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 three sessions at the location you select.
- Please cancel your registration before the first session if you cannot attend all three
sessions.
*NEW* Youth Introductory Classes
The NEW Youth Introductory Class focuses on the topics of: Trusting and using your intuition, how bias affects your judgment, establishing and setting boundaries, assertive communication, de-escalation strategies, the benefits and risks of various escape options, negotiating consent, healthy/unhealthy relationships, as well as physical self-defense strikes and escapes. Classes are open to ages 11 through 14. Women-identifying or LGBTQIA2S+ / non-binary adult may accompany their child to this event.
NOTE:RCSD Will take a programming break from December 2025-March 2026 so we can train new volunteers. Classes will be updated on this website by February, for spring class openings.
APRIL 2026
Registration opens Tuesday, March 3rd @ 6:00 pm
- Mondays: April 6th and 13th from 6:00 to 8:00 pm in the Sellwood Neighborhood (exact address given upon registration).
MAY 2026
Registration opens Tuesday, April 7th @ 6:00 pm
- Tuesdays: May 5th, 12th and 19th from 6:00 to 8:00 pm in the Hillsdale Neighborhood (exact address given upon registration).
Youth Summer Camps
Classes are held during the summer and run Monday-Thursday from 9am to 12pm. 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, reach out to us.
SUMMER 2026
- Week of June 22-25, 2026 from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm in Outer SE Neighborhood (exact address given upon registration).
- Week of July 20-23, 2026 from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm in Central Eastside Neighborhood (exact address given upon registration).
- Week of August 3-6, 2026 from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm in North/Northeast Neighborhood (exact address given upon registration).
Youth Private Safety Workshop
Rose City Self-Defense Youth Private Safety Workshops are designed for all genders to introduce YOUTH (ages 11 to 18) 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!
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.