Category Inspiration

Mary’s Lodge at Camp Howard Update

Sr. Krista von Borstel Leave a comment

The building continues to take shape as one would expect.  The images in my mind and dreams of the summer continue to inspire me.  This great weather invites new drone footage!

Below: Three quarter view from the new access road gives a wonderful perspective of the building. The large rocks will be removed and used in the Sandy River for stream bed restoration.  The area will be cleaned and dressed then planted to lawn.  It will serve as a welcoming green space and a fire defense area.

IMG_8592

Below: working on the pad for the walk-in freezer.  The man in the orange shirt is applying a coating of liquid rubber.  they topped it off with tar paper and some foam.  These are my own observations and not the technical verbiage of the workers!

IMG_8594

Below: Insulation is being applied in the dining room.  Looking good!  I really liked the look of the framing in the dining hall.  The pattern was beautiful!

IMG_8595

Below: Insulation covered with a plastic overcoat!

IMG_8602

Below: The inside fireplace room is drying out with the warm air being pumped in.

IMG_8604

Below: Some of the beautiful windows being installed in the building.  These windows look out to the entrance of the building.

IMG_8518

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!

IMG_7804

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

IMG_7810

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

IMG_7808

Couldn’t Help it Had to Post it!

Sr. Krista von Borstel Leave a comment

BEST LAWYER / INSURANCE STORY OF THE YEAR, DECADE,

This actually took place in Charlotte, North Carolina.
A lawyer purchased a box of very rare and expensive cigars; then insured them against, among other things, fire.

Within a month, having smoked his entire stockpile of these great cigars, the lawyer filed a claim against the insurance company.  In his claim, the lawyer stated the cigars were lost ‘in a series of small fires.’

The insurance company refused to pay, citing the obvious reason, that the man had consumed the cigars in the normal fashion.

The lawyer sued and WON!  (Stay with me.)

Delivering the ruling, the judge agreed with the insurance company that the claim was frivolous. The judge stated nevertheless, that the lawyer held a policy from the company, in which it had warranted that the  cigars were insurable and also guaranteed that it would insure them  against fire, without defining what is considered to be unacceptable ‘fire’ and was obligated to pay the claim.
Rather than endure lengthy and costly appeal process, the insurance company accepted the ruling and paid $15,000 to the lawyer for his loss of the cigars that perished in the ‘fires’.

NOW FOR THE BEST PART…
After the lawyer cashed the check, the insurance company had him arrested on 24 counts of ARSON!!!

With his own insurance claim and testimony from the previous case being used against him, the lawyer was convicted of intentionally burning his insured property and was sentenced to 24 months in jail and a $24,000 fine.
This true story won First Place in last year’s Criminal Lawyers Awards contest.

Corcl Memories From Camp Howard!

Sr. Krista von Borstel Leave a comment

This is what the “little kids” got to do at Camp Howard for one of their many activities this summer.  It was all captured by “Drone Campers” under the direction of Drone Pilot, Mark Lee also known as the Director of CYO Swimming and Track & Field!  Great job, Mark! #cyocamphoward, #sistersblog

Champions of Faith Testimonial with Ken Potter

Sr. Krista von Borstel Leave a comment

Ken Potter is a staff member at Jesuit High School and has been the Varsity Football Coach for over 30 years.  With several State Championships under his belt he is an accomplished football coach.  I appreciate Ken Potter for the gentle, Christ like manner in which he presents himself.  Humble and kind with an altruistic demeanor describes Ken in my opinion.  He is alway a joy to be around.

Thank you, Ken, for your many years of support for CYO and Camp Howard and for taking the time to help us out with this testimonial!

Champions of Faith Testimonial with Ed Kluss

Sr. Krista von Borstel Leave a comment

Ed Kluss is the CYO/Camp Howard Executive Board President.  He has done an outstanding job representing our organization with Catholic Charities, the Archdiocese of Portland and in so many other ways during his service in this role.  Thank you, Ed, for helping us out with this Champions of Faith Testimonial!  We are grateful to you.

Unknown-1

https://youtu.be/AU_PyH8prfI?list=PLn7Z88srUGqA4dJB-oYZ6Uxa6etTrYo4j

Champions of Faith Testimonial With Michelle Garcia

Sr. Krista von Borstel Leave a comment

Michelle Garcia and her husband Michael have been supporters of CYO/Camp Howard in a variety of roles.  Michelle has served most recently on our Capital Campaign Committee while her husband, Michael served on the Executive Board for several years including three years as Chairman.  Thank you, Michelle for stepping up and creating this testimonial for our annual fundraiser!  We are grateful to you.

Unknown

https://youtu.be/GYouh0Xzr9w?list=PLn7Z88srUGqA4dJB-oYZ6Uxa6etTrYo4j

A New Sister of St Mary of Oregon! Sr. Thanh Pham

Sr. Krista von Borstel Leave a comment

Sr. Thanh Pham, asked to join our religious community this summer after discerning this decision for a year.  Sr. Thanh Asked the Sisters this morning to help her and teach her as she learns to live religious life.  During the ceremony Sr. Thanh received the white novice veil and added “Sister” to her name!  It was a joyous occasion for the Sisters of St. Mary of Oregon!

sr Charlene Herinckx, superior general of the community, welcomed Sr. Thanh to the novitiate.

IMG_6531IMG_6536IMG_6537IMG_6549

Bull Run From a Drone’s Perspective

Sr. Krista von Borstel Leave a comment

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).

staff photo