OF SAN FRANCISCO
Camp Mendocino is an outdoor education and environmental awareness program focused on the character and leadership development of kids from disadvantaged circumstances. Since 1931, Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco has been providing this creative, fun, and supportive camping experience for youth ages seven to 17. We surround our kids with positive role models 24 hours a day to provide the love and encouragement they need to realize their full potential.
1,512 youth participated in activities at Camp Mendocino over the full year
925 duplicated youth attended Camp Mendocino during seven summer sessions
Camp offered two mini-sessions (6 days each), targeting first-time campers in the youngest age group.
Camp offered one mini session (5 days) targeting teen campers (13+), including previous LITs and CITs.
STATISTICS
99 staff
(74 worked the full summer) Average age 25
57 unduplicated youth participated in our Leader-in-Training (LIT) program.
19 unduplicated youth participated in our Career-in-Training (CIT) program.
97 teens participated in the Teen Session
All teens were given the opportunity to choose what activities they participated in during each activity block.
Teens were given the opportunity to learn new skills related to programming (i.e. youth were taught how to belay on the ropes course).
Teens were also given the opportunity to see behind the scenes at Camp (i.e. learn about the water system).
Our grant from the California Natural Resources Association (CNRA) has allowed us to hire a Native American Initiative Coordinator, as well as scholarships covering the majority of fees for Native American campers.
• 7 campers were awarded the scholarship this season, allowing them to attend Camp for $50 each ($5,425 in fees were scholarshipped).
Through the CNRA grant, we were able to bring in members from the local Northern Pomo tribes to run workshops with our staff about Native plants found on our property and how to teach our campers about them.
Our Native Initiative Coordinator also worked the entire summer at Camp, running specific Native education programming (i.e. basket weaving, Native Education, LIT/CIT workshop) as well as collaborating with other activity areas to promote Native education at Camp Mendocino.
This season, we implemented new questions through CampMinder in order to better serve Camp Mendocino youth. The question about a camper’s gender is now used solely for which group (girls or boys) they feel comfortable being housed. An additional question about gender identity was added, as well as a section where campers must state their preferred pronouns. Each of these questions is accompanied by an informational box with linked websites explaining each concept.
Katarina has had a really tough past 18 months. Fleeing war in her native Ukraine, she ended up in San Francisco as a refugee who spoke little to no English. Katarina attended Camp in 2022 as a shy young girl who struggled with the language barrier. While she enjoyed herself, she struggled with many aspects of Camp, as she was still getting used to American culture. Summer 2023 was a whole different experience. Katarina showed up as a confident young person who was ready to be the best camper she could be. At the end of the session, she was rewarded for being a leader at Camp by receiving her Green C. On the last day of Camp, Katarina stood up in front of the entire Camp to appreciate her peers and staff for sticking with her as she navigated through the challenges of learning a new language and culture.
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For more information on how you can get involved, please visit: kidsclub.org | /@BGCSF