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General Fred Rosenbaum
It was in 1968 when Fred Rosenbaum, then a Major in the Oregon Air National Guard came up with a wonderful idea – why couldn’t we bring the kids from the Housing Authority to Camp Rilea so they could have a summer camp? Starting with a $750 budget, a small group of cooks and counselors, a couple of footballs and some Frisbees, 75 boys attended the very first "HAP camp". A second camp was held the following summer but lacking proper financial and personnel resources and the logistical problems were too difficult to continue. 
When you touch the life of a child, you begin to build smiles, trust and community. We embrace the idea of reaching out to work with the community, and extend that community and camp experience on our site. Although we only have a week to make an impact in person, the ripple effect of those experiences touches so many lives... 
For 40 years Camp Rosenbaum has given more than 4,000 children from low-income housing a memorable experience many of us take for granted. A unique summer camp designed especially to serve their community.
This is no ordinary camp. The 9 to 11 year-old boys and girls who attend each year come from Housing Authorities throughout Oregon and SW Washington.
In addition to making sure the kids have a magnificent experience, the mission of Camp Rosenbaum is to show these children they can choose to live a better life away from the troubled paths of dropping out of school, crime, gangs, drugs and violence.
Camp Rosenbaumís goal is to empower children to take responsibility for their lives, make the right choices, and turn away from the allure of trouble. What we reinforce is the hope and direction for a better future.
Camp Rosenbaum is comprised of volunteers from the servicing housing authorities, The Oregon Air National Guard, the Portland Police Bureau, as well as several local county, city and state law enforcement and fire protection agencies.
SPECIAL THANKS TO THE CHILD NUTRITION PROGRAM THROUGH THE STATE OF OREGON DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION. Acceptance and participation requirements for this program and all activities are the same for all regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age or disability, and there will be no discrimination in the course of the meal service. Meals will be provided at Camp Rosenbaum for enrolled children and funded through this program. USDA and the State of Oregon are equal opportunity providers and employers. Follow this link for more information on USDA-related discrimination: 
