tl;dr

• 🚗 Seamless drop-off and pick-up
• 👯 Great option to coordinate with a friend
• 🎟️ Week-ending showcase

Philly spent June and July easing into summer with a familiar, post-Kindergarten program at her preschool (Small Wonders). Since it’s her first summer of camp, we wanted something gentle and joyful—and we were able to coordinate this Rainbows & Unicorns week with Everybody Dance Project with two of her close friends. Instant excitement.

Where & When: SE (with some NE weeks)

The Everybody Dance Project runs most camps in SE Portland, with a few weeks offered in NE. In August, we try to stick to indoor options given heat and occasional wildfire smoke. The cool basement studio turned out to be a perfect call.

Daily Vibe: Welcoming, Creative, Low-Stress

Check-in was quick and friendly. Each morning started with rainbow/unicorn coloring sheets, which helped kids settle in while counselors greeted families. For a first-time camper, this calm, colorful routine was a win—happy drop-offs and happy pick-ups all week.

Bring a Friend (It Elevates Everything)

If you can coordinate with a buddy or two, do it. Built-in friends made the week extra fun and gave Philly a steady comfort base to try new moves and follow directions confidently.

Showcase Friday

Parents were invited to a sweet end-of-week performance—a short group dance set to a song from the My Little Pony movie. Philly beamed the entire time. It’s the ideal capstone for younger dancers and a nice window into what they learned.

Good to Know

• Half-day format is great for younger campers and first-timers
• Indoor, air-conditioned space keeps energy up in late summer
• Simple prep: water bottle, comfy clothes, easy on/off shoes
• Arrive a few minutes early on Friday to grab a good seat for the showcase

This was a convenient, confidence-building half-day option—especially strong for younger or first-time campers, and even better if you can pair up with a friend. Learn more and explore Everybody Dance Camp activities at schoolsoutapp.com.