Community❯Youth Programs

Join Portland Opera for an hour of story and song from their latest production, La Traviata.

From the celebrated and award-winning composer Dave Malloy comes Natasha, Pierre and The Great Comet of 1812, an electropop opera based on a scandalous slice of Leo Tolstoy’s War and Peace. Young and impulsive, Natasha Rostova arrives in Moscow to await the return of her fiancé from the front lines. When she falls under the spell of the roguish Anatole, it is up to Pierre, a family friend in the middle of an existential crisis, to pick up the pieces of her shattered reputation. Following a critically exalted premiere at Ars Nova in New York City, a subsequent off-Broadway transfer and an acclaimed run on Broadway, this award-winning musical expands the possibilities for the genre with its daring score and bold storytelling.

Music and Lyrics By Dave Malloy

Step into a slippery world where the line between truth and fiction is all in the packaging. It’s 1936, and a pair of passionate filmmakers has landed their next big project: a sweeping Spanish Civil War film with the potential to change American hearts and minds. It just happens to be bankrolled by the KGB. Spain by Jen Silverman is a seductive and tense thriller about the power of art to change the world — for better and for worse.

by Jen Silverman, directed by Josh Hecht

One of the most ambitious productions in recent Profile history, Spain is a grand cross-disciplinary spectacle featuring multiple partnerships with arts organizations throughout Portland, including live opera developed in partnership with Portland Opera, and both recorded and live music performed by musicians with 45th Parallel.

Trans-Siberian Orchestra is back with a spectacular new production of The Ghosts of Christmas Eve: The Best of TSO and More – featuring the fan-favorite holiday rock opera alongside TSO classics, and rarely performed gems.

Shows:

November 28 at 3:30pm & 8pm

One of the most beloved operas ever written, La Traviata pairs soaring melodies with a deeply personal story of love and sacrifice. At its center is Violetta, an independent woman navigating desire, societal expectation, and the fragile possibility of happiness on her own terms. As romance and reality collide, Verdi’s luminous score reveals the emotional complexity of living authentically in a world determined to impose its rules. Tender, tragic, and timeless, the opera continues to resonate for its compassionate portrayal of Violetta’s vulnerability, resilience, courage as she chooses personal truth in the face of public judgment.

We'll read graphic novels for early readers. Pick up a grab & go bag each month to participate! While supplies last, October-April. Ages 5-7.

October 2026: Pepper & Boo: A Cat Surprise by Charise Mericle Harper

November 2026: Pip & Pals: Otter Space by Jen de Oliveira

December 2026: Owly: The Way Home by Andy Runton

January 2027: Hello, Crabby! by Jonathan Fenske

February 2027: Mimi & the Cutie Catastrophe by Shauna J. Grant

March 2027: The Faraway Forest by Debbie Fong

April 2027: Shelby & Watts: A Mountain of a Problem by Ashlyn Anstee

Are you ready for chapter books? Grab an adult to join you and come ready to discuss, have fun, and make new friends.

This month we are discussing Super Villains in Training: The Fantastic Freeze Day by Pew, Kailei.

For ages 5–9

Limited copies are available on a first-come, first-served basis at the library.

Join us for a fun and imaginative LEGO building session. We'll provide the building blocks, you bring the creativity! Ideal for grades K-5, but younger and older siblings are welcome.

Join us Saturday, November 7th, from 2-5 p.m. for Youth Music Project’s Fall Open House.

Meet instructors, try instruments, sing karaoke, enter to win a ukulele, and more!

Once you’ve found your sound, sign up for classes at the event two days before online registration opens!

The Mt. Hood Community College Aquatic Center is pleased to announce that we will be hosting two Catholic Youth Organization Developmental Swim Meets on Sunday November 15, 2026 from 1:00- 7:00 P.M. Please feel free to reach out to the Aquatic Center directly with any questions at [email protected] or by phone at 503-491-7243.

Speed Dating Tonight!
Music & Libretto by Michael Ching
Based on a concept by Dean Anthony

Portland State University’s Opera program kicks off its 50th anniversary season with Michael Ching’s “Speed Dating Tonight!” (2013). Set over the course of a single evening at a local bar, this clever, heartwarming opera follows a revolving cast of singles searching for that elusive spark. There's the dreamer, the hopeless romantic, the bashful, the over-sharer, the chronically distracted, and everyone in between, each getting their moment in the spotlight through music that is equal parts tender, heartbreaking, and hilarious.

