This competitive two-on-two tournament encourages both men and women age 14 and up to compete in this double elimination, round robin event to be held on the basketball court in the Arcata Los Bagels parking lot.  

Your team can have a max combined height of 12 feet 2 inches for the men and a max combined height of 11 feet 6 inches for the women. 

The brackets are filling up, so please get your sign up form at Los Bagels today or email brandon@losbagels.com to have the registration form emailed.  The cost is $30 per team to enter, which includes 2 limited edition tournament t-shirts. 

Participants will have a chance to win some terrific prizes.  The generous community support for this event has been staggering.  Prizes include gift certificates from a bunch of local businesses. 

This is a benefit for the Camp Unalayee Campership fund as well as Blue Lake Parks and Recreation.  Camp Unalayee is a non-profit youth wilderness camp located in the Trinity Alps that promotes leadership, friendship and the community while teaching the campers respect for the natural environment and each other.  Blue Lake Parks and Recreation provides roller skating, adult sports leagues, drop-in recreation, school break camps, summer recreation, leisure classes, facility rentals and seasonal events for local youth and the community.

Sign up today!

For more info contact Brandon Rasmussen at (707) 822-3483, ext. 307 or email brandon@losbagels.com

With the summer season just around the corner, we are getting very excited to head up to the Unalayee Basin! We’ll be heading up on June 13th to do staff training and get everything ready for the first set of campers who show up on June 29th. We can’t believe how soon it is! 

We’ve been quite busy this spring learning the job of director, registering campers, hiring staff, throwing our annual reunion, getting ready to build the composting toilet and improve the craft shack, and working on some long term projects. 

We are very excited that our camper programs are almost full already, and Family Days is not far behind. We were also recognized by GreatNonProfits for being a top rated nonprofit organization in Palo Alto. Keep reading to learn more about what we’ve been up to and how you can get involved!

We can’t wait for summer 2013 and hope to see you up in the Trinity Alps in the next few months!

Sarah Camp and Yve Susskind  

Help us Honor Lowell

The Camp Unalayee Board of Directors would like to invite you to join us in honoring Lowell Fitch, who retired last January. The board has created the “Thank You Lowell” Fund, where Members and Friends of Camp Unalayee can join us in raising $20,000 (or more!) for this collective gift recognizing Lowell’s lifelong involvement and dedication to Camp.

The Thank You Lowell Fund will be dedicated to Camperships for low-income families.

And great news – We are already $2,500 of the way toward that $20,000 goal, with a generous gift from Laura Stupi and Javier Santillan. 

We will be presenting Lowell with a card and certificate this summer with the total amount raised and all those that contributed – make sure your name gets on it!

Don’t Miss out on Family Days

Did you know there is only one Family Days program this summer?  That’s right – from August 17th – August 22nd. And it’s already over half full! Register today! You wouldn’t want to miss out on one of the remaining spots!

Our camper programs for this summer are almost full, but there are a few spots left in our special Walkabout and Girls Getaway programs. If you are already enrolled – check them out – it might be just the thing for you this summer, and there is still time to switch into one of them!
  

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Congratulations John Markoff!

Have you heard? Camp Unalayee alumni and long time community member John Markoff just won a Pulitzer Prize in Explanatory Writing. Markoff was one of a team of New York Times reporters who won the prize for a series of 10 articles on the business practices of technology companies. What an achievement! We are very proud of you, John, and so glad you are a part of our community!

 

 

John in the Trinities back in the day:

 

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Help Protect the Trinity Alps Wilderness

As you know, at Unalayee we are not only dedicated to providing the best summer camp experience possible to youth of all backgrounds, but also to creating awareness of our natural resources and protecting our outdoor spaces.  

The U.S. Forest Service is proposing to re-authorize commercial livestock grazing in The Trinity Alps Wilderness – our home. Not only has it been shown that grazing has long-term detrimental effects on the environment, it also makes the wilderness experience less enjoyable for backcountry hikers. 

Check out this article for more information and how you can help stop grazing. As it’s been sung many times at campfire – “No Cows In The Wilderness!”

Photo Contest

We had a few people that remembered when that crazy old building from the last newsletter was built … 1959.

And now back to a lake: Which one is this? 

Ready, set, go! First one to e-mail friends@gocampu.com with the correct answer gets a tote bag!

Have you not been getting these Newsletters by E-mail? Fill out the “Sign-Up for CampU updates” box to the right and opt-in today!

