Skip to main content

Oregon State Flag An official website of the State of Oregon »

Oregon Department of Human Services Search Site

Events and Gatherings for Foster Youth

Learn life skills and connect with your peers

  • These events are for youth who are 14 or older and have foster care experience. Talk with your caseworker and caregiver if you'd like to attend. 
  • Events are provided through ODHS or our partners. 

Statewide events

A gathering for Native teens and young adults age 14 to 23 who are ​currently in foster care, or who experienced foster care, in Oregon. 

August 20-23
Kah-Nee-Ta Resort
Warm Springs, OR

Funded by OOHS Child Welfare
Facilitated by the Native Wellness Institute
Hosted by the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs

​ Oregon DREAM ​Conference: Ignite Your Light
July 23-26, 2024
University of Portland
Portland, OR

Recharge, get inspired about the future, and “Ignite Your Light” on the beautiful University of Portland campus with friends (age 16-24). This year's event will feature a new and improved Pathways Fair (think visiting a few small rooms with people who have interesting resources and ideas, rather than a big, noisy overwhelming space) AND a glow-in-the-dark party featuring Silent Disco fun!

If you want to attend, you need an adult supporter to come with you. Talk with your case worker or resource parent about it. You can also reach out to us at conferences@fosterclub.com and we can help.​​

Register by July 1

​The Dream Conference includes team building, vision-casting and practical tools for mapping out pathways to the future. The College and Career Pathway Fair, as part of the conference, allows young people to network with partners in various trad​es, academic programs and other possible career paths. 

Sponsored by Foster Club Oregon​ and ODHS​.

​ Oregon Teen Retreat: Grow with the Flow
June 26-28, 2024
Silver Falls State Park​
Sublimity, OR

Head into the woods to clear the fog! There's nothing like the power of waterfalls and woods to rest and revive while connecting with other teens (age 14-18) who get the foster care experience.

If you want to attend, you need an adult supporter to come with you. Talk with your case worker or resource parent about it. You can also reach out to us at conferences@fosterclub.com and we can help.​​

Each annual event features a different theme providing young adults with skill development, team building, wellness and recreational activities.​

Sponsored by Foster Club Oregon​​ and ODHS.​

Summer and Winter camps provide opportunities for healing and skill development through ceremony, workshops, activities, movement, traditional games, crafts, and more. Youth participants will be given tools needed to live a life of balance.

Sponsored by Native Wellness Institute​ and ODHS

KINn​ect events provide more regular spaces for siblings living apart to be together. These events are free and occur on Saturdays and Sundays for 2-3 hours and include a meal. Activities may include swimming, bowling, art and crafts, outdoor adventures, skating, etc. Kindred Matters also hosts Sibling Camps and Family Camps to help shape strong family connections. ​

Sponsored by Kindred Matters. See all upcoming events.


Regional events

Some of the Independent Living Programs have joined forces for a free, four-day overnight Spring Break Camp for youth involved with some of the Willamette Valley ILPs.

Four fun-filled days of activities designed specifically for independent living youth working on socialization skills and team building, along with "life learning" activities. Youth cook all of their meals and workshops are set up to work on important life skill topics.

Supervised and chaperoned by ILP workers and older (18+ college) ILP youth acting ​as Youth Camp Leaders.

Spots are limited. Youth must plan to participate and be involved in all parts of the camp.

Contact: Shannon Simich, 503-623-3310

Camp Makuala is a four-day, three-night camp for youth involved with the Independent Living Programs in Tillamook and outlying areas. The camp is held every year in the summer and is located along the Trask River. Days and evenings are filled with fun activities and youth learn important life skills needed to become healthy, independent adults. Campfires, a beach day, recreational activities such as swimming and basketball at the local YMCA and a tour of the Tillamook Cheese Factory are just some of the activities. Youth also learn to cook their own meals at camp.

Supervised by the Independent Living Program Providers and adult volunteer staff.

Contact: Tiffany Beeler, 503-354-4174