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August 20, 2013
Woodburn Elementary, the newest school in Camas, will open its doors to students Tuesday, Sept. 3. There is also a back-to-school night on Thursday, Aug. 29.

Camas’ Woodburn Elementary design incorporates nature into the school

After three years in the making, the Camas School District's newest building will open its doors to eager students and teachers. Woodburn Elementary, which can accommodate up to 600 students, is located off of Southeast Crown Road and surrounded by nature. "People ask which classroom has the best view, and I can't really give them an answer," said Jan Strohmaier, principal. "There are fantastic views everywhere." The 12-acre site is adjacent to the Lacamas Creek trail system. To keep with the natural setting, outdoor elements were incorporated into the design.

August 14, 2013
Junior Scouts create dreamcatchers at Currie Twilight Camp last week. The J.D. Currie Youth Camp is located on 300 acres just outside of Camas and is home to several different youth events during the summer.

Camp Currie gives youth the chance to explore nature close to home

Nestled amid a canopy of towering Douglas firs, with a rustic lodge and cabins, Camp Currie feels like it is a million miles away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.In reality, the 300-acre site is located just five minutes from downtown Camas and has been home to summer youth camps since 1943. The semi-wilderness setting includes a woodland chapel, large natural amphitheater, winding forest trails, covered outdoor eating area, and is home to a variety of wildlife. Last week, the Girl Scouts of Oregon and Washington hosted Currie Twilight Camp, which gave attendees the opportunity to learn outdoor cooking, fire safety, crafts and more. Although the camp is 300 acres, youth organizations only use about 30 of those, with the rest being kept in its natural state.

August 13, 2013
Post-Record file photo Border collie Rex and her handler Rob Miller attempt to herd a group of sheep during the Lacamas Valley Sheepdog Trial, held at the Johnston Dairy Farm in Camas.

Sheep dog trials return to Johnston Dairy

The Lacamas Valley Sheep Dog Trial will return to the Johnston Dairy in Camas, for its ninth year, from Aug. 15 to 18. This unique competition features handlers working in partnership with their dogs, sometimes at long distances, to move a small flock of sheep across a field through a series of gates, into a shedding ring and ultimately into a pen. According to organizers, the Lacamas Valley Sheep Dog Trial has grown into one of the largest and most popular events of its kind on the West Coast. Its reach is regional, drawing 115 handlers traveling from six states and British Columbia and featuring nearly 180 dogs competing in a variety of skill levels.

August 6, 2013
Deer wander freely around the 142 acres of grounds of Camp Melacoma, and are even hand-fed by Dodi and Andy Jensen, who formed the non-profit Camp Melacoma Association to purchase the site. Nieman Lodge (pictured above) includes a dining room for 200 people, sleeping quarters and kitchen. Due to high levels of naturally occurring arsenic found in the water, the facility has not operated as a camp since 2010. A water treatment plan is being formulated.

Taking care of Camp Melacoma

Stepping onto the grounds at Camp Melacoma is a lot like stepping back in time.The 142-acre heavily wooded site is tucked away in the hills of Skamania County, 13 miles up Washougal River Road. It has been a kids' camp since 1948, when Robert Wineberg deeded the first chunk of the property to the Camp Fire Cascade Council. Over the years, it's been a place where literally thousands of kids of all ages and backgrounds have converged to explore nature first hand, and get the quintessential summer camp experience. Dodi Jensen, a longtime Washougal resident, became the camp's on-site caretaker in 2008. Jensen was looking for a change of pace and was familiar with the property, having volunteered at the site before. "I had fallen in love with the camp long before I ever came to work here," she said.

August 1, 2013
A string of classic cars from the Flying Eagle As Model A Ford Car Club delighted the crowd at the Grand Parade.

Camas Days spectacular

Whether it was the Grand Parade, the Kids Parade or all the activities in between, Camas Days was once again a crowd pleaser. The fun kicked off Friday with the annual Kids Parade. Children dressed in all matter of things "Outta This World" flooded the streets with smiles and tossed candy to eager onlookers. The Camas Days theme gave young ones full use for their imaginations. It was organized by Camas Parks and Recreation, which gave each participant a pair of unique sunglasses and a ribbon. Parade participants ranged from community groups to the Camas Public Library to families out enjoying the day. Erin Waller of Camas came with her three children, who dressed as martians in green body paint and eyeball sunglasses. "This is our first year in the Kids Parade and we're excited," she said. "We just love the big parade."

July 23, 2013
A variety of students access Hathaway's free summer lunch program, from those in local Community Education programs to those participating in credit recovery. The lunches run from 11:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. Monday through Friday, until Aug. 16.

Washougal’s Hathaway Elementary School program includes free lunches, summer camps, academics and activities

Sometimes it takes just a small idea to create a ripple of change.That is what is happening in the Washougal School District this summer. At Hathaway Elementary School, students from pre-kindergarten through high school level are receiving extra academic help, along with free, nutritious lunches; and they are participating in enrichment activities. This is the result of a collaboration between district administrators, teachers, staff, health centers and local volunteers. "Even just at the beginning of this program, the level of conversation, the amount of attention each of these kids are able to receive, is so beneficial," said David Tudor, curriculum director.

July 16, 2013
Danielle Frost/Post-Record Robin Dobson and Kathleen Perillo own and operate Klickitat Canyon Winery. Here, they relax in their Stevenson tasting room.

Washougal couple is committed to sustainable practices at their Lyle vineyard

"Experience wine the way nature makes it."This is the philosophy behind Washougal couple Robin Dobson and Kathleen Perillo's business, Klickitat Canyon Winery. From the soil in which the grapes grow to when the wine is sold, everything is as natural as possible. Their vineyard is one of only three in the state of Washington that makes certified organic wines. There are no sulfites, yeasts, clarifiers or chemicals. These days, "clean eating" is becoming a common practice in many households, but Dobson said he was making wine without additives long before that. "I've always done it this way," he said. "It's the traditional way of making wine in Europe. I want the grapes to speak for themselves."

July 2, 2013
Dale Lancaster, Kirsten Muskat and Sherry Brookshire, members of the Camas Camera Club, will have their work featured in the Second Story Gallery this month. Muskat founded the camera club in 2011 so that local photographers could meet in a non-competitive environment and share their work.

Work of Camas Camera Club members will be featured in ‘The Call of the Open Road’ exhibit

A buggy on a misty country road. A skateboarder weaving his way down the street. A desert highway that seems to stretch forever.These are a few of the images Camas Camera Club members will share during their photography exhibit this month. "The Call of the Open Road," will be featured at the Camas Public Library's Second Story Gallery. The official unveiling and reception are on Friday from 5 to 8 p.m. The opening will coincide with a popular classic car show, which is a part of Camas First Friday. Club members participated in the exhibit last year and enjoyed it so much, they came back for a second round, said Kirsten Muskat, club founder.

June 25, 2013
Children from birth through age 19 are welcome to participate in the Washougal Public Library's summer reading program.

Summer programs at Camas and Washougal libraries offer incentives, fun events

A flyer from the Fort Vancouver Regional Library District delivers the following message: "Get Smarter: READ!"Those who sign up for local "Dig into Reading" programs get an added bonus: Prizes to reward minutes read. The Camas and Washougal public libraries both have reading programs in place to encourage children and teenagers to read during their school break. "Youth who read during the summer will practice their reading and comprehension skills, and are likely to start school in the fall more prepared," said Ellen Miles, Camas youth services librarian. "That leads to smart kids who will grow up to be doctors and scientists who will change the world for the better."