August brings us lots of sunshine, and also the close of another incredible summer with POE.
If you’re interested in registering for our Sword and Sorcery Summer Camp, check out our website at pdxoutdoorexplorers.com where you can learn more, or click the button below!
Even if summer is ending, the sunshine has no intention of ending anytime soon. Remember…
The UV rays have been very high lately, and can impact us even in the shade. We ask that you equip your explorer(s) with weather-appropriate layers, and that all explorers have their own sunscreen to reapply throughout the day. Optional sun-proof gear, such as hats and sunglasses, are encouraged!
POE also offers tubes of sunscreen that your explorer can use for $5.00 USD, accepted via Venmo, cash, or charging the card registered for your explorer’s account (after confirmation).
A Note About Gear
Recently, we have had a number of explorers arrive to camp without gear required to ensure their safety such as sunscreen, shoes with closed toes and heels, and refillable water bottles.
In addition, we have also had explorers arriving to camp with gear that we ask be left at home, such as electronics unnecessary to their self-regulation or other health related reasons.
We are all human, and the staff at POE would never attempt to shame our explorers or those who care for them! However, we do want to stress the importance of which gear is good to bring to camp and which gear is good to leave at home and why.
As always, if you have any questions or concerns about our gear lists, please reach out to our info email at info@pdxoutdoorexplorers.com with subject line: “Gear.”
Required Gear
These are things we consider essential to the safety of our explorers, such as food and drink, weather-appropriate layers, shoes that can protect their feet from broken glass or other hazards the park may have, and so forth.
- Backpack
- A hearty lunch
- Plenty of snacks (these kids are HUNGRY)
- A refillable water bottle
- Weather-appropriate layers
- A change of clothes
- Shoes with a closed toe and closed heel to protect their feet
Restricted Gear
These are items that we consider unsafe to have at camp either because they create unsafe situations, or cause arguments.
- Anything that cannot get wet, dirty, or lost
- Weapons of any kind (this includes plastic, Nerf, or other fake weapons)
- Any electronics that are not necessary to your explorer’s self-regulation, mental/physical health, or are disability aids (this includes RC vehicles, video game devices, and tablets. Some exceptions may include smart watches and ereaders which cannot play videos)
- Controlled substances and OTC medications
If you are uncertain whether an item would be okay to bring to camp, please reach out to us at info@pdxoutdoorexplorers.com with subject line: “Can I Bring This?”
Please note: these required and restricted gear items apply to any day your explorer is with us.
Announcements
The first days of school for the 2026-2027 school year are fast approaching, and that means so are our after school programs!
This school year, we will be offering transportation from Rose City Park Elementary School and Scott Elementary School.
You can still register for after school programs, even if your explorer attends a different school! While we may be unable to provide transportation, we will still be able to provide incredible after school programs for your potential explorer(s).
Simply reach out to us at info@pdxoutdoorexplorers.com with the name of your student’s school as the subject line.
If there is enough interest at your student’s school, we might be able to add it to our transportation list!
Upcoming Events
Friday, August 21st is our next Guardians’ Night Off! We’ll be watching the animated classic, Sinbad and the Legend of the Seven Seas. Our menu has yet to be determined, so if you have any suggestions, please feel free to comment below. As always, if your explorer(s) have any dietary restrictions, please reach out to us at info@pdxoutdoorexplorers.com! with subject line: “GNO”
Community Engagement
Portland Outdoor Explorers is collaborating with Everybody’s Bodyworks to offer an exclusive discount for the friends and family of POE. Andi Gherard specializes in massage therapy for injury recovery, chronic pain, and relaxation in this hectic world.
They provide gender affirming care and trauma informed massage for all healing bodies.
They offer a fat positive and body neutral space for people to show up however they are.
Each treatment is designed specially to meet your needs whatever your goals are.
The treatment space offers gender neutral bathrooms.
Andi believes in giving immunocompromised people access to care and providing a safe relaxing session for all.
This business was created with the goal of making alterations and tailored pieces more openly available for fat, trans, and people of color.
All bodies are celebrated and deserve to have clothing that fits how we need! Whether you have sensory issues and need accommodation, have ideas on how to elevate your style but can’t find them anywhere, or just want an outfit that will fit into your wardrobe perfectly, Beau is your man.
He works hard to keep spreading the message that we as humans are deserving of joy through the art of fashion.
“Because you are loved, regardless.”
Follow the link below to take a look at Beau’s services and tell him POE sent you to coordinate exclusive discounts.
As one of our initiatives to help the environment, Portland Outdoor Explorers is working with BottleDrop Give to reduce, reuse, and recycle bottles and cans. Every donation goes to helping us maintain the gear we use to provide excellent outdoor education to our students and help keep our planet earth clean and healthy. To learn more and donate your BottleDrop funds to POE, click the link below.
Are you a small business owner?
If you are a small business owner or manager of a non-profit in NE Portland, we’d love to connect with you! POE is dedicated to cultivating community through mutual aid and collaboration to give each other the boost we all need. Whether it’s being certain you know your rights, know where to find the best/closest food bank, or want to reach a wider client base to teach, sell, trade, and grow, POE wants to hear from you.Email us at info@pdxoutdoorexplorers with subject line “NE Community” to open a dialogue and see what can happen when we all work together.
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