Greetings from the Camp Unalayee Board of Directors!
Annual Retreat
We held our annual Board retreat in early February at the lovely Ben Lomond Quaker Center (yes, the original home of Camp Unalayee!). It was wonderful to meet in person, hang out together, and to get important work done. We began with a deep discussion of our mission, digging into what Camp means to each of us, and what is the essence, the “secret sauce”, that makes Camp Unalayee so special. The word “Community” featured largely in our conversations, so we’re taking a moment to relay our gratitude for the part you play in maintaining and growing our cherished community.
We spent much of our time brainstorming ideas for meeting the many challenges ahead and approaching future goals. A group of trainers from The Mosaic Project was welcomed, and led us through a thought-provoking afternoon of activities.
While the Board has many projects in mind to support our fabulous Executive Director as she runs a safe and stable program, our main focus is to increase diversity at all levels: Board, staff, and campers. In order to do this work while keeping Camp Unalayee available to kids from all circumstances, the Board must focus on fundraising.
Partnership with people in the community is key to the success of our efforts. Your direct support is valued. And perhaps you know others who would support Camp’s work and commitment to making its unique programs available to youth from any income level. Please do share your Camp connection with your friends, colleagues and family. Ask if you may pass on their contact information with our Board, and bring them to our 2024 Diamond Gala in Palo Alto (Information below).
Updates for our 2024 Camp Season:
● We’re returning to a 3-session schedule, with a 10-day 3rd session. Growing the 10-day program makes Camp U more welcoming and accessible to youth from families with little camping experience. In addition, we’ve added trail groups to the third session to accommodate more experienced kids who want to HIKE! Check out the website for our entire 2024 schedule.
● Volunteers: As always, we welcome volunteers at Camp. In particular, we can use folks who want to attend an entire session as a nurse’s assistant, food shack helper, or as a member of our work crew. If you’d like to join us for only a few days, opening projects will start June 10, with a special invitation for alumni staff and community members to join us for the weekend of June 21-23. ALL volunteers must schedule with Martha at director@gocampu.com
● Camper enrollment is in full swing; we expect another year of full camp programs, with expanded outreach efforts to increase diversity
● Speaking of outreach, Camp Unalayee is one of the sponsors of the Karuk Youth Leadership Council’s upcoming 5k run/walk in Yreka on Saturday April 13th.
Don your camp t-shirt and join us for a 5k! Register today!
I just received this in my email;
Which reminds me that I can Donate my REI rewards to Camp Unalayee! One of the barriers to attending Camp as a low-income camper or staff is EQUIPMENT and attire. We do have a significant amount of loaner gear, but every year we need to replace worn out items and sometimes provide specific articles to make Camp possible and comfortable for everyone. You REI shoppers and REI credit card-holders can help by Donating your REI rewards to Camp Unalayee! This is super easy to do, simply go online to your REI account, add an e gift card to your shopping cart, and send it to Camp Unalayee, with the e-mail: community@gocampu.com
Celebrating 75 years!!
Looking ahead to our 75th year of operation, we have two celebratory events:
1. Our Diamond Gala Fundraiser is Saturday April 27, 2024 from 5-8pm at the Lucie Stern Community Center in Palo Alto. Join us for delicious appetizers, local beer and wine, live music, dancing, and a fabulous silent auction! Tickets and Gala info here!
2. Our 75th Anniversary Celebration and Reunion will be held on October 4-6, 2024 at the Ben Lomond Quaker Center. Come for the weekend or the day; we’ll have Camp-style food and beverages, crafts, games, hikes, vespers, and, of course, campfire! We plan a focus on our history, so gather your stories and photos and join us! Feel free to bring a friend new to Camp.
There are many ways for you to participate leading up to these events:
● Our Design-a-T-shirt Contest is still accepting entries until the end of February
● Please add your voice to the Anthology of stories and history
● VOLUNTEER to help organize and run these events! Contact Sally at president@gocampu.com for questions and details.
Finally, we are grateful for YOU and your continued support for Camp U; Your participation as campers, families, staff, friends, volunteers, and donors is the heart of Camp Unalayee, truly a Place of Friends.
Yours in Friendship,
The Camp Unalayee Board of Directors:
Sally Davis President
Ned Harwood Vice-President
Ben Salzberg Secretary
Tom Buoye Treasurer
Ben Kahn
Donja Blokker-Dalquist
Madeline Scott
Owen Thomas
Raven Record
Ryn Sullivan
Sarah Camp
Zak Ijadi