – Camper Ages 4-7
Resident Camp Cabin Counselor
As a cabin counselor at our resident camp programs your role involves a higher level of supervision than a day camp counselor. This includes teaching program, running recreation, facilitating cabin time activities (including meals, campfire, etc.), participating in campfire programming and supervision of up to 12 campers overnight in a cabin. As a result, requirements to become a cabin counselor are completed 9th grade and at least 15 prior to camp beginning.
Camp Two Roads – C2R is a camp designed specifically for girls and girl empowerment, all cabin counselors must be female. To learn more about this program please visit our camp page and our work at camp page.
To apply as a Camp Two Roads Cabin Counselor – click here.
At this time, we do not offer a co-ed or boys overnight programming, but we are working toward providing this type of camp in the future. We invite you to apply as a day camp counselor for now and note your interest in working at this type of camp program in the future.
Interested in a role on senior staff?
Classes, Workshops, Summer Camps – Adventures for 2022
2022 Programming
We are excited to announce that our partnerships with the City of Troutdale and Play East have blossomed into a robust menu of programming full of day camps, weekend workshops and weekly classes. The addition of camp opportunities for ages 4-7 was a much requested program by our community and we are happy to be able to fill that need this summer. With the addition of this early childhood programming, Shooting Star Adventures is proud to say that we now offer camps for Preschool through High School and beyond.
At this time, Camp Two Roads is the only program open for registration. Most other classes and workshops will go live on January 5th. Please watch for more information about these great programs, including how to register to be added to our website and social media in the coming weeks. For now – take a moment to see what outdoor adventure speaks to your family and be sure to save the date. It’s almost time to #getoutside.
- Classes and Workshops
- Weekend Events
- Day Camps
- Overnight Resident Camps
Classes and Workshops
Camping 101
Ever wanted to camp as a family, but are not sure where to start, what to bring or what to do once you get there? Let our instructors help guide you and your child through the steps and skills needed to have a memorable camping adventure. This class series is broken up into 3 sessions, each covering the basics any novice would need to feel confident at a campsite. Join us for one or all three and put your skills to use at our Family Camping Weekend over Memorial Day Weekend at Milo McIver State Park (camping trip is optional at an additional cost). Activities will be geared towards adults and children ages 8 and up. Classes are held at the Sam Cox building at Glenn Otto Community Park in partnership with the City of Troutdale. Registration begins January 5th.
Session 1 – Shelters and Campsites Thursdays 6-7:30 2/17-3/10 $70
Learn how to make yourself comfortable in the wilderness. Know what to bring and how to set it all up. We will cover packing tips and tricks, campsite layout and gear storage, basic wilderness first aid, knot tying skills, and different shelters (tents, tarps and staying dry) that will help you get a good night’s rest at the end of a great day in the wild.
Session 2 – Fire Building and Outdoor Cooking Thursdays 6-7:30 3/31-4/21 $70
Create different fire-starters, build several types of campfires, and learn how to safely learn to cook outdoors in foil packets, over the coals, and in Dutch Ovens. During this session we will create delicious camp snacks and also learn how to properly wash camp dishes. Participants will receive a copy of some of the best tried and true camp recipes.
Session 3 – Wilderness Entertainment Thursdays 6-7:30 4/28-5/19 $70
Once your site is set up and the meal is over – Now what? This session covers how to appreciate your surroundings and enjoy your time in the wild with fun, electronic free activities the whole family can enjoy. Learn native plant and animal ID, hiking activities, round the campfire games and more.
Weekend Events
Girls Weekend
Dates: May 13-15 Camp Yamhill
Campers (ages 8-18) bring a female adult – mom, auntie, nana for a fun-filled weekend at camp. Any female adult is welcome to attend – along with a girl camper of course. Now you can share in our awesome camp fun – including sleeping in your very own cabin together. Preview the site we use for Camp Two Roads, learn new skills or just enjoy being out in nature for this girls weekend.
