How did summer get here so fast? It won’t take long once school is out for the youngsters to start looking for something to do. If you would rather have them doing interesting and educational activities instead of playing video games, look no further. You’ll find a wide variety of day camps and sleepover camps offered that should appeal to every age and personality. Some are pricey, but many are free. Check the listings here and get your little campers signed up.

DAY CAMPS

ATHENA

YMCA Summer Camp, YMCA of Walla Walla; Athena Elementary School, Mondays through Thursdays, June 17 to July 24 (no camp on Fourth of July); for kids entering first through fifth grade, 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., breakfast and lunch provided. $75/week. Five weeks of themes including daily activities and outdoor exploration, with speakers on site. Programs are a mix of outdoor learning skills and local field trips. Details: 509-301-1716 or khuling@wwymca.org.

BOARDMAN

Nuts, Bolts and Thingamajigs Camp, BMCC Workforce Development Center, 251 N. Olson. Camp runs July 22-26, Monday to Thursday, 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Students entering grades six to eight can learn about the entire manufacturing process, including entrepreneurship, design software and construction, by creating their own product. Also includes tours of a local power plant and food processing business. Cost: $65, lunch and supplies included (some scholarships available). Details: 541-371-0980 or www.portofmorrow.com/workforce-training/nbt-camp/.

FUNtastic Kids, Boardman Marina. Camp runs Monday-Thursday, 8:30-11:30 a.m., June 17 to July 25 (no camp July 1-4). Ages 5-13. Camps are free (meals included), but registration is required by June 7. Details: 541-616-1050 or check Boardman Parks & Rec Facebook page.

Teen Summer, various locations near Boardman. Choice of two camps: June 17-July 11 (no camp July 4th week) or July 15-Aug. 1. Teens can try Sports Fusion, Wilderness Warriors, Adventure Seekers, Teen Kitchen Creations or Tech Titans. Camps are free (meals included), but registration is required by June 7. Details: 541-616-1050 or check Boardman Parks & Rec Facebook page.

HERMISTON

Photo Camp, 60 Minute Photo. Camp runs Monday-Thursday, June 24 to June 27, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Ages 6 to 14. Learn the basics of digital photography. Price includes two 8×10 photos, enlargements and matting. Participants must supply their own digital camera. Cost: $60 resident, $72 nonresident. Details: Hermiston Parks & Rec at 541-667-5018 or visit bit.ly/hermistonrecreation.

Color Your World, Hermiston Community Center. Camp runs Monday-Thursday, Aug. 5-8, 9-11:30 a.m. Ages 7 to 11. Cost: $65 for residents, $78 nonresident. Campers will explore water colors, chalk pastels, 3D art and colorful craft projects. All supplies are included. Details: Hermiston Parks & Rec at 541-667-5018 or visit bit.ly/hermistonrecreation.

Summer Bowling Bumper League, Desert Lanes Family Fun Center. Wednesdays, June 5-July 31, 4-5 p.m. Ages 3 to 5. Children will receive one hour of supervised bowling each Wednesday, followed by a snack and drink. Also includes a gift certificate to Cuppa Yo. Cost: $60. Details: 541-567-6364 or visit bit.ly/hermistonrecreation.

Summer Bowling Youth League, Desert Lanes Family Fun Center. Saturdays from 9 to 11 a.m., June 8 to July 27. Ages 6 to 17. Every registered bowler will receive an entry level bowling ball. Drilling and fitting included, along with instructional coaching from qualified bowling instructors. Cost: $150 for Hermiston residents and $180, nonresidents. Camp without bowling ball is $100 for residents, $120 for nonresidents. Details: 541-567-6364 or visit bit.ly/hermistonrecreation.

Missoula Children’s Theater: Treasure Island, Hermiston Community Center. Monday-Friday, Aug. 12-16. Ages 6-18 (for children entering first through 12th grade this fall). Rehearsals held Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. with performances at 4 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 16. A detailed rehearsal schedule will be provided Monday following auditions and casting. Cost: $50. Details: Hermiston Parks & Rec at 541-667-5018 or visit bit.ly/hermistonrecreation.

Wilderness Survival Camp by Coyle Outside, Hat Rock State Park. Camp runs Monday to Friday, July 29 — Aug. 2, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Ages 8 to 11. Full-day camp builds survival skills, tested against real-life scenarios. Skills include shelters, teamwork, fire and knife safety, tracking, foraging, traps, orienteering, knots and primitive skills. Campers build initiative, self-control, and judgment skills while connecting with the natural world and having fun. Cost: $350 for Hermiston residents, $400 for nonresidents. Details: Hermiston Parks & Rec at 541-667-5018 or visit bit.ly/hermistonrecreation.

