Category Camp Howard

Christ Child BXB Courts at Camp Howard

Sr. Krista von Borstel Leave a comment

The Christ Child Society of Portland made money available for Camp Howard to build basketball courts in 2010 with a little left over to go toward the cover which was installed in 2015.  The three full sized basketball courts have been a game changer at the camp on rainy days and sunny days alike as the cover provides refuge from the rains and the sun.

When the busses for the summer programs arrive at the camp they unload campers under the Christ Child courts.  The facility provides wonderful options for the camp from organization of people, sorting luggage on a rainy day, to all kinds of activities during the week rain or shine.  Last year, arts and crafts took place on the other side of the blue curtains pictured below.  #sistersblogs #cyocamphoward

 

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Camp Howard TV Advertisement

Sr. Krista von Borstel 1 Comment

Check out our 2017 TV advertisement here:

https://vimeo.com/fox12/review/212116303/a5f3c6c06d

#sistersblogs, #cyocamphoward

Building Bird Houses at Camp Howard

Sr. Krista von Borstel Leave a comment

Six campers signed up for bird house building at Camp Howard last summer.  It reminded me of my high school days in FFA (Future Farmers of America) when as a frosh one of the contests was to build a bird house.  I won the contest for the region that year (no brag just fact) and I credit the “mechanical gene” that I inherited from both sides of my family for that accomplishment.  I like woodworking!

We set about cutting out kits for the kids in the camp shop then had a debate over what tools the kids could use.  We agreed the hand tools plus the electric drill would all be acceptable with close supervision.  The kids loved using the drill.  The holes were pre-rilled a little smaller than the screws to keep the wood from splitting and enable the kids to be successful immediately.  They did a good job as you can see from the pictures.  We painted them the same paint scheme as the original cabins at Camp Howard.

We are offering Birdhouse Camp again this summer at Camp Howard.  A great sensory activity that gives kids a feeling of confidence and accomplishment! #sistersblogs #cyocamphoward

BELOW: The photos speak for themselves! Special thanks to Counselor Phoebe for her work on the project!

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Have You Experienced the “Bus Stop”?

Sr. Krista von Borstel Leave a comment

Over the past 20 years, some of my favorite memories revolve around the bus stop. There are many facets to the bus stop!  Families arrive at The Madeleine School in Portland to check luggage, paperwork, meds and most important…the camper!

Similar stories are played out year after year as parents bring their child to the bus and in many cases, it will be the child’s first time away from home.  Not sure if it is harder on the parent or the child. The parent looks through the window at their child who is either looking forward to the fun ahead or crying their eyes out.  Might be Mom on the other side of the window crying her eyes out.  Either way, it is a touching moment.  If we can get through this part of the trip, the rest will be easy!

Next, we get to camp with three to six busses filled with kids.  At the camp, a well oiled machine is waiting to unload the luggage from the luggage truck, sort it and distribute it to the various units before the kids arrive at their cabin.

The campers are welcomed by another group as they step off the bus onto the Camp Howard campground. The children are welcomed with a slap of hands as they make their way, pillows in hand, to the gathering space.  The goal for the first hour of arrival is to get the campers situated into their cabin group, engage in ice breakers to get to know one another and make their way to their cabins to choose a bunk.

When the kids get back on the bus to return home, often there are more tears.  As they arrive at the Madeleine they are singing the Camp Howard Fight Song as they arrive at the end of the journey.  Happy to tell Mom and Dad about their experiences and bittersweet feelings about leaving the fun and independence they experienced at camp.

The bus stop is a very powerful place on both ends of the trip.  I can tell you it is true as I have been there for 20 years worth of experiences.

2007 arrival at camp copy

ABOVE: 2005 kids arrive at the Camp

2008 bus ride Home copy

ABOVE 2007 – Bus leaves Camp with a load of campers headed back home!

2008 bus stop

ABOVE: Sr. Krista visits with some campers getting ready to head to camp in 2008.  (Cheyenne Cunning is a camper – the one with the cougar award)

2009 Bus at the Mad copy

ABOVE: 2009 – Six busses load up as the luggage bus is packed for a trip to Camp Howard.

