Bearskin Meadow Camp (BMC):

 

BMC is the camp facility owned and operated by DYF and where the majority of our summer camp programs take place. BMC is located near Kings Canyon National Park, about 1.5 hours from Fresno, CA, and is on land owned by the US Forest Service. The camp facility is rustic, although we have beautifully updated buildings including a healthcare center, dining hall, and kitchen. At BMC programs, most participants sleep outdoors under the stars on our elevated platforms we call “decks” so BMC is a good option for those who have some experience with camping and feel comfortable with an all-outdoor environment. A portion of the deck is covered and has room for luggage storage. Each deck is equipped with twin-sized bed frames and mattresses so that campers can bring a sleeping bag or blankets to place on top. In the rare case of rain, beds can be moved under the overhang or tarps can be placed over each bed, which creates a kind of personal tent. Bathhouses with hot water and showers are located within walking distance of each deck. 

At our family camp programs, we offer a limited number of indoor housing accommodations for families with very young children who may not be able to sleep outdoors and families who have medical needs beyond T1D that may require special accommodations overnight including power outlets. These rooms are on the second floor of our healthcare center and are furnished with twin-sized bunk beds. Shared bathrooms are in the same building across the hall from the bedrooms. 

BMC offers an archery range, a swimming pool, basketball court, Gaga pit, sandbox for little ones, sports field, craft hall, and beautiful hiking trails that start directly from camp and lead to natural swimming holes and gorgeous overlooks. BMC is also located about 10 minutes from Hume Lake and families are encouraged to enjoy the recreation activities there and throughout Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks during free time or before/after each camp session. 

Getting to Bearskin Meadow Camp can be tricky for first timers, as the road leading up to camp is winding and uphill with little to no cell phone or internet service. We provide detailed driving directions in the pre-camp handbook for Family Camps, Leaders-in-Training programs, Adult Retreat, and other sessions where participants are expected to drive themselves. There is a parking lot on site with overflow options if needed. We do provide a chartered bus to and from BMC for Kids Camp, Buddy Camp, and both Teen Camp sessions and the cost is included in the cost of these programs.  

We employ seasonal staff to work at Bearskin Meadow Camp in roles including program staff, maintenance staff, support staff, and kitchen staff. All meals and snacks are provided in DYF programs, prepared by our kitchen team, and carb-counted by our medical team. At BMC we are very proud to have a celiac kitchen, separated from our main kitchen, where gluten-free food is prepared at every meal for our campers and staff with Celiac Disease; the separation ensures minimal chance of cross-contamination. Gluten-free meals are prepared as closely as possible to food being served from the main kitchen so as to normalize the dining experience for our campers with Celiac. For example, if grilled cheese sandwiches are being served from the main kitchen, gluten-free grilled cheese sandwiches will be served from the celiac kitchen.

We are very proud to own and operate Bearskin Meadow Camp and we hope you’ll enjoy its rustic qualities within the context of some beautiful nature, wildlife, and Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks. 

Camp de Los Niños (CDLN): YMCA Camp Loma Mar

Check out pictures and more information on the YMCA website. 

YMCA Camp Loma Mar hosts our week-long Camp de Los Niños session and we rent the facility for the duration of the program. DYF provides staff to run the programming and volunteers to be on the medical team, while the YMCA is in charge of the kitchen, facilities, and specialized programming. Camp Loma Mar is located 15 miles south of Half Moon Bay and is a 1 hour drive from San Jose, CA. Chartered bus transportation from San Jose is provided for all campers and is included in the cost of camp.

At CDLN, participants sleep in indoor cabins with twin-sized bunk beds; bathrooms and showers are in a separate building and shared by multiple cabins. Camp Loma Mar has a zip line, rock wall, gaga pit, creek, basketball court, archery range, swimming pool, and two sports fields. All food is prepared by YMCA staff but DYF volunteers work with the kitchen to provide carb counting and ensure that serving sizes are accurate. Gluten free food is available but it is prepared in the same kitchen as other food and therefore there is a chance of cross contamination. We do our best to work with the YMCA kitchen team ahead of time to ensure that gluten-free meals are as similar as possible to gluten-full meals but this can not be guaranteed. 