Hydromania Summer Science Camp, hosted by Umatilla Electric Cooperative, held at Sandstone Middle School. Each two-week camp runs Mondays through Fridays, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Camp 1: June 17-28, Camp 2: July 8-19, Camp 3: July 22-Aug. 2. Open to students who have completed fourth and fifth grades, with a focus on science, water, our environment and energy through hands-on experiments and activities. Cost: Free. Details: 541-289-1558.

Tennis Academy hosted by Sports R Us, held at Armand Larive Middle School. Dates: Tuesdays and Thursdays 7:30-9:30 a.m., June 18-27 (two-week camp) or June 18-July 18 (five week camp). Ages 8 and up. Taught by an experienced, professional team, the tennis academy will focus on court-skill development and match play. Participants should wear comfy outdoor shoes, bring a water bottle and a tennis racket. Cost: two-week camp, $175 resident/$210 nonresident; five-week camp $325 resident/$390 nonresident. Details: Hermiston Parks & Rec at 541-667-5018 or visit bit.ly/hermistonrecreation.

WBIB Little Dribblers, Desert View Elementary, Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10:30 a.m.to noon, June 18-27 (two-week camp) or June 18-July 18 (five-week camp). Ages 5-8. Introduce your little ones to the world of basketball, with skill-building and games each day. Participants should bring water and a basketball. Cost: two-week camp $125 resident/$150 nonresident; five-week camp $275 resident/$330 nonresident. Details: Hermiston Parks & Rec at 541-667-5018 or visit bit.ly/hermistonrecreation.

Science in the Park, Victory Square Park. Tuesdays, June 18-Aug. 6; 9 a.m. English, 10 a.m. Spanish. Ages 4-8. Join your children and learn about science and nature through fun educational activities. New activities weekly for you and your curious explorer. Cost: Free. Details: Hermiston Parks & Rec at 541-667-5018 or visit bit.ly/hermistonrecreation.

Online STEAM Camps in partnership with Black Rocket, Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Numerous week-long classes throughout the summer. Ages 6-14. Discover cutting edge courses in coding, game design, esports, virtual reality, with themes like Minecraft and Pokemon. Live classes led by top teachers with small break-out sessions with coaches to jump start future in creative tech. Cost: $179. Details: Hermiston Parks & Rec at 541-667-5018 or visit blackrocket.com/online/hpr/.

Starbase Rees STEAM Day Camps, hosted by the Oregon Military Dept. Mondays through Thursdays, 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., July 15-18 or Aug. 5-8., 78798 Ordnance Road, Building 5062. OMD runs four Starbase locations in Oregon; Starbase Rees is located at the Raymond Rees Training Center (former Umatilla Munitions Depot). This STEAM camp is for fourth to eighth graders with curious minds who love to explore and create. Activities include hands-on experiments and projects in science, technology, engineering, art and math. Doors open at 8 am and close at 3 pm. Students must bring snacks and a lunch. Cost: Free. To sign up online, visit www.eventbrite.com and search for Starbase Rees.

MILTON-FREEWATER

YMCA Summer Camp, YMCA of Walla Walla. Mondays through Thursdays, June 24 through Aug. 15 (early close on July 4), 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at Freewater School, 17 NW Eighth Ave. Weekly sessions are offered for first- to fifth- graders, with a mix of hands-on learning activities based on a variety of themes. Swimming and local field trips once a week; breakfast and lunch provided. Free to enrolled Milton-Freewater School District students. Details: 509-301-1716; registration packet is posted online at www.wwymca.org/camps.

Preschool Day Camp, YMCA of Walla Walla. Mondays through Thursdays, June 24 through Aug. 15; ages 3 to 4, half-day 7:30 a.m. to noon $75/week, full-day 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. $100/week, at Freewater School, 17 NW Eighth Ave. Details: 509-301-1716; registration packet is posted online at www.wwymca.org/camps.

PENDLETON

Blast From the Past Camp, Pendleton Rec Center. Monday to Friday, June 10-14, 9 a.m. to noon. Ages 6 through 17. Campers will trek through Pendleton’s history, with a visit to Heritage Station, activities like churning butter, and an acting workshop with the cast of College Community Theatre’s current historical play. Cost: $30. Details and registration at pendletonparksandrec.com.

