Portland, April 26th, 2013. Over 500 attendees cheered Camp Fire Columbia’s stars as they competed against local celebrities in Camp Fire’s Celebrity + Youth Talent Show at the Crystal Ballroom. Portland Timber player Jake Gleeson, Timber Joey, and players Dave Horst & Ryan Kawulok were a hit with their medley of hip hop classics in their second year as celebrity performers at the event. (Photo credit, Brian Rollins)
Youth performers from Camp Fire’s afterschool program in David Douglas School District pose after nailing their hip hop dance performance in front of 500 guests.
Youth and celebrities performed song, dance, step, and a poetry slam. Attendees determined the winners of each act by voting with donations. The event raised over $136,000 for Camp Fire’s before, during, and after-school programs at 19 local schools.
Gwen Sullivan, President of the Oregon Teachers Union; and Representative Lew Frederick enjoy a moment at the Celebrity + Youth Talent Show. Representative Frederick performed a poem, along with Commissioners Loretta Smith and Amanda Fritz.
Brooke Van Roekel, Camp Fire Columbia Board Chair; and Kali Ladd, Camp Fire Columbia Board Member watched take a moment from cheering on Camp Fire youth and celebrity performers to smile for the cameras.
Youth performers from Camp Fire’s afterschool program in David Douglas had a blast singing a medley of classics, united around the theme of Sunshine (summer is almost here!)
Timber Joey and Scot Thompson, Community Ambassador, of the Portland Timbers perform a hip-hop medley as one of five celebrity acts.
Peter Ames Carlin (author of bestselling Springsteen biography “BRUCE”) and Drew Carney (TV reporter at KGW Channel 8) perform Don Henley’s “Dirty Laundry” as one of five celebrity acts.
Tres Shannon, co-owner of Voodoo Doughnut performs as one of five celebrity acts, with help from Victoria Porter. Shannon channeled his Bobby McFerrin-esque skills in a performance of Mozart, along with juggling and headstands.
From Camp Fire Columbia
Camp Fire Columbia is a community based nonprofit organization located in Portland, Oregon (serving eight counties in Oregon and SW Washington) with a mission to build caring confident youth and future leaders. Camp Fire partners with local kids, schools and families to provide diverse, best practices programming that:
- Supports academic achievement
- Builds social and life skills
- Fosters community engagement
- Develops career and college readiness
Camp Fire’s programs directly serve over 3,000 kids ages 5-18 each year across an eight-county area, including the greater Portland metro region, and help serve another 11,000 children and families annually through partnerships and special projects.
The 21st Century Camp Fire
Camp Fire launched in 1910, the same year as the first talking motion picture. Much like today’s films, the 21st Century Camp Fire is a whole different animal than it was 100 years ago—or even 20 years ago! Just as films have adapted to emerging technology, Camp Fire has evolved to better meet the emerging needs of kids and families.
While Camp Fire has historically been synonymous with outdoor learning and providing opportunities for women, today’s Camp Fire is a multi-faceted agency that serves all kids through a diverse array of programs.
Did you know…
- Camp Fire strengthens local education.
We partner with over 20 schools to pick up where schools leave off—keeping kids safe, engaged, and learning. - Camp Fire supports our region’s most vulnerable youth.
Our programs are located in 20% of the Title-1 schools in Multnomah County. - Camp Fire supports academic growth.
Students in our programs demonstrate significant increases in reading, writing, and math. A recent study found that Camp Fire kids made academic gains at a faster rate than their non-Camp Fire peers. - 50% of Camp Fire kids are boys.
We’ve been co-ed since 1975. Ask a child if they’re a Camp Fire Girl, and they’ll respond as if you asked them whether they own an 8-track. - Camp Fire welcomes and embraces all youth of diverse cultures, beliefs, experiences, and identities.
We are committed to creating a culturally-competent, inclusive, and safe environment for all children and families. - Camp Fire is national in name only.
Camp Fire Columbia is 100% locally driven. - Camp Fire is supported by some of the most prominent names in our community,
including the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the City of Portland, and the U.S. Department of Education.
