Portland Outdoor Explorers
Rose City Park United Methodist Church / Rose City Park, 5830 Alameda St, Room 8, Room 8, NE
About
Portland Outdoor Explorers offers activities such as plant identification, fort building, art, storytelling, role-play games, foam sword battles, games, and outdoor education. Activities each day are determined by what students are interested in and the neighborhood they are exploring, and instructors lead students in explorations of their own neighborhood as weather allows. The program is a proudly 100% child-led non-profit centered in NE Portland that emphasizes curiosity, compassion, and commitment, known as The Three C’s.
• Ages: 4–14 years old
• Schedule: After-school pickup from Rose City Park Elementary and Scott Elementary at 2:30 p.m. with pickup any time before 6:00 p.m.
• Price: Drop In $50. Full Semester (Month) 1 Day a Week $200, prorated. Full Semester (Month) 2 Days a Week $360, prorated. Full Semester (Month) 3 Days a Week $480, prorated. Full Semester (Month) 4 Days a Week $640, prorated. Full Semester (Month) 5 Days a Week $700, prorated.
Portland Outdoor Explorers describes its after-school programs as place-based and student-led, with the place students live becoming the primary instructor and giving students a sense of belonging and ownership in the community. While at programs, students are referred to by their preferred name and pronouns. During registration, families are asked to provide the child’s name, age, preferred pronouns, any allergies, any prescription medications, mental health notes, and other notes important to know about the child, and families are informed that Oregon weather requires explorers to be prepared with proper gear. Pricing is on a sliding scale with a lower per-day cost for more days registered, and registration allows families to select only the days they need rather than paying a lump sum.
Portland Outdoor Explorers states that it is founded and operated by queer, neurodivergent, disabled, and female-presenting individuals. The organization describes itself as an inclusive camp that seeks to make all kids feel safe and comfortable at camp in order for them to have the most fun possible and has always been dedicated to letting kids be kids and giving them the space to define what that means for themselves. POE has a staff of outdoor educators, including one staff member with a degree in psychology who started working in mental health and SPED. The leadership team includes Alex Frost as Lead for Rose City Park Elementary School, Laura Grant as Lead for Scott Elementary School, and Haylee Wagner as Lead for Alameda Elementary.
Portland Outdoor Explorers currently provides transportation from Scott and Rose City Park Elementary Schools to indoor and outdoor locations. The program participates in BottleDrop Give to collect empty bottles and cans and recycle them to help raise money for gear, field trips, and more. Testimonials from parents describe POE as kid centered, a great opportunity for parents to have a date night and kids to do something exciting, and a program where children enjoy the freedom to choose creative activities and free play within a safe and caring atmosphere. Additional testimonials state that the program has been dependable and flexible, that counselors worked to maintain continuity of care when a previous after-school program dissolved, and that Portland Outdoor Explorers welcomes kids as they are in a tight-knit, inclusive atmosphere where kids form friendships, go on adventures, and spend time together after school, on in-service days, and during summer break.
Last updated July 13, 2026.
• Ages: 4–14 years old
• Schedule: After-school pickup from Rose City Park Elementary and Scott Elementary at 2:30 p.m. with pickup any time before 6:00 p.m.
• Price: Drop In $50. Full Semester (Month) 1 Day a Week $200, prorated. Full Semester (Month) 2 Days a Week $360, prorated. Full Semester (Month) 3 Days a Week $480, prorated. Full Semester (Month) 4 Days a Week $640, prorated. Full Semester (Month) 5 Days a Week $700, prorated.
Portland Outdoor Explorers describes its after-school programs as place-based and student-led, with the place students live becoming the primary instructor and giving students a sense of belonging and ownership in the community. While at programs, students are referred to by their preferred name and pronouns. During registration, families are asked to provide the child’s name, age, preferred pronouns, any allergies, any prescription medications, mental health notes, and other notes important to know about the child, and families are informed that Oregon weather requires explorers to be prepared with proper gear. Pricing is on a sliding scale with a lower per-day cost for more days registered, and registration allows families to select only the days they need rather than paying a lump sum.
Portland Outdoor Explorers states that it is founded and operated by queer, neurodivergent, disabled, and female-presenting individuals. The organization describes itself as an inclusive camp that seeks to make all kids feel safe and comfortable at camp in order for them to have the most fun possible and has always been dedicated to letting kids be kids and giving them the space to define what that means for themselves. POE has a staff of outdoor educators, including one staff member with a degree in psychology who started working in mental health and SPED. The leadership team includes Alex Frost as Lead for Rose City Park Elementary School, Laura Grant as Lead for Scott Elementary School, and Haylee Wagner as Lead for Alameda Elementary.
Portland Outdoor Explorers currently provides transportation from Scott and Rose City Park Elementary Schools to indoor and outdoor locations. The program participates in BottleDrop Give to collect empty bottles and cans and recycle them to help raise money for gear, field trips, and more. Testimonials from parents describe POE as kid centered, a great opportunity for parents to have a date night and kids to do something exciting, and a program where children enjoy the freedom to choose creative activities and free play within a safe and caring atmosphere. Additional testimonials state that the program has been dependable and flexible, that counselors worked to maintain continuity of care when a previous after-school program dissolved, and that Portland Outdoor Explorers welcomes kids as they are in a tight-knit, inclusive atmosphere where kids form friendships, go on adventures, and spend time together after school, on in-service days, and during summer break.
Last updated July 13, 2026.
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