Category CYO/Camp Howard

Congratulations SSMO Sister Thuy and Sister Colleen!!!!

Sr. Krista von Borstel Leave a comment

UNIVERSITY OF PORTLAND SUNDAY MAY 7, 2017

IMG_2647.jpg Sister Colleen Schmitt and Sr. Thuy Nguyen graduated from the University of Portland on Sunday to the delight of twenty of their Sisters of St. Mary of Oregon cheerleaders!  It was a wonderful occasion to celebrate the two women who work in the ministries of the Sisters of St. Mary of Oregon.

A party was held afterword in their honor at the Motherhouse of the Sisters in Beaverton.  #sistersblogs, #cyocamphoward, #sistersofstmaryoforegon, #ssmo

BELOW: Sister Thuy Nguyen (left) and Sister Colleen Schmitt enjoy a candid photo before the ceremony begins.

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Save the Last Dance for Me

Sr. Krista von Borstel 2 Comments

Several years ago I visited a seventh and eighth grade dance put on by a public agency to see what it looked like.  I was amazed at the lack of supervision and decided there and then that we needed to put on some dances to give families a choice.  We started the CYO dances at Oaks Park around 2004.  Mary Jane Weigel put on the early dances and did a good job of getting them started.

Maryann and Bryan Stewart have been organizing the CYO Dances for over ten years. They do a great job of it as well.  Working with seventh and eighth graders is a lot of fun as they are a very special age group. The dances are not without issues as one would expect working with this age group.  The youngsters are developing into young teens who make mistakes and we view it as our mission to help them correct the mistake and learn from it.  

Maryann and Bryan have raised four children of their own and have a good handle on our Catholic Christian expectations and do a great job of helping the kids.  We are also thankful for the committment of our DJ Tom Farley who continues to provide outstanding DJ services. As the last dance of the year approaches this May 12, CYO will say goodbye to the 8th graders and welcome the 6th graders.    

As we look to the 2017-18 Dance season, Bryan, MaryAnn and I have met and assessed our procedures to ensure that we are being faithful to our mission.  Dress code will be more strictly enforced, online registration will be required and the price of the dances will increase to keep up with the costs passed along to CYO.  As we finalize our plans, we will make them known to our participants and parents. We offer Catholic organizations the opportunity to do the supervision for us and in return, we pay their group $500. for their 3 hour effort.  If your group is interested in chaperoning, please contact the CYO/Camp Howard office.  

#sistersblogs #cyocamphoward #mondayblogs

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!

Christ Child BXB Courts at Camp Howard

Sr. Krista von Borstel Leave a comment

The Christ Child Society of Portland made money available for Camp Howard to build basketball courts in 2010 with a little left over to go toward the cover which was installed in 2015.  The three full sized basketball courts have been a game changer at the camp on rainy days and sunny days alike as the cover provides refuge from the rains and the sun.

When the busses for the summer programs arrive at the camp they unload campers under the Christ Child courts.  The facility provides wonderful options for the camp from organization of people, sorting luggage on a rainy day, to all kinds of activities during the week rain or shine.  Last year, arts and crafts took place on the other side of the blue curtains pictured below.  #sistersblogs #cyocamphoward

 

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Camp Howard TV Advertisement

Sr. Krista von Borstel 1 Comment

Check out our 2017 TV advertisement here:

https://vimeo.com/fox12/review/212116303/a5f3c6c06d

#sistersblogs, #cyocamphoward

CYO Track & Field Week 2 Photo Gallery

Sr. Krista von Borstel 1 Comment

APRIL 22, 2017 CYO TRACK & FIELD –

CYO Track & Field is GREAT because it is a very active sport with a lot of choices for kids. Throwing, jumping, putting, running, sprinting, you name it, there is something for everyone!  This year nearly 1900 kids signed up for CYO Track & Field.  Four meets per Saturday bringing kids from all over the greater Portland area to compete with one another is a lot of fun. #sistersblogs #cyocamphoward

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Have You Experienced the “Bus Stop”?

Sr. Krista von Borstel Leave a comment

Over the past 20 years, some of my favorite memories revolve around the bus stop. There are many facets to the bus stop!  Families arrive at The Madeleine School in Portland to check luggage, paperwork, meds and most important…the camper!

Similar stories are played out year after year as parents bring their child to the bus and in many cases, it will be the child’s first time away from home.  Not sure if it is harder on the parent or the child. The parent looks through the window at their child who is either looking forward to the fun ahead or crying their eyes out.  Might be Mom on the other side of the window crying her eyes out.  Either way, it is a touching moment.  If we can get through this part of the trip, the rest will be easy!

Next, we get to camp with three to six busses filled with kids.  At the camp, a well oiled machine is waiting to unload the luggage from the luggage truck, sort it and distribute it to the various units before the kids arrive at their cabin.

The campers are welcomed by another group as they step off the bus onto the Camp Howard campground. The children are welcomed with a slap of hands as they make their way, pillows in hand, to the gathering space.  The goal for the first hour of arrival is to get the campers situated into their cabin group, engage in ice breakers to get to know one another and make their way to their cabins to choose a bunk.

When the kids get back on the bus to return home, often there are more tears.  As they arrive at the Madeleine they are singing the Camp Howard Fight Song as they arrive at the end of the journey.  Happy to tell Mom and Dad about their experiences and bittersweet feelings about leaving the fun and independence they experienced at camp.

The bus stop is a very powerful place on both ends of the trip.  I can tell you it is true as I have been there for 20 years worth of experiences.

2007 arrival at camp copy

ABOVE: 2005 kids arrive at the Camp

2008 bus ride Home copy

ABOVE 2007 – Bus leaves Camp with a load of campers headed back home!

