Applegate Outdoor
Summer Camp
An outdoor summer camp along the Applegate River where art and science meet.
Register for the Applegate Outdoor Summer Camp
Registration for Summer 2026 is not available yet.
Sign up to receive updates about AOSC and the upcoming season.
Have questions? We’re here to help! Feel free to contact our Education & Outreach Program Director, Charlotte Hyde, by email at charlotte@apwc.info or by phone at (978) 270-8831.
Donate to the Applegate Outdoor Summer Camp
The Applegate Outdoor Summer Camp relies on grants and donations from the community to help keep our camp affordable for all our families and to provide scholarships for children who need additional financial assistance.
Donate today to our scholarship fund or become a sponsor to enhance the summer camp experience for all our participants.
2025 Program Dates & Weekly Themes
Week 1
June 16-20: Science Superstars
Week 2
June 23-27: Art Outside
Week 3
July 7-11: Water Wonders
Week 4
July 14-18: Amazing Animals
Stay tuned for our 2026 dates and themes! We are looking forward to expanding our season!
Camp Location & Hours
Cantrall Buckley County Park
154 Cantrall Rd.
Jacksonville, OR 97530
Monday-Friday
9:00am-3:30pm
After Care
3:30pm-5:00pm
Hours may change slightly for 2026.
Program Fees
The 2025 program fee was $180 per camper per week
Although we are committed to offering our camp at the lowest possible price for our families, we will have to raise our registration fees for the 2026 season. This is due to the loss of our AmeriCorps position and to ensure we can cover our program overhead costs and continue the program for many years to come.
Ages Served
Ages 5-11
Campers are grouped by age.
Group sizes are dependent upon the number of kids registered and their varying ages.
Groups will be comprised of a 12:1 camper to instructor ratio or less.
Who We Are
The Applegate Outdoor Summer Camp is part of APWC’s Education & Outreach Program. Both the Education & Outreach Program Director and Education Manager hold a M.S. in Environmental Education and have extensive experience designing and implementing high-quality programs for kids in an outdoor setting. All of our field instructors are First Aid/CPR certified and background checked; they are knowledgeable and dynamic individuals who love sharing their love of nature with kids on a daily basis.
Frequently Asked Questions
-
9-9:30am - Arrival and self-directed activities/stations
9:30am - Camp meeting and overview of day
9:45am - Morning snack and break into groups
10:15am - Instructor led group activities (e.g., guided hike, birding, insect ID, soil study, nature journaling, guest speaker, etc.)
11:45am - Lunch
12:15pm - Instructor led projects & activities (e.g., nature sculptures, sensory bins, rock painting, field microscopes, scavenger hunts, etc.)
1:45pm - Water play and free choice activities (water table, sprinklers, wading pool, arts & crafts, etc.)
3:30pm - Pick up
3:30-5pm - After care (more water play, field games, coloring, board games, etc.)
-
Yes, this camp is entirely outdoors. Campers are kept cool during very hot days through water play, shaded activities, and ample hydration breaks.
-
All campers should come dressed for our warm summer days and bring an extra change of clothes every day in case they get wet or dirty. Shoes for walking on uneven terrain are required. Shoes must be worn at all times, including during water play, so water shoes are highly recommended.
-
Every camper needs to bring a water bottle, lunch, morning and afternoon snack, an extra set of clothes, sunscreen, a swimsuit, and extra shoes they don’t mind getting wet.
-
In order to keep our camp affordable, we do not provide food. Every camper must bring their own lunch and snacks each day. Snacks were donated to us in 2025, but they are not guaranteed.
-
Yes! We have some incredible community members willing to sponsor campers who qualify. Please contact our Education & Outreach Program Director for details.
-
154 Cantrall Rd. Jacksonville, OR 97530.
This park’s 88 acres is located along the Applegate River and provides a beautiful locale for students to experience nature in a hands-on, site-specific approach.
-
Cantrall Buckley Park has full-flush bathrooms, potable water stations, picnic tables, a large pavilion, hiking trails, river access, and more. We also utilize pop-up canopies for additional shade.
-
“AOSC is a much-needed program for our rural community. We have very few kid-friendly options in the area, especially during summer breaks, so this camp was a true gift. The hands-on experiences and caring staff made it more than just a camp—it was a real connection to the land and the community. I’m so grateful for the way AOSC fosters curiosity, stewardship, and a love for the Applegate Valley. We’ll definitely be back next summer!” - 2025 AOSC Parent
“We are deeply grateful that APWC has responded to this long-standing need in our community. AOSC offers our children the chance to build meaningful relationships—with one another, with this landscape, and with the values of stewardship and care. They are learning not just how to enjoy where they live, but how to love and care for it—and for each other.” - 2025 AOSC Parent
“Camper Name attended all four weeks and after care at AOSC. She had a wonderful experience learning so much about the ecosystem that she lives in. She learned the names of many organisms' unknown to her before. She also learned new skills with crochet and macrame. The counselors inspired creativity and an all-around great learning environment. She can't wait till next year!” - 2025 AOSC Parent
Applegate Outdoor Summer Camp Final Reports
If you have any questions about the Applegate Outdoor Summer Camp,
please contact our Education & Outreach Program Director:
Charlotte Hyde
charlotte@apwc.info
(978) 270-8831