WE’VE GOT YOUR ANSWERS!
Our most common frequently asked questions
WAYFINDERS FAQs
The Wayfinders program is an affinity space for Black and Brown youth to build connections to nature and science from western and cultural frames. Activities are led by Camp Guides who reflect the community and youth we serve. The program includes Trips and tours are led by lived experts and professionals of color, and hands-on, experiential, outdoor and nature based.
Who can join the Wayfinders In-Person Camp?
Black and Brown Youth K - 8th Grade within the Portland Metro Area.
What camps do you offer?
We have in-person camps located at Prescott Elemetary School (10410 NE Prescott St., Portland, OR 97220).
How do you accommodate various child personalities?
The teaching approach the ELSO uses is designed to be flexible and welcoming to accommodate all brains and bodies. Training our Camp Guides are trained on the following:
Trauma Informed Care
Implicit Bias
Microagression
Stereotypes
Group Management
Mental Health
Disability Training
For in-person camps, how are you keeping kids healthy and safe?
We check camp participants’ temperatures upon arrival (drop off)
Only 10 camp participant slots per grade group
Swag Bags that include hand wipes, sanitizer, and masks
Mask worn unless eating/drinking
Frequent Hand washing/sanitizing during the day
If I am a White/European parent with children of color, can I apply for my child?
Yes, Wayfinders is an affinity space for Black, Brown, Indigenous, and children of color. The ethnic or racial identity of parents are not relevant.
What are your payment options?
For the Wayfinders Program, you are able to set up payment plans through our registration portal (RegPac).
Do you have flexible payment options?
Yes, for Wayfinders we use a sliding fee scale based off of the families income in order to provide an equitable cost for camps.
YOUR STREET, YOUR VOICE FAQs
Established in 2016, YSYV is an after-school program for high school students that introduces design as a tool for racial justice. YSYV prioritizes youth ages 14-20: Black, Indigenous, Latino, Asian, People of Color, LGBTQ+, disabled, femme, trans & nonbinary identifying communities; those who have been systemically denied access and representation in educational system, design careers, and other mainstream economic, political, cultural, and social power structures.
Youth and Instructors work hand in hand with professional collaborators on real time community based design projects. YSYV is an 8-session program where participants are valued for their lived expertise to develop their ideas, create a vision collage of their project, and generate architectural drawings using professional software. YSYV is in partnership with area public district schools, higher education, agencies, community organizations, and the AECD industry. In addition to a design project, youth moderate a public panel discussion with professionals of color called Vital Voices in the Built Environment.
Is this a safe space for connecting with professionals and building relationships?
Yes, our programs’ foundation is cultivating relationships, with youth, community members of all ages, and professionals. Our cohorts are an opportunity to build creative career collaborations.
How will this help me in the future? For college or a career?
Projects can be used for portfolios
We offer letters of recommendation
Experience on your Resume
Continue to be in our community for job postings, scholarships, grants, events, collaborations and other paid opportunities with ELSO
How do you accommodate various child personalities?
The teaching approach the ELSO uses is designed to be flexible and welcoming to accommodate all brains and bodies. Training our Camp Guides on Trauma Informed Care, Implicit Bias, Microaggression and Stereotypes before camps begin. As well as how to work with kids.
Can I receive school credit through completion of the program?
We work collaboratively with each school district, and am in the process of getting approval to offer credit for the cohorts. All Parkrose students receive ½ Elective credit upon completion of any of our programs. However, at this time, it is up to you to introduce us to your advisor to coordinate if you are eligible to receive credit of any districts outside of Parkrose.
I completed the session, when and how will I get paid?
Upon completion of your cohort session, you will receive a check from ELSO.
For in-person camps, how are you keeping kids healthy and safe?
Checking camp participants temperatures upon arrival (drop off)
Only 10 Camp Participants per grade group
Provides ELSO Swag Bags that have hand wipes, sanitizer and masks
Mask worn unless eating/drinking
Maintain 6ft Distances
Frequent Hand washing/sanitizing during the day
For in-person events, how are you keeping kids healthy and safe?
We follow the latest CDC and OHA protocols to respond to Covid. This Including prioritizing Outdoor socially distanced gathering, individual materials and supplies, frequent sanitization, mask requirements, and temperature checks, and social distancing.
