Our mission
The Camas Parks Foundation works to make a difference in our community and the lives of our neighbors by supporting the city’s outstanding parks, trails, open spaces, community center, recreation programs and special events through financial support and volunteer commitment.
Camas Parks Foundation is exempt from Federal income Tax under Section 501(a) of the Internal Revenue Code as an organization described in Sections 501(c)(3).
Our Tax ID # is 91-1200024
What we do:
Provide financial and volunteer support for Parks and Recreation Community Events (CamTown Youth Festival, Hometown Holidays….)
Fund scholarships for youth and seniors to participate in Recreation Classes
Advocate for City Parks, Trails, Open Spaces, and Recreation classes and events
Raise funds for Park Improvements
Sponsor Invasive Ivy removal parties through our support of The Camas Ivy League
Host the annual Turkey Bingo Family event
Show our appreciation for our amazing Parks & Rec staff each July during Parks Appreciation Month
Organize the annual Cemetery Cleanup Day each May in honor of Memorial Day
How we succeed:
Volunteers
Our fabulous network of volunteers means we can accomplish great things with extremely low overhead.
Thank you, volunteers!
Philanthropy
We rely on fundraising and the generous donations of our parks-supporting community members.
Thank you, donors!
Collaboration
Our impacts are maximized because we work closely and cooperatively with our Parks & Rec staff, the Parks Commission, and local businesses and other organizations.
Thank you, staff, commissioners, and community!
We are an all-volunteer board, dedicated to improving our local quality of life by supporting our incredible parks, trails, open spaces, recreation programs, and community events.
Our Board of Directors:
Jacquie Hill
Cassidy Hines
Cassi Marshall
Juanita Rogers
Kerry Ticknor
You can contact us at: hello@camasparksfoundation.org
Our history:
The Friends of the Camas Community Center (Friends) was established as a non-profit organization in 1986 by a group of dedicated local citizens, with a mission “… (to) enrich the educational, cultural, and social service opportunities available to citizens of Camas and surrounding environs.” They were instrumental in transforming a 1915 school house building in the Oak Park neighborhood into the Camas Community Center. This beloved historic building has housed Parks & Rec staff members, local non-profit group meetings, fitness and recreation classes, and many, many celebrations and gatherings. The Friends raised funds to furnish and repair the center, purchase adjacent land for parking, and assist with upgrades to the building, including roofing, painting and refurbishing — all with much love and care. Camas resident Christine Kropp left a sizable donation to the Friends group through her estate, which allowed the Friends to provide $350,000 toward the construction of the Lacamas Lake Lodge, which was completed and opened to the community in 2014.
In 2017, the Friends was renamed Partners with Camas Parks and Recreation (Partners), with a goal to continue support of the Community Center, but broaden the focus of the group’s efforts to include all of the Parks & Recreation assets and programming. This group focused on financial and volunteer support of physical parks, and especially recreation programming. Partners worked closely with the Parks & Rec City staff to support scholarships for recreation classes, community events, and expanded volunteer coordination through invasive species removal via The Camas Ivy League. Partners assumed the volunteer efforts of a group of citizens in support of the Camas Cemetery as well, and coordinated with local skate park enthusiasts in fundraising efforts toward our Camas Skate Park improvements. Partners also started the annual Turkey Bingo family event.
Now (since 2022), we are the Camas Parks Foundation! We will be standing on the shoulders of our amazing Friends and Partners as we work to build the Foundation into a Parks & Rec support organization attracting volunteers and philanthropists throughout the City. Stay tuned for upcoming events and opportunities!