Written with duets and ensembles for up to 45 voices, “Speed Dating Tonight!” has a flexible modular structure that can be customized to fit any cast size, voice type, or gender identity. PSU Opera’s version of “Speed Dating Tonight!” features 35 song selections and arrangements specifically chosen to reflect the unique assortment of voices in the 12-member cast.

At its heart, this is a show about the universal human longing to be seen and cherished by another person. Woven through the interactions is another question: can a genuine connection actually happen in five minutes or less? With Michael Ching’s delightful opera, the answer is decidedly yes.

Visit the Speed Dating Tonight! web page to learn more about this production, including additional dates, cast and crew information, photos, and more as we get closer to opening night.

Learn more about the Opera program at Portland State University's School of Music & Theater.

Are you a teen? Do you have ideas for the library? Then come boss us around! We need your help to make sure the stuff we're doing at the library is stuff you actually want. Earn volunteer hours, eat snacks and meet other teens.

For ages 13–19

Rainbow Reads is a book club for LGBTQIA+ teens and their allies. We will be reading YA fiction, non-fiction, and graphic novels that feature LGBTQIA+ characters & themes, or literature written by someone from the LGBTQIA+ community.

This month’s book is The Love Interest by Cale Dietrich.

After you register for this club, pick up a copy of the book at the service desk at the Library. The book is yours to keep just for attending the discussion. This book is also available as an ebook on Libby. This service is free with your Library card.

• Registration is required for this event.
• This event is for registrants grade 6th Grade to 12th Grade.

We strive to ensure our events are accessible to everyone. If you require special accommodations to join us, please call 360.834.4692 or email [email protected] at least two weeks before the event.

3rd Sundays + final session: September 20 - May 16 + May 23 | 4 – 5:30 pm | Brookwood

Learning public speaking skills early builds confidence, promotes understanding and critical thinking, and can be a foundation for lifelong success – plus it’s fun! This interactive program teaches public speaking and respectful debating. For youth grades 5th – 8th.

This is a series of nine classes + a final session. By registering, you are signing up for the full series.

For more than 20 years, Portland Opera to Go (nicknamed POGO) has shared opera experiences with communities around the region. The Crown Maker is a world-premiere opera inspired by the life and legacy of Eva Castellanos, a Mexican American healer, artist, educator, and tireless advocate for immigrant rights. Rooted in Oregon history and shaped by the traditions of community storytelling, the work explores how creativity, compassion, and cultural knowledge can transform lives across generations.

Told as a traditional corrido, The Crown Maker blends poetry, history, and music to explore how one woman’s vision empowered generations through art, healing traditions, and fearless community leadership. Through an evocative score and intimate storytelling, The Crown Maker honors Castellanoz’ lifelong dedication to uplifting others through art, healing practices, and grassroots activism. Her work created spaces where identity, heritage, and belonging could thrive, even in the face of social and political barriers. The opera examines the lasting influence of those who build community not through power or prestige, but through care, vision, and persistence.

Created especially for Portland Opera to Go audiences, The Crown Maker blends poetry, history, and music to explore how one woman’s vision empowered generations through art, healing traditions, and fearless community leadership. This production brings a uniquely Oregonian story to life, while speaking to universal themes of resilience, memory, and self-determination. The Crown Maker celebrates the power of cultural inheritance and the people who preserve it, inviting audiences of all ages to reflect on how stories, traditions, and acts of courage continue to shape communities today.

Nov. 14 — Two performances at Walters Cultural Arts Center in Hillsboro at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.

Dec. 4-5 — Three performances at the World Trade Center Theatre.

Jan. 10 — Watch at the historic Clatskanie Cultural Center at 2 p.m.

Jan. 24 — Join the Happy Valley Library at 2 p.m.

We'll read books nominated for the Beverly Cleary Children's Choice Award. Join us the 1st Tuesday of the month, 4-4:45pm, October-April, in the Community Room. Ages 7-9.

October 6, 2026: Welcome to Woofmore by Donna Gephart

November 3, 2026: Poetry Comics by Grant Snider

December 1, 2026: My Antarctica by G. Neri

January 5, 2027: Detective Beans and the Case of the Missing Hat by Li Chen

February 2, 2027: Dragon on the Loose by Marty Chan

March 2, 2027: Murray the Knight by Adam Stower

April 6, 2027: Voting party!

To learn more about the Beverly Cleary Children's Choice Award, visit https://ola.memberclicks.net/bccca-home.

Do you know a young strategist, who's itching to learn the arcane arts? Look no further than Magic Academy - a series of supervised, sealed Magic: The Gathering leagues for kids ages 10-17.

