With a second round of federal payroll protection funds secured, donations from intrepid supporters and a likely green light from the state for overnight camps, CYO/Camp Howard is “full steam ahead” after a year of curtailed activities, said Sister Krista von Borstel, executive director of the organization.

In a March 22 memo, she announced that registration for summer overnight camp and family camp are now open.

“We can’t wait to get the youth and families back to camp,” said Sister Krista, a member of the Sisters of St. Mary of Oregon.

On March 19, Bethany Thramer of the Oregon After School and Summer for Kids Network relayed information from the office of Gov. Kate Brown that overnight camps in the state would be able to operate this summer, pending Oregon Health Authority guidance set to come in April. Health officials and camp representatives will meet this month. Thramer said she is “99.9% confident” the go-ahead for overnighters will come by May.

Meanwhile at Camp Howard, workers are nearing completion of the new Elsie Franz Finley Welcome Center, which will come in under budget and funded by a previous capital campaign.

“This new facility will be a wonderful first encounter for campers and parents, adding to the hospitality and caring spirit which prevails at Camp Howard,” Sister Krista said.

CYO launched cross country running in January, a sport that works well in a pandemic. Registration filled to the maximum 420 participants within two weeks. Sister Krista calls the four meets “a roaring success with happy athletes, parents and coaches.”

Registration has opened for CYO track and field, which will be in a modified format. Practices will start in April with meets beginning in May.