Category CYO/Camp Howard

Screen Saver from Orlando

Sr. Krista von Borstel Leave a comment

For my friends and family in Oregon and Indiana who are enjoying the effects of the cold weather and snow…I took a picture this yesterday morning of the palm trees on my way to breakfast with other not for profit camps at the American Camping Association Conference in Orlando, FL.

It was an extremely busy day with 10 minutes passing time in between sessions.  I thought you might like to know what sessions I attended yesterday: Finding and Reconnecting Your Camp Alumni For the Good of Your Camp, Keynote Lecture with Dan Heath (Exceptional), Religiously Affiliated Camps Lunch, Increasing Retention of New Families, Engaging Millennials: Ten Essential Strategies for Camps, Parents Demand a “Return on Investment” from Camp.

Karen, Leila, Nora, Shawna and I made a point to chart the classes we would take to be sure we hit as many as we could to bring information back to share with one another.  It was a GREAT day and we learned a LOT.

Dan Heath, the Keynote speaker for the day co-wrote three of the most loved business books of the past decade: Made to Stick, Switch, and Decisive.  Every member of the assembly received their new book, “The Power of Moments”

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Day One at American Camping Association Conference

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Well, of course it doesn’t hurt that the conference is in Orlando and the snow is flying in Portland…80 degrees here – timing is everything!!!

The CYO/CH team split up all of the sessions we wanted to see this week to make sure we would get as much information as possible.  The schedule began this afternoon with a keynote address given by Florence Williams.  She told us a lot of things we knew but amplified it with more information and it was very interesting.  She talked about how the playground space of kids has changed over the years.  Those of us older than probably 45 or so remember our playground being a lot of space, as far was we could walk or ride (motorcycles, horses, bikes, etc.)  It has decreased in area over the years till it is practically totally inside the house.

She went on to talk about how important it is for kids to be outside and how camps give kids such valuable variety of outdoor adventure opportunities and free play.  It was really edifying and very valuable to hear.

Sessions we took in included: Hunters and Farmers, Why ADHD’ers can thrive at camp; Opening the Curtain; What the best leaders at camp really do; Serious, that happened at camp? a sharing of problems at camps around the USA as shared with the American Camping Association this past year; Measuring Outcomes 101, how to survey and do analysis of the data!

 

 

Photos to Come!

Sr. Krista von Borstel Leave a comment

As the snow falls in Portland and surrounding environs, Portland area schools are closing left and right. I sit and drink a cup of coffee in the Pepper Market Cafe in Orlando Florida as I wait for the opening session and keynote speaker for the American Camping Association national gathering.

I am here with Nora our Camp Director, Karen, our Property Director, Leila our Health and Safety Director and Shawna, our Assistant Camp Director.

I am concerned about the 3rd and 4th grade tournament but know the CYO staff will get things prepped and ready for contingency.  I feel for them.  It is a big job!

Our staff at the convention will be fanning out and taking in as many topics as we can between now and Friday.  I will share along the way and I think you will find it interesting.

Pictured below: Shawna and Leila 

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Rock Wall and Picturesque View

Sr. Krista von Borstel Leave a comment

CAMP HOWARD February 16, 2018

Our regular Tuesday afternoon meeting at Camp Howard to visit with architects and builders did not disappoint!  I am so excited to see the framing and walls go up on “Mary’s Lodge”.  The building continues to take shape.

Below: A new road, required by the Fire Dept. is located below the building and is the point from which the photo is taken.  The concrete is outdoor patio/eating space and there will be an outdoor fireplace which can be seen in the photos below.

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Below: Three quarter view of the end and side of the building.

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Below: A large opening for doors and windows show the spectacular view.

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An outdoor decorative rock wall juxtaposed to the outdoor fireplace will provide a wonderful outdoor environment for special events.

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Below: Working outdoors under a plastic tent, the fireplace takes shape!

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Below: Putting up the glue laminated beams!

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Hans Etlin, from Soderstrom Architects, inspects the specially fabricated hardware which will hold the massive timbers at the entrance to the building.

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Did you see us on TV?

