FAQs


Registration Questions

When is the early registration deadline?

The deadline is May 1, 2010. The forms and payment need to be postmarked or physically turned in to the LCC office by that date.

Can I register my camper online?

No. Registration materials can be downloaded from our website. Complete the forms and mail them to Northwest Service Academy’s Lower Columbia Center.

How many forms in total should I mail in?

There are four forms total per session:

  1. Registration Form
  2. Medical Emergency Information Form
  3. Photo Release Form
  4. **Informed Consent Agreement

**The Informed Consent Agreement form is session-specific and will be available after registration. We will send you one form for each session your child is attending.

Parents must submit each form for each child they are enrolling.

If a session is full, can I put my child on a waiting list for a particular session?

Yes, we keep a waiting list for each session. This list includes your name, your camper’s name, your email, and your phone number so we can contact you easily if a space becomes available. We will notify you by phone and email if a space becomes available. We will hold this space for you for 48 hours, and then offer the space to the next child on the list if we do not hear from you within that time.

 


Payment and Fee Questions

Can I pay by credit card?

No, we do not take credit cards for camper fees for PEEPs.

How can I pay my PEEPs fee?

You can pay by a check payable to “Northwest Service Academy” and send it to us through the mail or drop it off at our office at the corner of SE Water and SE Main. You can pay by cash if you drop it off at our office location.

Can my camper have multiple discounts if we register early and register two kids?

No; there is only one discount allowed per session. So, the lowest cost per camper is $175 for one session.

What is the discount if I my child attends four or more weeks of camp?

If your camper signs up for at least four weeks, then a discount of $25 per session is given for each session.

Is my child eligible for a scholarship?

Scholarships are given on a first come, first serve basis. Parents should speak to PEEPs Staff about availability before applying. Parents can send in a letter from the child’s school indicating he/she is on free or reduced lunch. If this is not an option, please contact PEEPs staff to discuss eligibility.

 


Who Can Sign Up Questions

Can my child sign up if he/she is not in middle school and going into ninth grade?

The camp is most appropriate for middle school youth. If your child is a young ninth grader (13 years old) or is younger socially/developmentally, then the camp may be appropriate for him/her. It just depends on the child.

Can my child sign up if he/she is going into fifth grade?

Yes. He/she must be turning 10 years old this summer. If there are any questions regarding this please contact PEEPs staff.

 


Daily Camp Questions

Who will be supervising the PEEPs activities?

PEEPs counselors are all Northwest Service Academy’s Lower Columbia Center AmeriCorps members who serve throughout Oregon and southwest Washington. They are all college educated or working on their degrees and have been CPR and First Aid certified by the American Red Cross.

Where do I drop off my child?

PEEPs will start each day's learning adventures from Northwest Service Academy's Lower Columbia Center which is located in SE Portland on the corner of Water Avenue and Main Street (see Contact page for address).

Can I drop my child off earlier or pick him/her up later than the specified 9am to 4pm time?

Yes. We will offer before and after camp options for your child starting at 8:00 and ending at 5:30. After care is NOT provided on Friday afternoons.The fee is $5 per AM or PM time slot. Camp begins at 9:00, and regular drop-off will begin at 8:45.

You must register for before/after care when registering for camp.

What do I do if my camper is late for camp and misses the shuttle to the activity/service for the day?

If your camper is late and has missed the camp transportation for the day, he/she cannot participate for the day. If you know in advance that your child will be late, contact PEEPs staff at least 24 hours in advance and we can make arrangements to meet up with your child when he/she is available.

Does my child need a lunch, snack, and water everyday?

Your child must bring his or her own lunch each day as well as a refillable water bottle One snack per day will be provided by PEEPs.

Is there any homework or are there any projects that my child will bring home to work on?

No, PEEPs campers will complete all projects and tasks during camp hours. Take home materials are purely for your child’s enjoyment if he/she wants to do more on a specific project. It is not required.

 


Emergency Questions

If there is an emergency, how do I contact my camper?

In case of an emergency, parents should contact NWSA at the Lower Columbia Center at (503) 234-2383. PEEPs counselors will carry emergency cell phones and can be reached only by NWSA staff.

Can my child carry his or her cell phone at camp?

Campers are NOT allowed to carry personal cell phones during any PEEPs activity. If campers are found with cell phones they will be confiscated by PEEPs counselors and returned to the parent at the end of the day. PEEPs counselors will have cell phones and will be able to contact proper authorities/parents/staff members in the event of an emergency.  

If there is an emergency during an overnight session, how do I contact my camper?

Parents will be given an all-hours contact number for use during our overnight trips in case of an emergency. The NWSA staff member who is on call will be able to reach the PEEPs Coordinator via a base camp number or cell phone number that will be on and operating during the entire overnight trip. Parents may call this on-call phone number only in case of emergency.

Updated March 1 at 5:23 PM

PEEPs
Portland Environmental
Engagement Program

Lower Columbia Center
Northwest Service Academy
55 SE Main St.
Portland, OR. 97214
503-234-2383