One of our counselors will guide Planeswalkers as they collect cards and build decks that can summon creatures and create mystical effects, all while learning what it means to be a good sport.

Players with all levels of experience are welcome.

Tweens and teens in 6th, 7th and 8th grade, you are invited to talk about graphic novels, craft and eat snacks! All supplies provided and it’s FREE! A limited number of books are available for pick up at the library.

Portland Opera To Go (POGO) proudly presents the latest installment of the Our Oregon series--a collection of original youth operas that examines Oregon history by highlighting the lives of extraordinary Oregonian women through a variety of lenses.

Great books, no homework! Join us each month for a discussion and snacks.

For ages 13–19

Limited copies are available on a first-come, first-served basis at the library.

Help your librarian choose the best books, movies, comics, programs and events for you and your friends. Have fun working on special projects, making new friends, and creating the perfect library for you! This is a volunteer position and snacks will be provided. For kids ages 9-12.

Join us for a fun and imaginative LEGO building session. We'll provide the building blocks, you bring the creativity! Ideal for grades K-5, but younger and older siblings are welcome.

The Camas Public Library hosts Page Turners book club for kids in fourth through sixth graders and their adults. The club meets from 6-7:30 p.m. on the first Tuesday of each month. To attend, register at CamasPL.org/pageturners or call 360-834-4692, then pick up the book at the library. After the meeting, keep the book for free.

Develop your writing in a welcoming, creative environment alongside friends and local best-selling YA author Jamie Pacton. This is time to write, share ideas, ask questions, and meet other teen writers!

The p:ear Kitchen and Food Program was developed to provide homeless young people with the opportunity to eat fresh, sustaining meals in a community setting ensuring kids can participate in p:ear's other programs and other aspects of their lives well-nourished. Join p:ear for a morning / early afternoon in support of this great program and community space. Half of the volunteers will roll their sleeves up to help spruce up the kitchen and common rooms to make them shine. The other half will pop into the kitchen to cook or prep food to freeze, which will prepare our staff for future meals. P:ear will provide the tools, ingredients, and recipes... you provide the expertise and love! Volunteers must wear closed toe shoes and are encouraged to bring an apron (if desired). These opportunities are scheduled for Mondays11am - 3pm for up to 10 volunteers per day. We're on the corner of 6th and Flanders. Please knock our door to be let in! PARKING Street parking available around North Park Blocks for $2.00/hr AND a pay parking lot kitty-corner from the park. $5.00 day rate. TRANSIT Streetcar stops at 10th & Glisan northbound, 11th & Glisan southbound. -MAX stops at Greyhound Depot on 5th & 6th (Yellow, Green and Orange Lines) -Buses: #17 from Downtown or NE, #77 from NE or NW -Or use TriMet’s Trip Planner https://trimet.org/#/planner Questions? Contact Violet at [email protected] or 503-228-6677 MISSION p:ear builds positive relationships with homeless and transitional youth, ages 15-25, through education, art and recreation to affirm personal worth and create more meaningful, healthy lives. Each year our programs serve more than 700 homeless and transitional young people. p:ear staff and volunteers serve as mentors, friends, and role models, while p:ear's unique programs create opportunities for young people to grow intellectually, express themselves constructively, communicate in positive ways and engage in meaningful interactions with the larger community of Portland. Project Requirements: Volunteers must be 16 years of age or older to attend this project. All volunteers under 16 are required to bring a Youth Volunteer Release Form and must attend with a parent or legal guardian. Please download, complete, and bring this waiver with you on the day of the project. If you plan to bring guests you MUST reserve slots for them. The best way to do this is to create a Volunteer Team, then sign up your team for this project. Remember to reserve slots for your children, as well as yourself. IMPORTANT NOTE: You are responsible for ensuring that everyone signed up through your team attends - only sign up team members who have confirmed their availability. Teams that repeatedly sign up, but do not show up or show up with fewer volunteers than they signed up, may be removed. To add or remove team members from a project, click on "My Account" and then "My Teams," above. Click "Sign Up" below to reserve your spot! Need help signing up? Call 503-200-3355.

Meet monthly to discuss books nominated for the Oregon Reader's Choice Award (ORCA), Upper Elementary Division. First Thursdays at 4:30pm in the Meeting Room, with snacks! Ages 9 & up.

