Youth center rises out of tragedy - Camas School District

School Administrator, March, 2003

A youth center that grew out of the tragic death of three brothers resulted in the awarding of The Civic Star Award in Washington to the Camas School District.

The death of the three brothers in a float plane accident in November 1999 prompted the boys' parents, friends of the family and others in the community to establish the Jack, Will and Rob Kids Foundation, named after the three, to raise money to build a youth center. In cooperation with the school district, the Clark County YMCA and hundreds of Camas citizens, the foundation raised more than $6 million to build and operate the JWR Youth Center.

Two weeks after the center opened on Oct. 19 on school district property, the facility was crowded with youngsters. The JWR Foundation provides the funding for the center, and the YMCA operates the programs. Because of the foundation's support, area children can become members for only $20 per year.

Five years after the center's opening, the Camas School District will become the center's owner.

The center includes a gymnasium, recreation area and three rooms dedicated to different areas of fine arts. A survey conducted among area students in 1997 had shown that there were limited opportunities for students to participate in the fine arts.

Because the three brothers were each interested in a different art medium, the rooms reflect their interests. Will's Studio is devoted to the visual arts and hosts beginning through advanced art classes for children. Rob's Playhouse provides performance spaces, and Jackson's Room for Technology and Media will house hardware in a room designed for projects in those areas.

Supporters are now focused on ensuring that the center's classes and services are as innovative as its design. The school district and the YMCA recently submitted a proposal to the National Endowment for the Arts to replicate an arts studio approach, where students would conduct their own gallery shows as they progress through different levels of proficiency.

TO LEARN MORE CONTACT:

Cames School District

Milt Dennison, Superintendent

1919 NE lone St., Camas, WA 98607

Phone: 360-817-4400

E-mail: milt.dennison@camas.wednet.edu

Web: www.camas.wednet.edu