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The Mt. Adams Sun, Bingen, WA., February 2, 1961, page 8

CAMP COLUMBIA 'HOME' TO 900 BOYS IN FIRST DECADE; 95 DON UNIFORM; MAY BECOME APPRENTICE SCHOOL

San Diego (FHTNC) Leo. E. Euteneler, foster son of Majoar and Mrs. F.H. Blake, White Salmon, graduated from recruit training Jan. 20 at the Naval Training Center, San Diego, Cal.
Leo came to Camp Columbia from Wallace, Idaho two years ago. He was a Junior last year at White Salmon high school.
The first paragraph of this story came from the Navy; the second from Major Blake, Camp Columbia's founder, owner and manager. The telephone chat developed into the following interview.
Ten years ago nine local men put up $300 to start the Boys town at Husum. The time has come for them to have an accounting on their investment.
During its first decade, Camp Columbia has been "home" to 900 boys. Ninety five have gone into uniform. All but two made the grade.

Dollar Dividends

Most of Major and Gladys Blake's 900 foster sons were recommended to Camp Columbia as a last resort by juvenile courts, social agencies or incompetent parents.
For many, Boys town at Husum was a last stop before incarceration in a state training school. There have been few goodie-goodies in this hand-picked lot of hot rod artists.
In spite of this, Camp Columbia has deviated 65 percent of it clientele from reform school where it costs $4000 a year to keep a boy.
Major Blake interprets this state statistic as a saving of $2,420,000 to taxpayers. He puts a higher intangible value on having helped 605 adolescent rebels adjust their differences with society.
In addition the Camp is practically solvent and its property paid for.

Widow's Mite

Major financial support now comes from Camp Columbia's annual drive, member assessments from some Eagle Aeries and all Eagle Auxiliaries in Oregon.
Labor unions have contributed much material and many man hours to the Camp's building program.
Additional help has come from Emblem Clubs and Epsilon Sigma Alpha sorority.
"Many of these donations are just widow's mites," Mr. Blake says. "But they all add up. We spend about $16,000 a year locally."
One of Major Blake's major hurdles has been with his own community. Public relations are further strained when one of his homesick lads requisitions transportation to make a get-away.
Friction sometimes develops between Boystown and the White Salmon school system which is not geared to the aptitude or attitude of many Camp Columbia boys.

Camp Trade School

Major Blake sees the solution to this problem and Boystown having its own European-style private apprentice school where students could learn a trade under union sponsorship.
"The public schools have gone crazy on academic education. Everybody can't be a Ph.D. Nature gave some boys brains, backs and hands to be plumbers and mechanics. But where can we learn now if the law says we have to waste time and tax money going to the wrong type of school?" Major Blake asks.
The Major has been pushing this prospect for three years at state labor conventions and is scheduled to discuss it again Feb. 9th in a talk to Seattle locals.
He is hopeful that a favorable decision will be reached at this year's state convention of unions representing 400,000 members.

"Just Gladys"

Last Sunday there were 18 boys at Camp Columbia -- and no outside help.
"There's just Gladys and me," the Major said. "We get some volunteer help but none from the state.
"If the Camp gets a little messy, it's no worse than any other big families who cannot afford to hire two gardeners for every tree.
"I guess Gladys and I are missionaries -- just like our ex-boys who still think of Camp Columbia as the only home they ever knew.
"One of them works three days a week in Portland so that he can afford to give the other four as a camp counselor. Another has donated two years of professional service as our secretary and treasurer."
Before signing off this telephone interview with his customary ""old Dear," Major Blake made just one request:
"If you don't like me personally, don't talk against the Camp. Come out and see it. We're trying to carry on where others failed."