Specialty Camps/Weekend Camps/Other camp options
Specialty Camps
Adventurer Camp (Session 3)
What do Indiana Jones, Tom Sawyer and Bear Grylls have in common? ... They were all adventurers! They overcame physical and mental challenges by using their skills and wit to seek and find adventure, or treasure. Join guest instructor, Mark Lee, for this fun-filled program as participants learn how to solve various riddles, puzzles and other mind-challenging problems to obtain the necessary clues to find the elusive treasure! Campers will form teams and learn geocaching, treasure hunting, hiking, navigation and problem solving skills. Open to camper ages 8-14.
Archery Camp (Session 7)
The camp is for anyone who would like to spend maximum time at our archery range. Campers spend time each day learning about the history of archery, equipment, range safety, as well as participating in a variety of more challenging activities at our expanded archery range. Open to camper ages 8-14.
Astronomy Camp (Session 6) New!
Constellations, stars and planets... Oh My! Make sure to join us this summer as we explore the skies and heavens above Camp Howard during our exciting new Astronomy Camp! Campers will enjoy daytime activities that investigate the sun, monitoring its activity and learning about the key role it plays in creating earth’s unique environment. During the evenings we’ll fire up our telescopes to identify the major stars, planets and constellations that inhabit the summer skies high above Camp Howard. Open to camper ages 8-14.
Dance Camp (Session 5)
Twirl, leap, or “moonwalk” your way into one of Camp Howard’s newest and most fun-filled programs – Dance Camp! Each day campers will study specific dance styles and techniques, learn dance choreography and design their own group dance routines. Join our guest instructor, Korina Doty, for a weeklong dance tour that will provide a greater understanding of the world of dance for both new and experienced dancers. We invite kids ages 8-14 to dance the week away at Camp Howard!
Drama Camp (Session 4)
“To be or not to be” in Drama Camp this summer... Thespians converge at Camp Howard during August! Campers with an interest in theater both on stage and backstage will enjoy a week of acting, directing, set and costume design, working with props and more! Join our guest instructor, Madeline “Mad Cat” Hunter, to experience a fun week of theater on the best stage of all... “Camp Howard!” Open to camper ages 8-14.
Fishing Camp (Session 4)
Reel in the catch of the day at Camp Howard’s pond during our summer Fishing Camp! Learn how to cast, catch, and clean your fish for cooking. Our pond is stocked regularly with rainbow trout and our campers have caught several record-breaking “whoppers”! (Rumor has it that Camp Howard has a “magic” pole to save the day if the fish are “crabby” and just aren’t biting). Fishing poles, tackle and bait are pro- vided. Open to camper ages 8-14.
Forestry & Nature Studies Camp (Session 5) New!
Did you know that Camp Howard is also a working tree farm? Join your friends at camp this summer as we explore the unique partnership between professional forestry practices and summer camp fun that makes our camp go.... Our forests do double duty in our mission of “making great memories for kids”. Join this camp and find out how.... Campers will also roam the grounds on nature “hikes” designed to investigate the specific “flora” and “fauna” that call Camp Howard home. Nature craft project included for each camp participant. Open to camper ages 8-14.
Glee Camp (Session 5)
Camp Howard is excited to announce the return of our very popular Glee Camp! Join our featured guest instructor and Oberlin Music Conservatory voice major, Katie Skayhan, to form a Glee Choir in the woods! Spend the week singing pop hits, classic rock, jazz and show tunes. Work together to choreograph musical numbers and perform in our “Glee Choir” by the week’s end! Experience group chorus and perhaps a solo opportunity as you showcase your vocal skills. Come and get your glee on! Open to camper ages 8-14.
Guitar Camp (Session 6)
Don’t “fret”, our Guitar Camp is back! Campers will meet daily with an experienced staff member and play in a group setting. Daily “jam” sessions will feature learning basic chord progressions and applying them to songs for beginners. Guitars are provided at camp. Open to camper ages 8-14.
Learning to Swim Camp (Session 1) New!
This exciting new program features lessons for beginning swimmers in a camp setting at the newly heated Camp Howard pool! Emphasis will be on helping participants foster a love for the water, through development of “face in the water” comfort and relaxed aquatic body positioning. Basic swim techniques including front crawl with side breathing, fundamental back float and the backstroke will be presented. The program will pair daily pool sessions (1 hr.) with canoeing (1 hr.) at our pond to enhance campers’ understanding of waterfront fun and safety. Swim instructor: Mark Lee, CYO Director of Swimming. Open to camper ages 7-14.
Paintball Camp (Sessions 1,3,4,5,6,7)
Our most popular specialty camp, Paintball Camp, gets better each year. This season will include more improvements to the arena and plenty of paintball war games, including “Capture The Flag” and “Last Team Standing”. This season we will operate separate sessions by age, which will improve competitive balance in the arena for all participants. Long pants and long sleeve shirts are strongly recommended for all participants. Guns, markers, masks, hoppers, CO2 and paintballs are all provided. Camper age registration as follows:
Paintball Cubs (Ages 7-10) Paintball Cougars (Ages 11-14)
Spy Kids Camp (Sessions 1,7)
Back by popular demand, we had to schedule two sessions to satisfy the yen for sleuthing! Your mission, should you accept it...? Go on this weeklong excursion into the life of a spy! Campers will learn about fingerprinting, invisible notes, spy gadgets and the use of different sleuthing equipment. Once all campers graduate from our “Spy School”, their skills will be put to the test in the most important mission yet: Save Camp Howard from becoming a mission impossible! Open to camper ages 6-14.
