Campers raising the flag at Camp Ky-O-Wa at Dodge Park, 1966.
City of Portland (OR) Archives, A2001-030.2639.
Dodge Park, 1966
Vintage Portland
Campers raising the flag at Camp Ky-O-Wa at Dodge Park, 1966.
City of Portland (OR) Archives, A2001-030.2639.
Vintage Portland 
Info on camp Ky-0-Wa from a website ” Camp Ky-O-Wahas operated since 1966, as the only inclusive local day camp experience for both children with and without disabilities, age 5-11, offering a chance for kids to participate in activities such as swimming, boating, fishing, arts & crafts, games and outdoor play. For over 40 years, this unique camp has touched thousands of lives. Due to Portland budget cuts, the camp faced possible elimination, but with the hard work from staff at The Arc and Portland Parks and Recreation, this incredible camp will continue! Camp Ky-O-Wa has allowed hundreds of children with disabilities to share in children’s camp experiences with their siblings, friends and peers. Inclusion of ALL children is an important value in our community, and the Camp is truly unique in its approach. The camp has touched thousands of lives – it makes us incredibly happy to know that children will continue to experience the wonder that is Camp Ky-O-Wa
This seems like a weird activity for these kids to be doing, out surrounded by nature. My guess would be that it was all the idea of the tall domineering guy with crew-cut.
Mike: Excellent post, as usual. What a great picture. Is that a bugler busting out Reveille for the camp while the flag is being raised? Salute. Glad they could save this place.
Having worked as a camp counselor at an Easter Seals camp in the late 1960s, I can tell you what an invaluable experience summer camp is for handicapped kids. It’s a Rite of Passage — a Life Changer — that helps and encourages them immensely, and that they’ll never forget! I’m thrilled to know that Camp Ky-O-Wa is still around.
Lou and Robin — I went to a six-week summer girls’ camp in a forest close to Lake Tahoe in the late 1950’s. We were out in the forest, but gathered for a flag raising/lowering ceremony (complete with bugle) every day. That was Camp Talawanda, and it was an experience I’ll never forget. We were allowed tremendous freedom to explore the woods and make our own trails and such, back then. It instilled a great deal of independence in us, even though the camp schedule was quite rigorous.
Hi…I accidentally hit the thumbs down instead of a thumbs up on the previous post.
Sorry…it’s a big thumbs up.