Tryon Forest Adventures
Tryon Creek State Natural Area / Friends of Tryon Creek Nature Center, 11321 S Terwilliger Blvd, Portland, OR 97219
About
Tryon Forest Adventures includes learning about the flora and fauna, anything science-y, and getting to know and appreciate nature. Campers hike tree-lined trails, cross the many bridges over Tryon Creek, and may complete a 4 mile hike. Activities also include observing the sights and sounds of the changing seasons in the forest, Meadow Day, writing journals, storytelling, making arts and crafts in an indoor nature classroom space, running and playing games in an open meadow, and building a fort of tree limbs and moss. Campers and families describe the program as having lots of adventure, crafts, and spending time with new friends.
• Ages: 5–12 years old
• Schedule: Fall sessions run 3 full camp days at 7 hours each day, and Spring and Summer sessions run 5 full camp days at 7 hours each day, including two half-hour pick up and drop off windows.
• Price: Fall 3-Full Camp Days: $300 non-members or $250 current Friends of Tryon Creek Members ($50 Family Level or higher). Spring & Summer 5-Full Camp Days: $475 non-members or $425 current Friends of Tryon Creek Members ($50 Family Level or higher).
During Fall and Spring, registration begins at 8:30am with a 9:00am start time, and pick up is between 3:00pm and 3:30pm. During Summer, registration begins at 8:30am with a 9:00am session start time, drop off is between 8:30am and 9:00am, and pick up is from 4:00pm until 4:30pm. Camp families are offered a 20 minute no fee parking window during drop off and pick up times. Parents and guardians are required to sign an Emergency Contact Information Form, Liability and Medical Consent Waiver, and Medical Authorization Form during the registration process.
Friends of Tryon Creek has connected youth to nature since 1970 as a community supported nonprofit, and its mission is in partnership with Oregon State Parks to inspire every community to identify, cultivate or reclaim their relationship with nature in this urban forest. Tryon Forest Adventures is led by a full time Education Team, including Education Programs Manager Jonathan Hayden (also known as Mr Crabapple) and Betty, who focuses on field trips and adult education during the school year and camp and assistant counselor coordination during the summer. Instructors attend a 5 day training week that includes CPR and First Aid Certification, Restorative Justice practices, Cultural Competency, Social-Emotional skills, and Environmental Education Curriculum development. The program maintains a high instructor-to-youth ratio with 2 leaders to every 15 youth or fewer, and Assistant Counselors are volunteer high school aged youth being mentored in leadership and environmental education.
Tryon Forest Adventures is the longest running Nature Day Camp in Portland and has been a Top 5 PDX Parent Reader Favorite since 2020. Campers and families highlight learning about flora and fauna and anything science-y, the variety of activities, kind staff, the ability to be outside all day, crafts, spending time with new friends, pride in completing a 4 mile hike, lots of adventure, getting to know and appreciate nature, and Meadow Day.
Last updated July 14, 2026.
• Ages: 5–12 years old
• Schedule: Fall sessions run 3 full camp days at 7 hours each day, and Spring and Summer sessions run 5 full camp days at 7 hours each day, including two half-hour pick up and drop off windows.
• Price: Fall 3-Full Camp Days: $300 non-members or $250 current Friends of Tryon Creek Members ($50 Family Level or higher). Spring & Summer 5-Full Camp Days: $475 non-members or $425 current Friends of Tryon Creek Members ($50 Family Level or higher).
During Fall and Spring, registration begins at 8:30am with a 9:00am start time, and pick up is between 3:00pm and 3:30pm. During Summer, registration begins at 8:30am with a 9:00am session start time, drop off is between 8:30am and 9:00am, and pick up is from 4:00pm until 4:30pm. Camp families are offered a 20 minute no fee parking window during drop off and pick up times. Parents and guardians are required to sign an Emergency Contact Information Form, Liability and Medical Consent Waiver, and Medical Authorization Form during the registration process.
Friends of Tryon Creek has connected youth to nature since 1970 as a community supported nonprofit, and its mission is in partnership with Oregon State Parks to inspire every community to identify, cultivate or reclaim their relationship with nature in this urban forest. Tryon Forest Adventures is led by a full time Education Team, including Education Programs Manager Jonathan Hayden (also known as Mr Crabapple) and Betty, who focuses on field trips and adult education during the school year and camp and assistant counselor coordination during the summer. Instructors attend a 5 day training week that includes CPR and First Aid Certification, Restorative Justice practices, Cultural Competency, Social-Emotional skills, and Environmental Education Curriculum development. The program maintains a high instructor-to-youth ratio with 2 leaders to every 15 youth or fewer, and Assistant Counselors are volunteer high school aged youth being mentored in leadership and environmental education.
Tryon Forest Adventures is the longest running Nature Day Camp in Portland and has been a Top 5 PDX Parent Reader Favorite since 2020. Campers and families highlight learning about flora and fauna and anything science-y, the variety of activities, kind staff, the ability to be outside all day, crafts, spending time with new friends, pride in completing a 4 mile hike, lots of adventure, getting to know and appreciate nature, and Meadow Day.
Last updated July 14, 2026.
Is this your business? There is no cost, but you will be asked to sign up or log in.