Category CYO/Camp Howard

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!

Champions of Faith “Save the Date”

Sr. Krista von Borstel Leave a comment

7th Annual Champions of Faith Benefit Dinner – An invitation from Sr. Krista von Borstel:

All families are invited to the 7th Annual Champions of Faith Benefit Dinner on October 17th at the Oregon Convention Center. Join us for our fun, community-building evening, featuring Keynote Speaker Nick Robertson, Oregon Sports Hall of Fame Inductee – High School Basketball Coach (Beaverton & McMinnville), Co-founder of Camps for Kids, and Cathedral Parishioner

To register, sponsor or donate, visit our website. View our video that illustrates how the Champions of Faith Dinner funds help families in our community. See our dinner flyer for a quick overview.

Our Benefit Dinner is the one annual fundraiser which has transformed CYO Sports and Camp Howard. The generosity of donors the past six years at our benefit dinner has made CYO Sports accessible for all who requested assistance and has provided thousands of camp scholarships. Net proceeds from the dinner have also greatly improved facilities and the range of programs for the over 11,000 youth who participate annually.

Contact Lisa Sanders, Development Director, at 503-231-9484 ext. 102 with any questions.

 

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Meet the 2017 Camp Howard Staff

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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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Kyeese Hollands Breaks 28-Year-Old Record in CYO Cub Girls Shot put Scoring for St. Andrew Nativity School

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Kyeese Hollands thrilled the crowd May 21 at the CYO Meet of Champions when she broke the longest standing record (the shot put) on the CYO books and was nationally ranked in her age group.  The CYO Shot Put record was 28 years old!   #sistersblog #cyocamphoward

Kyeese Hollands

  1. Kyeese Hollands, St. Andrew Nativity School, 38’11.50”
  2. Olivia Maulding, Christ the King, 26’5.50”
  3. Maggie Crimmins, St. Clare, 26’4.75”
  4. Danika DeLaczay, Franciscan Montessori Earth School, 25’11.50”
  5. Madeleine Dutt, West Hills Christian, 25’1”
  6. Alondra Salinas-Villafue, St. Andrew Nativity School, 24’11”
  7. Caitlin Thomas, St. Pius X, 24’2.25”
  8. Paige Hampton, West Hills Christian, 23’8.50”

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Michael Brittingham Wins Cadet Boys High Jump for St. Thomas More

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Michael Brittingham put the icing on the cake with his personal best jump of 5-09 in the cadet boys high jump.  Brittingham won the event at the CYO Meet of Champions held May 20 & 21 at Jesuit High School.

Brittingham also won the 200 meter dash earlier in the day. #sistersblog #cyocamphoward

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  1. Michael Brittingham, St. Thomas More, 5-09
  2. Zachary Williams, Franciscan Montessori Earth School, 5-02
  3. Robert Sabido, St. Clare, 5-02
  4. Aiden Andrews, Christ the King, 5-01
  5. Ryan Ensminger, Our Lady of the Lake, 5-01
  6. Miles Wells, St. John Fisher, 5-00
  7. Billy Harris, St. Francis (Roy)/Visitation (Verboort), 4-11
  8. Theron Abel, St. Pius X, 4-10

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Lily Reynolds Jumps 5’ to Grasp Gold for St. John Fisher

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Lily Reynolds missed her own personal best of 5’1” at the CYO Meet of Champions but bested all competitors by 2” with her impressive 5’ mark for Cadet Girls.  CYO congratulates all of the Cadet Girls for their great performances in the high jump. #sistersblog #cyocamphoward

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  1. Lily Reynolds, St. John Fisher, 5-0
  2. Abigail Sheets, St. Ignatius, 4-10
  3. Julia Sieber, Our Lady of the Lake, 4-09
  4. Allyson Hammond, St. Francis (Roy)/Visitation (Verboort), 4-08
  5. Elliott Bush, Cathedral, 4-07
  6. Olivia McVicker, Our Lady of the Lake, 4-07
  7. Josie Balish, St. John Fisher, 4-07
  8. Grace Hopkins, Our Lady of Lourdes, 4-06

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Kaden Huppin Breaks 5’ at CYO Meet of Champions

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Kaden Huppin won the Cub Boys High Jump at the CYO Meet of Champions at 5’1”.  Huppin was 7” higher than his closest competitor and he broke his own personal best of the season by 1”.  The Championship Track and Field meet was held May 20 & 21 at Jesuit High School showcasing the best of the CYO program. #sistersblog #cyocamphoward

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  1. Kaden Huppin, St. Pius X, 5-01
  2. Jacoby Thompson, St. Pius X, 4-06
  3. Matthew Irwin, Our Lady of the Lake, 4-05
  4. Nicholas Ferrero, St. Anthony, 4-05
  5. Payton Roth, St. Anthony, 4-04
  6. Wylie Sassano, St. Matthew, 4-04
  7. Nathaniel Gatchell, St. Pius X, 4-04
  8. Thomas Wilber, St. John the Apostle, 4-03

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Kaitlyn Jensen High Jump Leap Snags Gold for St. Pius X

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Kaitlyn Jensen won the Cub Girls High Jump at the CYO Meet of Champions held May 20 & 21 at Jesuit High School.  Her jump of 4-9 was 1” higher than her closest competitor, Natalie Speich of St. Anthony.  CYO congratulates all of the Cub Girl competitors in the contest. #sistersblog #cyocamphoward

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  1. Kaitlyn Jensen, St. Pius X, 4-09
  2. Natalie Speich, St. Anthony, 4-08
  3. Emily Gingell, St. Pius X, 4-07
  4. Mia Williams, St. Matthew, 4-05
  5. Ryleigh Hellberg, St. John the Apostle, 4-05
  6. Madeleine Dutt, West Hills Christian, 4-03
  7. Maria Nehnevaj, Our Lady of Lourdes, 4-03
  8. Ruby Batcheller, St. John the Apostle, 3-10

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Valley Catholic’s Connor Bly Wins Gold in Cadet Turbo Javelin

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Connor Bly and Luke Wilson battled it out improving pre-championship distances by over 10’ to duel it out for the Cadet Boys Turbo Javelin throw.  Bly and Wilson, seeded first and second respectively, were 20’ apart in the end with personal bests that were impressive alone.  Congratulations to all of the Cadet boys for the great job they did in the turbo javelin competition.  #sistersblog #cyocamphoward

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  1. Connor Bly, Valley Catholic, 160-04
  2. Luke Wilson, West Hills Christian, 140-02
  3. Ulysses Cannefax, St. Andrew Nativity, 135-07
  4. Noah Luty, St. John the Apostle, 135-06
  5. Mitchell Ervin, West Hills Christian, 133-00
  6. Andrew Chung, West Hills Christian, 132-02
  7. Jakob Braunstein, Our Lady of Lourdes, 131-03
  8. Cooper Howard, Valley Catholic, 125-03

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