Camp Rosenbaum

by Tryan Hartill

I became involved with Camp Rosenbaum last summer when I was contacted by one of the organizers who was looking to add fishing to the list of activities provided at camp. There is a small lake on site and we arranged to have it stocked with fish for the campers, most of whom had never had the opportunity to fish before. We would like to continue fishing as a permanent part of camp, but have one problem. There is very limited bank access at the lake and the only available dock was very narrow and could only accommodate a few campers at a time. Campers were literally lined up and counting the minutes until it was their turn! The dock was also in very poor condition and has since been removed for safety reasons. What is needed is a new dock, spacious enough to accommodate an entire group of campers, which will provide a safe and secure platform from which these kids can learn to fish. It is a small thing that can have a big impact. That is what this camp is all about. Because of my involvement, I was invited to visit the camp on VIP day and see firsthand what an amazing camp it is. I have never experienced such positive energy and level of passion and commitment as I witnessed that day. It was truly awe-inspiring. The camp is run by an extraordinary group of volunteers that really love those kids and believe in what they are doing. Those kids feel the love and belief in them, and they see a different way of life. They know that someone cares, and that things CAN be different. They have no idea that their instructors and camp counselors, the ones that have become their best friends, are the very people that they have been told all their lives are the “enemy”. During camp, counselors are dressed in their “civies” and have camp nicknames like “Bull’s Eye” and “Big Dog”. It is not until the last day of camp that the kids find out that many of them are police officers, when they come in dressed in uniform. For many, it is a life-altering experience. These kids that come in with attitude, leave with heart and a feeling that they matter. The number of tears shed that last day by both staff and campers is truly moving. Camp Rosenbaum is truly an amazing program and everyone involved gives 110% everyday, making a real difference in the lives of hundreds of kids each year. To invest in these kids today, to give them direction, to make them an asset and ally, provides huge benefits to all of us in the long run.

I have also been working with the Range Commander at Camp Rilea to help set up a fishing program for the families of active military that come to Camp Rilea on vacation. I have managed to get a few rods and reels for visiting families to borrow, but would love to outfit them with a really nice set of fishing gear, as well as the dock mentioned above which they could safely fish from. Having a mother or father so far away can take a toll on families. Camp Rilea provides an opportunity for these families to come spend time on the beautiful Oregon Coast. This would provide them with one more fun and relaxing activity while they are there.
I have contacted an engineer who has donated his services for designing a suitable fishing dock. The dock design consists of a 50 foot floating walkway out to a 52 foot by 6 foot floating fishing platform, which would provide a safe and spacious fishing area for the kids at camp, as well as the families and servicemen visiting Camp Rilea. The estimate for materials to build the dock is around $7000. Volunteers will be assembling the dock which we hope to have completed for Camp Rosenbaum which will take place the last week in July. Funds are desperately needed to make this dream a reality.
I am enclosing materials on Camp Rosenbaum and providing a link to their website (www.camprosenbaum.org) which can provide a great deal more information than is included in this letter. Any donations of funds to make this a reality would be greatly appreciated by everyone involved. Please feel free to contact me at the number or address below. Thank you for your consideration!

Tracy Crews

STEP Biologist
ODFW

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