Camp Meadowood Springs: "The only way to keep a torch lit is to pass it along."

The idea that sparked Camp Meadowood Springs was in 1962, when four gentlemen, including Speech Language Pathologist Ernie Christling, wanted to "give children with communication difficulties a camp experience while working on their speech skills." They envisioned a camp staffed by Speech-language pathologists with additional graduate and undergraduate clinicians to provide intensive in-person speech therapy. They also believed that "the camp should partner with other nonprofits, schools, and  they wanted it to be approachable and inclusive of whose values align with Meadowood mission." These gentlemen took a model from a camp in Michigan and applied it at Meadowood Springs. They wanted to pick a spot that was remote, close to emergency services, and offered various recreational opportunities in aquatics.

Today, Camp Meadowood is a 144-acre camp with over 35 cabins (some sleep up to 6), three bathhouses, in addition to single-use handicap buildings. There are hiking trails, obstacle courses, pools, and multi-use facilities perfect for indoor recreation. "We want to instill that sense of adventure and inspiration. Camp Meadowood exists to help any kid get a camp experience." There is a Lodge House with a commercial kitchen suitable for feeding 150 people, and even a lake with canoes! The cabins are divided into areas and identifiable by the trim color; Area 1 has red trim, Area 2 has green edge, and Area 3 has blue trim. 

Children can expect family-style dinners each night, arts and crafts, board game time, volleyball, and mini golf. They choose a therapy-focused Master Class where they master a skill such as building a birdhouse. And the best way to end the day is with a campfire and s'mores. Each year, the Camp's theme is revealed at the closing ceremony. 2022 was "The Year of the Goat" because baby goats were found at the Camp, and nobody came for them for several weeks. "They'd follow people around, go into the lodge, walk up and down the handrail, eat vegetables we couldn't serve."

Camp Meadowood is generously supported through work with Oregon State Elks Association, and many of the cabins are named after various Lodges. Recently, Lodges from around the state participated in a community service event at Meadowood Springs, which saw over 80+ people turn out. They painted the pool house, cut down troublesome trees, did plumbing, painting, pump house work, and updated the filtration system. Camp Meadowood is communicating with the Walla Walla Basin Watershed Council to be better stewards of the land and springs running through the area. 

After a Camp did not occur in 2020-21, Tim Sicocan, Camp Director, is re-engaging with area schools and other local nonprofits to spread awareness for what the Camp offers. He imagines that environmental science, outdoor schools, field trips, fish and habitat research, and even music and theater could happen up there.

The 10-year vision for Camp Meadowood Springs is expansive: Tim would love the Camp to eventually serve adults with difficulties, teaching life skills, team building, and recreation-based professional retreats. Tim is developing more camp facilities and amenities to allow more year-round usage.

Tim is proud to be part of an organization that has been vital to so many people's lives. "I'm a big fan of people noticing my shirt and sharing their camp story. It's another great way to remember the legacy you're dealing with," he adds. "The only way to keep a torch lit is to pass it along, and I'm going to keep it burning until it's my turn to hand it over."

For more information about Camp Meadowood Springs, visit  https://www.meadowoodsprings.org/ or email [email protected]