Camp History
Founder/Director Emeritus Althea Pratt-Broome is a pioneer in creative arts and alternative education who has helped build many successful programs in Oregon. Her interests in culture, arts and the environment led her to found an alternative school in Canby, which she ran for 17 years. She also taught and directed a summer Children's Art Program through the University of Southern California for 16 years, as well as instructing graduate classes in giftedness, creativity and arts in the child’s life at University of Southern California and Portland State University. Her vision for Central Hedges Creek Marsh resulted in protection of 57 acres and founding of The Wetlands Conservancy.
Althea held her first history, environmental studies and art workshops for children at Willowbrook, her historic Tualatin home, in 1979. The idea of a summer camp sprouted from this small seed, and flowered in the summer of 1982. The first group of 20 children, ages 4-12, was served by a staff of 10. Willowbrook has steadily grown to its current enrollment of nearly 2,000 students and more than 175 staff members each summer. The camp has enjoyed a home on 4 acres of Brown’s Ferry Park along the Tualatin River since 1992, generously loaned each year by the City of Tualatin. It provides our beautiful setting for learning and creative exploration.
The secret to Willowbrook’s continued success is a strong base of devoted staff, creative children, and supportive families. Willowbrook’s unique arts program draws students from the Portland Metro area, as well as visitors from other states and countries. Its partnerships with the community continue to strengthen, and outreach to children through scholarships and gifts is expanding. As Willowbrook enters its 29th year, we look forward to a bright future!
| 1978 | Althea incorporates nonprofit Center for Development of Human Potential at her historic Sweek home. |
| 1979 | Althea offers workshops and seminars at Sweek House as extension of her graduate classes in "Giftedness, Creativity and Human Potential" at Portland State University; children participate in "Saturday School" art classes with guest teachers. |
| 1980's | Growth averages 40% annually.
Many new centers are added. |
| 1982 | Althea retires from directorship at University of Southern California's outdoor summer arts campus, begins "Adventures in the Arts" camp at Sweek House with a staff of 10 serving 20 children ages 4-12.
Notable guest artists include Carol Ann Wheeler, Rick Meyers, and Primus St.John. |
| 1983 | Adventures in the Arts teaches first group of 3 year olds. |
| 1984 | Enrollment doubles.
Children enjoy OMSI Energy puppet workshops, Misty the Unicorn and The Ghost of Energy Past, Present and Future. |
| 1985 | First Folk Fair and Shakespeare play production, A Comedy of Errors. First annual open pit clay firing and salmon bake in the new Native American center. 13 year olds included. |
| 1986 | Emphasis on Indian Lore and American Folk Arts. Peter and the Wolf performed. |
| 1987 | "Adventures in the Arts" is dropped, and the camp becomes "Willowbrook."
Older children can become Apprentice Assistants. Willowbrook holds Harvest Festival and Concert at Van Raden Center, with Segovia-trained guest guitarist Jon Harris. Students now range in age from 3 to 16. |
| 1988 | The new Nature Center opens. Drama productions include Shakespeare's The Merry Wives of Windsor. |
| 1989 | Children tackle Shakespearean opera and dramatic symphony with Macbeth (Verdi) and Romeo and Juliet (Berlioz).
17 and 18 year old students accepted. Willowbrook participates in Children's Fair at Tualatin Community Park and sponsor Bar-b-cue and Sing-along at Tualatin Senior Center. |
| 1990's | Former campers grow into adult staff members.
Enrollment exceeds 1,000 each summer. |
| 1990 | Drama performances include Gilbert and Sullivan's Mikado and Alice in Wonderland. |
| 1991 | A Photography center and the Frontier Village (7 & 8 year olds) are added. |
| 1992 | The Sweek House campus is too small for more than 200 campers—time to find a new "home."
The City offers 5 acres at the undeveloped site of future Browns Ferry Park. Willowbrook buys surplus green military tents to house art centers and uses plastic pickle barrels for water. |
| 1993 | Mother Goose and Peter Pan Theatres are added for youngest students.
Special Music Workshop for broadening understanding, theory, technique arrangement and composition. |
| 1994 | The new Multicultural Arts center includes offerings from Russia, Romania,France, Holland, England, Ireland, Africa, Guatemala and Asia.
The Stained Glass center is added. |
| 1995 | Willowbrook begins junior high and high school Advanced Artisans program; offers classes for adults and college students (one year only).
First financial aid scholarships given. |
| 1996 | Willowbrook loses many supplies, books and pianos to the spring flood - volunteers wash costumes and clean up. McMennamin's pub in Sherwood sponsors fundraiser to help buy replacement things.
Drinking water is piped in--no more barrels! Althea is Tualatin Crawfish Festival Grand Marshall, students ride in car. |
| 1997 | Brown's Ferry Park is developed for public use in the fall. |
| 1998 | Willowbrook downsizes to 4 acres surrounded by a security fence and new public bike paths.
1st annual art auction held to raise funds for scholarships. |
| 1999 | Willowbrook's own Shakespearean "Globe Theater" built for the Shakespeare Festival week. |
| 2000's | The main stage expands to 60 feet, new tents and trailers are purchased.
Transition for Althea's retirement begins. Grants and fundraising become a priority as tuition remains lower than similar camps. |
| 2000 | Students celebrate the new millenium.
The Millenium Peace Center is added, with integrated arts, culture and peace issues. The first white vinyl tents replace worn military ones. |
| 2001 | The main stage becomes a pirate's cove for Gilbert and Sullivan's The Pirates of Penzance. Black eye patches abound.
Hispanic community scholarships and financial need aid expanded. |
| 2002 | The Music Man wraps up the summer performance schedule on a high note. |
| 2003 | Students dance The Firebird ballet and play in Sherwood Forest with Robin Hood and his Merry Men. |
| 2004 | Students mingle with cousins-by-the-dozens in Gilbert and Sullivan's HMS Pinafore, and a ship built on stage becomes the most impressive set ever! |
| 2005 | First fundraising drive and first grant! |
| 2006 | 25th anniversary summer celebration draws 700 alumni, families, and friends.
Children of former campers begin to enroll. Filmmaking becomes the newest center. |
| 2007 | Willowbrook serves more than 1900 campers with over 175 staff.
Magazine names Willowbrook one of three best summer arts camps in Oregon. Willowbrook partners with Tualatin Heritage Center for school-year programs, and students participate with environmental nonprofit, Globio in a video about the Chinese panda conservation project. Bald Eagle circles over camp—a good omen! |
| 2008 | Operating budget exceeds $400,000.
Althea retires as director and playwright, but continues as chief cheerleader and costumer extraordinaire. Family and management team assure continuity of program philosophy. |