Check it out: We are on Page 76 and 77.

CampNavigator is a portal for comprehensive information about Summer Camps and Summer Programs for kids, teens, and youth. It helps parents choose the right summer experience for their kids! 

At Unalayee we know how important it is to have outside information about choosing the right program for your family!

Lowell as the Rastafarian

The Camp Unalayee Board invites you to join us in honoring Lowell Fitch, Camp Unalayee’s Director of 25 years, and member of the CampU community for many years before that. Lowell retired in January 2013. The board has created the “Thank You Lowell” Fund where Members and Friends of Camp Unalayee can join us in raising $20,000 (or more!) for this collective gift recognizing Lowell’s lifelong involvement and dedication to Camp. The “Thank You Lowell” Fund will be dedicated to Camperships for low-income families.

We will present Lowell with an acknowledgment of all of those that donated to this fund this summer, so make your contribution today!

And we have great news – We are already $2,500 of the way toward that $20,000 goal, with a generous gift from Laura Stupi and Javier Santillan.

Please join us to ensure that we continue to “leave no child inside” by adding to the Fund at any level (suggested levels below).

Thompson Peak:  $1950 – value of a full Campership (11% of campers receive a full Campership; 25% of all Camperships)

Russian Peak: $1190 – average Campership awarded (110 Camperships were awarded in 2012; that’s 45% of Campers who need financial assistance)

Eagle Peak: $975 – half Campership (15% of campers receive half Camperships; 34% of all Camperships)

Billy’s Peak: $600 – if every Unalayee member gave this amount, our Membership revenue would be sufficient to cover all Camperships

Umbrella Tree: $178 – average individual gift to Camp Unalayee

Four Squares: $___ – other amount    

In honor of Earth Day GreatNonprofits is letting everyone know that Palo Alto has the most Top-Rated Environmentally oriented non-profits in California. And guess what? Yup, that’s right, Camp Unalayee is first on the list!

You can help us get on the Top-Rated list again this year by leaving us a Review on GreatNonprofits site!

Check out the press release:

GreatNonprofits Announces Palo Alto Has Most Top Rated Environmental Nonprofits in California

April 22, 2013, Redwood Shores, CA.  GreatNonprofits today announced that Palo Alto, California has the most Top-Rated Environmental Nonprofits in the state, with four Top-Rated nonprofits.  These nonprofits qualified for the status of Top-Rated based on user reviews submitted during 2012 on the greatnonprofits.org website.

“In celebration of Earth Day 2013 GreatNonprofits is focused on increasing the awareness of leading environmental nonprofits and the cities that host them.  These nonprofits achieved Top-Rated status because their clients, donors and volunteers chose to review them and bestow a high rating.  There are over 58,000 environmental nonprofits on our site and four of the Top-Rated are based in Palo Alto, California,” said Perla Ni, CEO of GreatNonprofits.

The Top-Rated Environmental Non Profits in Palo Alto, California are:

Camp Unalayee Association:  “Camp Unalayee is a wonderful camp that introduces kids to the Wilderness. They bring kids to the mountains who have never walked anywhere there was not a sidewalk before. The provide generous financial assistance, so any child that wants to go can.” 2012 Review

ACTERRA: Action for a Healthy Planet:  “I originally joined Acterra because it was an environmental organization with a very local focus and I could see the results of my volunteer efforts in my community. Acterra approaches its work with scientific integrity and a healthy dose of fun – my volunteer time always feels worthwhile.” 2012 Review

Sunwork Renewable Energy Projects: “Sunwork has contributed greatly to clean energy generation, training the green workforce, and spreading the word about improving energy efficiency as a prerequisite to installing solar PV. Staff and management are committed, educated, skilled, and passionate about the environment!”  2012 Review

Environmental Volunteers, Inc: “The EV organization is what every nonprofit should strive to be – effective, well-run, of highest integrity and a beloved pillar in the communities it serves. I’m always delighted to tell people about the EV’s and their tireless, critically important work in teaching kids about science, the environment and conservation — something they simply do not get otherwise in school.” 2012 Review

All nonprofit donors, sponsors, clients and volunteers are welcome to review their favorite nonprofits at www.greatnonprofits.org.  GreatNonprofits is currently gathering reviews for our 2013 Top-Rated Award.  Reviews are due by October 31, 2013 for your favorite nonprofit to be considered for a Top- Rated Award .

Cities with the most Top-Rated nonprofits include Tucson, Arizona; Palo Alto, California; Denver Colorado; Boston, Massachusetts; Washington, DC; Arlington, Virginia and Seattle, Washington.

About GreatNonprofits

Since its founding in 2007, GreatNonprofits has grown into the leading provider of reviews and ratings of nonprofit organizations throughout the U.S. Its review methodology takes into account the diversity of the nonprofit sector by hosting reviews of groups of all different shapes and sizes and types from the smallest grassroots groups operating on the local level, to the large regional, national and international organizations. This represents the largest database of first-person stories about nonprofit organizations ever assembled — over 140,000 reviews. These are stories submitted by clients, donors, volunteers and others who have experienced the impacts of nonprofit work up close. “GreatNonprofits focuses on helping people make great giving decisions through socially sourced feedback and reviews. Increasing the amount and quality of information available to donors will ultimately make giving easier, more effective and rewarding.”(Bill Gates, Gates Foundation). GreatNonprofits is a 501(c) (3)  nonprofit organization itself, which is funded by foundations and individuals who believe that we provide a vital resource for nonprofits, volunteers and donors. www.greatnonprofits.org.

Media Contact:  Jerri Barrett, 408-204-7229, jerri@greatnonprofits.org

If you are new to our community, that’s ok!  This is a great chance for you to hear stories, meet former campers and parents, and get acquainted with our program. 

If you are along time fan, but have a friend who needs a little more convincing – bring them with you!

Where: Redwood Park – Arcata, CA – Picnic Area is the meeting place. 

When: Saturday May 11th 2013. 12:00pm – 3:00pm.  We will head out on our hike at 1:00pm!

Bring a lunch and your photos from previous summers to show! We’ll have some of our own…

If you have been checking out our summer camp for kids, this is your opportunity to learn more about programs and make a face to face connection with our staff and community members.

Questions? Comments? Concerns? RSVP?  E-mail friends@gocampu.com and call (650) 308-4453. 

Where: Natural Bridges State Beach.  We will meet at the Picnic area. The entrance is at the end of West Cliff Dr. 

When: Sunday May 5th 2013. 12:00pm – 3:00pm.  Low tide is at 2:00pm, so don’t be late – we’ll head to the tide pools around 1:00pm!

Come one, come all! Jocie Moore, Albin Nilsson, Sarah Camp, Phil Lee, Galen Camp and Cody Hallenbeck will be there…

Bring your lunch and photos from last year to share! We’ll have photos from many years past and a frisbee to toss around as well!

If you are new to Unalayee, this is your chance to learn more about our summer camp programs and make a personal connection with our community.

Questions? Concerns? RSVP?  E-mail friends@gocampu.com or call (650) 308-4453. See you there!

Each year Adventure’s Edge hosts this event at the Arcata Theatre Lounge and then they donate all of the proceeds to non-profits which benefit the local community.  Not only is the film festival a really fun event where everyone gets together and views some very impressive adventure and outdoor inspired films, but it also benefits some great organizations who are helping kids – like Camp Unalayee!

If you live in the Arcata area, come on down and watch some great films all while supporting Camp Unalayee and other non-profits.

Monday April 15th and Tuesday April 16th – 7pm – Arcata Theatre Lounge – 1036 G St. Arcata, CA – Tickets available online (by clicking Theatre Lounge link) or at Adventure’s Edge.

Dennis Rael will also be there to speak about our programs at intermission and will be available after the show to answer questions and invite you to the Director Meet & Greet we will be holding in Bayside on May 11th.  

Thank you to Adventure’s Edge for making us a beneficiary once again! You are the best!

I joined the board just six years ago as a young member of the Unalayee community. This turned out to be a journey that I never could have imagined.  It has transformed me into a leader within the community that I love so much, and has also allowed me to be part of a transition that we have not seen in 25 years!  Although Lowell is no longer leading our community with his wisdom, kindness, and humor anymore, his Unalayee spirit will be with us in all that we do with and for Unalayee.
 
We now look to new leaders who have grown up with his leadership, but now bring their own experience, love, and vision for our community. Both Yve and Sarah have been working tirelessly from day one to learn the “behind the scenes” of camp, as well as developing new ideas to guarantee the continuation of our beloved programs.
 
If you are planning on heading up to camp this summer you will see a few projects, that thanks to a very generous $25,000 grant from the Mericos Foundation, we are excited to see moving forward. We will be completing the construction of a composting toilet in central, as well as remodeling the craft shack! The craft shack will now have a larger deck with more shade and outdoor storage space!
 