*T
here will be activities to share with your girl and activities that our counselors will lead for girls only so you can enjoy camp sans children, go for a hike, craft, read a book or even just take a nap. (Ages 7 and under generally stay with their adults.) We cannot wait to share an amazing weekend with your camper and YOU. Get to know C2R and find out if summer camp is a good fit for you and your camper.
Family Campout
Dates: May 27-29 Milo McIver State Park
Come camp with us and enjoy a weekend filled with unplugged family-friendly entertainment! Whether you are a seasoned camper or new to the wilderness – We will introduce you to the great experiences you can share with your family and inspire you to continue to explore the great outdoors! No experience camping? No problem, with our camping instructors, you’ll be a camping expert in no time, ready to tackle your next trip as a solo family. We will assist with tents, cooking outside demos and more – plus you will get to try some fun activities you can do while camping!
Day Camps
Our summer day camp series will run from June 20 through August 5th with 6 weeks of programming. Our camps serve children aged 4-12, depending on the specific camp, and all are co-ed. Camps will operate out of the Sam Cox building at Glenn Otto Community Park in Troutdale, Or. and the brand new Wood Village City Hall adjacent to the Donald L Robertson Park in Wood Village, Or. See below for specific dates, times and themes.
Preschool (ages 4-7)
Mini Stars – Half-Day Camp
Dates:
- June 20-24 (9am – 1:30pm) Glenn Otto Park, Troutdale, Or.
- July 18-22 and August 1-5 (9am – 1:30pm) Donald L Robertson Park, Wood Village, Or.
This camp is designed for our youngest adventurers. Songs, crafts and games all geared for little hands and minds will open up the wonders of nature and the outdoors. Curiosity, teamwork and creativity abound in this outdoor focused camp for ages 4-7. For more info including prices, weekly themes and how to register check out our day camp page launching at the end of December.
School Aged (ages 8-12)
Taste of Summer Preview Camp
Dates:
- March 21-25 (9am – 3:00pm) Donald L Robertson Park, Wood Village, Or
Join us over spring break and get a chance to test out all of our different summer programs. Each day will include activities from our popular summer programs, Wilderness Skills Camp, Jr Naturalist Camp as well as the brand new Nature Art and Engineering Camp.
Jr. Naturalist
Dates:
- July 6-8 (9am – 3:00pm) Glenn Otto Park, Troutdale, Or.
Each day Junior Naturalist Campers will spend their time outside, having a great time observing nature up close using tools like binoculars, magnifying lenses and microscopes. Science concepts are introduced in a fun environment, with crafts, games and hands-on activities. We’ll teach leave no trace, wilderness navigation techniques, and native plant and animal identification while emphasizing teamwork, communication and decision making skills. New for 2022 – extended camp hours, change in venue with more hiking trails and better restroom access.
Wilderness Skills
Dates:
- July 11-15 (9am – 3:00pm) Glenn Otto Park, Troutdale, Or.
Your child will learn real-life wilderness skills to use the next time your family goes camping. They’ll build and light a fire with and without matches, learn to tend a fire safely and create delicious campfire snacks. Campers will build shelters and create fun and practical wilderness tools. In this fun interactive day camp, we’ll teach knife safety, wilderness navigation techniques, native plant identification and basic wilderness first aid while emphasizing teamwork, communication and decision making skills. New for 2022 – extended camp hours, change in venue to more forested location and hiking trails.
Nature Art and Engineering
Dates:
- July 26-28 (9am – 3:00pm) Donald L Robertson Park, Wood Village, Or
Do your kids love painting, creating art, building contraptions and exploring nature? Let us provide an outlet for their exploration and we will even clean up the mess! With some basic skills and a little imagination, campers will create nature inspired different art and craft projects. They will engineer sticks, logs and other natural objects into useful and fantastical contraptions. What can be built with wood, rope and a little imagination? At this camp, just about anything!
2022 Day Camp Schedule – Registration for these programs can be found through the following links:
- March 21-25 Spring Break – Taste of Summer
- June 20-25 – Mini Stars
- July 6-9 – Jr. Naturalist
- July 11-15 – Wilderness Skills
- July 18-22 – Mini Stars
- July 26 – 28 Nature Art and Engineering
- August 1-5 – Mini Stars
Overnight Resident Camps
Camp Two Roads (Girls Camp)
Dates: August 21-26 Camp Yamhill, Yamhill Or.
