2017 ADVENTURE IN THE HIGH SIERRA Bear Valley YMCA Camp YMCA OF SUPERIOR CALIFORNIA
WELCOME TO BEAR VALLEY Bear Valley YMCA Camp has been a destination for summer adventure for more than 80 years. At Bear Valley, we believe that every child should have the opportunity to experience the wonders of the High Sierra in a safe and caring environment. Located near Emigrant Gap in an area of the Sierra with a rich gold mining history, Bear Valley provides kids with rewarding and life changing experiences. At Bear Valley we encourage campers every day to... participate actively in a community where all are accepted develop positive relationships with other campers and mentors develop self-confidence, self-reliance, and self-esteem learn a sense of responsibility for the shared experiences of being part of a community appreciate nature in a beautiful High Sierra setting explore and expand new and existing skills HAVE FUN! OUR COMMITMENT At Bear Valley Y Camp, your child s safety is our top priority. In addition to our residential camp health care staff, all camp leaders are CPR and first aid certified. We always maintain a camper to staff ratio of 8:1 or less. All aquatic activity at the swimming hole is supervised by a certified lifeguard. Camp staff undergo background and reference checks as part of the hiring process, and then participate in a training program that includes: camp safety, child abuse prevention, working with children, conflict resolution, emergencies and more. At camp, youth experience group living in rustic cabins with social, educational and recreational programs that are guaranteed to provide a summer to remember. Bear Valley YMCA Camp - Page 2
TRADITIONAL SUMMER CAMP Traditional Camp - Ages 8-14 Traditional Camp at Bear Valley is provided in week long sessions, packed full of excitement. Adventures include everything from swimming in the creek to archery, hiking, gold-panning, mountain biking, arts and crafts, games, and more! Evenings are spent playing camp-wide games, going on starlit hikes, singing around the camp fire, and of course, s'mores! At Bear Valley YMCA Camp, we believe every child should have the opportunity to splash in the water, camp under the stars, explore nature, follow a trail, and have fun in a safe place. A typical day at camp: Morning: Breakfast, Inspiration, Outdoor Activity Sessions Afternoon: Lunch, Activity Sessions, All Camp Activity, Cabin Time Evening: Dinner, Evening Activity, Camp Fire Bear Valley YMCA Camp - Page 3 Bear Valley Y Camp has made a really big difference in my life. I feel like if it weren't for this camp - and the amazing staff - I wouldn t be in the place I m in now. This camp is my favorite place to come every summer, and I look forward to it all year long. - Madalynn, 6th year camper
TRADITIONAL SUMMER CAMP Counselor in Training (CITs) 3 SESSIONS: July 9-14 July 16-21 July 23-28 Cost $275 per session The Counselor in Training program is for campers ages 14-16. It is a week-long leadership development experience for teens who desire to be future leaders at Bear Valley Y Camp. CITs help run evening activities, develop leadership skills, engage in team building, and learn all of the responsibilities of being a camp staff member. CITs are placed in cabins to assist cabin counselors and they participate in an evaluation at the end of the session. Limited space available! Apply online at ymcasuperiorcal.org/cit All three of my children have been going to Bear Valley YMCA camp for the past few years. Now, two of them are teenagers and involved in the CIT program. They love it and the skills they are learning are helping them to become well rounded adults. HEALTHY FOOD Camp meals are served in the camp s historic dining hall. Meals are healthy, balanced, and kid-friendly. The camp menu is reviewed by a dietitian, prepared by a certified cook, and served family style. Sample meals include: High Sierra Chicken, Miners Stew, and Gold Pan Spaghetti. Every evening meal includes healthy and delicious options. We strive to meet any special dietary needs of campers. Please let us know in advance if your camper has special requirements. GENERAL STORE Each camper has an opportunity to purchase healthy snacks, drinks and camp apparel at the Bear Valley General Store. The general store is open throughout the week and during camper arrival and departure times. The general store also stocks camper essentials that might have been forgotten such as toothbrushes, toothpaste, shampoo, soap, etc Bear Valley YMCA Camp - Page 4
