Sarah Pemberton, Founder and Owner
(503) 771-3173
The goal of our summer program is to bring fun, friendship, and creative learning into your child's day.
What People are Saying about Sarah and Write Now:
"Beatrise took this camp last summer and has been working on the story she started all year long. She made a friend in that camp and they arranged for themselves to do the camp again this year together. Amazing!" -Portland Dad
"Caroline rarely likes summer camps, but she loved coming to this camp every day! I think it was because of the intimate group size." - Portland Mom
"Zach really loved the writing camp." - Portland Mom
"Our son has completely enjoyed your class. It has provided structure to his day, which is something we have struggled with....He really looks forward to it every day.” - Portland Mom, about the online Read Aloud class
"Beatrise took this camp last summer and has been working on the story she started all year long. She made a friend in that camp and they arranged for themselves to do the camp again this year together. Amazing!" -Portland Dad
"Caroline rarely likes summer camps, but she loved coming to this camp every day! I think it was because of the intimate group size." - Portland Mom
"Zach really loved the writing camp." - Portland Mom
"Our son has completely enjoyed your class. It has provided structure to his day, which is something we have struggled with....He really looks forward to it every day.” - Portland Mom, about the online Read Aloud class
Read Aloud & Creative Writing
Dive into Stories with us...
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What to Expect:
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Combining reading and writing outdoors in the beautiful park is a great way to activate the imagination. Children get to relax and relish in the power and fun of stories, as well as in the aliveness of nature. As we read, their minds expand, and then they have the time, space and support to make up stories, characters, and adventures of their own. The READ ALOUD: Sit back, relax and listen to a great book with friends. We'll stop along the way to discuss, clarify, and share connections. What is better than having a book you love read out loud to you and getting to talk about it? We have been offering morning read aloud groups since school closed in March, and they have become the highlight of the day. Pick one week or join us for all of them! The CREATIVE WRITING: Get Ideas and inspiration. Write the Stories YOU want to write. Learn skills as you go, like how to use the 3 pillars of a story and how to weave in sensory details to bring your story alive. A great fit for students who love writing, as well as for those who may not love it yet. We have fun with writing! |
Changes we've made to keep children safe:
- We will meet outdoors only, at Laurelhurst Park. We chose this park largely because it has accessible and clean bathroom facilities and many beautiful green spaces where we can choose to gather.
- We have shortened the hours to meet 9-11:30 am.
- Enrollment will be 10 students or less. Each student will bring a chair or blanket to sit on, to maintain personal space.
- We have replaced games that make it difficult to keep our distance from each other with a good book to read aloud together.
- Students must remain home if they or anyone in your household has an illness with fever or a new cough.
Summer Camp Schedule
Hatchet, By Gary Paulsen - FULL
Brian is on his way to Canada to visit his estranged father when the pilot of his small prop plane suffers a heart attack. Brian is forced to crash-land the plane in a lake--and finds himself stranded in the remote Canadian wilderness with only his clothing and the hatchet his mother gave him as a present before his departure.
Brian had been distraught over his parents' impending divorce and the secret he carries about his mother, but now he is truly desolate and alone.
Slowly, Brian learns to turn adversity to his advantage--an invading porcupine unexpectedly shows him how to make fire, a devastating tornado shows him how to retrieve supplies from the submerged airplane. Most of all, Brian leaves behind the self-pity he has felt about his predicament as he summons the courage to stay alive.
A story of survival and of transformation, this riveting book has sparked many a reader's interest in venturing into the wild.
Brian is on his way to Canada to visit his estranged father when the pilot of his small prop plane suffers a heart attack. Brian is forced to crash-land the plane in a lake--and finds himself stranded in the remote Canadian wilderness with only his clothing and the hatchet his mother gave him as a present before his departure.
Brian had been distraught over his parents' impending divorce and the secret he carries about his mother, but now he is truly desolate and alone.
Slowly, Brian learns to turn adversity to his advantage--an invading porcupine unexpectedly shows him how to make fire, a devastating tornado shows him how to retrieve supplies from the submerged airplane. Most of all, Brian leaves behind the self-pity he has felt about his predicament as he summons the courage to stay alive.
A story of survival and of transformation, this riveting book has sparked many a reader's interest in venturing into the wild.
