Mt. Hood Kiwanis Camp offers award-winning, unique and innovative summer camp opportunities for children and adults with disabilities. On any given day at camp our campers can be seen catching a fish in our pond, swinging high in the sky on our adventure course, splashing in our fully accessible pool, riding horses, or dancing the night away at campfire. Our camp fosters a sense of accomplishment for campers and allows them to experience freedom and acceptance. As camper Renae told us – “At camp, I can FLY.”
Mt. Hood Kiwanis camp offers programming for all individuals with disabilities ages 12 and up. In addition to our Main Camp program, we offer off-site programming for individuals seeking a higher level of independence and adventure. Campers keep coming back year after year to experience all we have to offer – recreation, fun, friendship and more!
Camp is Philip’s highlight of each and every summer. He lives for it and I am so glad he is able to attend. I am so thankful as a parent for this camp.”
Debbie, camper parent
MAIN CAMP:
Main Camp activities include challenge/ropes course, horseback riding, fishing, hiking, arts and crafts, swimming, a dance, campfire program and canoeing, swimming and fishing at Trillium Lake. Campers sleep in lodges or dormitory style cabins in groups of four or eight campers. Meals are served in the dining lodge. Main Camp is wheelchair accessible and there will be a counselor assigned to every camper.
Tuition: $1,161.25
Enrollment Processing Fee: $138.75
Total Cost: $1,300.
Note: There is a $50 per day/$250 total charge for additional caregivers attending camp with their campers.
TRIP & TRAVEL/TENT & TRAVEL :
Trip and Travel and Tent and Travel campers will enjoy day-long excursions as well as regular programming at Mt. Hood Kiwanis Camp. Campers will experience additional challenges on the ropes course and spend a day river rafting on the Deschutes. They will also have an offsite bowling on Wednesday. There will be one counselor for every two campers and the outings will be active and rigorous. The Trip and Travel campers sleep in dorms while the Tent and Travel campers sleep in tents in the Upper Barlow area. Campers must have attended Main Camp at least one year before applying for Trip/Tent and Travel camp and must be approved by the Programs Director.
Tuition: $1,161.25
Enrollment Processing Fee: $138.75
Activity Fee: $100
Total Cost: $1,400
LAKESIDE CAMP:
Lakeside campers spend the week at the pristine Trillium Lake Campground, eight miles East of Mt. Hood Kiwanis Camp. Activities at the lake include canoeing, fishing, swimming, hiking, ranger visit, and crafts. Campers will be camping in tents, cooking at the site and traveling to Kiwanis Camp for the Wednesday evening dance, Thursday campfire program, the ropes course, horseback riding, swimming, recreation and hikes. This program is for active and independent campers. There will be one counselor for every two campers. Campers must have attended the Main Camp at least one year before applying for Lakeside Camp and must be approved by the Programs Director. For campers ages 18+.
Tuition: $1,161.25
Enrollment Processing Fee: $138.75
Activity Fee: $100
Total Cost: $1,400
SUMMER CAMP PROGRAMS:
| MAIN CAMP | TENT & TRAVEL | TRIP & TRAVEL | LAKESIDE CAMP |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 days, 5 nights | 6 days, 5 nights | 6 days, 5 nights | 6 days, 5 nights |
| 8-weeks, June-August | 8-weeks, June-August | 8-weeks, June-August | 2-weeks, July |
| Ages 12+ | Ages 12+ | Ages 12+ | Ages 18+ |
| Sleep: cabins | Sleep: platform tents | Sleep: lodges | Sleep: camping tents |
| $1,300/week | $1,400 | $1,400 | $1,400 |
| 1:1 counselor:camper ratio | 2:1 | 2:1 | 2:1 |
| First come, first served | Pre-approval required | Pre-approval required | Pre-approval required |
CAMP DATES:
| Ages | Programs | ||||||
| Main (M) | Main (F) | Trip (M) | Trip (F) | Tent | Lakeside | ||
| Week 1 | 25+ | X | X | X | X | X | |
| Week 2 | 12-17 | X | X | X | X | X | |
| Week 3 | 18-30 | X | X | X | X | X | |
| Week 4 | 18-30 | X | X | X | X | X | |
| Week 5 | 25+ | X | X | X | X | X | X |
| Week 6 | 18-30 | X | X | X | X | X | X |
| Week 7 | 18-30 | X | X | X | X | X | |
| Week 8 | 25+ | X | X | X | X | X | |
CAMP ACTIVITIES:
Our daughter had the greatest time at your camp. To know that she could go to a safe place where she felt confident and had a person there just for her, to encourage her and increase her self-esteem meant the world to us. She is so proud of her accomplishments there.”
Camper Emily’s MOm
Adventure Course
The adventure course consists of a 32-foot rock wall, tight rope stream crossing, a “flying squirrel” that can take campers 40 feet off the ground, a zipline over the river, low adaptive elements, and a new low obstacle course. Each group attends the adventure course at least once during their stay at camp. We have trained adventure course instructors as a part of our summer staff to ensure the safety and enjoyment of all our campers.
