About MHKC

mhkcamp

What can make a hippopotamus smile?

What can make him run for more than a mile? 

It’s not a party with a paper hat 

Or a box of chocolates that’ll make him fat 

That’s not what Hippos do 

What do they do?

They ooze in the gooze without any shoes 

They wade through the water ‘til their lips turn blue 

That’s what hippos do

-Mt. Hood Kiwanis Camp song

Who is Mt. Hood Kiwanis Camp

Mt. Hood Kiwanis Camp (MHKC) empowers children and adults with developmental disabilities through equitable access to the outdoors and recreation. Since 1933, MHKC has sat on 22-acres within the Mt. Hood National Forest alongside the Little ZigZig River.

Although the camping field has made important changes to include people with disabilities, many of our campers require adaptations in the camp environment that may not be provided at other camps.MHKC empowers its campers to step out of their comfort zone and participate in outdoor recreation and camp experiences.

On any given summer day, our campers are catching fish, conquering their fear on the adventure course and zipline, splashing at the pool, riding a horse for the first time, whitewater rafting, paddling a canoe on Trillium Lake, and dancing the night away at campfire. Wheelchair accessible trails and innovations such as adaptive saddles, harnesses, and bicycles make the traditional camp experience available to all. Camp doesn’t just offer outdoor activities, it offers a chance for people with developmental disabilities to make new friends and build community in a friendly, non-judgmental environment where they can feel empowered and included.

Each year, MHKC offers 8-weeks of Summer Camp which includes 1-week for children ages 12-17, 7-weeks for Adults (age  groups of 18-30 and 30+). Summer Camp programs include Main Camp, Trip & Travel, Tent & Travel, and Lakeside camp. At Main Camp, campers enjoy a one-to-one camper-counselor ratio and primarily stay on site during the duration of their time at camp. Trip & Travel and Tent &  Travel are our more active groups where campers enjoy whitewater rafting, bowling, and hiking. Our Lakeside camp spends the week tenting at Trillium Lake, cooking their own food, canoeing, hiking, and enjoying a more relaxed environment.

In addition to Summer Camp, MHKC hosts a Family Camp where families can experience MHKC together. Outside of the summer months, MHKC operates one fall program and two winter programs.

History & Purpose

MHKC was founded by the Kiwanis Club of Montavilla in 1933. It originated as a camp for disadvantaged youth but in 1956, MHKC shifted its mission to serve children and adults with disabilities. In 1972, MHKC  partnered with the Special Education Department of Portland State University for students to receive credits while attending as camp counselors. Since then, it has become one of the largest capstones at PSU. In addition to PSU, MHKC has also partnered with other local universities, colleges, and high schools. Without the partnership and students who become camp counselors, MHKC would not be able to offer the programs that it does today.

DEI:

MHKC is committed to creating a safe, inclusive, and equitable workplace. We value our staff, counselors, and campers immeasurably and will provide a fun, supportive, and welcoming space for you.  You will be immersed in a hands-on learning environment with guidance and room to set goals to grow personally and professionally.

Equity Statement

Mt. Hood Kiwanis Camp (MHKC) honors organizational diversity with regard to race, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, culture, language, and all abilities. This deepens understanding in everyone, making MHKC a more equitable and inclusive organization to the benefit of all. We seek to raise self-awareness of our gaps in equity and inclusion by consciously creating, monitoring, and maintaining diversity among our campers, staff, volunteers, and board of directors.

Anti-racism Statement

We acknowledge that racism is pervasive and exists. As an anti-racist organization, we vow to purposefully identify, discuss and challenge issues of race and color and the impact(s) they have on our organization, its systems, and its people. We will acknowledge and dismantle any racism that occurs within our organization, whether it be conscious or unconscious. We will also challenge ourselves to understand and correct any inequities we discover and gain a better understanding of ourselves during this continual, purposeful process.

Supporters

MHKC is supported by our year-round staff, seasonal staff, Board of Directors, various Kiwanis clubs, local high schools, colleges, and universities, including Portland State University, the United States Forest Service, campers and their families, foundations, volunteers, individual donors, and corporate partners.

Staff

In addition to 12 year-round administrative staff members, MHKC employs 70 to 90 seasonal staff and 250-300 volunteers, every summer.

Board of Directors

MHKC is governed by a Board of Directors that helps to provide oversight for the organization year to year, as well as with strategic long-term planning for the organization’s future.