October 1, 2026: Pocket Bear by Katherine Applegate

November 5, 2026: A Hero’s Guide to Summer Vacation by Pablo Cartaya

December 3, 2026: One Big Open Sky by Lesa Cline-Ransome

January 7, 2027: Dream On by Shannon Hale AND Xolo by Donna Barba Higuera

February 4, 2027: The Undead Fox of Deadwood Forest by Aubrey Hartman

March 4, 2027: Benny on the Case by Wesley King

April 1, 2027: The Gate, the Girl, and the Dragon by Grace Lin AND VOTING! Vote for your favorite book from this list to help choose the 2027 ORCA winner!

To learn more about the award, visit https://sites.google.com/oasl.olaweb.org/orca

Speed Dating Tonight!
Music & Libretto by Michael Ching
Based on a concept by Dean Anthony

Portland State University’s Opera program kicks off its 50th anniversary season with Michael Ching’s “Speed Dating Tonight!” (2013). Set over the course of a single evening at a local bar, this clever, heartwarming opera follows a revolving cast of singles searching for that elusive spark. There's the dreamer, the hopeless romantic, the bashful, the over-sharer, the chronically distracted, and everyone in between, each getting their moment in the spotlight through music that is equal parts tender, heartbreaking, and hilarious.

Written with duets and ensembles for up to 45 voices, “Speed Dating Tonight!” has a flexible modular structure that can be customized to fit any cast size, voice type, or gender identity. PSU Opera’s version of “Speed Dating Tonight!” features 35 song selections and arrangements specifically chosen to reflect the unique assortment of voices in the 12-member cast.

At its heart, this is a show about the universal human longing to be seen and cherished by another person. Woven through the interactions is another question: can a genuine connection actually happen in five minutes or less? With Michael Ching’s delightful opera, the answer is decidedly yes.

Visit the Speed Dating Tonight! web page to learn more about this production, including additional dates, cast and crew information, photos, and more as we get closer to opening night.

Learn more about the Opera program at Portland State University's School of Music & Theater.

As young musicians passionate about opera and about their hometown, Emily Nelson and Bethany Schweitzer Goshorn thought, "What better place for an Opera on Tap chapter than our fair city known for its beer, wine and cocktail culture?" Thus Opera on Tap PDX was born - one of 16 nationwide chapters of Opera on Tap. Northwest native Sadie Gregg joined the Managing Diva team in 2016, after singing with the Boston chapter.

Why are we so passionate about opera? Opera speaks to the human condition. It expresses human emotion and relationship in a very unique and profound way. The human voice in all its glory has a visceral effect on us. In a culture focused on instant gratification with short attention spans, opera demands your full attention and rewards you with a wild ride on the emotional roller coaster.

Chances are that people who say they don't like opera have never heard it live! Opera on Tap seeks to change this by bringing the genre back to the people in familiar places: community gathering spaces, restaurants, and bars - much how music was historically enjoyed in Germany pubs. We seek to share, educate and bring simply fabulous music to an audience that might not otherwise be able to enjoy the art form. So grab your friends and your favorite pint, and join us for Opera on Tap!

Opera On Tap Nationwide
Opera on Tap (OOT) was born in 2005 at Freddy's Bar and Backroom in Brooklyn and incorporated in 2007 to promote opera as a viable, living, and progressive art form and to support the developing artists who continue to keep the art form alive. What began as a small monthly gathering of ambitious, classically trained singers looking for more performance opportunities has grown into a producing organization that has gained a loyal audience base and national recognition as an innovative force on the classical music scene. Through its Chapter program, which now has sixteen vibrant national chapters, OOT has created a large network of performers, creators, and supporters.

Late-Night basketball returns every Friday and Saturday night through June 30 2027!

This program is open to middle school and high school players of all skill levels and will be led by Michael Holton Inc. Players should bring a water bottle, basketball shoes, and comfortable athletic clothing.

• Middle-school session: 6:00-8:00 pm
• High-school session: 8:00-10:00 pm

Register

Michael Holton was an All-American at Pasadena High School before becoming a four-year varsity letterman at UCLA. He started in the national championship game as a freshman in 1980 and later played six seasons in the NBA. Holton also served eight years as an assistant coach at the University of Portland, Oregon State, and UCLA, followed by five years as the Division I head coach at the University of Portland.

The Michael Holton Basketball Academy reports 20 years of experience working with middle-school students, including programming at HB Lee Middle School, Oliver Middle School, and the Salvation Army.

Late-Night Basketball is a City of Gresham-sponsored recreational activity for youth.

Email [email protected].

Immerse yourself in a world of excitement! Create a character and take on challenges with a team of other players in this interactive story. Whether you want to learn or are an experienced player, come play Dungeons & Dragons.

