OSU KidSpirit
OSU KidSpirit at Langton Hall, Oregon State University, 2450 SW Jefferson Way, 125 Langton Hall, Langton Hall, Room 125, Corvallis, OR 97331
About
OSU KidSpirit offers activities such as Summer Day Camp, ACES Day Camps, Aquatics/Swim, gymnastics, Cooking Academy, Junior Leaders Academy, Youth Outdoor Career & Leadership Summit, and birthdays/parties. Program options include aerobic dance, soccer, basketball, swimming, track and field, tennis, football, volleyball, wrestling, arts, science, tumbling, trampoline, balance beam, uneven bars, and pommel horse.
• Ages: 2–18 years old
• Schedule: Office hours Monday–Friday 10:00 AM–5:00 PM during the academic year (subject to change during breaks), and 7:00 AM–6:00 PM during summer day camp; closed Saturday–Sunday
Since 1961, the programs that became OSU KidSpirit have provided youth ages 2–18 with activities and camps, beginning with Oregon State University’s first summer sports program in 1961. The camp structure has changed over time, including a six-week camp for ages 8–14 in 1988, a full-day option with four two-week sessions starting in 1995, and an expansion in 1999 to five two-week sessions with enrollments growing to 400 campers per one-week session and the addition of an 11th week of camp. OSU KidSpirit is part of Oregon State University Extension and Engagement and is described as a positive youth development program that improves health and wellness as well as physical, emotional, and artistic development, and continues to expand and innovate to serve youth and families in the community.
OSU KidSpirit states a mission of “empowering lifelong thriving” and provides youth with intentional, high-quality, and equitable out-of-school time learning activities and camps. The program describes its aims and objectives as being a leader in the community in positive youth development and building relationships with youth; enhancing mental, physical, and artistic competence; improving and supporting community health and well-being; serving as a functional social network; building confidence and self-esteem; cultivating an atmosphere focused on developing character and life-skills; and establishing a safe and caring environment. KidSpirit staff state that they strive to provide a fun, educational, and caring atmosphere for children to achieve personal success while enhancing opportunities for social interaction in a supervised and positive environment, and instructors create engaging and individualized lessons so that every participant has the opportunity to increase their skills and confidence.
KidSpirit is directed by Karen Swanger, who has an MS in Exercise Sport Science and a minor in Conflict Resolution from Oregon State University, and over 30 years of experience recruiting, training, evaluating, and managing large groups of staff and volunteers as the Membership Director for Maui Girl Scouts and the director of Maui Special Olympics. Individual programs are directed by student leadership staff, and KidSpirit is assisted by over 120 annual student workers in roles such as Camp Counselors, Head Instructors, Office Assistants, Marketing/Special Projects Staff, and Program Leadership Staff. The program notes that these staff and volunteer roles offer opportunities to develop skills such as adaptability, problem-solving, teamwork, communication, tech proficiency, empathy, initiative, resilience, self-awareness, and cultural sensitivity, and that individual program leadership roles provide a formative experience in youth programming and leadership.
OSU KidSpirit offers sports, arts, science, gymnastics, cooking, and other activities both as part of Summer Day Camp and in programs offered all year long, and also offers KidSpirit Gymnastics in Siletz, Oregon twice per week. The program lists holiday closures including Memorial Day on Monday, May 25, 2026, and an Independence Day closure on Friday, July 3, 2026. OSU staff, faculty, students, and OSUAA members receive an additional discount of $12–$25 per summer camp session. KidSpirit is hiring for both student staff positions and non-student AmeriCorps positions, including full-time stipend AmeriCorps roles focused on building KidSpirit sustainably through community outreach, partnership, and involvement.
Last updated June 11, 2026.
• Ages: 2–18 years old
• Schedule: Office hours Monday–Friday 10:00 AM–5:00 PM during the academic year (subject to change during breaks), and 7:00 AM–6:00 PM during summer day camp; closed Saturday–Sunday
Since 1961, the programs that became OSU KidSpirit have provided youth ages 2–18 with activities and camps, beginning with Oregon State University’s first summer sports program in 1961. The camp structure has changed over time, including a six-week camp for ages 8–14 in 1988, a full-day option with four two-week sessions starting in 1995, and an expansion in 1999 to five two-week sessions with enrollments growing to 400 campers per one-week session and the addition of an 11th week of camp. OSU KidSpirit is part of Oregon State University Extension and Engagement and is described as a positive youth development program that improves health and wellness as well as physical, emotional, and artistic development, and continues to expand and innovate to serve youth and families in the community.
OSU KidSpirit states a mission of “empowering lifelong thriving” and provides youth with intentional, high-quality, and equitable out-of-school time learning activities and camps. The program describes its aims and objectives as being a leader in the community in positive youth development and building relationships with youth; enhancing mental, physical, and artistic competence; improving and supporting community health and well-being; serving as a functional social network; building confidence and self-esteem; cultivating an atmosphere focused on developing character and life-skills; and establishing a safe and caring environment. KidSpirit staff state that they strive to provide a fun, educational, and caring atmosphere for children to achieve personal success while enhancing opportunities for social interaction in a supervised and positive environment, and instructors create engaging and individualized lessons so that every participant has the opportunity to increase their skills and confidence.
KidSpirit is directed by Karen Swanger, who has an MS in Exercise Sport Science and a minor in Conflict Resolution from Oregon State University, and over 30 years of experience recruiting, training, evaluating, and managing large groups of staff and volunteers as the Membership Director for Maui Girl Scouts and the director of Maui Special Olympics. Individual programs are directed by student leadership staff, and KidSpirit is assisted by over 120 annual student workers in roles such as Camp Counselors, Head Instructors, Office Assistants, Marketing/Special Projects Staff, and Program Leadership Staff. The program notes that these staff and volunteer roles offer opportunities to develop skills such as adaptability, problem-solving, teamwork, communication, tech proficiency, empathy, initiative, resilience, self-awareness, and cultural sensitivity, and that individual program leadership roles provide a formative experience in youth programming and leadership.
OSU KidSpirit offers sports, arts, science, gymnastics, cooking, and other activities both as part of Summer Day Camp and in programs offered all year long, and also offers KidSpirit Gymnastics in Siletz, Oregon twice per week. The program lists holiday closures including Memorial Day on Monday, May 25, 2026, and an Independence Day closure on Friday, July 3, 2026. OSU staff, faculty, students, and OSUAA members receive an additional discount of $12–$25 per summer camp session. KidSpirit is hiring for both student staff positions and non-student AmeriCorps positions, including full-time stipend AmeriCorps roles focused on building KidSpirit sustainably through community outreach, partnership, and involvement.
Last updated June 11, 2026.
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