The Oregon National Guard partners once again with Home Forward (formerly the Housing Authority of Portland) and the Portland Police Bureau, as well as other local law enforcement and fire agencies to host an annual summer camp for at-risk youth, July 20 – 24, 2015 at Camp Rilea in Warrenton, Oregon. Camp Rilea is located at; 33168 Patriot Way, Warrenton, Oregon, 97146. Camp Rosenbaum, one of the most unique camps for underprivileged and at-risk children, hosts approximately 160 children, ages 9-11. Attendees experience a one-of-a-kind camp that aims to teach good citizenship skills, motivate kids to stay in school, remain drug-free and out of gangs and encourages them to set positive goals for the future. What started in 1970 as a way to help at-risk youth living in public housing in Oregon and Southwest Washington, has since resulted in thousands of children experiencing this life-changing camp. Staff and volunteers from the Oregon Air National Guard, Portland Police Bureau, Home Forward (formerly the Housing Authority of Portland), and other housing authority employees throughout Oregon and SW Washington, emergency responder personnel and volunteers who come together to make this camp a magical and memorable week for the kids. “There is no other camp in the U.S. that’s as collaborative nor as determined as we are to keep kids off drugs and in school,” says current Camp Director, Oregon Air National Guard Lt. Col. Sara Perkins. In addition to participating in various camp activities, all campers attend a two-hour Gang Resistance and Education Training course, taught by a Portland Police officer, and receive mentorship on contributing to their communities in positive ways. “We do our very best to set them up for success,” Perkins said. “We model good citizenship behaviors, engage and motivate our campers and encourage them to make good decisions for their future and fend off peer pressure. We want our campers to know that good citizens are everywhere in their community.”
