In non-pandemic times, we have our Annual Family Fun Day & Resource Fair in May. It’s been a great event with live music, bubbles, face painting, and lots of activities from some of our favorite local nonprofits. We hope this event will be able to return in 2022, but in the meantime, we’re sharing these summer resources with you virtually.
Do you have a favorite resource or summer family fun activity you’d like to tell us about? Email ecparent@uoregon.edu to let us know. We’ll be updating this page as needed.
Adventure! Children’s Museum
Adventure! is now open in a limited capacity. Advance registrations are required. Book appointments on their website or call 541-653-9629 to check for last-minute availability. Adventure! is also offering summer camps for ages 5-9, a community scavenger hunt (through June 21), busy boxes and STEAM kits. View their online store for details.
Arc Families Connected
Families Connected works to reduce isolation and build community connections for families raising a child with an intellectual/developmental disability. Connect with them on Facebook for their most up-to-date event information or email Nancy Berge.
También hay un grupo para familias que hablan español, llamado Familias en Conexión.
Cascades Raptor Center
Cascades Raptor Center is open from 10 am – 5 pm, Tuesday-Sunday. Reservations are required to help with social distancing. Fees are $9 for adults, $6 for youth age 2-12, and free under age 2. If fees are an obstacle, check with your local library about borrowing a free pass.
Centro Latino Americano
Centro Latino es un agencia bilingue y multicultural que trabaja para las familias Latinas del Condado del Lane. Tienen servicios sociales, clínicas de vacunación, recursos para la salud mental, y más. Centro Latino is a bilingual and multicultural agency that supports Lane County’s Latino community. They have social services, COVID vaccine clinics, mental health resources, and more.
DHS Self-Sufficiency
Oregon DHS Self-Sufficiency programs offer help with food benefits (SNAP), cash for families (TANF), child care assistance, refugee services and domestic violence assistance. Lane County has offices in Cottage Grove, Eugene, Springfield, and Florence. Please call your local office before coming in. Find your local office online here.
Direction Service
Direction Service has a 2021 Summer Directory with recreation, respite, support, and service opportunities that families of children with disabilities can access. This directory can be found on their website at directionservice.org/familyresources.
Eugene Public Library
Check Eugene Public Library’s website for information on summer reading and events such as storywalks in parks and free craft and STEM kits for children. View the library’s upcoming events here.
Eugene Recreation
The City of Eugene is offering part-day summer camps for preschoolers (ages 3-5) at Amazon Community Center, Sheldon Community Center, and Peterson Barn. Family water safety classes are also available at Amazon Pool. Other activities such as dance classes will also be offered. Check the registration website to see the most up-to-date information. Fun for All provides free recreation opportunities for kids in parks around the city, with free lunch provided by Food for Lane County at most sites. Children under 10 most be accompanied by a responsible party age 15 or older.
Food for Lane County
Food for Lane County’s summer food program serves thousands of breakfasts and lunches to children and youth age 18 and under at sites around Lane County. Check here for the most up to date site list.
KITS (Kids in Transition to School)
KITS helps prepare students for kindergarten with evidence-based summer programming. The KITS program will be offered free and in-person to incoming kindergarteners in much of Lane County, including all schools in 4J, Bethel, and South Lane. Check here to see if KITS will be offered in your area and to register. Para español haga clic aquí.
Lane County Public Health
This resource list would not be complete without information on how to access free COVID-19 vaccines. Vaccinations help protect you, your family, and our community, and are our best path forward to a more normal future. Individuals ages 12 and over are eligible to receive the vaccine beginning May 14. Click here to schedule a vaccine appointment through Lane County Public Health. Walk-ins are also available, but scheduling an appointment will reduce your wait time. Additionally vaccines are available through local pharmacies, and some primary care providers.
Law for the People
A nonprofit legal organization serving Lane County, with a mission to help low-income people represent themselves in family law matters. Offering free initial 30 minute consultations.
Museum of Natural and Cultural History
The museum is now open to the public at limited capacity. Reservations are recommended. Little Wonders Online is a free monthly online adventure featuring crafts, games, and stories on the third Friday of each month. Pre-registration is required.
Northwest Down Syndrome Association
Community drop-in support available, in English and Spanish, every Thursday from noon-2 pm through June 10, 2021. They offer tools, tips, and strategies to navigate early childhood services, special education services, and inclusive communities. Visit their event calendar to schedule a drop-in and to see other upcoming events.
Nurturely
Nurturely promotes equity in perinatal wellness and strengthens cultures of support for infants and caregivers through classes and events. Offerings include a range of prenatal support classes for both birth and non-birth parents. View their programs for parents and caregivers here.
Parenting Now
Virtual parenting classes for birth to three and drop-in groups. Parenting Preschoolers drop-in discussion groups meets May 27 and June 24. Upcoming parent events here.
Relief Nursery
Relief Nursery has an excellent community resource guide in both English and Spanish. Click here.
River Road Parks & Rec
River Road Parks & Rec offers summer camps for children entering kindergarten through grade 5. They also have gymnastics, and may be able to offer swim lessons pending public health restrictions.
Safety Town
Safety Town is a camp for incoming kindergarteners that has been offered for years in partnership with local police departments. This camp teaches kids about pedestrian safety as well as covering many other safety topics. The camps were canceled in 2020 due to the pandemic, but a virtual safety town is available with videos and activities you and your child can explore together.
Springfield Public Library
View a short video about their summer programs, in English y español.
Featured Events:
- Summer Reading for Kids & Tweens, June 11 – August 21. Get a free book just for signing up to be a summer reader! Track your reading time and other fun activities for chances to win one of dozens of grand prizes!
- Springfield A to Z Art Contest & Alphabet Book
All Entries due no later than 4 p.m., July 31
Enter your original artwork for a chance to be featured in a book celebrating the story of Springfield! Full details at wheremindsgrow.org/events
Storytime from Space
Does your child love astronauts? Storytime from Space features astronauts reading children’s books while in orbit on the International Space Station.
WellMama
WellMama offers peer-led support groups for pregnancy, postpartum, infant loss, and infertility. All groups are currently virtual. View the support group schedule here.
WIC
WIC provides food vouchers for pregnant, postpartum, and breastfeeding women, as well as children under age 5. Household income must be at or below 185% of the federal poverty level. Families who currently receive TANF, food stamps, or OHP are automatically eligible. Call 541-682-4202 for more information or to apply. Se habla español.
Willamalane
Summer camps available for preschoolers through middle school. Willamalane also offers a free supervised summer playground program from 10-3 Monday-Thursday, for children entering grades 1-5, with free lunch provided by Food for Lane County. Space limited to 20 children per day at each site.
Womenspace
Womenspace provides supports for survivors of domestic and sexual violence. Services include emergency housing assistance, counseling, safety planning, and support groups. Call their crisis and support line at 541-485-6513. Se habla español. Womenspace brindando servicios a sobrevivientes de violencia doméstica y sexual.