The Catholic Youth Organization (CYO) and Camp Howard merged to form one name in the 1980's after working side by side for many years.

CYO is the athletic arm of the Catholic/Christian schools in the greater Portland area, including Salem and Clark County, Washington. CYO organizes and administers dozens of year-round sports and activities. We have programs for football, basketball, volleyball, swimming, cheerleading and track and field.

Camp Howard is the youth camp operated year-round by CYO/Camp Howard. We offer 8 weeks of residential youth camping during the summer from July through August. Camp rentals comprise the rest of the year including several weeks of Outdoor School, Girl Scout campouts, church picnics, family reunions and retreats.

Our goal at CYO Camp Howard is to make great memories for all kids who participate in our camping and sport programs. We hope to assist the youth in becoming better people by developing positive values, independence, social skills and gaining respect through taking responsibility for their own actions.

We aspire to build Christian values through the camping experience and each summer we create a unique community that offers our campers a fun-filled, challenging week in a safe, natural environment.

Camp Howard is open to all children regardless of race, color, national origin, religious affiliation or creed.

Staff members at Camp Howard are selected for their maturity, experience with children, knowledge and skills. A health supervisor is on duty 24-hours a day. Waterfront staff are certified lifeguards. Staff members participate in an intensive week-long, pre-camp session which includes FIrst Aid and CPR certification.

Our hiring process requires an application, three written references, a background check and an in-person interview.

Our trained and caring counselors provide a supervised, positive environment for our campers and are expected to live and treat one another with Christian values. A high percentage of our staff have participated in the CYO program and have been Camp Howard campers themselves.