2008 bus stop

ABOVE: Sr. Krista visits with some campers getting ready to head to camp in 2008.  (Cheyenne Cunning is a camper – the one with the cougar award)

2009 Bus at the Mad copy

ABOVE: 2009 – Six busses load up as the luggage bus is packed for a trip to Camp Howard.

2010 Bus stop 1 copy

2010 ABOVE Campers load the bus for a trip to camp at the Madeleine

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2010 ABOVE – Parents say goodby just before the busses roll out of the Madeleine for Camp.

2010 Bus stop 3 copy

2010 ABOVE – Campers express a variety of emotions as they gaze at their parents prior to leaving for camp.

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2010 ABOVE – Signage points parents and campers in the direction they need to go at the bus stop

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2011 ABOVE Campers arrive at Camp Howard and are welcomed by staff

2010 Bus stop 6

2011 ABOVE Campers arrive at Camp Howard and are welcomed by staff

2010 Bus stop 7

2011 ABOVE Campers arrive at Camp Howard and are welcomed by staff

2010 Bus stop 8

2011 ABOVE Campers arrive at Camp Howard and are welcomed by staff

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ABOVE 2016 – busses arrive at the camp to take campers home

2016 Bus stop 2

ABOVE 2016 Parents wait for campers to arrive after a week of camp.

 

Camp Howard “Gimpl” Dining Hall Slated for Replacement

Sr. Krista von Borstel Leave a comment

The Camp Howard Dining Hall was built in 1953 after the Horton Family made a land donation to St. Vincent de Paul for the purpose of a Catholic youth camp.  Archbishop Howard accepted the gift and the Hortons encouraged the naming of the camp after the Archbishop.  The camp was first known as Camp Howard of Oregon.

The deed was signed, turning the tree farm property over to Camp Howard of Oregon in January of 1953.  In April, the dining hall, a unit of 6 cabins, a showerhouse, staff cabins, a facility manager’s home and a water system were built and installed.

The first camping session began in June of 1953.

CYO/Camp Howard is working on a capital campaign to raise funds to replace the dining hall at the camp.  2.8 million has been raised with a goal of 3.5 million.

The dining hall has served over 100,000 campers over the years and has proved to be the heart of the camp as any kitchen tends to be.  The time has come, however, to replace the aged building.  The new building will include a foundation and restrooms among other modern conveniences.  Due to structural issues that would cost a great deal of money to repair, the old building will be eventually removed.

The dining hall was named “Gimple Hall” in 2002 to honor Father Carl Gimpl, the second camp director at the camp with a record 25 years of service at the camp.

HISTORY IN PHOTOS:

1953 Dining Hall Camp Howard

ABOVE: 1953 newly finished Camp Dining Hall.  First campers line up for meal time.

1956c Camp Howard Dining Hall copy

ABOVE: 1953 Camp Howard Dining Hall meal time!  Half the dining hall used as chapel in early years.

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ABOVE 1999 Camp Howard Dining Hall

1999 Dining Hall 1 copy

ABOVE 1999 Camp Howard Dining Hall.  the covered wings were added in 1978.

1999 Dining Hall 2 copy

ABOVE 1999 Camp Howard Dining Hall – Note, no windows in the lower part. These would be added in 2001.

1999 Dining Hall 3 copy

ABOVE 1999 Camp Howard Dining Hall – Note the ramp added for wheel chair access.  The old stairs are still visible.

1999 Dining Hall 5 copy

ABOVE 1999 Camp Howard Dining Hall – the building is perched on pier blocks

1999 Dining Hall 6 copy

ABOVE 1999 Camp Howard Dining Hall – Front View

2001 Dining Hall copy 2

ABOVE 2001 Camp Howard Dining Hall – Windows are added at the ends of the building greatly improving the light inside. (Dick Weigel in pink shirt – Board President at the time.)

2001 Dining Hall windows

ABOVE: Windows are in and now a little trim paint to be introduced!

2005 Dining Hall

ABOVE: Camp Howard Dining Hall front view 2008

2009 Dining Hall

ABOVE: Camp Howard Dining Hall 3/4 view 2008

2011 Dining Hall Paint & Stain 1 copy

ABOVE: Camp Howard Dining Hall freshly stained and trimmed 2011.  Looks pretty good doesn’t it?

2011 Dining Hall Paint & Stain 5 copy

ABOVE: Camp Howard Dining Hall freshly stained and trimmed 2011 front and side

2015 Dining Hall

ABOVE: Camp Howard Dining Hall 2015.

 

Have You Ridden a “Speed Racer”?

Sr. Krista von Borstel Leave a comment

If you are between the ages of 5 and 10, and going to Camp Howard this summer, you are in for a treat!  Not only are we offering the new “Corcl’s” we also have new four wheeler “Speed Racers” for the age group!  A course will be set up on one of the basketball courts under the Christ Child Courts for the kids to race around.  A dozen carts have been ordered and will soon make Camp Howard their new home!  Get ready kids!  You have a lot of fun in store for you this summer at CAMP HOWARD!

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What’s Good about Good Friday?

Sr. Krista von Borstel Leave a comment

When you think about the horrible things that happened on Good Friday it makes one stop and ponder the word, “Good”!

For me, the three days leading to Easter are the most important days of the year!  I would not have dedicated my life to Christ had it not been for these three days.  Think about it, Jesus willingly died, was buried and rose to life on the third day all in accordance with what God had promised all along in the Scriptures (1 Corinthians 15:3).  This was the most momentous event in the history of the world!

Good Friday had to happen in order for the wonderful JOY of Easter Sunday!  I hope this is a thought filled and wonderful Easter for each of you!