Pop-Up Nature begins June 26
Family Forest Days return in July and August
Portland, OR — Hoyt Arboretum Friends is excited to announce the return of their popular Pop-Up Nature! and Family Forest Days youth programs for summer 2025. These free, drop-in opportunities invite children and families to engage with nature, learn about Pacific Northwest ecosystems, and explore the Arboretum’s trails—all just minutes from downtown Portland.
Starting Thursday, June 26, Pop-Up Nature! will be offered every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM at the Hoyt Arboretum Visitor Center. Families are invited to stop by for interactive exploration stations, trail-ready activity sheets, and crafts all surrounding nature topics that change weekly—from bird nests and pollinators to berries and amphibians. Activities will be offered in both English and Spanish.
Participants receive a Pop-Up Nature Passport to track their visits. After collecting five stamps, kids earn a prize and a deeper connection to the natural world.
In addition, Family Forest Days will return to the Arboretum’s Stevens Pavilion on Saturday, July 12 and Saturday, August 16, from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM. These bilingual celebrations (English and Spanish) are open to all ages and feature hands-on crafts, guided walks, live music, storytimes with local authors, community partner activities, and more. Full event details will be announced in early July.
“All of our summer youth programs are designed to make nature fun, accessible, and welcoming for families,” says Claire Sanders at Hoyt Arboretum Friends. “We’re thrilled to expand our offerings this year with more program days, longer hours, and some new and exciting community partners to celebrate with!”
Last summer, 1,800 visitors participated in these educational programs. One grandparent shared: “Pop-Up Nature was a joy to share with my 6-year-old granddaughter. She looked forward to it every week, and many times she would just blurt out, ‘I LOVE nature!’ Hoyt Arboretum is now very special to her—and I just wanted everyone involved to know they made a difference in this little girl’s heart.”
Thanks to the generous support of Hoyt Arboretum Friends members, all youth programs are free and open to the public. No advance registration is required for Pop-Up Nature or Family Forest Days, just drop in and connect with nature with us!
For more information, visit www.hoytarboretum.org/youth