In response to COVID, we have been primarily virtual, and will continue to offer virtual programming to be as inclusive and accessible to our communities.
In response to COVID, we have been primarily virtual, and will continue to offer virtual programming to be as inclusive and accessible to our communities.
How do you accommodate various child personalities?
The teaching approach the ELSO uses is designed to be flexible and welcoming to accommodate all brains and bodies. At ELSO, we apply a trauma informed approach- including nuero divergent, priotizing the wellbeing, socio/ emotional wellbeing of students first and foremost. We practice restorative justice when conflict and harm occurs. We also apply the approach of Restorative Justice- and work with students and their caretakers to come up with a plan to best support our youth.
EMPOWHER FAQs
Participants of the EmpowHER 2021 cohort are developing human rights projects that range from policies on public safety and investment in community services, domestic violence, Black trans rights, and the stopping murders of Black and Indigenous women in America. In addition, participants moderate a public panel discussion EmpowHER: VITAL VOICES Event.
Is this a safe space for connecting with professionals and building relationships?
Yes, our programs’ foundation is cultivating relationships, with youth, community members of all ages, and professionals. Our cohorts are an opportunity to build creative career collaborations.
How will this help me in the future? For college or a career?
Projects can be used for portfolios
We offer letters of recommendation
Experience on your Resume
Continue to be in our community for job postings, scholarships, grants, events, collaborations and other paid opportunities with ELSO
How do you accommodate various child personalities?
The teaching approach the ELSO uses is designed to be flexible and welcoming to accommodate all brains and bodies. Training our Camp Guides on Trauma Informed Care, Implicit Bias, Microaggression and Stereotypes before camps begin. As well as how to work with kids.
Can I receive school credit through completion of the program?
We work collaboratively with each school district, and am in the process of getting approval to offer credit for the cohorts. All Parkrose students receive ½ Elective credit upon completion of any of our programs. However, at this time, it is up to you to introduce us to your advisor to coordinate if you are eligible to receive credit of any districts outside of Parkrose.
I completed the session, when and how will I get paid?
Upon completion of your cohort session, you will receive a check from ELSO.
For in-person camps, how are you keeping kids healthy and safe?
Checking camp participants temperatures upon arrival (drop off)
Only 10 Camp Participants per grade group
Provides ELSO Swag Bags that have hand wipes, sanitizer and masks
Mask worn unless eating/drinking
Maintain 6ft Distances
Frequent Hand washing/sanitizing during the day
For in-person events, how are you keeping kids healthy and safe?
We follow the latest CDC and OHA protocols to respond to Covid. This Including prioritizing Outdoor socially distanced gathering, individual materials and supplies, frequent sanitization, mask requirements, and temperature checks, and social distancing.
In response to COVID, we have been primarily virtual, and will continue to offer virtual programming to be as inclusive and accessible to our communities.
In response to COVID, we have been primarily virtual, and will continue to offer virtual programming to be as inclusive and accessible to our communities.
How do you accommodate various child personalities?
The teaching approach the ELSO uses is designed to be flexible and welcoming to accommodate all brains and bodies. At ELSO, we apply a trauma informed approach- including nuero divergent, priotizing the wellbeing, socio/ emotional wellbeing of students first and foremost. We practice restorative justice when conflict and harm occurs. We also apply the approach of Restorative Justice- and work with students and their caretakers to come up with a plan to best support our youth.
TAPPIN ROOTS FAQs
PROGRAM LEAD AND CONTACT INFO: ERICKA HARRISON | Tappinroots@campelso.org
Tappin Roots is an environmental internship for youth and young adults to support nature based and community education. The interns explore career pathways in the green sector; develop professional skills. This program brings Black Oregonians closer to nature and cultural history.
Who can participate?
Black Oregon Highschool Students Demographic: Black Age: 14-18
How do you accommodate various child personalities?
The teaching approach the ELSO uses is designed to be flexible and welcoming to accommodate all brains and bodies. Training our Camp Guides on Trauma Informed Care, Implicit Bias, Microaggression and Stereotypes before camps begin. As well as how to work with kids.
What are your payment options?
The Interns receive a $4,000 Stipend over the course of their year long internship.