Mt Hood Kiwanis Camp New Dormitory Campaign
The Mt Hood Kiwanis Camp serves individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. It’s long waiting list and aging facilities make a new dormitory a top priority as it approaches its 90 th anniversary.
Mt Hood Kiwanis Camp New Dormitory Campaign – Rhododendron, Oregon
Mt. Hood Kiwanis Camp (MHKC) was founded in 1933 by the Montavilla Kiwanis Club (Portland) in a partnership with the U.S. Forest Service to serve underprivileged youth. Camp opened in 1934 with the completion of the historic Laurel Lodge and, over the years, added two dormitories, a dining hall, and assorted other structures on the 22-acre site in the Mt. Hood National Forest.
In the mid-1950’s, the mission shifted to serving children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. In the 1970’s a partnership was developed with Portland State University whereby students could act as counselors at MHKC in exchange for academic credit. This allowed for a dramatic expansion of campers served and led to new partnerships with other institutions such as Pacific University and Jesuit High School. These partnerships provide most of the 200+ counselors necessary to provide a 1:1 camper-to-counselor ratio.
When not conducting MHKC programs, camp facilities are rented to private parties and community groups such as Outdoor School, the Muscular Dystrophy Association, and the Association for Blind Athletes.
MHKC programs serve approximately 525 campers in the summer, each for six days of overnight camp programming. Activities include swimming, fishing, hiking, horseback riding, singing camp songs, arts & crafts, adaptive bikes, and fun on the Adventure Course which includes a zip line, rock-climbing wall, stream crossing and other challenges. Activities are adapted to the abilities of virtually everyone. There are also two, three-day Winter Retreats during which campers play in the snow and participate in cooking meals for the group. The Fall Adventure Camp focuses on Adventure Course activities, a favorite of campers.
For years, there has been persistent and overwhelming demand for enrollment in the camp. Sadly, 25% of the people who apply are waitlisted, unable to have the unique, uplifting experience provided by MHKC. From an organizational perspective, the camp is missing the potential revenue that comes from operating the camp at a higher capacity, both for their own program and for partner programs who rent the facility year-round.
MHKC’s has embarked on a transformational capital campaign to build a new main dormitory for MHKC campers. It will replace the 45-bed Hemlock dormitory, built in a 1942 barracks style not suited for people with disabilities. The new 90-bed facility both doubles the total capacity of the outdated current dorm and adds enhanced accessibility features that will ensure campers with disabilities will experience a greater sense of comfort, dignity and belonging. The MHKC summer camp will increase capacity by 41%, and the partner camp programs will increase capacity by 45%. The project is expected to be completed in June of 2025, ready to serve more campers!
MHKC fills a vital role providing recreational and empowering opportunities for individuals in our community with intellectual and developmental challenges. Through the use of their facilities, they also positively impact the lives of many other individuals as well. The JTMF Foundation is excited to help kick off this capital campaign with our grant and assisting in their efforts to expand services to an even larger group.
