We Can’t Run This Camp Without Her

What is your full name? Kamren Melissa Field Johnson

California Summer Camp

Where were you born? Oceanside, CA

What do you do for camp? Administrative Director

How did you end up at Mt Camp? I started as a counselor in 2000.

Where do you live? Santa Cruz, CA

Favorite pastime as kid? Climbing Trees

California Summer Camp

What about now? Playing backgammon

Giants or A’s? Padres

Where do you want to go on your next vacation? Fiji

What is something people don’t know about you? I don’t drink caffeine

What is your favorite book? The Count of Monte Cristo

What can’t you go a day without? Snuggles from my 1 year old Eli

EliWhat is your favorite movie? The Princess Bride

What is your favorite meal at camp? Tacos

What do you love about camp? Making people smile

What are you great at cooking? Enchiladas

What is your favorite thing about California? The Ocean

Rethinking Cabin Friend Requests – Making Friends at Camp is Easy

California Summer Camp

Over half of our campers come to camp requesting to be in cabins with friends from home. We do our best to honor these requests as long as both campers have requested to be together. Campers that come to camp with existing friends have a great experience, however, camp is also a place where new lifelong friendships can be formed.

California Summer Camp

When are cabins actually together?

Campers in a cabin will eat meals together, travel together at evening program, and participate in after campfire activities as a group. We host a lot of campers, but the feel is still small. Campers choose all of their activities on their own. They participate in activities with kids of similar ages, but they are able to do activities with campers from other cabins.

California Summer Camp

Making new friends is easy

Kids are encouraged to venture out of their comfort zones in order to try new activities, and meet new people. Being comfortable around unfamiliar people is a valuable skill that we hope all campers can improve on each summer. Our counselors complete 7 days of training prior to camp starting. A significant portion of this time is devoted to helping them create inclusive cabin and activity environments. On the first night of camp, counselors hold cabin meetings, organize team building games, and ensure that everyone has time to positively connect.

California Summer Camp

Leaving the cabin friend requests behind 

It might be nerve-racking to send a child to camp without the close support of friends from home. Meeting new friends is a part of the summer camp experience that translates into an important life skill. There isn’t a more supportive environment than camp for kids to form new relationships with peers.

California Summer Camp

Dinner for 350 – Serving Quality Food at Camp

Food in the Forest

We often get questions about the food at camp. It’s quite a challenging task to serve quality food to so many people three times a day. Our kitchen staff happily prepares over 1500 servings a day, and we’re not even counting dessert. These are the answers to our most common food questions.

California Summer Camp

1. Where does the food come from?

We have a food service supplier based in Sacramento that comes to camp two times a week for deliveries. Our food service director also purchases fresh fruit from once a week from a fruit stand off highway 80.

2. What if someone has a special diet or allergy?

We accommodate many speciality diets including those eating vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free. Our meals are peanut free, except for the peanut butter and jelly which is located away from the main eating area.California Summer Camp

3. Do they serve vegetables up there?

Of course. In addition to the healthy sides at dinner, there is a fully stocked salad bar in our lodge complete with fresh-cut avocados, bell peppers, side salads, spinach, lettuce and more. Campers can create their own salads at lunch and dinner.

4. What about fruit?

Fresh fruit is available throughout the day and campers are welcome to grab apples, watermelon, plums, or whatever else is available whenever they want. We also serve fresh blueberries, strawberries, and granola every breakfast.

California Summer Camp

5. My kid is a picky eater, what if they don’t like the meal?

Peanut Butter and Jelly, Peanut Butter, and Just Jelly sandwiches are always available for campers. Our counselors certainly encourage kids to try things and eat our main entrée, but when all else fails, the PB&J can save the day.

6. What are some of the meals?

Some examples of each meal include…

Breakfast – Eggs, sausage, hash brown, granola, greek yogurt, cereal, blueberry scones

Lunch – Hot dogs, veggie wraps, chili, grilled cheese, hamburgers, chicken fingers

Dinner – Pulled pork, grilled chicken sandwiches, turkey burgers, tacos, enchiladas