They hope to keep it open in memory of their late son
The historic Oregon 4-H Camp that has served Oregon youth for over 56 years is in danger of closing.
Since 1968, the Oregon 4-H Center property, a youth camp and outdoor education center located in Salem, has hosted camps, retreats, conferences, and education programs for over 4,000 children, teens, and young adults each year through organizations like 4-H, YMCA, and NWESD Outdoor Schools, as well as other groups from around the state of Oregon and beyond.
OSU Extension Services, which currently operates the camp, has made the difficult decision that it can no longer sustain the resource investment required to manage the facility year-round.
Chuck and Cindy Packard, whose late son Zack was the first camper to register for the Center’s “Wildlife Stewards 4-H Camp” in 2001, are fighting to keep it open.
The Packards have been dedicated 4-H camp volunteers for over two decades, and founded the Zack Packard Memorial Foundation in 2022 to provide financial support in areas of Zack’s life that were important to him.
“We have decades of memories and history at the Oregon 4-H Center, and when we heard the property was up for sale, we were devastated,” said Chuck Packard. “We discussed the sale with our longtime volunteers and we all said ‘we have to save our camp,’ and that’s when we began imagining the possibilities for the future.”
The Foundation was selected to step in and assume guardianship over the center. The goal is to maintain and expand its role as a hub that fosters growth and development opportunities for youth by establishing the Oregon Outdoor Education Center.
However, in order to purchase the center they need to raise $6M – with the first $600k due in the next 90 days. They are working to spread the word in the hope that community members will step in to help. You can see more about the foundation and donate to the cause at ZPMF (zackpackard.com)
About the Oregon 4-H Center
Since 1968, the Oregon 4-H Center property, a youth camp and outdoor education center located in Salem, OR, has hosted camps, retreats, conferences, and education programs for over 4,000 children, teens, and young adults each year through organizations like 4-H, YMCA, and NWESD Outdoor Schools, as well as other groups from around the state of Oregon and beyond. It has been a pivotal hallmark in enriching the lives of children, offering educational and recreational services that spark learning and a sense of fun.
About the Zack Packard Memorial Foundation
The Zack Packard Memorial Foundation was founded in 2022 by Chuck and Cindy Packard in memory of their late son, Zack. In 2001, Zack was the very first camper to register for the Wildlife Stewards 4-H Camp hosted at the Oregon 4-H Center. The Packard’s have been dedicated 4-H camp volunteers for over two decades. They, along with their team, are experienced and ready to take on the stewardship of the property, ensuring that the next generation of Oregon youth will have the opportunity to grow, learn, and connect while exploring this cherished property.
