Hennebery Eddy partnered with the Oregon Outdoor Education Center (OOEC) to revitalize a beloved camp through inclusive design, strategic planning, and a hands-on day of service — in line with our experience designing outdoor education spaces where all youth can thrive. Supported by Hennebery Eddy’s annual Community Service Scholarship, part of the firm’s broader Hennebery Eddy Gives initiative, project architect Mike Beamer led the 2025 effort in collaboration with the Gray Family Foundation to deliver strategic planning and facility improvements. The effort culminated in a day of service to incorporate universal access and install new benches at the camp’s amphitheater.
Located on a 325-acre site in Salem, Oregon, OOEC has served more than 5,000 youth annually since 1968. When the Oregon 4-H Association listed the property for sale, its future was uncertain. The Zack Packard Memorial Foundation stepped in to purchase the site, preserving its mission and opening the door for long-term reinvestment.
Following a site visit and meetings with camp leadership, the Hennebery Eddy team reviewed a 2018 master plan developed under previous ownership. While the plan offered a helpful foundation, it no longer reflected current facility conditions, economic realities, or the new leadership’s priorities.
The team identified that updating the facility inventory and planning would offer the most value. The project began with a comprehensive assessment of existing conditions to prioritize needs. The results were compiled into a five-year capital improvement plan addressing fire resilience, accessibility, and infrastructure upgrades.
As part of their ongoing partnership, Hennebery Eddy staff and partners organized a day of service to revitalize the camp’s central amphitheater. During early planning, it was noted that the amphitheater stage was only accessible by stairs. Camp General Manager Chuck “Grizz” Packard shared stories of campers unable to participate due to this barrier, prompting the team to redesign the space for inclusivity.
The team developed detailed plans to convert a section of front-row benches into accessible seating. A wood-framed ramp now wraps behind the stage, complete with a new entry door. Several volunteers also pre-sanded and sealed 96 new bench tops in advance of the service day to ensure long-term durability.
On the service day, thirty volunteers removed aging benches, restored structural posts, and installed the new bench tops. Simultaneously, an excavation crew placed footings and volunteers began framing the ramp structure. Final ramp construction was completed in the following days by volunteer contractors.
The upgrades at OOEC directly support a diverse youth population that relies on the organization for outdoor learning. Planned updates — such as private bathrooms and showers — enhance safety, comfort, and inclusivity, particularly for nonbinary campers and others who have expressed privacy concerns. Accessibility improvements and modernized facilities will broaden participation and ensure more youth can fully engage in camp programs.
Through initiatives like the Community Service Scholarship, Hennebery Eddy aims to make a lasting, positive impact on the built environment, serving as responsible stewards of our profession and supporting our communities.
