Academic, Experiential, and Interdisciplinary Learning Partnerships

t. Hood Kiwanis Camp has strong, ongoing partnerships with local universities, colleges, and high schools providing students with the opportunity to earn academic credit while gaining impactful, hands-on experience. MHKC continually seeks to expand academic partnerships, providing students from diverse disciplines— including special education, occupational therapy, speech and language pathology, social work, psychology, medicine/nursing, family studies, and kinesiology— with invaluable opportunities for interdisciplinary practice and collaboration.  MHKC collaborates closely with faculty, graduate students, undergraduate students, and high school students to incorporate best practices in the field of developmental disabilities. This experiential learning opportunity allows students to apply their academic knowledge in real-world contexts, while developing practical skills and deepening their awareness and understanding of disabilities. Over 7,000 students have had the opportunity to work one-on-one with individuals with disabilities, broadening their perspectives and fostering a greater appreciation for diversity and inclusion. These experiences equip students to carry their learning forward into the community as they complete their degrees and enter their professional careers. 

Contact our Partnerships Coordinator, Sarah Doty (Sarah@mhkc.org), to learn more or discuss establishing a new partnership! To learn more about our partnership with Portland State University, visit their MHKC page.

US FOREST SERVICE

t. Hood Kiwanis Camp sits on 22 beautiful acres in the Mt. Hood National Forest. Our partnership with the United States Forest Service is a pivotal one for our organization, allowing individuals with disabilities to access one of the most scenic national forests in the country. The Forest Service works with us to provide excellent stewardship of our campsite and the natural resources that exist at our camp. With the scenic Little Zig Zag River running through the middle of the camp, acres of old-growth trees, and all of the natural beauty of being situated on the slopes of Mt. Hood, our camp is truly one of a kind. We value the commitment of the United States Forest Service to make our national forests accessible to people with disabilities.

KIWANIS CLUBS

ur longest standing partnership is with local Kiwanis Clubs. The Kiwanis Club of Montavilla founded the camp in 1933 and they, along with other area Kiwanians, were solely responsible for the stewardship of our organization for many decades. Kiwanis is a global organization of volunteers dedicated to changing the world, one child and one community at a time. Their commitment to serving the children of the world brought about the creation of Mt. Hood Kiwanis Camp, and it is through the dedication and passion of Kiwanians across Oregon and Southwest Washington that our camp has grown and thousands of youth and adults have benefited from our life-changing programs. We continue to partner with dozens of Kiwanis Clubs throughout our state to envision the future of our organization and raise the funds necessary to carry out our mission.