Author: Mountain Camp
Mountain Camp “Overnights”
The Overnight is one of the highlights of our two-week program. Every camper in Sessions 3, 4 and 5 has the opportunity to go on an overnight, and we do our best to offer it to campers who combine 2 or more one-week sessions as well. The Overnight is most often divided by gender and age group, so that 2-4 cabins go at a time.
Cabins meet with our Overnights Specialist and 3rd year returning counselor, Rain, during rest time. She does an orientation that includes what to expect, what to pack, and any other important details, as well as an enthusiastic pep talk for anyone who is hesitant about their first time sleeping out under the stars. Cabins finish packing during Rest Time or Hang Time and then bring their backpacks down to the volleyball court before dinner.
Just after finishing dinner they grab their backpacks and head to the waterfront. Campers get a quick orientation in basic kayaking and then head across the lake to the overnight camping spot. They arrive with enough time for a swim before sunset and then spend the evening making S’mortillas (a Mountain Camp original invention!) and playing games before bed.
Sleeping on the beach of Ice House Lake yields nearly a 180 degree view of the night sky, and with the nearest big city about 75 miles away, the stars are far brighter than they appear in the Bay Area. The shooting stars can be so bright that they leave momentary trails of light behind, providing a sense of wonder and awe for campers and counselors alike.
Campers wake early the next morning, pack up and paddle back across the lake in time for a hot breakfast at camp. For many campers, this is the first time they’ve slept out under the stars, and it can be a truly memorable experience.
Below are images from a blazer boy overnight from Session 3!
Fishing at Camp
When campers choose to go fishing at Mountain Camp not only do they catch fish, but they also get to eat them!
After sign-ups campers head down to the lake, throw on some PFDs, and jump on the pontoon boat. Ben Fisher, the fishing guru of Ice House Reservoir, drives the boat of campers and a counselor across the lake to one of the several fishing spots and drops anchor. The fishing rods come out next and soon all the lines are cast. Then campers can only do one thing: wait.
Soon enough a fish will bite and campers reel in their fishing lines in hopes of finding a large rainbow or brown trout on the end. No matter the size, the fish get stored in a cooler that is transported back to camp and thrown in the refrigerator. As soon as dinner rolls around, the fresh trout are served with spices and herbs to the campers who caught them. Some kids even dare each other to eat the eyeballs!
Taking the Bus to Camp
One of the best things about Mountain Camp is our remote location, on Ice House Lake, in the Eldorado National Forest. We’re about 3-4 hours from the Bay Area and many parents delight in coming all the way up the mountain with their campers for check-in and check-out. But there’s another way to get to camp too. The BUS!
About half our campers take the bus to and from camp, and for these kids, the camp experience starts the moment they board. We’ve recently improved our bus systems for drop off and pick up, and have added an extra staff member on each bus to improve the experience for parents and kids. We have 3 locations for pick-up and drop-off in the Bay Area: Lafayette, Palo Alto, and Larkspur. We charter 55 passenger motor coaches, complete with bathrooms and screens for our (almost) famous, yearly bus video. Although we avoid screen time once kids arrive at camp, the Mountain Camp Bus Video gives kids a sneak peek of the adventure they are about to embark upon.
We shoot and edit the video during our staff training week so that it includes all of the staff that the kids are about to meet face to face. Our media coordinator, Ian, has put together a great video this year, and we are excited to share here. Enjoy!
2015 is off and running!!!
We had a great Session 1 this year. A little rain, a lot of sun and TONS of fun!!!
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Help Send Kids To Camp!
What is it?
Camp Moves Me is the American Camp Association’s ambitious goal to unite all of us who understand the value of the camp experience in a nation-wide fundraising campaign to send more children to camp. Many of us on the Mountain Camp Staff are participating by pledging to run, bike, or walk 100 miles in the month of October.
A few of our full-time staff members are involved in the fundraiser, you can support Dave, Kam, or Alex by clicking their names. We think this is a great opportunity to help get kids to camp that otherwise would not have the opportunity. Anyone can get involved on their own by heading to the ACA website.
It’s Raining…Camp Goes On!
Rain is OK
There are a few occasions where we see rain here on the mountain. This happens about 5 times a summer, often not lasting more than a day. Here is a rundown of what we do to make the best of the rain.
Meals
We have a removable tarp that covers our dining area. It takes about 20 minutes to set up and allows us to use the meal area even when it’s wet other places.
Activities
If it is just wet, we can run most of our activities. When the rain is coming down, our priority is to keep campers safe, warm, and dry. They spend time in their cabins, the lodge, or the dining area socializing, playing board games, or other inside activities organized by counselors.
Evening Program
Rarely does it rain a full day on the mountain. If it is raining during evening program, we typically hold three age group events under the dining area where it stays dry. This is usually a 35 minute song and skit session.
When the Rain Stops
The sky quickly clears and the sun pokes through the clouds. Just as quickly as it begins, it ends. Camp goes on.
We Can’t Run This Camp Without Her
What is your full name? Kamren Melissa Field Johnson
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
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
What 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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
Younger Campers – Life as a Blazer
Camper Age Groups
Mountain Camp has programs for campers entering 2nd grade through their senior year of high school. We manage this wide age range by dividing the camp into thirds for each session. The oldest third are called Alpiners, the middle third are Trackers, and the youngest third are known as the Blazers. These groups can vary from session to session depending on the overall distribution of ages during a given week. We try not to define any specific age to a group because a camper might be a Blazer in a session of mostly older campers, but a Tracker in a session of mostly younger campers.
Blazers Rule
The youngest kids in camp sometimes require a little bit of extra support, and for many of them, this is their first experience away from home. Our counselors have specific training to make sure that Blazers have a successful camp experience. This includes helping Blazers navigate the large camp environment, stay clean, manage homesickness, and stay involved. Mountain Camp also designates two male and female staff members as Blazer coordinators. These coordinators actually travel with the Blazer group to all activities to ensure that these young campers are signing up for their preferred activities, and generally having a good time.
The Youngest Campers
We allow the youngest campers to pick their own activities. Even though the day is structured, there is an element of choice and flexibility that allows all campers to get involved in the activities they prefer. From archery to wake boarding, we have equipment that fits campers of all sizes. No matter the age or size, Mountain Camp is set up for everyone to have an amazing experience.
