God Moments and Cougar Awards

Sr. Krista von Borstel Leave a comment

God Moments have been a theme at Camp Howard this summer after a talk during staff training on the topic. Staff were challenged to find God Moments during the summer and what better place than outdoors in nature for young men and women to practice experiencing the presence of God in their lives.

God moments include a long list of encounters from profound alone moments to the great joy of friendship. Cougar awards, the 70 year tradition at Camp Howard of awarding the top camper in each cabin for their living out Christian values, is definitely a God Moment for those 30 some campers who receive the award. It is a moment in time when their good works are emphasized, celebrated and awarded.

First Time Cougar Award winners are pictured in the attached film.

Fifteen Cougar Awards were awarded to first time recipients. Another 15 earned their second, third and fourth year beads (not pictured)

The Meal the Kids Die For at Camp Howard

Sr. Krista von Borstel Leave a comment

Cheesy Rolls have become the signature summer camper meal at Camp Howard, along with a bowl of Tomato soup. It must be served, and if it isn’t, campers will complain about it on their camp evaluations at the end of the week. Fifty complaints in one end of week evaluation turned us on to the fact that this is a special meal to the kids, a must serve. From then on, Cheesy Rolls have been on the weekly menu.

Many of the cooks at the camp have learned to make the basic bread dough. Once ready to be processed, they roll it out, smother it with butter, chopped onions and a generous sprinkling of shredded cheese.

Today, Stephanie and Patrick made the rolls while Ezekiel made the tomato soup in the large steam kettle. The kids loved every morsel of it. The only thing left was the dirty pans.

Campfires…Timeless Camp Activity

Sr. Krista von Borstel Leave a comment

One of my favorite Camp Howard activities is the campfire. Campers and camp staff alike enjoy performing for the crowd. The spectators are always encouraging and it is fun to see what the kids come up with. We all enjoy the repeat after me songs along with the skits they contrive. Campfires are always unique and crowd pleasers.

My personal favorite act Tuesday night was “9 Sealions”

Second place…

Finally, a short photo montage from the first few days of Camp Howard Session 1

Laser Tag is a huge hit at Camp Howard

Sr. Krista von Borstel Leave a comment

Laser Tag went into a reconstruction phase this past year with the addition of some new boundaries, forts and panels to hide behind. The camp staff worked diligently throughout the winter to prep the wood and build the structures, then dig holes for poles to attach them to. It made for a very fun and attractive laser tag arena for the kids.

This week, the Camp Howard summer program campers have had the opportunity to try it out and they think it is a very positive change.

Home base for the “Cougars” made from wood from Camp Howard, milled on the woodmill.

Camp Howard campers find delight in moving from tactical shield to other obstacles to keep from being “tagged”

Below: Meanwhile the goats go about their business, helping keep fire danger down at the camp!

Hey…Please “Like” and subscribe to my BLOG – thank you! Sister Krista

Camp Howard Begins 73rd Camping Season

Sr. Krista von Borstel Leave a comment

It is never dull to watch the kids load the bus at the CYO/Camp Howard Portland office to begin their trip to Camp Howard on a Sunday afternoon. Even when everything goes smoothly, you can expect to see the normal experiences of a few campers crying as they leave their parents, a parent maybe wiping away a tear (not sure if it is sadness or the prospect of a free week). Half the campers are returning to camp and half might be new. A lot of feelings and emotions are played out at the bus stop and it is never monotonous for me to watch. I know that soon after arriving at camp, the nervous campers are going to be organized into cabin groups and immediately begin the process of making new friends.

Luggage Bus and luggage prepped and loaded for camp

Flag, Mail and Awards (FMA) happens after dinner each evening.

Sunday night campfire at Camp Howard

2026 CYO 7th Grade Boys Basketball Championship Crosses State Lines

Sr. Krista von Borstel Leave a comment

2026 CYO 7th Grade Boys City Championship at Valley Catholic School

Sister Krista’s Blog Video Link to Game video: https://youtu.be/3tH_kA6Xa_g

Home Team: St. Joseph (Vancouver)

Coaches: Tyrone Miller, Elizabeth Kuzma, David Kuzma

Players: Christian, Logan, Grant, Reid, Bennett, Tyvin, Jack, Taft

Mascot: Cardinals

Visiting Team: St. Anthony (Tigard)

Coaches: Josh Paloma, Kevin Sailor, Sophia Sailor, David Schoppe

Players: Porter, Henry, Andrew, Nick, Vinny, Andrew, Harrison, Gavin, Rowe, Evan, Kason, Brolin, Colin, Jackson

Mascot: Hawks

Game Highlights:

Quarter 1: 12 – 15 St. Anthony

Quarter 2: 18 – 22 St. Anthony

Quarter 3:  34 – 30 St. Joseph (Vancouver)

Quarter 4:  38 – 51 – St. Anthony FINAL

St. Anthony came out to an early lead and lead by 10 at various points of the first and second half.  St. Joseph began to make a comeback in the second half and lead several times.  The score was tied toward the end of the game when St. Anthony put on the steam and finished the game 51 – 38. A great game to watch and enjoy – two great programs.