Female campers develop confidence with outdoor skills such as knots/lashing, compasses and fire building. Also, they learn how to cook in the outdoors, study nature and build positive communication skills through teamwork challenges.
We turn off the technology for a full week and exercise interpersonal skills. Camp Two Roads is fun, safe and an important opportunity for young women to get to know themselves and the world around them.
Recreation activities include, high ropes and ziplines, swimming and water sport, archery, arts and crafts, hiking and more. Each evening brings a full campfire program and late night activities include a night hike, and an outdoor movie under the stars with popcorn or an all-camp dance.
Camp Recipes – 2021
Luna’s Chili Recipe
Ingredients:
1 lb ground beef
1 onion chopped
2-3 cloves of garlic minced
1 green bell pepper chopped
1 -27 oz can Bush’s Chili beans
1 -15.5 oz can red kidney beans
(drained & rinsed)
1 -14.5 oz can fire roasted tomatoes
1 -15 oz can tomato sauce
½ tsp red pepper flake
1 ½ tsp ancho chili powder
Salt & Pepper to taste
Directions:
Heat up a Dutch oven and add the ground beef. Add ½ tsp of chili powder to the meat while cooking. Drain the fat once cooked through. Add in the onion, garlic and bell pepper. Sauté for 2 minutes. Add in the chili beans, drained kidney beans, fire roasted tomatoes and tomato sauce. Stir until combined. Add in the remaining seasonings and simmer for 15-20 minutes.
*I like to add corn to my chili, but at camp we added the street corn recipe listed below.
*If you like a thicker chili you can add in a can of tomato paste.
Mexican Street Corn
Ingredients:
2 lbs frozen corn
2 tbs Cooking Oil
½ cup crumbled Cotija Cheese
½ cup Parmesan Cheese
½ cup Mayo
½ cup Sour Cream
1 tsp Chili Powder
1 Lime
¼ cup Cilantro
Allow corn to thaw and remove excess moisture. Heat up a skillet to med heat. Add the oil and corn sauté for 3-5 minutes. Remove from heat and add your cheeses, mayo, sour cream and chili powder. Mix until combined. Garnish with a squeeze of lime juice and a sprinkle of cilantro.
Pineapple Angel Food Cake
Ingredients:
1 -Angel food cake box
1 -20 oz can crushed pineapple
Preheat a Dutch oven. In a mixing bowl combine the box of cake mix with the can of pineapple. Stir well. We used 4 oz foil ramekins sprayed with cooking spray and the add mix to the ramekins 2/3 full. Spray a piece of foil to cover the top and place in the Dutch oven for 15-20 minutes until cooked through.
Mason Jar Whipped Cream
Ingredients:
1 -cup of Heavy whipping cream
1-2 Tbs Sugar
1 -tsp Vanilla Extract
In a mason jar, add all your ingredients. Adjust sugar to your liking. Screw lid on tightly and shake vigorously for 5 minutes. Check the consistency if you over shake you will end up with butter. 😊
Leave a comment and let us know which recipe was your favorite.
Happy Cooking!!
July Family Calendar
New Month – New Adventures
Here are some more easy, quick and family friendly ways to get outside and enjoy the world around you. Our July Outdoor Recreation Calendar has something planned for your family for everyday – what are you waiting for? Bring on Summer!
June Family Calendar
Looking for easy, quick and family friendly ways to get outside and have an adventure? We are here to help with our June Outdoor Recreation Calendar. Just pick a date and go outside. We want to be in on the fun so please don’t forget to tag us @ShootingStarAdventures in your social media posts and use the hashtags #getoutside2021 #ohdaka Every time you tag us, you’ll be entered to win one of our Shooting Star stuffed animal friends. Winners will be announced on July 2nd. So what are you waiting for – Get Outside Today!
Check out these links for more information:
Gresham Park Neighborhood Park and Community Parks
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