Camps
About Our Camps
For the past 20 years, we have run outrageously fun camps of quality for ages 4-7 and 6-10 that center on Martial Arts basics, as well as a wide variety of other fun movement arts, sports, and ‘flow-state’ activities. Directed and taught by longtime state-certified academic and expert movement teachers, and named “Best of Portland” by Willamette Week…our small, prosocial camps keep kids active, and connected to others!
In 2007, we (Lara and Wally Jones) had been leading a number of outreach programs at various PPS schools in SE Portland through the Southeast Academy Of Kung Fu, when the SUN Schools program invited us to start offering “Down Day” camps for elementary-age students. Just as with our after-school programming, demand swelled, and Lara left full-time classroom teaching to help open our Southwest storefront location in 2009. Lara Jones, MEd still holds an Oregon State Teaching License, and currently also works for Portland Public Schools as a guest teacher. With decades of teaching experience to inform best practice, she continues to help teach, plan, and shape these camps.
Over the years, the format for the camps has remained the same. These “Movement-Arts Camps” feature many different disciplines, and guest expert teachers are scheduled to come in daily to work with campers to explore different sports, or pursuits. Over the years, campers have been exposed to many different special options: African & Folk Dance, Archery, Badminton, Ballet, Boxing, Capoeira, Chess, Circus Arts, Disk Golf, Fencing, Futsal, Gymnastics, Hip-Hop, Jiu-Jitsu, Jugger, Muay-Thai, Olympic Ping-Pong, Parkour, Point Sparring, Rock Climbing, Rollerskating, Skateboarding, Soccer, Stick-Fighting, Volleyball, Yoga, and more!
All our programs are screen-free and overstaffed by overqualified adult leads, by design. Students can relax knowing that safety is our main priority, are guaranteed to receive caring, quality instruction, and are guided through social interactions and the emotional work that comes with gaining resilience by trying out new endeavors.
These camps are very dynamic and involve partnering with others with sport drills, games, and exercises that involve a fair amount of light contact. They are best for campers who are interested in trying out martial arts and comfortable in their bodies, flexible of mind, able to manage a good amount of activity, and who can consistently self-regulate through big excitement and transitions. Sports involve constrained play, and can sometimes be difficult to adapt without making changes that make game-play impossible. Contact sports require careful coaching and thoughtful pairing, in terms of student temperament and abilities.
Questions?
Cancelation Policy
All cancelations involve an additional flat admin fee of $40 – at any point in time.
Cancellation before 80 days prior to start date:100% of tuition is refundable (minus $40 flat fee).
Cancellation before 60 days prior to start date: 50% of tuition is refundable (minus $40 flat fee).
Cancellation after 30 days before start of camp: no tuition is refundable (minus $40 flat fee).
Cancelations must be received in writing via email at
Any refunds will be issued in the form of a check; this is for tax purposes.
In instances of family emergency, we will consider extending credit to be applied to a future camp or regular Martial Arts program (pending availability)
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The Schedule
8-9A – Chill Out Time [families may drop off at any point in the hour]
9-9:50 – Myth (Story) + Movement
9:50-10 – Snack + Read-Aloud
10-10:50 – Special Movement Block 1
11-11:20 – Outdoor Lunch
11:20 – Noon Outdoor Play/Games
Noon – AM Dismissal or Library Visit
Noon – 1 Down Time (Games/Reading/Craft Choice)
1-2P – Parkour or Special Movement Block 2
2-2:15 – Snack
2:15-3 – Outdoor Cooperative Games or Movement Choice
3-4 – Chill & Camper’s Choice
4 PM – Dismissal
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Links
Go to our events page to view dates and rates for current SWPMA camps.
Visit this YouTube page, to view video compilations of recent camps.