All Saints Triumph in 2026 CYO 7 Girls Finals

Sr. Krista von Borstel Leave a comment

2026 CYO 6th Grade Girls City Championship at Valley Catholic School

SR. KRISTA’S BLOG VIDEO LINK: https://youtu.be/OOQ8osApH7U

Home Team: All Saints

Coaches: Ronston Rios, Lo Eltagonde

Mascot: Ramblers

Players: Angela, Leanna, Lily, Rose, Evelyn, Brynn, Rogue, Abigail

Visiting Team: St. John Fisher / St. Cecilia

Coaches: Matthew Schmidt, Jessica Ebersole, Ashley Cadonau

Players: Hailey, Elsa, Eva, Emily, Maya, Georgia, Madelyn, Julia, Clara, Landry

Mascot:

Game Highlights:

Quarter 1:  4 – 3 All Saints

Quarter 2: 16 – 9 All Saints

Quarter 3: 30 – 16 All Saints

Quarter 4: 37 – 26 All Saints

St. John Fisher had a hard time scoring against All Saints who scored 12 to SJF 6 in the second quarter.

All Saints pulled ahead in the second half though SJF never gave up and outscored All Saints in the fourth quarter but not enough for the win today.

2026 CYO 8th Grade Boys Championship Highlights

Sr. Krista von Borstel Leave a comment

2026 CYO 8th Grade BOYS City Championship at Valley Catholic School

LINK to VIDEO:
https://youtu.be/-XCbFTiaLVE

Home Team: St. Pius X

A group of young basketball players wearing green and white uniforms, standing together in a gymnasium with a victory plaque and a sign that says 'WE LOVE CYO'. Coaches and a female team member are also present in the photo.

Coaches Min Lee, Chris McCollister

Players: Griffin, Emmett, Max, Micah, Nico, Alexander, Berkeley, Jameson

Mascot: Panthers

Visiting Team: Holy Family

A youth basketball team in red uniforms poses for a group photo in a gymnasium, holding a trophy. They are standing on a wooden floor with sports banners in the background.

Coaches: Chris Wojnar, Andrew Over, Marcus Penhale

Players: Jack, Tomas, Atticus, Dylan, Rory, Anthony, Kobe, Jackson, Jacob

Mascot: Cardinals

Game Highlights:

Quarter 1: St. Pius X 19 – Holy Family 9

Quarter 2:St. Pius X 30 – Holy Family 24

Quarter 3:St. Pius X 48 – Holy Family 42

Quarter 4:St. Pius X 58 – Holy Family 51

2026 CYO City Basketball 8 Girls Championship

Sr. Krista von Borstel Leave a comment

Congratulations to all of the CYO Basketball Teams who participated at all levels of the tournament, City, Stars, Champs, and Gold brackets. it was a fun three week event that took place all over the city with City Championship games and some Stars Championships held at Valley Catholic. Special thank you to all of the Athletic Directors and their administrative helpers at each site for their wonderful work and contribution to the successful tournament games.

All of the CITY Championship games were filmed and will be made available on this BLOG site in the coming days.

Today we will begin with the 8th Grade Girls Championship game between St. Andrew Nativity (Portland) and St. Pius X (Cedar Mill) LINK: https://youtu.be/CqOos751q9I

It was a great game from beginning to end. Though St. Andrew lead most of the game, St. Pius X made a run in the fourth quarter but could not overpower the Nativity’s height or strength.

Home Team: St. Andrew Nativity (Portland)

Coaches: Maryam Lowe, Keymora Goldsby, De’corey Cooper

Players: Kiheko, Gloria, Shiyah, Nevaeh, Raevyn, Brooklyn, Teryn

Mascot: North Star

Visiting Team: St. Pius X

Coaches: Chris Philippi, Philipp Kupfer

Players: Vera, Emma, Sophia, Rose, Emma, Vivienne, Avery, Tatum, Hana

Mascot: Panthers

Game Highlights:

Quarter 1:  St. Andrew Nativity 12 – St. Pius X 9

Quarter 2:  SAN 18 Piux 15

Quarter 3:  SAN 33 Piux 19

Quarter 4:  SAN 44 Pius 34

2025 CYO 8th Grade Girls Volleyball…And the Winner is…

Sr. Krista von Borstel Leave a comment

8th Grade Girls Volleyball

Home Team: St. Pius X

Coaches: Brian Johnson

Players: Chloe Chau, Dylon Daley, Sarah Johnson, Emma Kupfer, Sophia Lontai, Cate McCullagh, Emma Philippi, Vivienne Schaaf, Jordan Van Allen, Hana Vitrano, Mackenzie Zabzek

Mascot: Panthers

Visiting Team: Cathedral

Coaches:  Kiki Hanover, Stacey Freeman

Players: Sadie Carnahan, Ellie Freeman, Charlotte Goodman, Gianna Hanover, Molly Madding, Parker Mahew, Milania Odenthal

Mascot: Cougars

Set One

            St. Pius X 25 – Cathedral 12

            St. Pius X 25 – Cathedral 13