Free Christmas trees for fourth graders

REGION-WIDE — Fourth graders across the country can sign up for the “Every Kid Outdoors” program for a year of free access to hundreds of national parks and monuments at everykidoutdoors.gov. As a bonus, the EKO pass offers a free Christmas tree permit through the U.S. Forest Service. Visit your local Forest Service office or go online at www.Recreation.gov and enter the pass number when applying for a tree permit (a small fee is charged for the online service). The permit provides more information about approved areas for tree cutting. Grab your saw and sled!

Keep your campers busy during holiday week

UMATILLA — Parks & Rec has an answer for how to keep youngsters active between Christmas and New Years. Winter Wonderland Camp will run each day from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Dec. 30 to Jan. 3. The free camp for grades K through six will be in the McNary Heights school gym, 120 Columbia Blvd. Campers should bring a lunch and comfortable shoes for winter-themed games, crafts and activities, from ice scavenger hunts to freeze tag. Register online at umatillaparksandrec.org/events/winter-wonderland-camp or call 541-922-3226, ext. 122.

It’s a Laura Ingalls Christmas on the prairie

BAKER CITY — Eastern Oregon Regional Theatre at 2101 Main St. is staging a holiday show sure to please “Little House on the Prairie” fans. From Dec. 6 through 15, “A Laura Ingalls Wilder Christmas” follows the Ingalls family through some dark days after a crop failure and a bleak winter. Will Laura be given up for adoption? Come find out. Tickets are $13 for adults, $5 for students. For showtimes and details, visit easternoregonregionaltheatre.com or call 541-523-9652.

Santa pops in for several holiday photo ops

UMATILLA COUNTY — Santa will be making the rounds this month, starting with a pancakes and sausage breakfast at the Pendleton Rec Center, 510 SW Dorion Ave. on Saturday, Dec. 7, from 8 to 11 a.m. For $6 per person, families can enjoy Breakfast with Santa, then visit the photo booth for a picture (proceeds benefit recreation program scholarships). Santa drops by Hermiston Library (235 E. Gladys Ave.) on Friday, Dec. 13, from 1 to 3 p.m. for free photos in front of a Christmas backdrop. On Saturday, Dec. 14, from 9 to 11 a.m. he’ll appear at the Hermiston Community Center (415 S. Highway 395) for Pancakes with Santa, including crafts, games and photos. Advance tickets required, call 541-667-5018 for prices and reservations. Down the road, at the Umatilla Fire Department (305 Willamette St.), Breakfast with Santa runs the same day from 10 a.m. to noon, a free community event. And that evening at 4:30 p.m., the jolly fellow appears in Pendleton’s Downtown Holiday Lighted Parade with dozens of light-up vehicles. The reindeer will be busy.

Come out for caroling and cocoa

LA GRANDE — On Thursday, Dec. 12, from 6 to 8 p.m. all ages are welcome for the popular free event “Carols & Cocoa.” Families should meet at the Penn Avenue door of Art Center East, 1006 Penn Ave. Song sheets provided, but bring a flashlight and dress warm. After neighborhood caroling, singers can return to ACE for cookies and hot chocolate.