Mazama Wild

by Zane Davidson & Monika Lockett, Mazama Wild Camp Managers

The deer emerges from behind a tree and sneaks towards the water source, Dixie cup in hand. As the cup is dipped, an opportunistic wolf—freshly graduated from 2nd grade—sprints forward towards a potential waterside meal, and the chase is on! Mazama Wild, the Mazama summer camp youth program, wrapped up on August 13 after nine weeks of camp.

With weekly rosters filling up within a single week in March and continuing to fill once capacities were increased, it was apparent that after a year and a half of pandemics and shutdowns that kids were more than ready to get back outside! With games like Hunters vs. Prey, campers ages 5–10 learned environmental science topics and developed a deeper appreciation of the outdoors through hands-on experiences.

Starting as a supplement to Portland Public Schools’ Outdoor School called Adventure WILD, then transitioning to an official Mazama program in 2017, Mazama Wild has quickly become one of the best-known summer youth camps in the Portland area. Being a name is one thing, but what does Mazama Wild do for an organization like ours?

Beyond the activities and lessons that Mazama Wild staff provide to campers, they also strive to strengthen our community—both as a service to our members and the greater community. By reaching out to families and younger generations, the program and staff have built long-term relationships. Many Mazama members bring their children to camp knowing that they are immersing them in the same community they are a part of, encouraging multi-generational interest and membership. New Mazama families have been similarly emerging from the mix—parents who send their kids to summer camp then find themselves motivated to join the organization.

All that relationship building is helping to increase the diversity of our organization. It’s well known that outdoor recreation and many environmentallyrelated fields have not been represented in our country as a whole. Mazama Wild aims to expand outdoor education for our members and community by being welcoming, offering low tuition, providing scholarships, and having a diverse staff.

Indeed, they are big goals, yet ones our community members, both old and new, thrive on. But what does Mazama Wild look like up close? What have the kids been doing daily?

Campers arrive each week to a camp with an overarching theme that flavors the tone of its activities. During Creatures & Conservation week, a group may have a presentation on evolutionary adaptations, for example, while during Plants & Pollinators week, the campers may observe bees, then run a relay race that mimics their food-gathering methods. Whether an involved project or a game like Hunters vs. Prey that turns learning ecology into a physical challenge, education gets “summer-camp-ified” at the Mazamas.

And would any self-respecting Mazama program be complete without climbing? Twice a week, campers are facilitated by staff and our much-beloved belay volunteers to climb the walls at the Mountaineering Center. Often a highlight for campers, some return weekly to improve their skills and deepen their

2021 MAZAMA WILD BY THE NUMBERS

■ Weeks of camp: 9 ■ Average campers per week: 43 ■ Total campers: 484 ■ MMC rockwall sessions: 18 ■ MMC volunteer hours: 250 ■ Average waitlist per week: 51 ■ Total waitlisted campers: 366 ■ Guest presentations: 4 ■ Camp counselors: 7 ■ Camp interns: 5 ■ Camp managers: 2 “This was our first summer at Mazama Wild and we were SO impressed. Our daughter had a wonderful time. The staff were incredible—every person we interacted with seemed so mature, kind, caring, and competent. You do an excellent job hiring and training staff. We can’t wait to come back next year and get involved with Mazama programs throughout the year.” —Mazama Wild parent

Mazama Wild followed organizational COVID protocols with masks, social distancing for the unvaccinated, and considerable time outside. When the State of Oregon tightened guidelines in mid-July, all staff and participants switched to wearing masks indoors regardless of vaccination status. There were no reported cases of COVID-19 or severe sickness during the program.

interests. Yet, for many, it is their first experience with rock climbing. As many parents can attest, once the trepidation has passed and confidence has been gained, their campers can’t wait to come back and try again!

In addition to continuing Mazama Wild camp traditions, the 2021 summer has been one of innovation, with seasonal staff bringing fresh new ideas and methods to our curriculum. Counselors introduced camouflage and stealth activities to show animal relationships with their environments and each other. New crafts have inspired younger campers to think of plants as multi-purpose resources. Campers explored physics and chemistry in experiments and projects designed in ways not confined to indoor labs. It has been amazing to see how the counselors turn everyday camp fun into “secret learning” from week to week!

What lies on the horizon for Mazama Wild Camps and other youth programs at Mazamas? With just a bit of luck, we’ll come out of our current pandemic times, and with it, we’ll have more opportunity for outreach and adventure. We’ll be able to make a return to the Mazama Lodge on Mt. Hood. We’ll be able to take advantage of other excellent natural destinations within the greater Portland area. And, perhaps most importantly, we’ll once again be able to reach out to the many communities, schools, and other organizations to foster and strengthen interest in outdoor recreation and conservation.

The deer may be caught, the wolf may be well-fed, but the season always brings new lessons and growth. Youth programs are a vital part of our own ecosystem, and may they ever continue to thrive and connect others to the love of mountains.

HISTORICAL COLLECTION PRINTS NOW ON SALE!

Are you looking for new artwork for your walls? Looking for a unique gift for a climbing friend or loved one? Do you want to jump start your holiday shopping?

The Mazama Library and Historical Collection recently launched an online storefront where you can buy reprints of images from our collection. Prints are available in three sizes, are printed on archival paper, and proceeds help support the Mazama Library.

Order today at tinyurl.com/LHCimages