Please fill out the Character Creation Form, so we can have your pre-generated character ready for your first session. If you have any questions, please email [email protected].

For ages 9–19

Tweens and teens are invited to get crafty! Come hang out with us and use your creative skills to make buttons, Shrinky Dinks, bracelets, felt plushies and more awesome creations! All materials and supplies are provided. Ideal for teens and tweens (ages 9-18).

A safe place where ALL are welcome to be themselves. Find support, eat snacks, get creative, discuss favorite books, and more! Bring a friend, or make a new one. For grades 5-8.

Queer Youth Club is a youth-run club for that unites LGBTQIA+ and allied youth from neighboring schools. Email [email protected] for more information.

Kids in grades 4-5 are invited to talk about graphic novels and eat snacks! Every meeting includes a short activity related to this month's book. A limited number of books are available for pick up at the library.

Are you a Pokémon card fan? If so, join us for some Pokémon free-play! For kids new to Pokémon and experts alike, focusing on cards and Pokémon TCG. Ideal for Grades 3-8, but all Pokémon-loving kids (and their grownups who want to learn more) are welcome!

One of the most beloved operas ever composed, La Traviata combines sweeping emotion with some of the most recognizable music in the operatic repertoire. Giuseppe Verdi’s masterpiece tells the story of Violetta Valéry, a woman determined to live freely and authentically despite the rigid social expectations that surround her. When she falls deeply in love, she is forced to confront the painful realities of class, reputation, sacrifice, and the cost of pursuing happiness on her own terms.

Adapted from Alexandre Dumas fils’ La Dame aux camélias, the opera broke new ground in its portrayal of a contemporary woman whose emotional life is treated with dignity, complexity, and compassion. Verdi’s luminous score captures both the exhilaration of love and the devastating consequences of societal judgment, moving seamlessly from moments of intimacy and joy to heartbreaking tragedy.

More than a romantic drama, La Traviata remains a powerful reflection on personal freedom, vulnerability, and the tension between public expectation and private truth. Its enduring resonance lies in its humanity: the opera asks what it means to truly live according to one’s own values in a world eager to define worth through convention, status, and appearance.

Registration Required

Join us for book discussion, trivia questions, and crafting centered around the Grades 3-5 OBOB books! Registration opens for each session 45 days prior.

Use this link to see the titles for each meeting

JUST BRING IT

Ballroom training ground

Queer BIPOC Youth and Young Adult focused

Spark your imagination and build your STEM skills using LEGO® bricks, blocks, boxes, and other fun materials.

For ages 5–12

First and Third Saturdays, 10:30am, Youth Lounge

Join Tefilah and Youth Specialist Meg Bernstein to learn, lead, and enjoy an active mini-Shabbat service! This service for 3rd-5th is a great stepping stone to the main service for our older elementary aged kids.

Do you like to game? Are you in middle or high school? If so, join our gaming club! We'll play games, talk about games and eat snacks.

Made possible by gifts to The Library Foundation, a local nonprofit dedicated to enhancing our library's leadership, innovation and reach through private support.

Join our new Pokémon™ Club to learn, play, and connect through the Pokémon™ Trading Card Game (TCG). Whether you’re new or experienced, this inclusive space is all about casual play, learning, and having fun—no competition required.

La Center Community Library

Wednesday, September 23, 4:00pm–5:00pm

Wednesday, October 28, 4:00pm–5:00pm

Wednesday, November 25, 4:00pm–5:00pm

Tweens and teens in 6th, 7th and 8th grade are invited to talk about graphic novels, craft and eat snacks! All supplies provided and it’s FREE! A limited number of books are available for pick up at the library.

Story Explorers is a book discussion group for 2nd -3rd graders and their adult. Limit of 12 spots available.

How it works:

1. Register for this event.
2. Come into the library to pick up your copy of the book.
3. You and your child both read the book.
4. We meet on the second Monday of the month and discuss the book. It’s a blast!
5. You get to keep the book, for free!

You will be able to sign up for next month’s book club and pick up your copy of the book at the book discussion.

This event is sponsored by the Friends and Foundation of the Camas Library (FFCL). Click here to support them!

• This event is for registrants grade 2nd Grade to 3rd Grade.

Join us for open game play of chess.

For ages 9–19

Week 1: Process Art (making art just to make art)
Week 2: Lego Club (Join us for a fun and imaginative LEGO building session)
Week 3: Art Club (learn about artists, art techniques, and create a new project each month)
Week 4: STEAM Studio (create and explore using science, technology, engineering, art, and math)

Event Description: