For over 75 years, Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco has been providing a creative, fun and supportive outdoor experience in a safe environment for youth ages eight to 14 at Camp Mendocino. 

Camp Mendocino focuses entirely on the character and leadership development of our young people.  Camp is located in a beautiful redwood forest and offers programs that are clearly unique to those offered at our Clubhouses in San Francisco.  Horseback riding, hiking, nature studies and the ropes and challenge course are more than just activities; these are tools that provide kids with the confidence and leadership skills needed to make smart decisions in their lives.  And, by surrounding our kids with positive role models 24 hours a day, we provide the support needed to help them learn, grow and succeed.

The History of Camp Mendocino

In 1931, San Francisco Boys Club leased 250 acres from Union Lumber Company in Mendocino County in order to offer a camping experience to kids from San Francisco.  They named the 250 acres Camp Marwadel for C.W. Marwadel, the Boys Club Board President and driving force behind the program.

The Club purchased this land and nearly 1,000 additional acres from the Union Lumber Company in 1941.  The funds were raised from George Whitney, the owner of Playland at the Beach and other members of the San Francisco Rotary Club and the Board of the Boys Club.  Over the years additional acres have been donated or purchased and today the camp sits on nearly 2,000 acres, all dedicated to the character and leadership development of kids from disadvantaged circumstances.

In 1967, Camp Marwadel was renamed Camp Mendocino.  With the admission of girls in 1985, the Clubs became the San Francisco Boys & Girls Club.  After the merger with Columbia Park Boys & Girls Clubs, the name was changed to Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco.

As with all of our programs at Boys & Girls Clubs, kids learn respect for others and themselves and gain character & leadership skills. Through our outdoor programs, like nature, hiking and L.I.F.E (living in a forest environment), children are taught respect and appreciation for the natural environment.  And, being away from home for 10 days builds the self-esteem and confidence of our young people.  Through fun team-building activities and living together, we work to promote understanding and cooperation among kids from different backgrounds.