The POCO Guardians 

POCO Guardians: Growing Young Environmental Stewards in Community

POCO Guardians is a joyful, nature-based program for children in PreK through 5th grade that blends outdoor exploration, environmental education, and creative expression, all rooted in community, equity, and belonging.

Hosted at Columbia Cottage in Columbia Park, the program offers a safe, welcoming space where BIPOC children can feel seen, supported, and free to be themselves. For kids who may feel isolated or bullied at school, POCO Guardians is a place to find connection, confidence, and joy.

Each week includes:

• Outdoor learning and adventure, from bird walks and wetlands exploration to climate lessons and plant science
  
  

• Daily guest teachers who introduce children to diverse, environmentally relevant careers
  
  

• Shared meals prepared onsite, creating space for community, conversation, and connection
  
  

• A family-friendly atmosphere, where parents and guest instructors are invited to join
  
  

• Field days with paddling, hiking, and hands-on experiences in local natural areas
  
  

• Creative projects that link nature with art, movement, and self-expression
  
  

• End-of-week recognition, where each child is celebrated as a Guardian of the Earth
  
  

But POCO Guardians is more than just a camp. It’s a pathway to leadership. Children are encouraged to become student teachers, sharing knowledge with their peers and building confidence through mentorship. One of our current interns began as a POCO Guardian, and now serves as a student teacher and role model, gaining valuable skills in public speaking, presentation, and environmental education.

Student teachers are supported and celebrated, and their involvement deepens both their personal growth and their connection to nature.

POCO Guardians is where friendships form, families connect, and future environmental leaders take root.

Click the link/s to enroll your child:

Spring Session, March 23-27:  https://forms.gle/rwzHNFXd7edCLsEn6

                                                                    POCO Guardians (preK-6th grade) Spring Break Session          

Hosted at the Columbia Cottage on N Russet St at the corner N Lombard St., inside the park. The address is 4339 N Lombard St. Portland, OR 97203, but it's not quite accurate on GPS.

As we head into spring break, we're excited to learn about the wetlands around us, and what lives there! 

This is our basic schedule but we’re not exacting with it.  We might extend or shorten a lesson or our time outdoors if appropriate.

Monday : March 23, 2026

· 10:00–10:15 Check-in, welcome, wash hands, settle in

· 10:15–10:45 Breakfast

· 10:45–11:15 Learning Circle – welcome, routines, and Guardians community building

· 11:15–11:30 Outdoor walk and exploration

· 11:45–12:45 Beavers as families and keystone species (play-forward introduction)

· 1:00–1:30 Lunch

· 1:30–2:00 Free play, reflection, and clean-up

Tuesday : March 24, 2026

· 10:00–10:15 Check-in, welcome, wash hands, settle in

· 10:15–10:45 Breakfast

· 10:45–11:15 Learning Circle – What Is a Wetland? Why Wetlands Matter

· 11:15–11:30 Outdoor walk and observation

· 11:45–12:45 In-depth lesson: wetlands, insects, birds, fish, mammals, water, soil, trees, and people

· 1:00–1:30 Lunch

· 1:30–2:00 Lesson review, reflection, clean-up

Wednesday : March 25, 2026

· 10:00–10:15 Check-in, welcome, wash hands, settle in

· 10:15–10:45 Breakfast

· 10:45–11:15 Learning Circle – Turtles and Balance

· 11:15–11:30 Outdoor walk and turtle observation

· 11:45–12:45 Western painted turtles and red-eared sliders: balance, responsibility, and care without blame

· 1:00–1:30 Lunch

· 1:30–2:00 Lesson review, reflection, clean-up

Thursday : March 26, 2026

· 10:00–10:15 Check-in, welcome, wash hands, settle in

· 10:15–10:45 Breakfast

· 10:45–11:15 Learning Circle – Cottonwood Trees: Quiet Protectors of Wetlands

· 11:15–11:30 Outdoor walk and tree observation

· 11:45–12:45 How cottonwood trees support soil, water, wildlife, and wetlands

· 1:00–1:30 Lunch

· 1:30–2:00 Lesson review, reflection, clean-up

Friday : March 27, 2026

(Celebration Day)

· 10:00–10:15 Check-in, welcome, wash hands, settle in

· 10:15–10:45 Breakfast

· 10:45–11:15 Learning Circle – week in review

· 11:15–11:30 Outdoor walk

· 11:45–12:45 Final lesson connecting beavers, wetlands, turtles, and trees

· 1:00–1:45 Celebration lunch and POCO Guardians certificates

· 1:45–2:00 Clean-up and closing circle