Cispus Forever
Starts With You
We have served hundreds of thousands
since 1956.
Cispus, with Association of Washington Student Leaders, collaborating within a place, making change, and fulfilling our mission.
It all begins with a trip up to the forest. Maybe it was outdoor school in elementary, a club retreat, attending summer leadership camp, or even several of the above. Maybe you have served on staff or just benefitted from a few nights in the peaceful Gifford-Pinchot Forest. Whatever it is, the way you tell us your story is important.
Our goals are two-fold:
The last two years have been extremely difficult for everyone. Cispus has always done fine while our groups come up for eleven-plus months of the year. AWSL’s main source of income is summer programs at Cispus.
So now we are in the midst of trying to keep up the maintenance and operations of Cispus during the COVID shutdown. We have lost 99% of our revenue since March 2020. As such, we have severely drained our cash balance. The unknowns of the coming months and the continued loss of groups coming to Cispus raise grave concerns for our future viability. We know that once we can get groups up to Cispus safely, we will bounce back. We are just not seeing that happening before summer 2022.
Once we get on our feet again with groups (this spring, this summer or next fall), we will be continuing our work as outlined below
Short Term:
Update meeting spaces to deliver a more detailed curriculum for residential outdoor education.
Support Outdoor Schools Washington and their deliverance to get every child outdoors for environmental education.
Continue in the advancement of tribal heritage and culture, enhance cedar tree program offerings.
Create opportunities for students to exercise their voice
Build equity strands with and as presented by students
Rewrite our curriculum, lesson, and programs with a justice, equity, diversity, inclusionary (JEDI) lens.
Long Term:
Create an endowment for longevity of our facilities—this is our campaign.
Merge AWSP and AWSL into a more organized school leaders’ program
Develop outdoor education curriculum standards in conjunction with OSPI and Outdoor School for All
Create STEM lesson related to outdoor education
Cross-reference social-emotional learning between outdoor and student development programs (leadership)
And here is our challenge to you: Tag 5 friends that went to camp with you! #CispusForever…
Follow our journey.
Cispus Outdoor School
The experience of camp, the physical act of being in person with others in the outdoors. That when you walk together between outdoor sessions, laugh together, work through uncomfortable situations, share a family style meal, those moments make lasting memories. The tangible happenings that made a child wonder what will they do for themselves and how will they act toward others tomorrow?
Association of Washington Student Leaders
AWSL believes that all students and adults have the ability to lead in their school. In order to promote social and academic experiences for all, our focus provides opportunities, support and resources to:
Examine, interrupt, and address patterns of historic and current oppression.
Engage, connect, and collaborate with others.
Create safe schools where all are valued.
Feel successful in school and life.
By The Numbers
Many have found hope and promise of a brighter future. The realization for a young child to understand their responsibility, civility, stewardship, respect for oneself and others, and that we share a common purpose to cheer each individual forward. Learn how many experiences and moments were created over the years.
"I've noticed over my 25 years working at Cispus a common refrain. Away from the hustle and bustle of their lives surrounded by green forests, living in community, and entirely focused on the purpose. I often hear a version of this statement: "I'm the best version of myself at camp." Without the ability to explore who we are in a supportive space that challenges us to grow, we never learn the possibilities of our full potential.”
— Joe Fenbert