The adventure course consists of a 32-foot rock wall, tight rope stream crossing, a “flying squirrel” that can take campers 40 feet off the ground, a zipline over the river, low adaptive elements, and a low obstacle course. Each group attends the adventure course at least once during their stay at camp. We have trained adventure course facilitators as a part of our summer staff to ensure the safety and enjoyment of all our campers. We also have an adaptive chair for those who utilize wheelchairs so they can experience the adventure course as well! Weight Limit: 275lbs (MHKC provides the required helmet and harness while participating).
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Every summer our herd of 4 horses is thoughtfully chosen. Our trained horse program facilitators educate our campers and lead them on an obstacle course ride. In addition, we have an adaptive horse saddle for campers who need extra support. Campers also enjoy a craft, games, and a picture booth up at the corral. Weight Limit: 275-300lbs *depending on horse size that given year (campers are required to wear an MHKC provided helmet and gate belt while riding)
All campers enjoy a partial day outing to the beautiful Trillium Lake to canoe or rowboat. MHKC provides transportation to and from the lake. We have certified lifeguards onshore and in the water at all times. Campers spend hours relaxing and paddling around the lake with their counselors. Weight Limit: 300/400lbs (Lifejackets are required and provided by MHKC)
Campers in our Trip & Travel and Tent & Travel groups spend one day on the Deschutes River navigating the rapids in a guided rafting trip provided through All-Star Rafting Company, located in Maupin, OR. Campers take camp vehicles to and from the location and eat lunch provided by All-Star in a picturesque location next to the river. All-Star Rafting navigates through the Class I-IV rapids and instructs campers when to hold on and sit low in the rafts. Each raft holds one All-Star Instructor and a mix of campers and staff. All-Star issued lifejackets are worn whenever on or near the water. Chest size limit: 48 inches around
- Adaptive Bikes, Recreational Games & Fishing – Campers can participate in catch and release fishing, group games in the field, and adaptive bikes with their group. Adaptive Bike weight limit: up to 400lbs depending on the bike. MHKC provides a required helmet and protection pads if needed.
- Arts & Crafts – Each year campers tie-dye their annual Camp shirt and can indulge in a variety of different crafts. Adaptive art equipment is available and provided by MHKC.
- Hiking (leisure-low walking) – Groups get to go to Zig Zag Falls, as we call the Waterfall Walk which is accessible to those who utilize a wheelchair. They also go on an evening program walk to find the Camp legend Ebenezer!
- Evening programs/Dance Night – Every evening is a different program after dinner. One night is campfire where our Program Staff put on a campfire program full of interactive games and songs as well as skits. Another night is our camp Dance and the other is a cookout where the group will roast hotdogs and s’mores followed by the walk to find Ebenezer.
- Saturday BBQ (awards, skits, and wish boats) – Our Saturday BBQ is a lunch followed by our traditional performance by our Staff Infection Band mixed with group skits and songs.
Swimming
Horses
Every summer we thoughtfully choose our MHKC horses. Our trained riding instructors educate our campers and lead them on an obstacle course ride. In addition, we have specially adaptive horse saddles for participants who need extra support. Campers also enjoy the opportunity to groom and learn about horses.
Canoeing
Our canoe program takes place at Trillium Lake, about 9 miles from main camp. Canoe groups stay onsite for the week at Trillium Lake. All other campers will get a chance to ride the camp bus to the lake and spend the morning or afternoon there. Counselors and campers choose to paddle in a canoe, swim in the lake, or relax and watch the beautiful views. We have two waterfront certified lifeguards on duty during all canoe activities and all campers are required to wear lifejackets.
White Water Rafting
Campers in our Tent/Trip & Travel groups spend one day on the Deschutes River navigating the rapids in a guided rafting trip provided through All Star Rafting Company, located in Maupin, OR. Campers take the camp bus to and from the location and eat lunch provided by All Star in a picturesque location next to the river. All Star Rafting navigates through the Class I-IV rapids and instructs campers when to hold on and sit low in the rafts. Each raft holds one All Star Instructor and a mix of campers, staff and counselors. Lifejackets are worn whenever on or near the water.
Other Activities
Camper & Parent Guide
Camp Eligibility Standards
Camper Registration Packet
Campership Application
Sample Camp Schedule
Packing List
Write Your Camper
Send a letter, post card, or package through USPS. Please address your mail as follows:
Mt. Hood Kiwanis Camp
Camper Name, Group Letter (if known)
P.O. Box 206
Rhododendron, OR 97049
Email Your Camper
Log on to your MHKC CampInTouch account, purchase “Camp Stamps” and send a one-way email letter to your camper. The Camp Director will access these daily, print them out, and distribute them to campers. Please note: you must purchase “Camp Stamps” for a small fee to complete this process.
Camp Mailbox
Drop off your letters, post cards or packages in our mailbox located on the front porch of Fanning Hall during check-in. Note: If you drop off multiple items, please note which days you would like your camper to receive them.
Call Our Campsite
Parents/Guardians may contact camp at any time to get a report on how their camper is doing from the Programs Director or one of our staff members. Note: calls on Saturday or Sunday will go straight to voicemail.
Email the Program Director
Click HERE to send an email directly to our Programs Director. Note: Our Directors are in and out of the office regularly providing camper support and care. If you call or email the camp office, they will get back to you as soon as possible.