Category Camp Howard

Cheyenne Cunning and the Camp Howard Store

Sr. Krista von Borstel Leave a comment

JULY 19, 2017 CAMP HOWARD FEATURING THE PHOTOGRAPHY OF CLAYTON SMITH

Cheyenne Cunning has been working at Camp Howard since she was old enough to walk! She graduated from college this spring so this is her last summer as a youth staff member at the camp.  She started out doing dishes, helped cook for rentals, was on the “Pop up Team” from Seton Catholic (came at a moments notice to help clean or do a special project at camp), and for the past three summers, has run the camp store.  She will be a big loss to the camp as she moves forward toward her career this year but the memories she has left behind will never be forgotten!  #sistersblog #cyocamphoward

We’re Off to the Races with the new SPEED RACERS!

Sr. Krista von Borstel Leave a comment

JULY 15, 2017 CAMP HOWARD FEATURING THE PHOTOGRAPHY OF CLAYTON SMITH

This was the year to add to programming for the 6-10 year olds at Camp Howard.  They are the Fircrest and Greenwood campers which means they stay in those units.  They watched while the older kids got the zip line, big swing and laser tag.  It was their turn this year and they got corcl’s and speed racers.  Sounds like it has been a hit so far and we are all pretty excited for them!  #sistersblog #cyocamphoward

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Zip Line at Camp Howard…the Best!

Sr. Krista von Borstel Leave a comment

JULY 17, 2017 CAMP HOWARD FEATURING THE PHOTOGRAPHY OF CLAYTON SMITH

I was talking to the 13 & 14 year olds at camp who were participating in the zip line. They were pretty excited about their experience and I heard one of them talking to a friend, “I have done a lot of zip lines but this one was the best!”  I pardoned my eavesdropping and asked why she thought it was the best.  She said the view was fantastic and you could see where you were going and it was “spectacular!”  I thought that was pretty awesome.  She is right…the view is amazing. #cyocamphoward #sistersblogs

 

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FINALLY…A Corcl in Action!!!

Sr. Krista von Borstel Leave a comment

JULY 15, 2017 CAMP HOWARD FEATURING THE PHOTOGRAPHY OF CLAYTON SMITH

WOWZERS!!!  the kids have taken to Corcl’s like fish to water!!! 🙂  They can’t wait to get into them!  The Camp staff saw them for the first time at the American Camping Association Convention this year and brought the idea home.  Looked like fun especially since we were looking for something to excite the little kids in programming.  They became good at it to the point it was the buzz at camp!!!  Way to go Fircrest and Greenwood campers! (Boys and Girls ages 6 to 10)

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Jenna Bass & Camp Howard BXB Camp

Sr. Krista von Borstel Leave a comment

Basketball enthusiasts from around the Greater Portland area joined Jenna Bass for a basketball campout at Camp Howard Thursday through Sunday to add a few skills to their basketball toolbox.  Bass, a former Willamette University star, flanked by daughter Claire and co-worker, Connor Garcia, enjoyed their four day experience with the kids under the wonderful Christ Child Basketball Courts at Camp Howard.  The kids who attended will return to their CYO teams this winter armed with all kinds of new skills to enhance their games!

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This Activity Unplugged the Campers!

Sr. Krista von Borstel 3 Comments

Imagine what it might be to fish for the first time and actually catch some fish!  That was the case for several Camp Howard campers and 22 Chinese students visiting from their homeland.  They experienced the worms, the poles, the hooks the tangled lines, bringing in a fish, casting the line and a whole new world!  It is always one of my favorite places to go and get a few good pictures!  Note the iphones in the pocket along with the headphones! 🙂  Mission accomplished!

After they catch the fish, the fish are cleaned on the spot then taken to the kitchen where they are prepared for dinner and the fishermen/women get to eat their catch.  It is a pretty awesome experience to observe! #srkristablog, #cyocamphoward

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The Making of a Summer Camp Director

Sr. Krista von Borstel 1 Comment

NORA

Nora Gravengaard interviewed for and was hired in the position of receptionist in January of 2014 at the CYO/Camp Howard office in Portland, OR.  She quickly proved herself to be a hard worker who did a good job, kept smiling and asked what else she could do!

I moved her into a position to assist with the development of Baseball, Lacrosse and Football.  Again, she stayed on top of her work, communicated with her cohorts and delivered to the best of her ability.

An opportunity came forward in 2015 to move her to the position of the Camp Director of the Camp Howard summer programs.  She said, “Sister I will do what ever you would like me to do.”

The position of Camp Director for a summer camping experience is a formidable task.  It is a position that calls forth all of your skills and then some.  It is a position that will take you to new places in your own skin!  You are forced to grow beyond your current personal boundaries.

Nora went into her first camping season armed with a team of confident, seasoned team mates, mothers, leaders, friends, all capable hard working ladies in their own right who looked for a leader who would communicate with them, keep them in the loop, treat them as team mates, work with them and laugh with them.