Thank you so much for all your support of camp and what it brings to so many children and adults that have walked the trails through the basin and gone swimming in our amazing Mosquito Lake over the years!

Sincerely,

Mona McDowell
Camp Unalayee Board of Directors President

Vote for us in Bay Area Parent!

We’ve been voted by all of you as the best Overnight Camp on the Peninsula in Bay Area Parent Magazine’s ”Best of the Best” Contest two years running! Thank You for your continued support.

Let’s go for the three-peat! Check out our Blog for instructions on the easiest way to vote and please vote TODAY! Time is running out! 

Camp Enrollment is in Full Swing!

We have over 150 new and returning kids and families signed up for camp this year already! This has not been the case for many years. Thank you to all that have signed up already, and if you haven’t, you’d better get on that website and sign up for your favorite session or for Family Days in August before they are filled up! 
 

This year’s summer camp dates are:

1st Session: June 29th – July 13th
2nd Session: July 15th – July 29th
3rd Session: July 31st – August 14th
Family Days: August 17th – August 22nd

Also don’t miss your chance to be part of this year’s Walkabout. Cody Hallenbeck and Anja Dubois will be leading a 31-day backcountry trip of a life-time. Enrollment is strictly limited, so get your spot today!

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Spend time with Camp in the offseason!

First and foremost we would like to thank everyone who attended our Annual Reunion last weekend at Camp Krem. We had 70 adults and 15 children in attendance, Jocie and Albin hosted a great campfire, we raised $3700 for our campership fund, and most importantly: everyone had a great time! 
Let us know how it went for you by taking our New Survey. 
Check out the photos from the event on Picasa:

Were you unable to make it to the Reunion? Don’t fret! We are planning a number of other events throughout California (and Oregon) where new families can meet our community and old families can reconnect! Stay up to date with our “Events” page for more information.

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Does Your Employer Match Donations?

Many corporations match charitable donations. And many of you have very generously donated to Unalayee this year. If you have, you should check if your business will match your donation - there’s a good chance they will!

Photo Contest

What was last Newsletter’s lake? Little Duck in the Russian Wilderness. It’s a gem. 

Now for something a little more difficult.  What are we building here and what year is it? 

You know how it goes… Be the first to reply to friends@gocampu.com with the correct answer and we’ll send you a Unalayee Tote Bag!

Would you like to get these Newsletters by E-mail? Use the “Sign-Up for CampU updates box in the right hand column to sign up today!

Get together (or meet) Unalayee Friends this May!

By the time May rolls around, it’s almost time to go to Camp! But if you don’t get a chance to meet a Camp Unalayee representative or reconnect with our community in March or April, there are still a number of events we are hosting in May!

Any of these events are a great opportunity to meet Camp Unalayee, get your questions about our programs answered, and if you are already a member of our community – get together with your friends!

We hope to see you at one of the following events.  The details on a couple of the events are still TBD, so check back often for the most up to date information.

Sunday May 5th – 12:00pm – 3:00pm - SANTA CRUZ REUNION - Pic-nic and then tide-pooling at Natural Bridges State Beach – We will meet at the Picnic Area. Bring your lunch and hang out with your camp buddies while we eat. We’ll bring photos and a frisbee too! At 1:30pm we’ll head over to the Tide Pools and check out some sea creatures!

Sunday May 5th – 3:00pm – 5:00pm – Ashland Public Library – Ashland, Oregon – Meet Camp Doctor Troll Henderson and Counselor Gwyn Thomas and Look at all their great photos

Saturday May 11th – 12:00pm – ARCATA REUNION – Redwood Park – Arcata, CA - We will meet at the Picnic Area. Bring a lunch and catch up with your camp friends while we eat. We’ll bring photos and a frisbee too! At 1:00pm we’ll head out on a hike through the redwoods!

Saturday May 11th – 7:00pm – 8:00pm – Meet and Greet with Director Sarah Camp - Dennis Rael’s House - 2437 Graham Rd, Bayside, CA 95524 - We’ll have a slideshow and registration materials. Bring your friends who you’ve been dying to bring up to Camp and get them signed up!

Monday May 13th - 3:30pm – 5:30pm – Ashland Public Library – Ashland, Oregon – Your second chance to see Camp Doctor Troll Henderson and Gwyn Thomas