Dam Proud Day Makes a Difference for Oregon 4-H Youth

April 30, 2025

Every spring, Beaver Nation comes together for Dam Proud Day (Beavs Give), Oregon State University's annual day of giving. During this 24-hour celebration of generosity, alumni, friends, families, faculty, staff, and supporters invest in programs that strengthen Oregon State University and communities across Oregon. 

For Oregon 4-H, Dam Proud Day is more than a fundraising campaign. It is an opportunity for supporters to invest directly in young people, helping provide leadership experiences, educational opportunities, and local programming that shape the next generation of leaders. 

In partnership with Oregon State University, the Oregon 4-H Foundation participates in Dam Proud Day each year by highlighting both statewide programs and county-based 4-H opportunities. This gives donors the opportunity to support causes that are meaningful to them while helping unlock challenge gifts and expand the impact of every contribution. 

On April 30, 2025, the generosity of Beaver Nation was on full display. Through the support of 157 generous donors, Oregon 4-H raised more than $63,000 for county and local 4-H programs and more than $103,000 for statewide 4-H programming, including support for Oregon 4-H Summer Conference. 

One of the most meaningful outcomes of the campaign was helping make Oregon 4-H Summer Conference more accessible to youth across the state. Donor support helped raise enough funding to fully cover Summer Conference registration fees for 119 participants, removing financial barriers and ensuring more young people could take advantage of this life-changing experience. 

🍀 Investing in Oregon 4-H Summer Conference

For more than a century, Oregon 4-H Summer Conference has helped youth discover new interests, build confidence, and develop the leadership skills needed to succeed in their communities and future careers. 

Held annually on the Oregon State University campus, Summer Conference welcomes 4-H members from across Oregon for a teen-led, teen-centered experience focused on leadership, learning, and personal growth. For many participants, it is their first opportunity to live in a university residence hall, eat in a campus dining hall, and experience college life firsthand. 

Participants choose from dozens of educational workshops covering topics ranging from civic leadership and natural sciences to entrepreneurship, outdoor recreation, and creative arts. They hear from inspiring speakers, build friendships with peers from every corner of the state, and participate in activities such as swimming, stargazing, and rock climbing. 

Summer Conference is intentionally designed to help young people thrive by: 

• Discovering interests and passions that inspire future goals 

• Building a strong sense of belonging within a statewide 4-H community 

• Forming meaningful relationships with supportive peers and adult mentors 

• Developing confidence, leadership skills, and independence 

For many youth, Summer Conference serves as a gateway to future educational opportunities. It allows participants to experience life on a college campus while envisioning new possibilities for themselves and their future. 

Accessibility remains a key priority. Approximately half of Summer Conference participants travel to Corvallis using Oregon 4-H's affordable bus transportation program, with routes serving communities as far away as Enterprise and Ontario. These transportation options help ensure that geography is not a barrier to participation. 

With more than 109 years of history, Summer Conference continues to inspire generations of Oregon youth to dream bigger, lead boldly, and discover their potential. 

🦫 A Statewide Impact

The success of Dam Proud Day demonstrates what is possible when communities come together in support of Oregon youth. 

Every gift, regardless of size, helps create opportunities for young people to learn, lead, and thrive. Whether supporting a local county 4-H program or a statewide leadership experience like Summer Conference, donors are helping provide the skills, confidence, and connections that prepare youth for future success. 

The impact extends far beyond a single day of giving. It can be seen in the young leaders who return to their communities with new ideas, stronger leadership abilities, and a broader vision for what they can accomplish. 

Thanks to the generosity of Beaver Nation, Oregon 4-H youth across the state continue to gain access to experiences that help them grow into confident leaders, engaged citizens, and lifelong learners. 

As we look ahead to the next Dam Proud Day, we are grateful for every donor, advocate, volunteer, and supporter who makes these opportunities possible. Together, we are helping Oregon 4-H youth build brighter futures and stronger communities for generations to come.