The first season was a season of learning all of the ropes, asking for help, and sometimes just big “deer in the headlight” stares at what could possibly happen next!  Her team flanked her and helped her all the way through.  During the off season, she attended the Camp Directors workshop and the American Camping Association’s convention in New Mexico.  She attended with two of her team and they all learned so much and were excited about it.

Nora is getting ready to start her second season of camp.  She just finished staff training and her youth staff were thrilled with it.  They have been a big help to her and they realized this year how important their help was last year.  Her Leadership Team is grateful for the experience she has developed and look forward to working with her again.

In reflecting on her second year she says she is grateful for her youth staff and the parents who are trusting her and the camp with their children.  She is excited and ready for round two!

Meet the 2017 Camp Howard Staff

Sr. Krista von Borstel Leave a comment

JUNE 24, 2017 CAMP HOWARD-

The 2017 Camp Howard Summer Staff is in the midst of staff training this week prepping for a summer of some 1300 – 1500 campers.  Training topics outlined by the American Camping Association include: Employment, Counselors & Staff, Campers, Camp Site & Facilities, Food Service Procedures, Transportation, Activities Procedures, Health & Safety, Preventing & Managing a Crisis at Camp.

Anna McLean, St. Mary’s Academy and Seattle University graduate (2017) will be the Program Director and Youth Leader of the camp this year.  She will be assisted by Unit Directors: Elizabeth Brown (Cougar Den), Anthony Cioeta (Sparpole), Ally Oser (Aldergrove), Natalie Nielson (Greenwood), Anna O’Boyle (Fircrest), Shelby Dunn (CIT Director), Meghan Carlos (Mini Camp/ Day Camp Dir.), Drew Jackson (Health & Safety Asst.), Cheyenne Cunning (Camp Store Director), Michael Meunch (Paintball Director), Gabe Klinger (Laser Tag Director), John Lance (Specialty Camps Director), Spencer Curzon (Archery Director), Silas Warner (Lifeguard), Stephanie Dakin (Dining Hall Stewardess).

Cabin Counselors: Paige Alie, Ashley Beldn, Latece Brown, Emilie Cochran, Kelli Dack, Hanna Duffy, Anthony Fergusson, Kay Greene, Alexis Harris, Simone Helfrich, Katherine Ludwikoski, Andreas Markantonatos, Kevin McDonald, Maggie Miller, Brian Mulch, Ryan Ohm, Madeline Parvankin, Elliott Prehn, Kenna Reid, Mathew Robinson, Colleen Rooney, Taylor Rothstein, Elizabeth Scofield, Kelsey Stankye.

Kitchen Staff: Judy Weltch (Head Cook Day), Valerie Davis (Head Cook Evening), Ron Hungate, McKayla Cannon, Kayla Houston, Kelsey Houston, Kathy Lively, Sonja Engstrom,  Stephanie Tyler, Jesse King, Amber Parkins, Sr. Colleen Schmitt, Gabe King, Debbie Wright, Jamie Arpan, John Myers.

Leadership Staff:  Nora Gravengaard (Camp Director), Shawna King (Asst. Camp Director), Leila Blakely (Health & Safety Dir.), Karen von Borstel (Property Director), Sr. Krista (Exec. Director).

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Camp Howard Cooks…What’s for Dinner?

Sr. Krista von Borstel 1 Comment

June 21, 2017 CAMP HOWARD

I’ve been at the camp since Monday for leadership staff training.  What a great group of young people we have at the camp this summer to lead the way.  The cooks are at the camp year around cooking for our summer program and year around rentals including Outdoor School, church camp outs, family reunions, football camp, you name it.  Our cooks are the best part of our camp.  They do a great job preparing food from scratch and the kids love it!  The cooks always get high marks from the kids each summer.

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Watch Camper Ride the Camp Howard Giant Swing

Sr. Krista von Borstel Leave a comment

CAMP HOWARD MAY 7, 2017

When I heard about a giant swing I wondered what it was.  My imagination did not image what it really was until I saw the designs.  Once I understood the concept I was excited for the people who would ride it.  As a youth, I loved the roller coasters and all kinds of exciting rides.  The giant swing, I was sure, would be a hit with the campers at Camp Howard.

Around March of 2016 two “giant” poles were delivered to the camp and quickly thereafter, the construction company came to the camp and began work on the project. By April, the structure for the swing was in place and ready for business.

During staff training in June of 2016, the first group of individuals were trained on operating the giant swing.  During one of the training periods, the CYO/Camp Howard Executive Board came to the camp to put their stamp of approval on it and also make sure it was safe for the kids to ride.  The Board members rode the swing along with the zip line to ensure we could in good conscience, allow the kids to ride! #sistersblogs, #cyocamphoward

BELOW: Giant Swing structure in place 2016

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BELOW: Trained Camp Howard Staff fits a parent into the giant swing harness.

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BELOW: CYO/Camp Howard Business Director, Virginia Martines takes one of the first rides on the Giant Swing to make sure it is safe for the kids to ride on!

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BELOW: Camper tries out the big swing to her delight!