About Us
What We Do
Mission
Upward Bound Camp's mission is to
provide on-going Christian based recreational and educational camp
experiences for persons with disabilities, twelve years of age and over
in an environment that presents opportunities for growth outside the
individual’s usual routine or habitat. Upward Bound supports the belief
that every person is important, created by God, worthy of love and
caring service. Camp gives every person the opportunity to realize and
share their gifts and individual special abilities.
Affiliation and Accredidation
Upward Bound Camp, a state licensed
program founded in 1978, is proud to be accredited by the American
Camping Association. As a nationally recognized program focusing on
program quality, health and safety issues, ACA requires review of every
facet of operation annually.
Upward Bound voluntarily submits to this
independent appraisal conducted by experts in the camp field and has
earned a mark of distinction and excellence. The camp directors have
over twenty years experience in the management of camping for
individuals with special needs. They believe every camper deserves a
camp experience that is reviewed and accredited by experts. UBC wants
to provide the best for the campers they serve and love. Being
accredited by ACA demonstrates that commitment to providing the best in
health, safety and program quality. The accreditation process is quite
comprehensive and thorough. Currently, accreditation is held by only
25% of all day and resident camps.
Upward Bound is proud to to be fully
accredited!
Serving by providing celebrations of
life with purpose, Upward Bound is a member in good standing with
Christian Camping International. A multi-denominational Christian
camping support organization.
Inspirational Story
"Home for the Holidays"
Probably few people in the world were
ever aware of Russell's silent passing. Russell was our friend.
I remember clearly the first time we
met Russell. We were still referred to as the camp for the
"handicapped". A "Quasimodo" shaped of a man in his mid sixties, he had
to take a deep breath and lift the burden of his chest's weight in
order to look me in the eye. I remember thinking his greatest
disability could be labeled "cosmetically challenged." As he attempted
to straighten his twisted body to an upright position, he tugged up his
trousers by the belt with his left hand and raised his right hand to
his chin to wipe a river of drool from his mouth before extending his
hand to me to shake. With his outstretched hand glistening in the
summer sun, it was I who took the next deep breath hoping not to reveal
my reluctance as I consummated the greeting. Having been told he was
hearing impaired, I began to speak directly in his ear at full volume
about camp. Russell smiled, wiped the new stream of drool away, looked
me straight in the eye, and said, "I know you are a Christian camp. I
don't like Christian. I came to fish and eat and do my carving. No
Christian stuff. I don't like it." He then resumed his hunch back
posture and proceeded to take his suitcase to the bunkhouse.
A man of few words, he gave exactly
the same introduction of himself to each staff person he met, declining
any offers to attend campfire, chapel or Bible study. Russell did not
like "Christian stuff"! He had come to fish, to eat, and to do his wood
carving. That was the extent of his agenda. The staff itinerary turned
out to be quite different. Russell was not the kind of guy that you
just "had" at camp. Russell was W-O-R-K! Legally deaf, socially
retarded, with a bad heart, emphysema, asthma, gout, cataracts,
glaucoma, a weak bladder, scolieosis, and an endless variety of
medications and protocols to accompany each malady. Russell required
one-to-one assistance twenty-four hours a day. Due to his deafness,
Russell yelled short commands at staff to get his requests heard. Due
to being institutionalized for fifty years he was extremely protective
of the suitcase containing his entire life possessions. He insisted it
be carried wherever he was guided. When Russell would eat, he would
have to cleaned up and where ever Russell would eat, would have to be
cleaned up.
Eight summers Russell came to camp.
Escorted to every corner of camp, he was assisted with walking, eating,
toileting, showering, and dressing. We ran his errands and carried his
suitcase. Staff got up in the middle of the night to help him to the
bathroom or to hold his drool covered hand following his frequent bad
dreams. Counselors took him fishing and sat with him in awe as he
miraculously acclaimed his carving talents in a simple piece of wood.
Nurses soaked his feet, monitored his blood pressure and charted his
medications. Staff never read a Bible story to him, they never prayed
(outloud) in his presence, and they never took him where any
"Christian" stuff was happening. They took him fishing, and eating and
to do his carving. Someone was always with Russell. Everyone got to
know Russell intimately. Not everyone enjoyed doing for Russell, but
the more we did, the more we loved him.
During Russell's eighth summer, while
helping him to the table for lunch, Russell, lifted his heavy chest,
pulled up his trousers by the belt buckle, looked the staff person in
the eye and said, "I want to know Jesus loves me as much as you guys
do." For the next two hours Russell talked and prayed with that staff
person, recounting every sin he could remember. Asking Jesus to forgive
each one, he began with stealing a piece of candy when he was ten years
old. No blanket covering of sins would do for Russell. He gave his
heart and his life to Jesus. Later, he joined in singing "Jesus Loves
Me" whole heartedly and completely unaware his song book was held
upside down.
Two years ago, this fall Russell went
to spend the holidays with his new friend, Jesus. We thank the Lord for
Russell and all he taught us. We know the staff that assisted Russell
throught the years will know in heaven the fruit of their faithfulness.
-Adapted from the short
story collection, "Borne of Four", by Laura Pierce
Email us at upward.bound.camp@gmail.com
Contact us at:
Upward Bound Camp
P.O. Box C
Stayton, OR, 97383
503-897-2447
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