2010 Bus stop 1 copy

2010 ABOVE Campers load the bus for a trip to camp at the Madeleine

2010 Bus stop 2 copy

2010 ABOVE – Parents say goodby just before the busses roll out of the Madeleine for Camp.

2010 Bus stop 3 copy

2010 ABOVE – Campers express a variety of emotions as they gaze at their parents prior to leaving for camp.

2010 Bus stop 4 copy

2010 ABOVE – Signage points parents and campers in the direction they need to go at the bus stop

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2011 ABOVE Campers arrive at Camp Howard and are welcomed by staff

2010 Bus stop 6

2011 ABOVE Campers arrive at Camp Howard and are welcomed by staff

2010 Bus stop 7

2011 ABOVE Campers arrive at Camp Howard and are welcomed by staff

2010 Bus stop 8

2011 ABOVE Campers arrive at Camp Howard and are welcomed by staff

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ABOVE 2016 – busses arrive at the camp to take campers home

2016 Bus stop 2

ABOVE 2016 Parents wait for campers to arrive after a week of camp.

 

Camp Howard “Gimpl” Dining Hall Slated for Replacement

Sr. Krista von Borstel Leave a comment

The Camp Howard Dining Hall was built in 1953 after the Horton Family made a land donation to St. Vincent de Paul for the purpose of a Catholic youth camp.  Archbishop Howard accepted the gift and the Hortons encouraged the naming of the camp after the Archbishop.  The camp was first known as Camp Howard of Oregon.

The deed was signed, turning the tree farm property over to Camp Howard of Oregon in January of 1953.  In April, the dining hall, a unit of 6 cabins, a showerhouse, staff cabins, a facility manager’s home and a water system were built and installed.

The first camping session began in June of 1953.

CYO/Camp Howard is working on a capital campaign to raise funds to replace the dining hall at the camp.  2.8 million has been raised with a goal of 3.5 million.

The dining hall has served over 100,000 campers over the years and has proved to be the heart of the camp as any kitchen tends to be.  The time has come, however, to replace the aged building.  The new building will include a foundation and restrooms among other modern conveniences.  Due to structural issues that would cost a great deal of money to repair, the old building will be eventually removed.

The dining hall was named “Gimple Hall” in 2002 to honor Father Carl Gimpl, the second camp director at the camp with a record 25 years of service at the camp.

HISTORY IN PHOTOS:

1953 Dining Hall Camp Howard

ABOVE: 1953 newly finished Camp Dining Hall.  First campers line up for meal time.

1956c Camp Howard Dining Hall copy

ABOVE: 1953 Camp Howard Dining Hall meal time!  Half the dining hall used as chapel in early years.

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ABOVE 1999 Camp Howard Dining Hall

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ABOVE 1999 Camp Howard Dining Hall.  the covered wings were added in 1978.

1999 Dining Hall 2 copy

ABOVE 1999 Camp Howard Dining Hall – Note, no windows in the lower part. These would be added in 2001.

1999 Dining Hall 3 copy

ABOVE 1999 Camp Howard Dining Hall – Note the ramp added for wheel chair access.  The old stairs are still visible.

1999 Dining Hall 5 copy

ABOVE 1999 Camp Howard Dining Hall – the building is perched on pier blocks

1999 Dining Hall 6 copy

ABOVE 1999 Camp Howard Dining Hall – Front View

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ABOVE 2001 Camp Howard Dining Hall – Windows are added at the ends of the building greatly improving the light inside. (Dick Weigel in pink shirt – Board President at the time.)

2001 Dining Hall windows

ABOVE: Windows are in and now a little trim paint to be introduced!

2005 Dining Hall

ABOVE: Camp Howard Dining Hall front view 2008

2009 Dining Hall

ABOVE: Camp Howard Dining Hall 3/4 view 2008

2011 Dining Hall Paint & Stain 1 copy

ABOVE: Camp Howard Dining Hall freshly stained and trimmed 2011.  Looks pretty good doesn’t it?

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ABOVE: Camp Howard Dining Hall freshly stained and trimmed 2011 front and side

2015 Dining Hall

ABOVE: Camp Howard Dining Hall 2015.

 

Composting – Can You Do This AND Keep out the Bears?

Sr. Krista von Borstel 1 Comment

When the Outdoor School challenged the camps to compost everything from the dining hall at the camps they use several years ago, Camp Howard answered the challenge.

Karen von Borstel purchased a book on composting and then set out to get it done at Camp Howard.  She brought in some straw from the family farm in North Central Oregon, gathered some branches, manure from the local horse farm (to hide the scents from bears), dug some trenches and then put out the collection barrels at the dining hall.