The One and Only Ivan, By Katherine Applegate
Ivan is an easygoing gorilla. Living at the Exit 8 Big Top Mall and Video Arcade, he has grown accustomed to humans watching him through the glass walls of his domain. He rarely misses his life in the jungle. In fact, he hardly ever thinks about it at all.
Then he meets Ruby, a baby elephant taken from her family, and she makes Ivan see their home—and his own art—through new eyes. When Ruby arrives, change comes with her, and it’s up to Ivan to make it a change for the better.
Katherine Applegate blends humor and poignancy to create Ivan’s unforgettable first-person narration in a story of friendship, art, and hope.
Ivan is an easygoing gorilla. Living at the Exit 8 Big Top Mall and Video Arcade, he has grown accustomed to humans watching him through the glass walls of his domain. He rarely misses his life in the jungle. In fact, he hardly ever thinks about it at all.
Then he meets Ruby, a baby elephant taken from her family, and she makes Ivan see their home—and his own art—through new eyes. When Ruby arrives, change comes with her, and it’s up to Ivan to make it a change for the better.
Katherine Applegate blends humor and poignancy to create Ivan’s unforgettable first-person narration in a story of friendship, art, and hope.
Bob, By Wendy Mass and Rebecca Stead (2020-21 OBOB book) - FULL
It’s been five years since Livy and her family have visited Livy’s grandmother in Australia. Now that she’s back, Livy has the feeling she’s forgotten something really, really important about Gran’s house.
It turns out she’s right.
Bob, a short greenish creature dressed in a chicken suit, didn't forget Livy or her promise. But he can't remember who, or what, he is, where he came from, or if even if he has a family.
Clue by clue, Livy and Bob will unravel the mystery of where Bob comes from, and discover the kind of magic that lasts forever.
It’s been five years since Livy and her family have visited Livy’s grandmother in Australia. Now that she’s back, Livy has the feeling she’s forgotten something really, really important about Gran’s house.
It turns out she’s right.
Bob, a short greenish creature dressed in a chicken suit, didn't forget Livy or her promise. But he can't remember who, or what, he is, where he came from, or if even if he has a family.
Clue by clue, Livy and Bob will unravel the mystery of where Bob comes from, and discover the kind of magic that lasts forever.
Creative Writer's Workshop - 2 Spots Left
This is a week for slightly older students who are excited to dive deeper into writing. We will talk about possible books to read and choose one together.
This is a week for slightly older students who are excited to dive deeper into writing. We will talk about possible books to read and choose one together.
Waiting for the Magic, By Patricial MacLachlan
People may drift apart
But love can hold them together.
Sometimes we find that love through magic –
Sometimes that magic is all around us.
This is a story about all of these things.
But it's also a story about how
four dogs
and one cat
help one boy
and his sister
save their family.
People may drift apart
But love can hold them together.
Sometimes we find that love through magic –
Sometimes that magic is all around us.
This is a story about all of these things.
But it's also a story about how
four dogs
and one cat
help one boy
and his sister
save their family.
Wishtree, by Katherine Applegate
Trees can't tell jokes, but they can certainly tell stories. . . .
Red is an oak tree who is many rings old. Red is the neighborhood "wishtree"—people write their wishes on pieces of cloth and tie them to Red's branches. Along with her crow friend Bongo and other animals who seek refuge in Red's hollows, this "wishtree" watches over the neighborhood.
You might say Red has seen it all. Until a new family moves in. Not everyone is welcoming, and Red's experiences as a wishtree are more important than ever.
Trees can't tell jokes, but they can certainly tell stories. . . .
Red is an oak tree who is many rings old. Red is the neighborhood "wishtree"—people write their wishes on pieces of cloth and tie them to Red's branches. Along with her crow friend Bongo and other animals who seek refuge in Red's hollows, this "wishtree" watches over the neighborhood.
You might say Red has seen it all. Until a new family moves in. Not everyone is welcoming, and Red's experiences as a wishtree are more important than ever.
Stay tuned for the August schedule!
Cancellation and Refund Policy: We understand that these are unpredictable times. We are offering a 100% refund as needed this summer. Thank you for only cancelling if necessary.
Cancellation and Refund Policy: We understand that these are unpredictable times. We are offering a 100% refund as needed this summer. Thank you for only cancelling if necessary.
 Sarah with her daughter
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"Sarah is very steady and real. I want my kids with someone who really cares about them, and she does." - Bonnie McBee, Portland Mom |