Camp Silver Creek Dining Hall, OR 2019

Project Site Description & History

PROJECT PARTNER: Oregon State Parks

SESSION DATES: April 7-12 | April 14-21 | April 23-28

PROJECT DIFFICULTY:

SITE INFORMATION:

LOCATION: We stayed in traditional summer camp cabins in the YMCA Camp Silver Creek!

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Project Site Description & History

Volunteers on this project got to experience and contribute to what’s called the “crown jewel” of Oregon State Parks. According to the State Park website, “Silver Falls State Park is the kind of standout scenic treasure that puts Oregon firmly onto the national—and international—stage. Its beauty, boundless recreational opportunities and historic presence keep it there. Nestled in the foothills of Oregon’s Cascade Mountains, less than an hour east of the state capital of Salem, the sprawling 9,200 acre property is the largest state park in Oregon, and one of the most popular.

“Where else can you walk behind a waterfall? Check out the famous South Falls and see what a 177-foot curtain of water looks like from behind. It’s part of the Trail of Ten Falls, a spectacular, nationally recognized hiking trail that weaves through a dense forested landscape. The trail passes a series of breathtaking waterfalls along a rocky canyon, and descends to a winding creek at the forest floor.”

This project was the first of two we undertook in Silver Falls State Park. In Spring 2019 we preserved the CCC-era dining hall of Camp Silver Creek!

Camp Silver Creek is operated by the YMCA as a traditional summer camp for young people. According to the camp’s website, “YMCA Camp Silver Creek is located 20 miles east of Salem in Silver Falls State Park. Our camp was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps and is over 75 years old!

“Camp Silver Creek consists of our Dining Hall, Recreation Hall, Arts and Crafts Lodge, heated pool, a small lake, and an archery range. Along with this we have our own creek to play in and creek-walk, The Void for fort-building, miles of hiking trails, and a horse arena.We have four unique living units: Bear Creek, Trickle Falls, Hemlock, and Hillside. Each unit consists of six cabins, two leader cabins and a unit lodge.

“All summer, from the early-morning Polar Bear Club to campfire, campers are engaged in activities that are fun, challenging, and memorable. For decades, Camp Silver Creek has been shaping the lives of campers through the offering of traditional camp programs that build a healthy body, mind and spirit!”

See the camp from a birds-eye view in this video, also from the YMCA. Learn more here.

Scope of Work

Volunteers worked alongside expert field staff to learn the following skills. This project’s crew worked together to preserve the camp’s historic dining hall, so it can continue to serve as the base of operations for peanut-butter-and-jelly assemblage for campers for generations to come.

Replace deteriorated doors: 15%
Rehabilitate window sashes and frames: 25%
Replace and repair wooden porch posts and railings: 15%
Repoint and level porch flagstone: 25%
Replace wall shakes: 20%

Photograph taken by Elizabeth Carter in 2000

Detail of Camp Silver Creek Dining Hall exterior today

1200px-South_Falls,_Silver_Falls_State_Park

One of the state park’s falls that give it its name

Silver Falls State Park pond at Camp Silver Creek