The ODS counselors began filling the collection barrels which Karen picked up with the tractor and hauled down to the garden area.  She dumped the waste into the trench and covered it with the branches, manure, straw and dirt.  The waste included paper cups and plates and biodegradable table ware at times.  The paper ware disintegrated practically overnight and steam would roll off of the mixture as it “perked”!

Camp Howard continues to compost year around and what a great soil additive in the garden area!

But those bears…they tried to get into the compost from time to time but the perfecting of the process has, over time, effectively kept them out of the composting area!  If you need some tips on composting, I am sure Karen would be happy to give you some tips from her own experience!

BELOW: The soil at Camp Howard is rich.  The additives from composting has added to that richness and much is grown in the garden at the camp that adds to the food needs throughout the year.

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Have You Ridden on a Corcl?

Sr. Krista von Borstel Leave a comment

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This is the summer to be a 5 to 10 year old at Camp Howard!  We are focusing on their summer activities and plan to kick it up a notch for this age group at camp this year. Why this age group?  Last year we focused on 11 – 17 year olds adding zip line, big swing and lazer tag!

What is a corcl?  It is a round, plastic floating vessel designed with our younger campers in mind.  The corcl is made to be paddled around in the pond.  Camp Howard supplies life jackets for all of the campers and make sure they are in them before they get into the device.  This activity is sure to be a confidence builder in the kids!

The corcls come in a variety of colors and look like they will be a lot of fun.  If you haven’t done it yet, sign up for a week of fun at Camp Howard!  Camp Howard is accredited by the American Camping Association.  Open House: Sunday June 25th from 2:00 – 5:00.

http://www.cyocamphoward.org

Camp Howard Updates Paintball and Laser Tag

Sr. Krista von Borstel Leave a comment

April 12, 2017 CYO/CH…The lasertag and paintball courses have been redone at Camp Howard this winter by Ashtien King, Assistant to the Property Director.  Ashtien is no stranger to either sport and has put his own personal touch on the stations.

The Paintball range has moved to a location below Aldergrove Unit which will be exciting for the kids.

A new laser tag shed is under construction to store the materials in during the summer.  Campers age 11 and up are eligible to participate in the laser tag program at Camp Howard.

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Above: Laser tag arena at Camp Howard has new areas to hide behind this year.

Whoa…New Zip Line Features at Camp Howard

Sr. Krista von Borstel Leave a comment

Parents…before you read this, please know our staff are all certified every year to operate the zip line and giant swing at Camp Howard.  Our program has been built by SYNERGO, a company specializing in zip lines and located here in Oregon.  We think they are the best in the business and that is why we do business with them. OK…read on!

Oh boy…Phase two of the Camp Howard Zip Line was installed in March and it is going to be a crowd pleaser!  The second leg of the line zips from the end of last years ending pointto the platform in the background.  The camper clips to the cable above the bridge for safety and walks along the bridge which is suspended in air with cables.  From the platform in the foreground, the camper zips to….

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This platform which is about a 100′ zip. This will be the new ending of the zip line and the camper will belay to the ground where they will receive a “Courageous Heart” certificate from yours truly! 🙂IMG_4973

Campers will enjoy a spectacular view of the Bull Run and Mt. Hood along the way!

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Top Summer Camp Position Filled With Top Notch Leader

Sr. Krista von Borstel 1 Comment

JANUARY 9, 2017 CYO/CAMP HOWARD–Anna McLean will step into the position of Program Director at Camp Howard for the 2017 summer camping season.  Camp administration is pleased to name this position early in the year and look forward to working with her this summer.  The Program Director is seen through the eyes of the summer campers as the “Camp Director”.  That goal of the administrative staff behind the scenes such as Nora Gravengaard (Camp Director), Shawna King (Asst. Camp Director, Leila Blakely, (Health and Safety Director), Jolie Abraham Phanton, (CYO Office Liason), Karen von Borstel, (Camp Howard Property Director), and Sister Krista (Exec. Director) is to promote the youth in the Catholic Youth Organization to leadership roles.

McLean who has been a summer camper, Counselor in Training and on the summer staff for multiple years, brings a lot of “can do” to her role.  She has been around the camp for many years and has a thorough understanding of what works.

Camp Staff positions are being filled between now and June.  Individuals 18 years and older are sought to fill the nearly 60 positions available at the camp this coming summer.  Camper materials will be available very soon.  The snow and ice took a toll on our process at the end of December and early January!

BELOW: Anna McLean, 2016 Unit Director and part of the Big Swing and Zip Line crew, prepares a camper for a ride on the “Big Swing”!

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