Cascara

Camping

Association

our mission

Our mission is to empower youth and our community through diverse and inclusive programs, fostering their development while instilling a deep appreciation for preserving our natural resources. Through education, advocacy, and community engagement, we aim to cultivate a generation of future leaders committed to sustainability and equity.

We seek to provide stability to the programs the Oregon 4-H Center has fostered and grown as part of our pledge to our mission of empowering youth and our community. In addition, we seek to expand on the foundation of youth development and community development in the programs we create as we grow toward a new future.

Who we are

The Cascara Camping Association is an Oregon-based nonprofit prepared to grow the future by honoring our roots.

Board and contributing members include professionals with experience in summer camping, outdoor school education, public school and university education, business operations, real estate development, fundraising, and nonprofit management.

We formed in 2024 to pursue the purchase of the Oregon 4-H Center to continue to provide outdoor education, summer camps, and event space for the mid-Willamette Valley community.

Growing the Future

“Youth comes but once a lifetime” - Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

The future, is as always, the youth. Summer camping, outdoor school, and youth development programs are the backbone of providing a positive present and future for children. Our goal is to build upon the impactful programs of Oregon 4-H, Oregon Outdoor Schools, and the wide variety of other user groups who are already providing outdoor education experiences to children in Oregon.

Utilizing our extensive experience, we intend to design facility-led programming in addition to supporting current rental groups.

RELATIONSHIP BUILDING

The Oregon 4-H Center has touched the lives of countless people, including our team members. In our research, we’ve had the privilege to learn of the extensive network of community members who wish to see the property and its programs continue.

We know it will be our organization’s work to nurture these connections, drawing on our shared experiences to keep growing together and supporting each other.

By actively engaging with this network, we ensure that the Oregon 4-H Center's legacy continues to thrive, inspiring future generations just as it has inspired us.

what’s in a name?

Our name honors the legacy of Ivan and Merle Stewart who planted 200,000 trees on the property they would sell to become the Oregon 4-H Center. Of these trees, 15,000 of them were Cascara trees.

Cascara trees, also known as Rhamnus purshiana, typically have a deep and extensive root system, aiding in their ability to thrive in a variety of soil conditions and provide stability against erosion. These roots also contribute to their resilience in adverse environmental conditions, making them valuable components of their ecosystems.