Sr. Krista von Borstel Leave a comment

KPTV FOX 12 is our channel…Camp Howard is our Advertisement…check it out here!

https://vimeo.com/fox12/review/254006066/56ae530a88

Walls and Fireplaces

Sr. Krista von Borstel Leave a comment

The crew at Todd Construction is very enjoyable to work with.  They are constructing the new “Mary’s Lodge at Camp Howard.”  We meet every Tuesday rain or shine and go over the schedule and anything relevant to the smooth working of the construction projects. We try to get photos every week and here are the current happenings:

Below:  Walls are going up on the new Dining Hall at Camp Howard!IMG_7828
Below:  The firewall is being installed inside one of the fireplaces to grace the new dining hall at Camp Howard.
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Below:  Stone being applied to an outer wall facing the outside eating area
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Stone worker enthusiastic about his work doing beautiful work on the outside wall.  The Lord loves a cheerful worker!
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Building Rain or Shine

Sr. Krista von Borstel 3 Comments

Not a surprise, seems like more rain than shine these days at Camp Howard as contractors work through the drizzle to finish up the foundation of the new “Mary’s Lodge at Camp Howard!”

When the project is finished, I plan to perch myself in front of the windows overlooking the Bull Run and Mt. Hood and drink coffee all afternoon with friends!  Call me to get your name on the list of friends who would like to join me! 503-231-9484

Below: The plastic “tent” is actually scaffolding surrounded by plastic to keep rain off of the fireplace that is being installed.  Pretty exciting to see the work being done!

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Inside the “tent” small glimpse of the inside of the fireplace and firewall being installed.

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Framers lay out the area where walls will spring up.  In no time they will have the walls up and a cover over the building so they can work inside.  That is my prediction!  We will see how long it takes!IMG_7811

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CYO/Camp Howard Christmas Blessing 2017

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Giving Tuesday Makes Great Memories Possible

Sr. Krista von Borstel Leave a comment

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I am so grateful to all of our supporters who believe in our mission to make great memories possible for the 11,000 youth who participate annually in our programs. We rely on financial support to fund scholarships and to continue our excellence in programs. Tomorrow is a well-recognized global day of giving. I encourage you to participate in #Giving Tuesday! Here are two options for giving to CYO/Camp Howard:

  1. Support our scholarship programs:  to give youth an opportunity to play sports or attend camp. (include the photo of girls attached)
  2. Give to the new dining hall at Camp Howard. Very close to my heart is our campaign to complete a new dining hall at Camp Howard: Mary’s Lodge. Please visit our GoFundMe Page where you can see the latest updates and contribute to the new Dining Hall.

Be sure to DOUBLE your donation by contacting your employer for a match. Securing an employer match is a great way to have your donation help even more youth☺.

I am deeply grateful for your support. Many blessings to you and your family as we approach the Christmas season.

Sister Krista

CYO 8th Grade Girls Spike Volleyball Championship St. Joseph vs Cathedral

Sr. Krista von Borstel Leave a comment

November 18, 2017 • 8th Grade Girls Spike Championships

Home Team: St. Joseph’s (Vancouver, WA) (Red)

Coaches: Bart Hansen, Casey Moltrum, Eileen Stemple

Players: Alyssa, Caroline, Alexandra, Sydney, Alana, Tyra, Lauren, Renee, Bridget

 Visiting Team: Cathedral (Navy)

Coach(s): Megan Aguon, Fergie Bush

Player first names:Maisie, Nathalie, Chloe, Harper, Elliott, Alli, Madeleine, Avery, Lily, Maggie

Scores:

Set 1: St. Joseph 25 Cathedral 10

Set 2: St. Joseph 25  Cathedral 15

Set 3:

Game Highlights: The level of play at 8th grade is incredibly good with the teams showing off some incredible developed skills and talent.  The power, finesse and technique of each individual girl comes together to form a wonderful team effort.  The rally’s at this level are exceptionally fun to watch.  We will see several of these girls on high school teams next year.

FINAL: St. Joseph, Vancouver in two.

Below: 2017 CYO Spike Volleyball Champions, 8th Grade Girls, St. Joseph, Vancouver, WA

2017 8th Girls VB 1st Place St. Joseph

Below: 2017 CYO Spike Volleyball Championships 8th grade girls 2nd place Cathedral

2017 8th Girls VB 2nd Place Cathedral