The ACA (American Camping Association) has done extensive research from which we will share snippets beginning with 8 reasons to send your kids to camp!
8 Reasons to send your kids to Camp Howard!
Category Camp Howard
Rhonda Shelby’s Camp Howard Endorsement!
My heart was warmed by Rhonda’s description of the unique spiritual atmosphere at Camp Howard and how that atmosphere creates such a special experience for campers. Rhonda ‘s daughter has loved every minute of her CYO Volleyball experience. Rhonda has cheered for the team and volunteered to run the scoreboard at her games.
Thank you Rhonda and all of the amazing CYO and Camp Howard volunteers and supporters! You make great memories possible for our youth.
Please check out Rhonda’s interview with VYO recently:
Camp Howard visits Holy Trinity School in Beaverton
Thank you Holy Trinity students and faculty for your warm reception and promotion of Camp Howard!
Camp Smores During State Fire Ban
Smores are a staple and expectation of the camping experience. What does one do when fires are banned during the camping season? You get creative! Here’s how we do it at Camp Howard.
Below: Shawna King and Melanie Smith ( two of the fantastic cooks at Camp Howard) put half a graham cracker on a sheet pan then put a marshmallow on top of each cracker.
Below: They popped them into the oven and heated them for about 10 minutes at 350.
Below: When they came out of the oven, they were gooey on the inside but had a very thin membrane on the outside giving the marshmallow its shape. A piece of Hershey chocolate is place on top of each Marshmallow.
Below: Finally, the other half of the graham cracker is pressed down onto the chocolate, forcing it into the melted marshmallow, creating a sandwich and melting the chocolate into the white hot sweet goo which attaches itself to the top and bottom cracker
The Lakeridge Marching Band was waiting patiently for the evening treat which made for a perfect end of the day!
Feeding the Fish Another Look
Fish Chow is the favored Camp Howard fish food. They are fed daily to grow to a good size in order to delight the lucky fishergirls and boys! Many Camp Howard campers catch the first fish of their lives right here at the camp. Trust me, it is a delight to watch!
Part 6: The Mural up Close
Wayne Chin put the finishing touches on Mary’s Lodge with his spectacular mural painted for the youth of Camp Howard in July of 2018. Check out his masterful individual animals that come to life before your eyes!
The Cougar is the symbol of Camp Howard, built in 1953 on Cougar Mountain. The Cougar Award springs from the location of the camp.
Part 5 Dedication: The Lodge
Mary’s Lodge is the first component of a four part improvement plan for Camp Howard. Built in the early 50’s, the major buildings at the camp, dining hall, chapel and adult housing are slated for replacement. An additional building, the Franz Finley Welcome Center is scheduled to be built in 2019 followed by the Chapel and adult lodge.
Mary’s Lodge affords a variety of comforts and views:
Welcome to Mary’s Lodge at Camp Howard! The building was designed by Henry Fitzgibbon of Soderstrom Architects and built by Todd Construction.
The beautiful mural in the building was painted by well known Northwest artist, Wayne Chin.
Sister Michael Francine SSMO gazes on the mural as she visits the new facility.
The new fireside room at the entry to the building adds a remarkable warmth and comfort to the camp.
The fireside room at Mary’s Lodge includes a meeting space and lounging area.
The dining hall portion of the facility combined with the outdoor eating spaces will accommodate in excess of 350 individuals.
The kitchen, designed by the camp cooks, makes cooking for large numbers an enjoyable experience.
New to the kitchen includes two grills, a combi oven and a steam kettle. Other equipment was brought from the old kitchen.
The outdoor seating area includes space for 200 guests.
Outdoor fireplace and patio area makes a wonderful evening party spot!
Landscaping including grass and rhodies will be added this fall to enhance the facility and provide fire suppression.
Part 4: The Dedication of Mary’s Lodge
Plenty of friends were on hand to help us dedicate and celebrate the new Mary’s Lodge at Camp Howard. The donors, architects, builders, fundraisers, fun raisers, camp staff, year around staff, campers, parents, Sisters of St. Mary of Oregon, you name it, they were there! THANK YOU all for being a part of our special day! Fr. Dave Gutmann, Pastor of Holy Trinity Parish blessed the facility and all present. It was a truly remarkable day and one that all who were there will remember fondly.
Fr. Dave Gutmann and the guests give Sr. Krista a surprise blessing!
Sr. Krista and Fr. Dave after the dedication of Mary’s Lodge!
Part 2 Dedication of Mary’s Lodge “The Food”
Buster’s Barbecue catered the dedication of Mary’s Lodge August 11, 2018 at Camp Howard. The food was wonderful and greatly enjoyed by all in attendance! The pulled pork, bbq beef, coleslaw, rolls, and Camp Howard Cookies made the day!
6 Part Dedication of Mary’s Lodge – 1 The People – THANK YOU!
Some 250 – 300 people were present for the dedication of the new Mary’s Lodge at Camp Howard August 11, 2018. The turnout exceeded expectations which thrilled the CYO/Camp Howard staff!
The event was catered for the purpose of allowing the hardworking camp cooks the opportunity to enjoy the day as well! I might add they were all in attendance!
Special thanks to all of our friends for attending the dedication and sharing our joy!
The Kneefel Clan
The McCormick Clan
Sue & Rich Haener
Steve Beaird, (Fundraising helper), Ed Langois (Sentinel)
Dan Petit, Site Superintendent and family
Sr. Adele Marie
Ann Fitzgibbon & Dina Marie
Dr. & Mrs. Birkel
The Haener Clan
Carol Veranizan and Susan Menendez
Sr. Krista & Sr. Theresa Ann
Sr. K and Sr. Theresa Lan
Sr. Thuy, Sr. K, Sr. Marie Bernadette
Sr. Diana Jean
Sr. Alexa & Sr. Krista
Sr. Marcella, Sr. Rita
The Gentry Clan
Sheri Dooney (Leonard Adams Insurance)
Sr. Michael Francine, Sr. Angeline
Fr. Leo Remington, early staff member at Camp Howard
Sr. Krista, Sr. Charlene
1999 camp staff member, Andy Smith
Mr. & Mrs. Josh Danielson, Sr. Michael Francine
Sr. K with “The Gravel Man”, Mr. Davis
Sr. Angeline, Madi Parvankin
Holy Trinity: Ingrid, Fr. Dave with Sr. Krista
Ron Hungate, one of the Camp Howard outstanding cooks!
Sr. Rosemary, Sr. Charlene, Sr. Krista, Sisters of St. Mary of Oregon
Carolyn Romey, longtime cook at Camp Howard
Fergie Bush, Sr. Krista
Mark Gravengaard, June Gravengaard, Virginia Martinez
George & Tammy Weivoda
Gail Joseph, Sr. Krista, Ann Reinhart (Ann lead the dedication committee!)
Sr. Michael Francine, Sr. Krista and Judith Winczewski
CYO/Camp Howard 