Does your child know what it is like to wake up under the stars? Have they seen trees six times taller than a house? Do they know the smell of walking through a redwood forest? Camp offers kids a retreat from their urban environment and instills confidence in kids by introducing them to new experiences.
Camp Mendocino 2008 Session Dates
Operation Purple Camp: June 24 to July 3
10 day session Summer Camp for children ages 8 to 14 who have parents actively serving in the US Military. Registrations for this camp will open March 15 2008 please go to the National Military Family Association home page at http://www.nmfa.org for more info.
| Sessions | Start Dates | End Dates | # Of Days | Status | Full Fee |
| 2 | July 3 | July 9 | 7 | Open | $425 |
| 3 | July 9 | July 18 | 10 | Open | $450 |
| 4 | July 18 | July 27 | 10 | Open | $450 |
| 5 | July 30 | August 8 | 10 | Open | $450 |
| 6 | August 8 | August 17 | 10 | Open | $450 |
Discounts and reduced rates are available to most participants
What is the contact information for Camp Mendocino?
Below is the contact information for Camp Mendocino from June 24th to August 17th, 2008. If you wish to send your child mail while camp is in session, we certainly encourage it; all children love to receive mail from home. Remember that the postal service can take up to a week, so please send any mail just before you child leaves for camp or in the first three days of your child's session. For other inquiries you can contact our Administrative Office in San Francisco year round.
CAMP MENDOCINO
PO Box 1790
Fort Bragg, CA 95437
Tel: (707) 459-6458
Fax: (707) 459-3537
Where is Camp Mendocino?
Camp Mendocino is located 160 miles north of San Francisco, nestled in the redwood forest of Mendocino County, midway between Willits and Fort Bragg. The Camp is spread over 2,000 acres with the beautiful Noyo River running through the middle. The famous Skunk Train Railroad runs between Willits and Fort Bragg, stopping at Camp Mendocino.
What does it cost to attend?
The fee for a 10-day session is $450, and includes a free physical exam, lodging, food, all programs and transportation to/from the camp. Through the help of generous supporters, kids can qualify for a number of "camperships" (scholarships to camp). Every single camper who attends Camp Mendocino is entitled to apply for a discounted rate.
How do I apply for the discounted rate?
As part of Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco we are able to secure a number of grants which allow us to offer a number of substantial discounts. When you register your child for camp you need to complete the Application/Membership, Summer Food Program and Guardsmen forms to apply for the discounts. Also registering before April 15 will entitle you to a further discount. It is therefore important to complete all forms in your registration packet in a timely manner.
What discounts are available for camp?
Since Camp Mendocino is part of the Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco we are able to secure a number of substantial discounts for club members. That is why we need all application packet forms completed since we need to apply on an individual basis. Discounts can also be earned by non-club members and will be dealt with on a case by case basis.
Other organizations exist which support Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco and Camp Mendocino, such as the ‘Good for Kids Foundation’ which offers additional discounts to attend camp plus individual coaching support & scholarships beyond summer camp. This program is open to youth entering grades 7 & 8 in September 2008. To see if your child is eligible for this program click on:
Do campers need spending money?
We suggest that each camper brings $25 for the canteen and other special programs like a Skunk Train ride into town. Personal items such as toothpaste can also be purchased at our camp canteen.
What age should my child be to attend camp?
Camp Mendocino serves kids between the ages of eight and 14. It is our experience that children under the age of eight have a hard time spending an extended period of time away from home and adjusting to the camping environment.
What are the sleeping arrangements?
Children are housed in open-air cabins. Girls sleep on one side of camp and boys on the other. Campers must bring their own sleeping bags, pillows etc.
Is a medical examination required?
Every child must be examined by a doctor before leaving for Camp. Any child who does not have a physical exam before the departure date for his/her session will not be allowed to go to camp, no exceptions. We offer free medical examinations; dates and locations will be identified once your child has signed up for camp.
Who manages the camp?
Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco manages the camp with the same standards of program excellence as found within our citywide clubhouses. Camp staff includes senior staff counselors with many years of camp experience.
What type of staff work at the camp?
Our greatest asset at Camp Mendocino is our hard working, knowledgeable staff. As role models for young campers, they create a healthy and safe community in which children can grow, learn and explore. At Camp Mendocino, the staff to camper ratio is one to six. This ensures that each child receives the individual attention s/he deserves.
Seasonal staff are selected for their leadership ability, strength of character, friendly personality, love for working with children and youth development skills. We try to ensure each staff member is CPR and 1st Aid certified, and most of the staff are college students over the age of 20. Because of the strong applicant pool Camp Mendocino selects from, each staff member has demonstrated skills through work/educational experience, talent and/or motivation.
What type of hiring procedures & background checks does the camp conduct?
All staff are required to pass a rigorous selection process beginning with a mandatory application and multiple interviews by the camp director and/or the leadership team. If an applicant interviews successfully, a minimum of two references are contacted and verified. Fingerprinting and extensive background checks by the Department of Justice round out the hiring process insuring that the best qualified individuals are selected.
How are the staff trained?
Before your child(ren) arrive at camp, every Camp Mendocino staff member has successfully participated in a mandatory staff training. During this time, staff are led through a series of interactive workshops that fine tune their camp counselor skills and knowledge. The primary workshops that staff attend include: Camp Health, Camper Management & Supervision, Conflict Management & Communication, Emergency Procedures, Leading Camp Activities, Personnel Policies, and Risk Management. Additional training incorporates staff bonding, team work, learning about Camp Mendocino's history, how to lead skits and songs and learning about specific camp activities.
Do you hire international staff?
Yes, as an added bonus, Camp Mendocino welcomes a number of international counselors each summer. Traditionally these international staff have been recruited from Europe, Asia, Africa and Australia. Campers delight in learning about diverse customs and cultures as well as getting a friendly laugh while listening to overseas accents.
Before Johnny McLaughlin, the Camp Director even looks at an international application, each candidate has already been interviewed, references checked, American embassy interviewed and processed for a criminal background check.
What kind of food is served at camp?
Three well-balanced meals of good, wholesome food are served each day in sufficient quantities for active growing children. Children who would like second helpings may have them. Milk is served at all meals. If your child has any food allergies please indicate this on his/her application form.
What if a child is injured or becomes sick at camp?
A well-equipped infirmary is operated by a registered nurse or EMT. We have an emergency vehicle to transport campers to a hospital if necessary, and our camp experienced medical staff is on call 24 hours a day.
Can parents visit the camp?
We do not encourage parental visits as this increases the likelihood of home sickness. But, if you need to, please call ahead of time as it important that we know who is on our facility at all times.
How would my child travel to camp?
We provide chartered buses, which are included as part of the camp fees. Buses leave 7:30 a.m. sharp! You will be informed of the departure location closer to the start of the summer. If your child is late we will not be responsible for your child’s transportation to camp. If he/she misses the bus and you intend on driving them to camp, you must call the camp at (707) 459-6458 to let us know. We encourage parents to please be on time to pick up your child at the end of the session.
May my child use a telephone?
Only in case of an emergency may your child call home. We have 2 phone lines at camp and we ask all parents, that must call, to please call their child between 6.30pm and 7:30pm.
How can my child apply?
Registrations for camp will start at the beginning of February 2008. You can register your
child by calling the camp registrar at 415-445-5477 or 415-445-5476. Or
applications packets can also be picked up at any of the Boys & Girls Clubs
in San Francisco or downloaded from ‘Register Your Child For
Camp’.
