Our Story
At Camp Fire Columbia, we believe in the power of connection—connection to ourselves, to each other, and to the natural world. For over a hundred years, our programs have helped young people discover their spark, build meaningful relationships, and develop a profound sense of stewardship for the environment. Indeed, each year on the banks of the Sandy River, Camp Namanu provides over 3,000 young people space to explore new skills, to build strong relationships, and to connect with both their own power and the power of nature
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Overnight Camp at Namanu is structured around intentional programming that forges connections between youth and the natural environment, offers opportunities for experiential learning, and is rooted in developmental activities that lead to positive youth development outcomes.
Mission
To build lasting, equitable and caring relationships with nature, others and ourselves.
Values
We carry the following values with us as we provide high quality programming to a diverse
population of youth.
We are inclusive
We honor and protect the natural world
We share power with young people
We prioritize relationships
We are responsive leaders
We take action
We pursue impact
1910
1911
1924
1975
Camp Fire Girls was founded and became the first integrated, non-sectarian organization for girls in the United States.
In 1911 programming in the Northwest began and groups in Forest Grove led expeditions to a campsite on the banks of the Willamette River near the present site of Dunthorpe. The organization gradually evolved and the Portland Council was officially chartered in 1921.
A 552-acre plot of forest land located at the confluence of the Sandy and Bull Run Rivers was generously donated to the Council by local lumberman Samual B. Cobb. This land would become known as Camp Namanu, and has been in continuous operation ever since.
Camp Fire became co-ed and changed its name to Camp Fire USA, reflecting its inclusive nature and values. The mission, building caring, confident youth and future leaders, has remained solid throughout.
Historical Architecture at Camp Namanu
“Pietro Belluschi put Portland on the cultural map.” – Portland Monthly, September, 2006
Pietro Belluschi was undoubtedly the most eminent architect to come out of Portland Oregon in the last century. In the late 1920s, as Namanu was growing in popularity, Belluschi was in the early stages of what would be a prolific and influential career. During that time, he designed several of Namanu’s most attractive buildings, which are still in use today. These simple structures helped to define the soul of Namanu in its early days. Belluschi came to America from Italy as an exchange student in 1923 and made his home in Portland, Oregon. He worked for many years with the renowned architecture firm A.E. Doyle and eventually took it over under his own name. While in Oregon, he designed such notable structures as the Portland Art Museum and the Equitable Building, the latter being considered one of his most important works as it is known as the first fully sealed air-conditioned environment. His fame grew as he emerged to become an international leader of the Modern Design Movement. In the later part of his career, Belluschi became known as an educator and lecturer and served as Dean of Architecture and Planning at MIT from 1951-1965. When he died at his home in Portland at the age of 94, he left behind a diverse and inspiring body of work totaling over 1,000 buildings.