Category Camp Howard

Did I tell you about the Rhodies?

Sr. Krista von Borstel Leave a comment

We often thought a row of rhododendrons on Camp Howard Road would look spectacular after several years growth.  The key was to get them growing.  Karen told me not to buy more than 20.  They were on sale though, I thought to myself why so few?  I bought 50!  We spray painted on the ground every 10 feet to space them out then started planting them.  After about the 10th plant I knew why she said to only buy 20.  God sent an angel in Bob Jaques from the Catholic Sentinel and his father.  They drove up just as we were about to fold and said, “Could you use some help?”  They helped us get over half of them planted that day.  Karen and crew finished it up the following week for which I will always be grateful to them.  Lesson learned!

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Top 10 Reasons go to Camp Howard This Summer…

Sr. Krista von Borstel Leave a comment

10.  The food at Camp Howard regularly receives rave reviews by the campers, especially the “Cheesy Rolls!”

9.  Attending Camp Howard is a time honored tradition for youth between the ages of 6 and 17.

8.  Camp staff annually sit down and review camper surveys to determine the best possible programs to offer the following year making Camp Howard one of the most exciting camps available!

7.  The camp purchased 16 new pedal carts, bigger than last year’s version for youth ages 6 through 10.

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6. Camp Howard is accredited by the American Camping Association which means we hold ourselves to the highest standards in camping.

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5.  Camp Howard offers a wide variety of fun activities to do every day while you are at camp that will fill your memory with great stuff for the rest of the year until you come back again!

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4. Zip Lines and Giant Swing make the experience for 13 and 14 year olds extra special!

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3. The camp pool has been heated since 2012!

2. We recognize and respect the presence of Jesus at Camp Howard!

1.ALL YOUR FRIENDS ARE GOING TO BE AT CAMP HOWARD THIS SUMMER!!!

Dina Marie Hale at Camp Howard

Sr. Krista von Borstel Leave a comment

It was very special to give Dina Marie Hale (formerly Program Director / On-air host @Mater Dei Radio from 2000 through March 2018) a tour of Camp Howard!  We toured the new Mary’s Lodge as well as the entire camp!  Thanks be to God for the beautiful day!

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5.8.2018 Hand Washing at Mary’s Lodge

Sr. Krista von Borstel Leave a comment

The hand washing station in front of Mary’s Lodge enables 250 kids to wash up quickly before each meal.  This station will include water, troughs, lights & drainage. Hand washing greatly reduces the bugs making it a priority in the new lodge.

Ricky Shoop Goes to Camp Howard

Sr. Krista von Borstel Leave a comment

I feel blessed to have had the opportunity to get our new youth minister for the Archdiocese of Portland, Richard “Ricky” Shoop out to Camp Howard.  Ricky has been in the Portland area all of about 4 months and is getting to know the various parts of Oregon!  We had a great lunch and trip to camp engaging in non stop communication the entire trip! April 26, 2018

Below: Sr. Krista, Simone, Carmen (Archdiocese of PDX Development Dir), Ricky, Connor (CYO Social Media).

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As Promised, New Drone Footage of Mary’s Lodge

Sr. Krista von Borstel Leave a comment

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!

Surprised This Morning…THANKS Marguex!!!

Sr. Krista von Borstel Leave a comment

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

Sr. Krista von Borstel Leave a comment

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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Mary’s Lodge at Camp Howard Update

Sr. Krista von Borstel Leave a comment

The building continues to take shape as one would expect.  The images in my mind and dreams of the summer continue to inspire me.  This great weather invites new drone footage!

Below: Three quarter view from the new access road gives a wonderful perspective of the building. The large rocks will be removed and used in the Sandy River for stream bed restoration.  The area will be cleaned and dressed then planted to lawn.  It will serve as a welcoming green space and a fire defense area.

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Below: working on the pad for the walk-in freezer.  The man in the orange shirt is applying a coating of liquid rubber.  they topped it off with tar paper and some foam.  These are my own observations and not the technical verbiage of the workers!

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Below: Insulation is being applied in the dining room.  Looking good!  I really liked the look of the framing in the dining hall.  The pattern was beautiful!

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Below: Insulation covered with a plastic overcoat!

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Below: The inside fireplace room is drying out with the warm air being pumped in.

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Below: Some of the beautiful windows being installed in the building.  These windows look out to the entrance of the building.

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Open Houses to Feature Camp Howard!

Sr. Krista von Borstel Leave a comment

Mater Dei Radio helped us out with an opportunity to spread the good news about our upcoming open houses for Camp Howard.  Please listen to the radio link and join us for one of three opportunities to see and learn more about Camp Howard!  The first link is the radio program (10 minutes) the second link is information regarding dates and times on our website!

http://materdeiradio.com/morning-drive-guest-sister-krista-von-borstel-cyo-camp-howard/

http://www.cyocamphoward.org/home.php?layout=7696669