It’s all in the Handoff!


The third week of Track and Field meets were held at La Salle College Prep, Valley Catholic, Seton Catholic and Hillsboro.  I went to Seton to have a glimpse of their first season of hosting track and field for CYO and it was spectacular.  I focused on the 4 x 400 meter relay handoffs which I think you will enjoy! April 28, 2018

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Camp Garden Growing…Rhubarb


The “King Kids” are a local family who have helped out in a bunch of ways at Camp Howard over the years!  The recent warm weather gave them an opportunity to help Karen get the garden planted and ready for summer.  Today they worked over the rhubarb plants!  The rhubarb plants are used as ingredients for famous deserts at the camp and loved by the kids!

Note From Karen (Property Director at Camp Howard):

“We needed this rain today to settle the dust.  It is forecast to get warm and dry next week again.  I will start preparing the area around the new dining hall to seed to grass.  That is going to be a job.  Have to get the rocks out of there.  Thank heavens I have those kids.  We will start with that.  Then power rake it.  Pick up more rocks.  Then seed, fertilize, lime, pack, hope for water.  
The picture is Gabe and Elly King.  We were putting fresh bark dust in the garden around the rhubarb plants.  We have already taken our first harvest off of them.  We have 20 plants.  I want one more row eventually.  I will divide the plants again next year.  That will get my 3rd row.”

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It’s Coming Together!


The new “Mary’s Lodge” at Camp Howard will be a major game changer for the camp.  It is inspiring to walk inside the building and imagine the kids enjoying the facility at meal time and other event times.  The high ceilings, light, air flow and ambience will make for a much more enjoyable experience.  – Our camp signups are at an all time high! (May 1, 2018)

Below: Larry is prepping for a concrete pour at the entrance to the building.

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Below: Hand washing stations are being installed!

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Below: Sheetrock finished and working on the mud!

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Below: The sheetrock made a huge difference in defining the space!

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Below: Ah…the kitchen…

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Below: Another view of the hand washing stations as they begin construction.

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Below: An exterior view of the entrance to Mary’s Lodge

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Yikes, New Bikes!


We realized last year the Fircrest and Greenwood campers needed bigger bikes for their special activity!  Thanks to Champions of Faith we delivered!  Mark Gravengaard is putting the bikes together for us and the first one has rolled off the assembly line and been tested by the CYO Staffers!

Below: Mark Gravengaard puts the finishing touches on the first bike

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Below: Tammy Scanlon makes the first test drive of the new four wheel pedal Cart!  She loves it! (yes they will wear helmets at camp)

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Below: Jolie Abraham Phanton gives the bike her seal of approval!

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OPEN HOUSE AT CAMP HOWARD MAY 5


Dear friends:

Our staff has been busy preparing a fantastic line-up of camps and fun for this summer. I invite you to come and learn about the Camp Howard experience at our Open House this  Sat. May 5th from 2-5pm AT CAMP HOWARD!!!

CLICK LINK BELOW FOR DIRECTIONS TO CAMP HOWARD

http://www.cyocamphoward.org/home.php?layout=837449

  • Meet a few of our counselors and staff
  • Tour the camp. Come and fall in love with our breathtaking camp and numerous camp program options
  • Visit Mary’s Lodge, our newest addition
  • Watch videos of camp activities
  • Get answers to frequently asked questions
  • Enjoy some refreshments including delicious homemade cookies

I invite you to join in the FUN! Together we can make great memories possible for our kids!

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As Promised, New Drone Footage of Mary’s Lodge


I participated in Mark Lee’s “Drone Camp” at Camp Howard last summer.  After he finished with the kids, I sat in for some lessons with him.  Really glad I did because it has given me such joy to capture images in different perspectives!

CYO/CH Volunteering @ Mater Dei Radio


Dena Kammerud, Jolie Abraham Phanton and Judith Winczewski volunteered for Mater Dei Radio to help them out with their annual Sharathon fundraiser.  Jolie has been very faithful at the CYO/Camp Howard office in getting staff to help out with the important work.  Thank you, Jolie for your commitment to this important endeavor!

Below: Dena Kammerud, Jolie Abraham Phanton and Judith Winczewski  take a moment to smile for the camera during their segment of work.

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2018 Seminary Tea


The Seminary Tea, an annual opportunity for many area Catholics to come together and meet and visit with Archbishop Sample, Archbishop Vlazny, Bishop Peter Smith, several Priests of the Archdiocese, members of Religious Communities, in a formal setting complete with tea and dainties, all while raising money to support the efforts of Priest education!

My friend, Archbishop Alexander Sample, welcomed everyone in attendance and took a few moments to meet and greet everyone in the room.  It was a very nice day!

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Below: Archbishop Alexander Sample addresses attendees at the Seminary Tea at the Portland Golf Course April 25, 2018

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Below: Yours truly, pouring tea & coffee!

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Two new friends, Noreen Gatto Christianson and her sister, Barbara Gatto Gustafson!  We had a wonderful visit connecting dots!

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Surprised This Morning…THANKS Marguex!!!


I opened the cupboard to make the morning coffee at CYO/CH and what did I find?  Coffee and Tea supplies compliments of the Hunter Tea Company and Raindrop Roasters from Ridgefield, Washington!  Our CYO/Camp Howard friends, Marguex and her Mother, Mary are busy roasting the best coffee in the Northwest in our own backyard!  Marguex was a past CYO/CH staff and participant.

Below: New coffee mugs from the Red Barn where the coffee is roasted in Ridgefield! (Say that 3 times…)

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Below: Tea and special coffee roasted and delivered by our own Marguex Hunter!!! THANK YOU!

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Below:  I brewed a copy of that super awesome delicious award winning Peruvian coffee roasted with love for CYO/Camp Howard by Rain Drop Roasters and started my day with a GREAT cup of coffee!

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New Signage at Camp Howard


With the dedication of the new “Mary’s Lodge” at Camp Howard, company will be coming.  Time to spruce up the signage at camp.  It has been 12 years since the signage was put in place and it is showing signs of age.  Tammy Scanlon is a big part of the sign production for the camp as shown in the photos below.  Nice job, Tammy!

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