I detest the political season and I can’t stand political advertisements.  It is a shame where we have come to in this country politically.  We are all losers because of it.

Taking the life of a child prior to being born (abortion) is a very sad situation and I know we all have our perspectives on it.  I am obviously against it but at the same time I realize there are a lot of people who have had abortions and most of them suffer the rest of their lives because of it.  I feel for and love those people for the struggles they have been through.

I can’t sit and be quiet about what I understand is going on with Planned Parenthood and the careful killing of babies to harvest and sell body parts.  I called Senator Ron Wyden’s office this afternoon to ask him to help defund Planned Parenthood when they vote at 5:00 Eastern time.  It took about 10 minutes for the whole process and I actually got someone with skin on the other line.

Here’s the number: 1-202-224-3121 (US Capitol)

I started my day with our regular Wednesday morning Core Staff Leadership team meeting at Camp Howard.  Five Unit Directors, CIT Director, Summer Programs Camp Director, Assistant Camp Director, Property Director, Program Director and Health and Safety Director.  It is the core leaders of the camp and the ones who really make things happen.  I really enjoy working with this group because they inspire me and give me faith in the future.  They are tremendous leaders who understand their role, mission and the importance of making sure the campers who come to Camp Howard are to be taken care of in the best possible way.

Candi Trap, Assistant Camp Director

Khaki Andersen, Program Director

Kirstin

Morgan

Alli

Bill – Camp Howard Summer Program Director

Leila Blakely, Karen von Borstel

It has been very exciting to watch the installation of the cover for the Christ Child Basketball Courts this summer.  The cover will shade and shield three full size high school basketball courts at Camp Howard.  The covered courts will enable the camp to have a place to play on rainy days in the summer and add new programs.

Cover being installed over the Christ Child Basketball Courts June/July 2015

Christ Child Courts added to Camp Howard in 2010

Camp Howard campers enjoying the basketball courts.

We have determined the strongest kids in CYO – Shot Put & Turbo Javelin.  We know who can run our messages across long distances the fastest – 3000, 1500 & 800.  We know who can fly the furthest – Long jump and fly the highest – high jump!  Tommorrow begins a series on the fastest kids in CYO – 400, 200 & 100.  We will then finish up with the relay teams!  So stay tuned as we reload our blog with another series of exciting stories.

You might also be interested to know that we are starting to load videos onto the CYO/Camp Howard store on our website http://www.cyocamphoward.org of all of the events in track and field this season.  This means you could purchase any one of the events and watch yourself on it!  As you may know, we pay Blue Chip video to come out and film the events with the intention of getting the technology to make it possible for people to download the film onto their computers or mobile devices.  We have finally achieved that ability so we will be adding events until we have all of the current track events up then we will move backwards to all of our past championships that we have filmed.  We began filming around 2003!  It won’t happen overnight but we will be working our way back to the beginning.

After 18 years of CYO Sports, I have the benefit of watching the kids grow up through the program and see the work they have gone to, the growth, the wins and the losses.  Let me also say I am for all of the teams and for all of the kids!  I love the stories behind the scenes and I have to say I have enjoyed watching Makenna Schumacher these past few years and especially this year as she won both the 3000 and the 1500.  In 2014 Makenna won the 3000 Meter run, setting a new CYO record of 10:14.86.  She narrowly lost the 1500 in 2014 to Kelly Makin of St. Pius X who set a new CYO record of 4:45.88.  Makenna came back as an 8th grader determined to win both the 1500 and 3000 and she worked very hard to make it happen.

Makenna’s time of 10:10.46 in the 1500 Meter Run on Sunday May 17th, 2015 would have been good enough to win second place in the 2014, 6A Oregon High School Track and Field Championships behind former CYO standout, Ella Donaghu of Grant with a winning time of 9:56.79. Gracie Todd of Sheldon took second place in the 6A championships with a time of 10:14.19.

Makenna Schumacher and Ember Stratton break the old CYO record for the 3000 at the CYO Meet of Champions 2015

Makenna Schumacher from St. Thomas More wins the Cadet Girls 3000 and 1500 at the CYO Meet of Champions for 2015

Cadet Girls 3000 Meter Run First: Makenna Schumacher, Second: Ember Stratton, third: Elizabeth Rinck, Fourth: Alexis Kebbe, Fifth: Lucy Huelskamp, Sixth: Na’ama Nevo, Seventh: Mia Middleton, Eighth: Kavah Ryerson