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Housing Authority highlights Camp Rosenbaum summer program for low-income children
Summary
Housing Authority of Washington County presented an update on Camp Rosenbaum, an overnight summer camp serving children in subsidized housing; staff and volunteers sent 27 county youth to camp this year and the program, run entirely on donations and volunteers, marked decades of operation.
The Housing Authority of Washington County presented a report Sept. 2 on Camp Rosenbaum, an overnight week-long summer camp for children who live in subsidized housing that is run by a nonprofit of the same name and supported by housing authorities and volunteers across the region.
Camp Rosenbaum sends approximately 9-to-11-year-old campers to a coast location for a free week of activities. “We are operating on 100% donations,” Crystal Crowler, program director for Camp Rosenbaum, told the Housing Authority board. She said volunteers and fundraising cover program costs and directed people seeking to help to camprosenbaum.org.
Why it matters: board members described the program as a long-running community benefit that gives low-income children an experience many other children take for granted. The Housing Authority noted Camp Rosenbaum’s history, local volunteer participation, and how the program is connected to broader engagement with housing authority tenants.
Program details and scope: staff said nine housing authorities participated this year, 208 volunteers supported camp operations across roles from kitchen staff to counselors, and 27 Washington County youth attended. Housing Authority Executive Director Molly Rogers credited county staff volunteers and community partners with recruitment and logistics.
Camp leadership said the event emphasizes teamwork, civic values and exposure to new experiences; activities cited by speakers included horse riding, a talent show, arts and crafts, and a “fire dog challenge” where campers try on firefighter gear. Carolina Gomez, a Camp Rosenbaum board member who uses the volunteer name “Salsa,” described camp as “a family for everyone that goes there” and noted volunteers often serve for many years.
Volunteering and donations: Crowler said the nonprofit keeps a list of potential volunteers and that people who wish to help can contact her by email or via the organization’s website. She also noted the nonprofit accepts material donations such as clothing and toiletries and holds fundraising events to cover program costs.
Board reaction and next steps: board members thanked camp organizers and asked for ways the board could help spread awareness; one commissioner asked staff to share distribution maps of which housing sites children come from to help the board consider equity of outreach. Camp staff said they have conducted post-camp surveys with campers, parents and volunteers and continue volunteer recruitment efforts to increase capacity in future years.
Ending: Camp Rosenbaum organizers asked the board for continued partnership on outreach and said they will provide contact information and materials the board can use to promote volunteering and donations.