INSPIRING WEEKENDS FAMILY CAMP Where parents can be kids, kids can be friends and friends can be family. Put away your cell phone, turn off the TV and enjoy a weekend in the High Sierra at Bear Valley YMCA Camp. Family Camp features family-friendly activities such as hikes, gold panning, bike rides and campfires. Participate in planned activities or just enjoy the beautiful fresh air and setting that is Bear Valley. Whatever your family desires, we promise you ll enjoy priceless quality family time at Bear Valley. Delicious, healthy meals are provided from Friday evening s snack through Sunday s brunch. Stay in one of the camp s rustic old miner s cabins or pitch your family s tent in the meadow. 2017 Family Camp Session: August 11-13 Register for a cabin, shared cabin or individually if you are tent camping. Private Cabin (up to 4 People) $260 Additional or Tent Camping Adults $60 Additional or Tent Camping Youth (ages 4-12) $35 Infant/Toddler (ages 4 and under) $0 Bear Valley YMCA Camp - Page 5
DIRECTIONS, SPECIAL NEEDS, & MORE DIRECTIONS Bear Valley Y Camp is located in the High Sierra, 90 minutes east of Sacramento. Camp is on Bowman Lake Road, off Highway 20, between Nevada City and Interstate 80. SPECIAL NEEDS Bear Valley Y Camp does not discriminate against campers with special needs and works with families to ensure a positive experience for all children. Please contact the Bear Valley Camp office to discuss any specific needs of your camper. HOW TO REGISTER Use the Registration Form in this brochure or online at ymcasuperiorcal.org. There are several ways to return your completed packet and reserve your week at Camp. CITs: CIT s must apply - registration available online or in branch. Mail: Send the completed packet to Bear Valley Y Camp Registration, 1926 V Street, Sacramento, CA 95818. Email: Send the completed packet to bearvalley@ymcasuperiorcal.org. Fax: Include a cover letter and fax to completed packet to 916.456.8155 Walk-In: Completed packets can be dropped off at the front desk of any YMCA location in Sacramento, Oroville, or Woodland. Registration for each session will close when full or two weeks prior to the start date. A non-refundable $75 per-week deposit is required to reserve your child s spot. A completed health history form must be provided prior to camp. All campers health forms and a brief screening is conducted on the first day of camp. All campers and families must also read and sign the YMCA Camper Code of Conduct. Final payments are due two weeks prior to your camper s arrival at camp. Bear Valley YMCA Camp - Page 6
SIGN ME UP! 2017 Registration Form Camper s Name: First Last Sex: Male Female Date of Birth: Grade in Fall 2015: Age at Camp: Parent Email: Mailing Address: City, State, Zip: # Years at Camp: Parent/Guardian Name(s): Home Phone: Day Phone: Cell Phone: Emergency Contact: Phone: Does the camper have any dietary considerations/allergies? vegetarian dairy wheat other How did you hear about Bear Valley Y Camp? Brochure / Ad Online Search/Website Friend Recommendation Alumni Local YMCA - which location? Other: Traditional Summer Camp - $415 per session. Please check the sessions you want to attend. Session 1 July 9-14 Session 3 July 23-28 Session 2 July 16-21 Session 4 July 30 - August 4 What I Owe Camp Fee Total (from above) Membership fee* (see below) I have a current membership at the following Y: $ or Add me as a Camp Member $ 10.00 Campership Donation (see below) $ Camp Store ($35 maximum) X Camp T-shirt $ included Size (please circle) Youth or Adult S M L XL TOTAL I OWE (add all applicable) $ Campership Fund: The Y believes every child deserves the chance to go to camp. Thanks to gifts from generous donors, many campers receive camperships. Payment Options We accept cash, check, money order or credit card. Payment plans can be arranged. A $20 service fee will be added to any returned checks. Check Enclosed - (payable to YMCA) Charge My Credit Card For full balance of fees, OR For $75 non-refundable deposit per session now and I authorize use of my credit card to pay balance two (2) weeks prior to start of session. Circle One: Name on Card: Card Number: Exp Date: Security Code: Signature: Important Information Payment: All fees must be paid two (2) weeks prior to the start of each session. Deposits must be paid prior to a registration being processed. Registration may be subject to delay if forms are not complete and/or minimum deposit is not received. A $75 non-refundable deposit per session will reserve your space for camp. We will refund camp fees for cancellations made 3 weeks prior to the start of the session (less deposit) or in the event of