Summer Adventure Camp, Pendleton Parks & Rec., Monday to Friday, June 17-Aug. 16, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Community Park. Week 3 is only Monday through Wednesday due to Independence Day. These camps are for children entering first through sixth grade. With over 40 acres to explore and play in, expect some awesome activities for your camper using the soccer fields, disc golf, basketball courts, two playgrounds and use of the softball fields. Cost: $80 per week, which includes lunch, an afternoon snack and weekly trips to the library and Aquatic Center (entrance fee included). For details and registration, call 541-276-8100 or visit pendletonparksandrec.com.

Tricksters Camp, College Community Theatre. Monday to Saturday, July 22-26, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Ages 5 to 18. campers will work with professional performers from Seven Peaks School in a number of one-act plays based around Trickster mythology, exploring masks, stage combat and technical theater. Cost is $75 for first child, $60 for each addition children in the same household. Details and registration at pendletonparksandrec.com.

Rock and Roll Camp XVIII, Pendleton Center for the Arts. Monday to Friday, Aug. 13-18, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Ages 12-18. Teens can rock out for five full days — for free! West Coast indie band musicians act as instructors for the camp. Musical experience is not required. Some teens put together bands, write original music and record their songs. Others work on rock journalism, putting together a camp zine and generating video for YouTube. The week ends with a big camp concert on Main Street. Details and applications will be posted online at pendletonarts.org/rock-roll-camp or call 541-278-9201.

Summer Strings Music Camp, Oregon East Symphony. Monday to Friday, Aug. 5-9, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Open to youth string musicians of all ages (violin, viola, cello, bass) who are able to read music at an elementary level. Campers will rehearse and perform in an orchestra ensemble with instruction by professional musicians and conductors, learning music theory and history, with performance opportunities. Cost: $200 for early registration; $250 for late registration. For program information and to receive announcements, contact OES at 541-276-0320 or education@OregonEastSymphony.org.

Teen Adventure Camp Outdoors (T.A.C.O.), Pendleton Parks & Rec. Day trips run Fridays, July 12 through Aug. 16, usually 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Grades seven to 10. Each day trip at TACO is filled with field trips are filled with adventures that provide your teen with a safe and healthy environment to play outside and make new friends while creating lasting memories. The schedule lists main activities and exciting destinations of each trip. Campers need to pack a lunch for each day. Cost: $55 per trip. Visit bit.ly/TACOcamp for schedule and registration.

SLEEPOVER CAMPS

Ascension School Camp, Episcopal Diocese of Eastern Oregon. Faith-based, three- to five-day sleepover camps outside of Cove in Union County. Discovery Camp (preschool-second grade) requires a parent or guardian to attend, June 30-July 2, cost: $225 per camper and $125 for chaperone. Beginner’s Camp (third-fourth grades), July 14-18, $425; Combined Camp (fifth-sixth grades), July 21-26, $475; Junior High Camp (seventh-eighth grades), July 7-12, $500; Senior High Camp (ninth-12th grades), June 23-June 29, $550. Activities include swimming, crafts and outdoor games. Details: 541-568-4514 or www.coveascensionschool.com/summer-camp.

Big Lake Youth Camp, Oregon Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. Faith-based sleepover camps in Willamette National Forest near Sisters run June 12-August 9. Open to boys and girls, ages 7-17. Weeklong sessions can be traditional “REG” (regular) camps for ages 7-19 or “RAD” camps for tweens and teens 11-17, focusing on a specific activity for a week, from rock climbing to whitewater rafting. REG sessions are age-specific; check which dates are appropriate for your camper. Family camp is also offered in August. Camp prices vary; scholarships may be available. Details: 503-850-3583 or visit www.biglake.org.

Buckaroo Rodeo Bible Camp, Buckaroos for Christ. June 9-13 (check-in starts at 3 p.m. Sunday). This nondenominational Christian camp in the Pendleton Round-Up Pavilion focuses on rodeo skills for budding competitors from 12 to 18. Instruction in pole bending, roping, barrel racing and bareback riding is provided by professionals with a goal of developing future rodeo champions. Cost is $150 with $50 refundable stall deposit. Campers select their clinic focus. Details and online registration at www.buckaroosforchrist.com.

Camp Elkanah, near La Grande. Three- to six-day faith-based sleepover camps, grouped by age: Primary (entering grades one-three), June 28-30, $135; Upper elementary (entering grades four-six), July 7-12, $250; middle school camp (entering grades six-eight), July 14-19, $260; high school (entering grades nine-12), June 30-July 5, $260. Camp includes speakers, workshops, chapel time, low ropes course, zip line and giant swing, paintball, night games, giant slip ‘n’ slide, water fights, crafts and indoor games. Details: 541-963-5050 or visit www.campelkanah.com.

