YMCA Camp Marston and Raintree Ranch

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Camp Marston and Raintree RanchJulian, Ca 

January 29, 2013

http://www.camp.ymca.org/camp-marston.html

http://www.camp.ymca.org/raintree-ranch.html

 Part of the San Diego YMCA along with Camp Surf, Marston and Raintree both have unique camping options to offer. We were warmly greeted in the office by Darren the associative executive director. He instantly took an interest in our journey and shared with us his passion and history of camping all before Simon, the summer camp director showed up to give us a tour. Simon is from New Zealand and along with having a sweet accent he has great stories and a calm, cool, and collected air to him.  As we toured camp we got a greater appreciation for how great the maintenance staff is at Marston, they have taken on some sweet projects whole heartedly. A cement gold mining fountain, a paintball slingshot range, and a toy boat pond were just some of the examples we came across, each of them certainly an awesome destination spot to add to our list. Marston is also part of the Gary Forester legacy, the executive director Tom worked at camp Jewel under Gary in the beginning of his career and Simon pointed out some of the lasting impressions he made, like the attention  to detail on the stages, and the multitude of benches around camp. Jack and I got to join Simon and the outdoor Ed crew for dinner, their passion for Marston was immense , further cementing Marston as a trip highlight. 

-Laura

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YMCA Camp Surf

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YMCA Camp SurfSan Diego, CA

January 29, 2013

http://www.camp.ymca.org/camp-surf.html

Welcome to sunny southern California. Surf is located just miles from the Mexican border and if you stand just right you can see Tijuana, this is for real not just a trick they tell the kids.  Camp Surf is like no other camp in the country. They spend their days waiting and watching for the perfect wave. The camp is all sand, they have a pirate ship for a campfire stage, complete with crows nest and treasure chest. The kids sit in the open air dinning hall and watch the beautiful pacific coast. Sebastian their outdoor education coordinator said that with all of the swimming, surfing, bodyboarding and sea kayaking in the afternoon plus a morning full of the rock wall and other land activities, the kids are exhausted and always ready for bed when the time comes. Surf also takes full advantage of the location, taking the older kids and the teen program on trips to see the bay and other natural sites around San Diego. Jack and I were totally entranced by the ocean and the atmosphere. We walked down the beach, waved to the Mexican border and then ran back along the beach as the sun set. Its easy to see why Camp Surf catches and keeps so many campers. 

-Laura

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Hume Lake Christian Camps

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Hume Lake Christian CampsHume, CA

January 25, 2013

http://www.humelake.org

Wow! Hume Lake is like no other camp we have visited, a non denominational christian camp located in the beautiful Sequoia National Forest just down the road from Kings Canyon and Giant Sequoia National Park, the views are spectacular to say the least, but that doesn't even scratch the surface of what Hume Lake is. You may know them from the very popular Call Me Maybe Video (seen here). They are an enormous operation, running four separate camps, and other programs, onsite each week during the summer that can serve over 2000 campers and guests. Each camp with separate dining hall, pool, and program areas. At Hume Lake campers are empowered to choose many of their own activities, and let me tell you there are no shortage of activities, but maybe the most impressive aspect of Hume Lake is their creative department. With the camp directors and volunteers the creative department is responsible for social media, videos, photos, and the theme of the summer extravaganza. Each summer has a theme that ties in to God and the ministries of Hume Lake while also finding new and creative ways to connect with an ever changing youth population. When campers arrive at camp on Saturday nights they are welcomed with a video and live production show that could have been produced in Hollywood. We had the pleasure of seeing the 2011 version entitled “All In”, a western movie that ties in Facebook, incredible song and dance routines, Ok Corral style shoot outs, and of course at Hume Lake the Lord. All and all it is an Oscar Award winning caliber production. Bill, thank you so much for showing us around and welcoming us in to your home.

-Jack

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YMCA Camp Jones Gulch

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YMCA Camp Jones GulchLa Honda, CA

January 22, 2013

http://www.ymcasf.org/campjonesgulch/

Camping among the Redwood Giants, its hard to imagine a cooler educational and spiritual setting for a Camp. The executive director Andrew knows how precious his location is and is pushing forward plans to best utilize and preserve their wonderland. Andrew ate some whole wheat pancakes, strawberry yogurt and homemade granola with us on the deck of camps dinning hall. We shared stories and then Andrew told us all about his vision and passion for camping, serving families and the surrounding communities. There is great history and some incredible facilities at YMCA Camp Jones Gulch as well, for example a giant I mean GIANT outdoor amphitheater. A shell that would be any music groups acoustic dream. They also have the Indian bowl, this structure has been apart of camp since the 50’s and has seen many seasons of Adventure Guides. This giant fire pit has enough seats for 400 people and looks like a colosseum carved into the ground. It was enlightening to talk to Andrew, he talks about everything from camps aesthetics to the archery program, from camp facilities and structures to traditions in terms of intentionality. He encourages a philosophy of questioning everything and being intentional in programing and all aspects of camp life and facilities planning. The end result being that everything that is done at camp has a defined purpose. 

-Laura

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Camping Unlimited, Camp Krem

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Camp KremBoulder Creek, CA 

January 18, 2013

http://www.campingunlimited.org

Jack and I were delighted to find out that the director of Camp Krem of Camping Unlimited, Mary,  grew up in Upstate NY. After moving out to California 7 years ago to take a job as camp nurse at Camp Krem. She decided there was no going back to the cold winters and grey skies of back home. We sat in a small gazebo near the entrance of camp for an hour or so, baked by the California sun, while Mary told us all kinds of stories about camping and the history of Camp Krem. Camp Krem started out as the vision of a Californian School teacher. Krem was passionate about teaching disabled children, saying that every child had a right to learn. He was also an avid outdoors man and enjoyed camping. Mary told us stories about how he invited his class to come and camp in his own back yard, an idea that eventually lead to camping trips with the students and their families and eventually the organization Camping Unlimited and Camp Krem. Camp Krem is now a safe haven for kids with developmental and physical disabilities. As we walked around camp Mary told us how a group of women who were. Krem’s neighbors have committed themselves to raising money for the camp for decades now. The evidence of their work was all around, an accessible fire pit, a water fountain pavilion and more. What a cool way to give back to Krem’s vision. 

 -Laura 

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YMCA Camp Loma Mar

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YMCA Camp Loma Mar

Loma Mar, CA

January 17, 2012

http://lomamar.ymcaeastbay.org

Bria, or Disney (her camp name) has helped us get to Ravencliff, Arroyo, and now Loma Mar. Overseeing all three camps is a daunting task but she takes it in stride. She has strong beliefs about free time, staff accountability, what makes a good program, and how to shape culture. It was fascinating to pick her brain as we walked around camp. Loma Mar is famous for starting the Ragger program. It was great to learn about the widespread program where it started. Loma Mar has a gaga pit and a zip line like most summer camps, yet Bria is quick to say that she prefers when counselors stretch their creativity and involve the kids in things they have never seen before. To back up her request she told us how last summer she slid down the zip line dressed as Willy Wonka to open up one theme day last summer! Both Ravencliff and Loma Mar seem like camps with a lot to offer in terms of positive role models and creative programing, not camps with shiny toys or fancy activities. 

-Laura

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