There are few places where individuals with developmental disabilities can spend an entire week joyfully focusing on their abilities. For almost 90 years, Mt. Hood Kiwanis Camp has offered one of the largest programs in the U.S. for 600 campers ages 5 and up at our fully accessible 22-acre campsite in the Mt. Hood National Forest. We help EMPOWER youth and adults with cognitive, developmental and physical disabilities including Autism Spectrum Disorder, Down Syndrome, Traumatic Brain Injury, Cerebral Palsy, and more through year-round recreational programming.

The week that I got to work at MHKC this summer was life changing! I don't think I went a half hour without laughing because of a campers antics, a staff members stories, or something else. Camp is truly a wonderful place. I learned so much about different disabilites and how they can impact different people, campers stories and backgrounds, the community of those with developmental disabilites, and I saw how much the camp means to them as well as to their caregivers. 

The first week of the session of camp I was working at was cancelled due to dangerous wildfire smoke levels and evacuation orders. Due to this, the camp lost over $100,000 which is a big hit for a non-profit organization that relies heavily on donations.

So, please join me in supporting this magical place if you can!