Camp Meadowood Springs. Sleepover and day camps designed for children with social learning and communications challenges and their peers/siblings. Camp is in Weston and focuses on children with speech, hearing and other communication related disorders for ages 7-14. Activities also include canoeing, fishing, zip lines, crafts, sports, swimming, mini golf and bug catching. Overnight will be held July 7-12 for Session 1 and July 14-19 for Session 2, $1,350 per session; Day Camp is July 8-July 11, $600. There is a $35 registration fee. Scholarships are available depending upon need and information is available online. Details: Call 541-276-2752 or visit www.meadowoodsprings.org.

Camp Tamarack, near Sisters. Five-day camp for ages 8 to 12 runs in multiple sessions, June 23-Aug. 23. These co-ed camps encompass typical camp experiences such as arts and crafts, water fun, team sports, woodworking and more. Camp cost: $675. All-day week-long camps are currently full, but families may join the wait list. For details, call 541-633-9847 or visit www.camptamarack.com/summer-camp (registration packet available online).

Chockstone Climbing Camp, Chockstone Climbing Guides, Smith Rock State Park in Redmond. Multiple options available. An 11-day advanced camp for ages 13 to 17 runs June 18-June 28 or July 24-Aug. 3, and the seven-day camp is June 30-July 6. All camps are full, but a waitlist is available. Prices start at $1,350 per person with significant discounts available for multiple climbing group members. Airport pick-up and drop-off at RDM airport is available. Details: 541-318-7170 or visit www.chockstoneclimbing.com.

Cove Christian Camp, faith-based camp in Cove. K/second grade camp held July 18-20; cost: $160 ($110 by July 4). Third/fourth grade camp, June 25-29, cost: $230 ($180 by June 11). Fifth/sixth grade camp, July 9-13, cost: $230 ($180 by June 25). Day Camp is an option for campers not ready to stay overnight. Youth/Teen Camp (seventh-12th grade), June 18-22, cost: $230 ($180 by June 4). Details: 541-805-5050 or visit www.covechristiancamp.org.

EOU Summer Institutes, Eastern Oregon University. EOU offers six focused week-long institutes on its La Grande campus for high school students entering grades nine to 12; some provide college credits. The 2024 summer institutes are: Cottonwood Crossing (cultural or natural resources), June 16-21; MedQuest camp explores health careers, June 17-22; Eastern Oregon Teacher Academy (free) gives future educators specialized training, June 24-28; Science Institute, June 24-29; Business Institute, June 24-29; Theatre/Music/Art Institute, June 24-29. Costs vary from $350 to $500, some scholarships are available. For full details, visit www.eou.edu/early-college-initiatives/summer-institutes/.

Rodeo Bible Camp, by Northeast Oregon Christian Cowboys, held in Union. Week-long faith-based camp, from July 7-11 (check-in is 3 p.m. Sunday), will introduce campers ages 13 to 18 to basic rodeo skills. Participants will be able to put these skills into practice during a rodeo competition on the final day of camp, Thursday, July 11. Cost: $100, includes all meals. For details and registration packet, visit www.rodeobiblecamp.org or call 541-910-3705.

Trackers Portland camps offer a large variety of specialty co-ed camps for youth, from grades 4 through 12. Day camps are held in Portland and Sandy; overnight camps are held at Camp Roslyn near Sandy. Numerous five-day sessions run from July 8 through Aug. 2. Camp costs vary. Trackers Portland offers unique camping experiences that include fishing, foraging, stealth, farmcraft, hiking, paddling and wilderness survival. For details and to register, visit www.trackerspdx.com/youth/camps/summer-camp-overnight/ or call the camp office at 503-345-3312.

To be eligible for the Eagle Scout rank, a scout must:

• Have been active as a Life Scout for at least six months.

• Have earned a minimum of 21 merit badges, including specific required ones.

• Hold positions of leadership within their troop.

• Complete a significant community service project. The project must:

o Benefit the community or a nonprofit organization.

o Demonstrate leadership.

o Require a significant number of hours to complete.

o Be approved by the Eagle Scout Board of Review.

To be eligible for the Girl Scout Gold Award, a scout must:

• Be in ninth to 12th grade.

• Have completed two Senior or Ambassador Journeys, or have earned the Girl Scout Silver Award and completed one Senior or Ambassador Journey.

• Research an issue in her community or world.

• Develop a unique project that is sustainable and addresses a root cause of the researched issue. The project must also:

o Take at least 80 hours to complete.

o Allow the scout to lead a team of volunteers.

o Have a realistic budget and resources outlined before the project begins.

o Has a national and/or global link.

o Be approved by the regional Girl Scout Council.