Meet Tanko The Triceratops: Our New CAMP MASCOT

As many of you know, our beloved camp mascot Floyd the elephant went missing and was presumably eaten by the groomer last summer on Mt. Hood. Floyd was an integral part of our camp culture from inception, having ridden between campers goggle straps for many summers on Mt. Hood, on backcountry ski trips (even in Iceland!), and at our many ski racing camps across the country.

While Floyd couldn’t talk, he provided gentle encouragement and enthusiasm for whoever was carrying him. The tradition began that the campers would trade Floyd each evening, gifting him to someone who inspired them that day. At the nightly meeting, the Floyd tradeoff would be announced with a story of how the recipient rode up the lift with someone who was alone, cheered in the start, shared a snack, or simply created inclusivity. Floyd encouraged our campers to reach outside of their comfortable social connections and create new bonds at camp that were so special.

We weren’t sure that Floyd could be replaced after he went missing, but one rainy day at the OMSI center in Portland, OR this summer we were spotted a stuffed Triceratops. We are thrilled to introduce Tanko, our new camp mascot! Tanko has a bit more sass than Floyd, but is a loyal companion to all Keely’s Camp skiers. He joined camp for the first time at Session 4 of our Mt. Hood Ski Racing Camp For Girls and is already making a mark. Tanko enjoys flying, so the campers obliged and started a new tradition called the Tanko Toss where a lucky catch gets to keep Tanko for the night!

We can’t wait to see all the places Tanko tags along with Keely’s Camp- keep your eyes peeled for him at our upcoming fall camps.