Camp Rivendale is a shining example of the initiative we call 'Access for All'
Greetings from your elected board of directors!
For many of us, one of the words we associate with summer is "camp," because of the fun we had and friends we made there. Maybe you’re a parent now and searching for a camp for your child – one like you remember. As you page through this guide, you’ll find many options to excite your camper.
If your child is experiencing disability, consider Camp Rivendale, which we've held on our Jenkins Estate property the past 37 summers. It's the only outdoor recreation camp of its kind in the Portland metro area, and based on the raves we’ve received, it changes lives for the better.
Camp Rivendale is a shining example of "Access for All," our commitment to integrate and serve people of all abilities. Our Adaptive and Inclusive Recreation Services group offers an array of year-round programs to improve quality of life for all. We've also developed – and are working through – a multiyear plan to bring more parks and facilities into compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Be sure to check out the new Mountain View Champions Park in Aloha, featuring "Champions Too," the first playing field in the state for athletes of all abilities. The synthetic turf is specially designed to accommodate wheelchairs and other mobility devices. The park also features a hugely popular, 6,500-square-foot inclusive playground.
There's a nonprofit agency in the Beaverton area named Edwards Enterprises that finds jobs for people with disabilities. Did you know THPRD was the first organization to hire workers from Edwards? That was 30 years ago, and this win-win partnership still thrives! We get essential landscaping help at the Jenkins Estate, and in return, the workers get a highly meaningful paycheck.
Again this August, we'll host the All-ability Tri4Youth at our Howard M. Terpenning Recreation Complex. There's only one other triathlon like it in the U.S. We debuted the event in 2017 (in partnership with FactOregon). We look forward to bringing families together again to swim, bike and run for fun.
Have a question or comment about Access for All or any other park district topic? Email us at boardofdirectors@thprd.org. Thank you.
Ali Kavianian
THPRD Board of Directors