The following history was recorded by the founder and first president of Mt. Hood Kiwanis Camp, Cy Gengelbach, in the 1950s.

Early in the year of 1933, 27 members of the Montavilla Kiwanis Club felt the need of having a project which would require a year-to-year contribution of ideas, money and mutual effort on the part of its members and people of the Montavilla community.

A regular weekly club meeting was given over entirely to the discussion as to what this undertaking should be and out of this very interesting meeting came many good ideas suggesting projects, some within our ability to finance and others not. To build a summer camp for deserving boys and girls and start a “Big Brother” movement was given the unanimous approval of the Board of Directors.

A committee composed of Cy Gengelbach, George Schultz, Do Fowler and Louis Balsinger were appointed to investigate the possibilities of securing a suitable site, raising the necessary funds to improve the grounds and erect buildings to accommodate about 50 children.

After spending considerable time looking, the committee decided upon the present location six miles east of Rhododendron on the Mt. Hood Loop Highway. Through the help of T.H. Sherrard, head of the Mt. Hood National Forest Service, and many other men of the Forest Service, the camp project became something of real concern of the club, forest officials, Kiwanians of other clubs, and citizens of not only the Montavilla area but of all Portland.

This beautiful site of 14 acres, leased without charge, is all that can be desired as a camp for deserving young people. Mountain lakes and streams, virgin forests, high hills and a ball field within its limits affords everything for outdoor camping and hiking — with majestic Mt. Hood challenging the more rugged youth.

The site secured, the committee wasted little time in getting plans drawn for the main camp lodge building. Edgar Davidson completed plans for a two-story log building 30’×50′ with a 16’×40′ kitchen addition. Materials and funds were secured through donations solicited from various organizations and groups.

Most of the labor was furnished by the State Emergency Relief Association, who furnished employment to men who otherwise could not find work. Fifty men were sent to the camp site to erect barracks and a mess hall, staying on the project until its completion — a process which took about two years.

Misfortune struck shortly after completion when, during a heavy snowstorm, the roof of the main building collapsed. The committee had $650 saved for campships, which was put to immediate use in repairing the damage with S.E.R.A. labor. When completed, the building was better than the original structure. The Oregon City Kiwanis Club furnished the heavy canvas cover that saved the rest of the building.

The summer of 1935, the camp was equipped and ready for the first camp program. “Spud” Tator, then playground director for the Portland Park Bureau, opened camp on a four-day-a-week basis. These children were sponsored by the Portland Park Bureau, and they were certainly a deserving group.

1936 found the Montavilla Club opening camp with a group of 30 boys under the capable leadership of Ted Gebhardt and three older Boy Scout counsellors. From the time of its beginning, the camp project grew in popularity and soon facilities had to expand and more Kiwanis Clubs were invited to take part.

From the summer of 1948 — after years of war — more and more clubs showed interest in the camp. More than 4,000 fine boys and girls chosen by participating Kiwanis Clubs had a valuable camp experience with good food, capable leadership, and loads of good, clean outdoor fun so necessary in the life of children.

Cy Gengelbach, president of the camp organization since its beginning, asked to be relieved of his duties in 1951 after 17 years as its head.