illness or injury verified by a physician s statement. Financial Assistance: Thanks to the generous gifts of individuals, we offer camperships to families with need through our Y-Assist Program. To apply for a campership, submit your Bear Valley registration form and Y-Assist application (found online) together. *Membership: The YMCA of Superior California is a membership organization, therefore membership is required for participation in camp. You must have a current Facility or Program Membership at a YMCA during the camp session your child is in attendance. Membership is open to anyone without regard to race, color, national origin, age, sex, religion or ability. A health history must be submitted to the camp office by June 1st. Photos: I give permission for my child s photo to be used in YMCA promotional materials. Parent Signature: Date: Please print carefully and mail to: Bear Valley YMCA Camp, 1926 V Street, Sacramento, CA 95818 or fax to 916.456.8155 or email to bearvalley@ymcasuperiorcal.org
PROJECT 500 SERVICE WEEKEND Bear Valley exists thanks to the support and generosity of volunteers. Join us for the camp s annual Project 500 Work Weekend where we seek to complete 500 hours of volunteer service in one day, as we prepare Bear Valley YMCA Camp for summer. We promise fresh air, beautiful scenery, fun projects and great food! Skill level doesn't matter; we have projects for all levels and abilities - including: cabin preparation, painting (inside and out), repairs, raking, building a horseshoe pit, cutting firewood and more. Friends, family and kids are welcome. We start bright and early on Saturday morning. Volunteers are welcome to arrive Friday night or first thing Saturday, and are welcome to stay Saturday night and make a weekend of it (let us know if you need a cabin). We ll provide breakfast, lunch and dinner on Saturday, breakfast on Sunday, and snacks and water. Kids are always welcome at Project 500. We will have supervised activities on Saturday from 9:00a-12:00p and a kid-friendly hike following lunch. After, children under the age of ten will need parental supervision. Save the Date! June 3 4, 2017 Email bearvalley@ymcasuperiorcal.org to sign up for the day of the entire weekend. GROUP RENTALS (NEW!) Bear Valley is now available for group rentals for weekends or entire weeks! Rates are reasonable with food options. Camp is available for weekly and weekend rentals from mid-june through mid-september, based on availability. To inquire about group rentals contact Jay at 916.452.9641 or bearvalley@ymcasuperiorcal.org. THE LEGEND OF BEAR VALLEY Following a long and cold day on a wagon train, a group of California pioneers set up their camp along the Bear River in the fall of 1850. While most settled in around the campfire, one of the settlers, Willie Spencer, went down to the river with nothing more than a kerosene lamp and a rusty old gold pan. Willie had come to California to make his fortune, he had gold fever. As he was panning on the shores of the river, his dim lamp provided just enough light to catch the glimmer of a small rock in the bottom of his pan. It was different from the other rocks it was small and shiny, it was gold! Willie had found his first nugget from the cold water of the Bear River and he vowed to keep this lucky spot a secret and come back as soon as he could. The next spring, Willie returned to his gold spot and built a small cabin near the river shore. Willie began to pan from sun rise to sun set, and soon, very soon, he was striking it rich. He started hiring workers and in short time his one small cabin became a camp with a social hall, a Doc s office and a General Store. Today, you can still see the remains of the first cabin that Willie built at Bear Valley. Eventually, the gold ran out and Willie and his crew left the camp. Willie returned to Sacramento, but every summer he and his family returned to Bear Valley to the very camp he built. Long after Willie was gone his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren enjoyed summers at the camp. In the early 1930s Willie s youngest grandson, Thomas, gave Bear Valley to the YMCA for a summer camp so future generations of children would enjoy its splendor. Since then, thousands of children from all over Northern California have stayed in the camp s rustic cabins, sung songs around the campfire, eaten meals in the old social hall and continued to live the legacy of one of California s early pioneers, Willie Spencer. ymcasuperiorcal.org Bear Valley YMCA Camp YMCA OF SUPERIOR CALIFORNIA 1926 V Street, Sacramento, CA 95818 916.452.9622