New Rowboats, Renewed Inspiration

Being on Smith Lake in a rowboat can be profoundly meaningful, offering a sanctuary to reflect, to challenge, to grow. The sway of the boat, the soothing sound of water and the view of surrounding green mountains have a way of nourishing the soul. Over the years Camp Magruder's rowboats have offered a sturdy water vessel that can hold several people, offering to those worried about tipping or simply companionship the thing that might get them on the water. This Giving Tuesday we're raising money to replace our current, deteriorating boats with the next generation of camp rowboats to keep these life-changing experiences open to more campers. 

How You can help

Let's come together and make a big impact this Giving Tuesday! We're on a mission to raise $8,000 for a brand-new rowboat at Camp Magruder, and we want you to be part of the adventure. Every donation, no matter the size, plays a crucial role in getting us closer to our $8,000 goal. Whether it's a small or substantial contribution, every dollar counts, and together, we can make it happen. In addition to dollar gifts, you can harness the power of social media to spread the word far and wide. Share Camp Magruder's mission and fundraiser on platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Your posts can inspire more people to unite and donate, bringing us closer to a beautiful new rowboat. And next, connect with friends, family, and fellow camp and boating fans. Share the excitement about how new rowboats will bring more kids and families out on the water to face fears and have great fun. Encourage them to join us in reaching our goal of enhancing camper experiences on Smith Lake. By coming together through donations, social media promotion, and heartfelt conversations, we can ensure Camp Magruder gets this rowboat that will create amazing experiences for kids and families out on the water!

Our New Rowboat Fleet

Rowboats have been used at Camp Magruder for decades. They are heavy with flat bottoms, which makes them very difficult to flip. They can seat a whole family or a counselor with a few nervous campers. This combination of space and sturdiness, makes our rowboats an important part of making boating more accessible to more people throughout the year. To fit the camp's specific need, these boats have traditionally been customized and made from wood, but the salty Oregon Coast air, lake and rainwater, and the wear and tear from middle-school adventures takes its toll on these mighty boats. Our current group of rowboats are breaking down beyond our ability to repair them, and it is time to commission a new fleet. The types of boats that fit our unique needs are difficult to locate wholesale. The skill, materials, and design run more than we can typically budget in a given year for boat maintenance.  We are confident this Giving Tuesday we'll join with enough people who love the camp boating experience as much as we do to reach the $8,000 it will take to get it on the water. Last year we raised about $7,500 for our waterfront to secure new lifejackets and introduce stand-up paddleboards as a lakefront option (they were a big hit, by the way!). Imagine the smiles as people return to the dock in a strong, sturdy boat, maybe having conquered a fear, bonded with friends, or just found the awe of nature out in the middle of our deep blue waters. What a blessing to know we came together on one day to make it happen!

Now's the Time to Push Off from the Dock

Your gifts and your words about this campaign will be the keys to a new Camp Magruder rowboat's maiden voyage this Summer. Be a part of the excitement, the fun, the wonder, and the water on a beautiful Oregon Coast day. As you imagine the summer of 2024, remember the times you've enjoyed meaningful moments on the water that nourished your spirit. Share your stories, warm some hearts, remember the good memories, and be sure to get back out there and make some more. We hope to see you out on Smith Lake enjoying what we've done together. 

What is Giving Tuesday?

Giving Tuesday is an annual generosity movement that pulls people together to support good causes on the Tuesday after the US Thanksgiving holiday. Each year non-profits across the world work to inspire hundreds of millions of people to give, collaborate, and celebrate generosity. The mission is to strive to build a world in which the power of generosity is at the heart of the society we build together, unlocking opportunity, and equity as we enter the holiday season and reflect.