City outlines 2025 summer programs; kids camp fills and capacity expanded to 280

Portland’s library and Parks & Recreation departments presented a schedule of summer programs on May 20 that includes weekly shows, therapy-dog visits, pool events and expanded youth programming.

Jenny Moses, library staff, said the city’s summer-reading theme is “Color Our World” and listed family events beginning Wednesday, May 28 with a magic show at the community center (10–11 a.m.), followed by a balloon-magic show on June 4 and recurring therapy-dog visits (June 14 and Aug. 2). The library’s culminating reader’s pool party is scheduled for July 25 and is open to anyone who turns in at least one completed summer-reading sheet.

Parks & Recreation staff (Krista) described free summer concerts at Jo Burke Pavilion (June 10 and July 18), a park-activation series on Thursdays, dive-in movies (Inside Out 2 on June 12 and Moana 2 on July 10), a tykes swim program for children 6 and under, and additional teen programming including a July 9 bubble-soccer tournament.

The city’s licensed all-day kids camp, run in coordination with TM Clark and GPISD for children ages 5–12 (7 a.m.–6 p.m.), opened registration May 15 and filled 220 spots in about two and a half hours. Parks staff said they secured three additional rooms and raised capacity by 60 to a total of 280 spots; they said there remained a small waiting list and that the city would move children off the list as space becomes available while staying within capacity limits.

The senior center schedule includes Bunko, movie nights, a senior prom (June 5), a Father’s Day cookout and a Kickapoo Lucky Eagle Casino day trip (July 18, $40). Pool hours begin the Saturday after school lets out; staff noted the pool will not open immediately on the Friday after graduation because of staffing and graduation schedules.

All events, registration details and dates are posted on the city’s website, Parks & Recreation staff told council.