Winter Break STEM Camps in Portland and Southwest Washington
Two weeks off school. One very happy kid. Journey to STEAM winter camps fill the break with LEGO engineering, robotics and coding, led by instructors we hire with the same standard we use all year: fewer than 10% of applicants make it.
Early bird pricing runs through November 2.
When is winter break in 2026?
Every Portland-area district we checked is off from Monday, December 21, 2026 through Friday, January 1, 2027. That includes Portland Public Schools, Beaverton, Hillsboro, Lake Oswego, North Clackamas, Tigard-Tualatin, West Linn-Wilsonville, Gresham-Barlow and Evergreen. Beaverton and West Linn-Wilsonville add a staff day on Monday, January 4.
Dates as published by each district, checked September 18, 2026. See every 2026-27 no-school day by district.
What happens at a Journey to STEAM camp?
Kids spend the week building one big idea from the ground up. They design, test, fail forward and try again, in small groups sorted by age. On the last day, families come in and the kids present what they built. Every camp is written by educators in-house and field tested before it ever reaches your child.
Build it
LEGO engineering challenges that start simple and end with a build your kid will want to show everyone.
Code it
Robots that move, race and react, programmed by kids who could not do that on Monday.
Show it
A family showcase on the final day. Proud kid, full camera roll.
Why parents trust us with their kids
- Instructors we would hire for our own kids. Licensed teachers, retired educators and educators in training. Every one is background checked, trained in child protection and emergency response, and observed.
- Small groups by age. Kids are grouped so a 6-year-old and an 11-year-old each get a camp built for them.
- Headcounts at every transition. Authorized adults only at pickup.
- Built by a principal. Dr. Arielle Hammond spent a decade leading schools before she founded Journey to STEAM in 2023.
Winter 2026 camps and registration
| Site | Dates | Times | Ages | Price | Register |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Firstenburg Community Center, Vancouver WA | Dec 21-23 | 9:00am-12:00pm | 7-11 | $219 $199 early bird | Register for Minecraft Coders |
| Marshall Community Center, Vancouver WA | Dec 21-23 | 9:00am-12:00pm | 6-10 | $219 $199 early bird | Register for Intro to Robotics: Amazing Amusement Park |
| Marshall Community Center, Vancouver WA | Dec 21-23 | 12:00-3:00pm | 7-12 | $219 $199 early bird | Register for Super Mario Game Makers |
| Firstenburg Community Center, Vancouver WA | Dec 28-31 | 9:00am-12:00pm | 6-10 | $289 $269 early bird | Register for Intro to Robotics: Amazing Amusement Park |
| Firstenburg Community Center, Vancouver WA | Dec 28-31 | 12:00-3:00pm | 7-12 | $289 $269 early bird | Register for Super Mario Game Makers |
| Marshall Community Center, Vancouver WA | Dec 28-31 | 9:00am-12:00pm | 7-11 | $289 $269 early bird | Register for Minecraft Coders |
| Tyson Recreation Center, Hillsboro OR | Dec 28-31 | 9:00am-12:00pm | 6-10 | $259 $239 early bird | Register for Intro to Robotics: Amazing Amusement Park |
| Bricks & Minifigs, Beaverton OR | Dec 28-31 | 9:00am-12:00pm | 6-10 | $249 $229 early bird | Register for LEGO Superheroes |
Early bird pricing runs through November 2. After that, camps are regular price. Each camp takes up to 20 campers.
Winter camp questions
What ages are winter camps for?
Ages 6 to 12, grouped by age so every child gets a challenge that fits. Our youngest campers work in smaller groups with more hands-on help.
Where are winter break camps held?
At Firstenburg Community Center and Marshall Community Center in Vancouver, WA, Tyson Recreation Center in Hillsboro, OR, and Bricks & Minifigs in Beaverton, OR. See the table above for which camps run at each site.
How much do winter camps cost?
Vancouver camps are $219 for three days and $289 for four days. Tyson is $259 and Bricks & Minifigs is $249. Early bird pricing is $20 off each camp through November 2. Prices shown are before a 3% card processing fee added at checkout.
Do you have camps on other days school is out?
Yes. See no-school-day camps for teacher in-service days and holidays across the metro.
Can my child do after-school programs too?
Yes. Journey to STEAM runs after-school programs right at schools across the metro, preschool through grade 6. Find your school.