Community❯Youth Programs

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

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!

Welcome youth in 7th-12th grade who want to make a difference in their community through the library!

We welcome newcomers! Reach out to let us at [email protected] to let us know you’re attending.

We meet the following Thursday dates from 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

• May 7
• May 21
• June 4
• June 18
• We don’t meet in July
• August 6
• August 20
• September 3
• September 17
• October 1
• October 15
• November 5
• November 19
• December 3
• December 17

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.

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

Join other Indigenous families for a welcoming playtime that strengthens cultural connection, shared learning, and builds meaningful relationships. Families experience an exchange of traditions while children build social skills in a safe space where everyone can be themselves.

Multnomah County Library storytimes are supported by gifts made to The Library Foundation.

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.

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!

Join us for toys, socialization time, and bubbles. Ages 2-3.

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.

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.

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.

Help us decorate our library with your magnificent LEGO displays! We'll provide the building blocks, you bring the creativity! Ideal for grades K-5, but younger and older siblings are welcome.

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.

Play is one of the five practices that help children get ready to read! Active play helps children develop physical coordination and motor skills they need for a wide range of activities, form walking and running to holding a book and tracking a line of text. Families can play and build together while socialize and connect with one another.

Babies and their grownups are invited to share nursery rhymes, finger plays, songs and a simple book while making new friends and developing early literacy skills. Includes unstructured playtime. For ages 0 to 12 months.
Weekly on Sundays.

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.

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.

Preschool Indoor Park (ages 2-5 years - accompanied by an adult). This program will be held in the roller rink at MSCC. Riding toys, sports equipment and balls will all be available for the kids to get their wiggles out. Roller skates are not available for this program. Check in at the front desk. Saturday Indoor Park will happen on the last Saturday of every month.

Location: MSCC - Roller Rink

On guard! Make your moves in a casual setting with other beginning players. Basic knowledge of the games is assumed. Grades 6-12.

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

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).

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

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.

Are there manga we need on on our shelves? Have a great idea for a program? If you’re in grades 6-12, join us for Teen Library Group and help shape our teen space! We meet on the second Tuesday of the month for discussion, planning, and activities, fueled by plenty of snacks.

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.

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].

Make friends while creating. Kids ages 3-5 can play with DUPLOs; kids ages 4-11 can play with LEGOs. Ages 3-11 with adult.

Play and learning go hand in hand. While our storytimes are on break, join other families for a fun playtime (for ages birth - 1) with board books, toys, music, and all the room your baby needs to learn through play. As Mr. Rogers said, "... for children play is serious learning. Play is really the work of childhood."

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!

Play, explore, and discover in our little gym, specially designed for toddlers ages 0–3 and their grown up! Sorry, but siblings or guests over age 3 will not be able to participate in the Open Gym.

​(Parent Participation Required)

We’ll have our little gym set up with soft mats and fun, age-appropriate activities for you and your little one to enjoy at your own pace. It’s a great opportunity for little ones to move, play, and explore while parents and caregivers connect with other families and build friendships in the community.

​An adult is required to remain with their child in the gym at all times.

This free event is open to children ages 0–3 only. Pre-registration is encouraged to save your spot!

(Socks are required in the space, no bare feet or shoes.)

November 4, 11 & 25 from 11am-12pm

In observance of Veterans' Day, Garden Home Community Library will be closed today, and LEGO Club is cancelled this month. LEGO Club will meet again in December!

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.

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

For ages 5–12

JUST BRING IT

Ballroom training ground

Queer BIPOC Youth and Young Adult focused

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.

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.

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

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.

Age 5 and under. A fun, flexible playtime designed for young children and their caregivers to move, explore, and connect indoors. NCPRD’s indoor playground offers a safe, weather-friendly space with age-appropriate play equipment that supports active play, social interaction, and imaginative exploration. No registration required—just drop in and play.

A parent or caregiver must remain onsite and provide direct supervision of their child(ren) at all times. Staff are not present to monitor play activities.

Concord Community Center
3811 S.E. Concord Rd. in Oak Grove
Fee: NCPRD, $3; non-resident, $4
Tuesdays & Thursdays
Sept. 8 - Dec. 17
9-10:30 a.m.

Learn more about other Pre-K activity groups and classes, including Little Makers Craft Club and Tales, Tunes, and Tiny Hands.

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.

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

For ages 5–9

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

Young children ages 18 months to 5 years can enjoy wooden train play in a calm, welcoming environment designed for toddlers and preschoolers. Exploring tracks and trains supports fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, early problem-solving, language development through imaginative storytelling, and social skills such as parallel play and turn-taking. Grown-ups are encouraged to stay and play alongside their little ones, and no registration is needed.

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.

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

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!