One of our goals at Camp Fire is to continue removing barriers and making access to our programs easier. We believe child care is a human right, and value inclusiveness, action and the pursuit of impact. This belief, and our values, are at the forefront of the work we do. We strive to offer financial aid to families who otherwise may not be able to afford our programs. Ideally, we are moving toward being an organization where we never have to turn youth and/or family away from care that they need or want due to any circumstance.

This work isn’t doable without great community partners. This summer we were able to offer free Summer Day Camp programming five days a week for all youth in McMinnville, and priority families in West Linn and at Fernwood in Portland, due to grant funding from Oregon Association of Education Service Districts. That’s huge! Families are able to get the care they need, not just the care they can afford. This same grant allowed all campers receiving financial assistance this summer to Camp Namanu to be awarded full scholarships! We welcomed 42 campers on full scholarships, saving each family the burden of paying upward of $785 for a full camp session. Providing camperships (our version of a camp scholarship) makes a huge impact on the youth we serve and the families we support, giving youth a place to experience joy, make new friends and be welcomed and celebrated for who they are. One week at camp can be transformative.

Another grant awarded to us by Portland Public Schools (PPS) has given us the opportunity to support 120 youth per week with free care this summer in other Portland schools we serve. This funding made it possible for us to step in and give students a safe place to land and caregivers peace of mind.

As we make our services more accessible we also can’t thank our community enough for supporting organizational changes and initiatives such as our collective care approach. Collective care is everyone contributing as much as they are able, so everyone can benefit! We invest agency funds, partner with foundations to provide funding, and ask that families who can give, to donate to the Collective Care fund. If your family is able, your donation goes directly to support another Before & After School family, breaking down barriers to the high quality developmental youth programming they deserve and need.

If you missed our Sparkfinder on collective care you can read the issue on our website HERE.

Program Updates

Teen Program staff have wrapped up programming for the school year and have now shifted their focus to summer programming! Teens summer program began July 11 and has already been kicked off with field trip to indoor rock climbing and to Oaks Park. Later in the summer youth have plans to visit Camp Namanu and participate on the challenge course, as well as watching Cirque du Soleil!

Lottery registration for Before & After School 2022/23 school year is now open!

Registration has opened for all schools in all school districts! Learn more and find helpful enrollment tools by visiting campfirecolumbia.org/programs/before-after-school. Keep in mind, registering your child for their school’s AM and/or PM program will add them to our lottery and not directly enroll them into program. Registration for this lottery will close on Tuesday, July 26th at midnight. The lottery processing for each program location will begin August 1st. Announcent will be made to families’ placements shortly thereafter! All registrations coming in after July 26^th will be added chronologically at the bottom of their school’s waiting list and will be contacted as there is space available.

BAS ENROLLMENT

Camp Namanu has held it's first two sessions of camp

Summer camp has been off to a fun-filled start! Campers have been making arts and crafts, stargazing, keeping cool at the pool, spending time in nature and giggling with friends. To relive a week at camp check out the camp photos and session videos! 

CAMP PHOTOS

CAMP VIDEOS

Have you seen us on your commute yet?! If you haven’t heard we are hiring and in recruitment mode! You may see our advertising around town on buses and bus stops near you. Join the team in one of many open roles starting at $18.40-19.40/hr plus benefits.

Visit campfirecolumbia.org/apply!

Fun Activities!

Book of the month: Queer Heroes by Arabelle Sicardi, and Sarah Tanet-Jones as Illustrator

This beautiful, bold book celebrates the achievements of LGBTQ+ people through history and from around the world-featuring dynamic full-color portraits of a diverse selection of 53 inspirational role models accompanied by short biographies that focus on their incredible successes.

To win this book reply to this email and share with us someone who's a hero to you.

Activity of the month: Tiny town building!

Events

Family Free Day at the Portland Art Museum. Saturday, July 16th from 10am - 5pm. A free day at the musuem featuring the first day of the Perspectives exhibition, and the opening of Album Intro 07:22 in the AUX/MUTE Gallery, together with an array of Paseo festivities along the South Park Blocks. Activities inside the museum include:

Visit the Perspectives exhibition
Join the Perspectives artists for a panel conversation at 2:00 PM
Visit Album Intro 07:22 on the 4th floor in the AUX/MUTE Gallery with music by DJ O.G. One from 2:00-4:45 PM
Shop the latest Numz Bodega Drop on the 4th floor

Free admission tickets can be reserved online or tickets will be available for walk-in visitors on Saturday, July 16. portlandartmuseum.org/event/miller-family-free-day-7-16-2022/

McMinnville Movies in the Park. July 29, August 12 & 26, pre-show starting at 8pm with movie beginning at dusk at Joe Dancer Park, McMinnville. Bring your picnic blanket and/or chairs and snacks. Light concessions available to purchase (cash only). July movie is Ghostbusters: Afterlife (PG-13), August 12 movie is Sing 2 (PG) and August 26 movie is Encanto (PG). mcminnvilleoregon.gov/parksrec/page/movies-music

Friends of Namanu Corner

Big thank you to all who came out for our Chipotle fundraiser this last week! We raised almost $400 that will go toward supporting Camp Namanu.

Save the date! Friends of Namanu Homecoming Weekend

Thursday, September 8, 2022 starting at 3 pm to Sunday, September 11 at 11 am

There is a ton of fun to be had! Come enjoy a weekend at Camp Namanu and relieve camp memories with Polar Bear Plunge, tie dye, Banquet, Council Fire, archery, fabric crafts, and partake in our live and silent auctions, plant sale and of course, a Homecoming Dance (not like you had in high school!). Registration will open soon.

If you would like to lead a craft or art project, please contact Flash! flash@friendsofnamanu.org or Hobbes, hobbes@friendsofnamanu.org

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