Letter to Parents & Staff

A LETTER TO PARENTS AND STAFF

This year on Valentines Day, the State of Oregon turned 150 years old!

Oregon pioneers, John & Maria Sweek, came in a wagon train to the Willamette Valley in 1852, full of hope and a dream for a brighter future. They settled on a homestead in what would become Tualatin, and built a beautiful house. They could not have known that the name they gave their beloved new home-"Willowbrook"-would lend itself to another dream; that of Oregon alternative education pioneer, Althea Pratt-Broome. Her dream to create a magical oasis where children could explore the arts and discover their hidden talents grew and flourished at the place that was now her home. Willowbrook, the camp, was born.

Willowbrook continues to exist as a place of magic, where children believe they can create great things. It holds enormous power to embrace and nurture children, to push back against surrounding uncertainty with hope, joy, and wonder. This summer, we will celebrate magic throughout our days, plays, and creations. With witches and wonderment, sorcerers, fantastical tollbooths and Oompa-Loompas, we will tickle children's imaginations. Althea said, "Our society takes care to feed the body and mind, but so often the spirit endures privation." We will never forget that children do not live by gingerbread and chocolate bars alone-we will feed their spirits!

As those early Oregon pioneers sought a better future, Willowbrook seeks to create a better world through experiences and expression. In Althea's words, "What we do for our children now, the love and peace we give to their spirits, the opportunities we provide for them to explore and develop their creative powers, may make the difference in their ability to bring a better world to future generations."

Sincerely,

Rebecca Pratt