Survival Camp (Session 7)
You won’t be voted out of this camp! Our seasoned guest instructor, Mark Lee, will teach the basic critical wilderness survival skills. Participants will learn how and where to build a shelter, craft a fire, and procure safe water and food in the wild. Campers practice these basic survival skills within the safety and security of Camp Howard’s boundaries and learn to put those new skills to the test. Open to camper ages 8-14.
Target Sports Camp (Sessions 1,4)
Join us this summer for one of our most popular pro- grams, Target Sports Camp. So cool that we have to offer it twice! Campers hone their shooting skills daily through participation in a combination of featured sessions at our archery, paintball, rifle and trap shooting ranges. Campers must be a minimum of 12 years of age to participate in Target Sports Camp. Open to camper ages 12-14.
Tour de Camp
Tour de Camp was one of our most popular new Specialty Camps last summer and is back for an encore! A virtual “smorgasbord” of the most popular Camp Howard program activities showcased in either a weekend or a full-week format.
Weekend (Session 2)
Spend time over the weekend enjoying many camp activities including archery, BB guns, fishing, outdoor cooking, paintball (range) as well as learning about critical wilderness survival tips. This weekend camp will help you decide which full length Specialty Camp you may want to attend later this summer! Open to camper ages 8-14.
Full Week (Sessions 3,6)
Experience a weeklong “sampler” of the most popular General and Specialty Camp activities Camp Howard has to offer! Campers rotate through fun-filled activity concentrations daily, including archery, fishing, geocaching and paintball (range) to name a few. Stir in the rest of Camp Howard’s “magic” for a great week at camp! Open to camper ages 8-14.
WEEKEND Camps
Girls Volleyball Camp (Session 2)
Our annual weekend Volleyball Camp at Camp Howard is one of the most popular programs on our summer schedule! Head Coach Julie Taylor, who has over 19 years of coaching experience at both Central Catholic High School and Rose City Volleyball, will direct the two-day camp featuring plenty of technical instruction and fun competitive games for all ability levels. Enjoy the best of Camp Howard when not on the court including arts & crafts, campfire, games, swimming and our 100-foot long Slip n’ Slide! Open to female camper ages 8-14.
Family Camp (Session 5.5)
Join us for this summer’s Family Camp weekend! A great local weekend getaway for families and a terrific opportunity for you to experience the ac- tivities that make Camp Howard a special place for kids every summer. Lots of fun weekend ac- tivities designed for kids and adults alike including archery, arts & crafts, BB guns, campfire, fishing, games, ice cream social, swimming and a trap shooting contest! Families arrive Friday at 4 pm (cabins available at 5pm) followed by dinner and a welcoming campfire program. Family Mass is scheduled Saturday afternoon. All ages are welcome. Kids 5 and under are free of charge.
Mike Bergmann Running Camp (Session 2)
Swoosh! Lace up your “sneaks” and get ready to run! Our popular weekend running camp provides kids with the opportunity to learn about running for sport, or enjoyment while experiencing the beauty of Camp Howard. We will focus on technique and training, injury prevention, group runs, racing advice for competitors and lots of beautiful running trails. Participants will also enjoy popular Camp Howard activities including arts & crafts, campfire, games, swimming and our 100-foot long Slip n’ Slide! Camp is co-led by Coaches Mike Bergmann of Central Catholic High School and Paul Boileau of CYO Track. Open to runners ages 10-14 of all abilities and experience levels.
Tour de Camp Weekend (Session 2)
Spend time over the weekend enjoying many camp activities including archery, BB guns, fishing, outdoor cooking, paintball (range) as well as learning about critical wilderness survival tips. This weekend camp will help you decide which full length Specialty Camp you may want to attend later this summer! Open to camper ages 8-14.
Two-Week Camp (Sessions 1,2,3)
When one week at Camp Howard is not enough! Participants in our Two-Week Camp will be at camp for Sessions 1, 2 and 3 this season including our connecting weekend camp (S2). You have the choice of registering for any programs scheduled those sessions including General Camp and the Specialty Camps.
To register for Two-Week Camp: Two-Week Camp allows registration for any of the camps scheduled during Sessions 1 and 3 to those interested in signing up for Two-Week Camp. This means you will need to register for any camp offered in Session 1(eg General Camp) and any camp offered in Session 3 (eg Paintball Camp). Next, make sure to register for the "Two-Week Option" offered during Session 2. Please contact our office at (503) 231-9484 if you have any further questions.
OTHER CAMP Camps
Day Camp (Sessions 4, 6)
Our Day Camp program is designed specifically for younger campers that may not be ready to stay the night, but want to enjoy the best of Camp Howard during the day! Day campers have a dedicated staff at camp and get to attend a variety of camp activities during the week including arts & crafts, swimming, the Camp Store and much more! Lunch and a pre-departure snack are provided. Day Camp operates Monday through Thursday from 8:00 – 4:30 during select sessions and includes round-trip bus transportation from Portland to camp daily. Open to camper ages 6-10.
Mini Camp (Sessions 3, 5, 7)
Our Mini Camp program is a condensed version of our “flagship” General Camp program and offers the opportunity for younger campers (Ages 6-10) to experience Camp Howard on a shorter stay. Campers will participate in a variety of camp experiences over 4 days, 3 nights. Mini Camp operates Sunday to Wednesday during select sessions.
