Youth-Based Classes (ages 11-14)

We welcome all cis and trans girls as well as LGBTQIA2S+ and non-binary people who are comfortable in a space that centers the experiences of girls.  All Portland Youth are welcome.  Please fill out our online registration form on or after the registration date.

• Please plan to attend all sessions at the location you select.
• Please cancel your registration before the first session if you cannot attend all 
  sessions.

Youth Introductory Classes 

The Youth Introductory Class is 3 sessions, each 2 hours in length. This Empowerment Self-Defense (ESD) class is designed to introduce youth to a variety of self-protective options in a discussion format.  Our student-centered training is designed to help youth identify their risks, evaluate their strengths, and explore their options for dealing with the threat of violence.  Topics Include:  Trusting and using your intuition; How bias affects your judgment; Establishing and setting boundaries; Assertive communication; The benefits and risks of various escape options; Healthy Relationships and consent; Physical Self-Defense Strikes and Escapes.  

Youth Classes are open to youth ages 11 through 14.  Youth may attend alone or be accompanied by a women-identifying, non-binary person comfortable in a space that centers on the experiences of girls or LGBTQIA2S+ adult. Snacks provided for all attendees.

October 2026 
Registration opens Tuesday, September 1st @ 6:00 pm

• Thursdays, October 8th, 15th, and 22nd from 6:00 to 8:00 pm in Eliot Neighborhood (exact address given upon registration).

November 2026 
Registration opens Tuesday, October 6th @ 6:00 pm

• Mondays, November 2nd, 9th and 16th from 6:00 to 8:00 pm in Hillsdale Neighborhood (exact address given upon registration).

December 2026 
Registration opens Tuesday, November 3rd @ 6:00 pm

• Mondays, November 30th, December 7th and 14th from 6:00 to 8:00 pm in Sellwood Neighborhood (exact address given upon registration).

Youth Summer Camps

Summer Camps are held during the summer and run Monday-Thursday from 9am to 12pm.  Similar to Youth Introductory Classes, our camps are designed to be student-centered, with hands-on practice, and full of activities to help youth identify their risks, evaluate their strengths, and explore their options for dealing with the threat of violence.  Topics Include expanded conversations on:  Trusting and using your intuition; How bias affects your judgment; Establishing and setting boundaries; Assertive communication; The benefits and risks of various escape options; Healthy Relationships and consent; Physical Self-Defense Strikes and Escapes.  

Summer Camps are open to ages 11 through 14. Adults generally do not attend summer camps with the youth, however if your youth would be more comfortable with their adult attending, please reach out to us.  Snacks provided for all attendees.

Summer camps have now concluded for 2026.  See you next summer!!

Youth Private Safety Workshop

Rose City Self-Defense Youth Private Safety Workshops are designed for all genders to introduce YOUTH (ages 11 to college-aged) to a variety of self-protective options in a discussion format.  Discussion is designed to help people identify their risks, evaluate their strengths, and to explore their options for dealing with the threat of violence.  We ask that you get a Minimum of 10 people together and provide a public-ish location (community centers, gyms, meeting rooms, conference rooms, cafeteria, etc).  We bring the workshop to you for FREE!

Request a Private Workshop

90-Minute Personal Safety Workshop (PSW)

Includes:

• Trusting and using your intuition.
• How bias affects your judgment.
• Establishing and setting boundaries.
• Assertive communication.
• De-escalation strategies.
• Benefits and risks of various escape options.

2-Hour Safety & Self-Defense Workshop (S&SD)

Includes:

• All of the skills in the Personal Safety Workshop.
• Plus an additional 30 minutes of Physical Strikes and Escapes.

After School Programming

At this time, we are not offering After School Programming due to staffing limitations.  We hope as we train more volunteers to be able to bring this offering back.  If you are interested in becoming a volunteer instructor with Rose City Self-Defense, please check out our new volunteer information page.