The YMCA Camp Loma Mar facility offers a great option for campers who want to come to an independent camp but have not had much experience sleeping outdoors, as the indoor accommodations and location may feel more familiar compared to Bearskin Meadow Camp.

Spring Family Retreat: Mt. Gilead Conference Center 

Check out pictures and more information on the Mt. Gilead website. 

Mt. Gilead is located in Sebastopol, CA, just 65 miles north of San Francisco and about 2 hours from Sacramento. DYF rents the Mt. Gilead facility for the weekend; DYF provides volunteers for programming and medical needs while Mt. Gilead provides staff for the facility, kitchen, and specialized programming. 

Most families sleep in rustic indoor cabins at Mt. Gilead, which are furnished with twin-sized bunk beds. Bathrooms and showers are in a separate building and are shared by multiple families. There are a small number of additional rooms located within a lodge building and these rooms have their own bathroom and shower. Generally, families will be assigned their own cabin or room, but we do encourage families to share accommodations if they feel comfortable doing so. 

Activities at Mt. Gilead include hiking, a playground, two full basketball courts, tetherball, ballfields, archery, gaga ball, climbing wall, zip line, and a thrilling giant swing that is over 60 feet tall and fits 4 people at once. All food is prepared by Mt. Gilead staff but DYF volunteers work with the kitchen to provide carb counting and ensure that serving sizes are accurate. Gluten free food is available but it is prepared in the same kitchen as other food and therefore there is a chance of cross contamination. We do our best to work with the Mt. Gilead  kitchen team ahead of time to ensure that gluten-free meals are as similar as possible to gluten-full meals but this can not be guaranteed. 

Families drive themselves to the Spring Retreat and there is plenty of parking available at Mt. Gilead. 

Fall Family Retreat: YMCA Camp Jones Gulch

Check out pictures and more information on the Camp Jones Gulch website. 

Camp Jones Gulch is located in La Honda, CA just 1 hour from San Jose and San Francisco. DYF rents the Camp Jones Gulch facility for the weekend; DYF provides volunteers for programming and medical needs while the YMCA provides staff for the facility, kitchen, and specialized programming. Families stay in large rustic cabins that are shared with other families. Some cabins have their own bathrooms and showers while others utilize a separate bathroom building that is shared amongst several cabins. Activities at Camp Jones Gulch include sports, hiking, arts and crafts, basketball, volleyball, sports fields, a climbing tower, zip line, archery range, and ropes course. 

All food is prepared by YMCA staff but DYF volunteers work with the kitchen to provide carb counting and ensure that serving sizes are accurate. Gluten free food is available but it is prepared in the same kitchen as other food and therefore there is a chance of cross contamination. We do our best to work with the YMCA kitchen team ahead of time to ensure that gluten-free meals are as similar as possible to gluten-full meals but this can not be guaranteed. 

Families drive themselves to the Fall Retreat and there is plenty of parking available at Camp Jones Gulch.

Campamento Familiar en Español: Camp Arroyo

Check out pictures and more information on the Camp Arroyo website.

Camp Arroyo is located in Livermore, CA just 45 minutes from Oakland and 1.5 hours from Sacramento. DYF rents the Camp Arroyo facility for the weekend with a grant from The Taylor Family Foundation; DYF provides volunteers for programming and medical needs while Camp Arroyo provides staff for the facility, kitchen, and specialized programming. 

Families sleep in modern cabins shared with other families; each cabin has its own bathroom and shower. Activities at Camp Arroyo include horseback riding, sports, arts and crafts, music therapy, and a ropes course. Please note the ropes course may not be available in 2022 depending on Camp Arroyo staffing. 

All food is prepared by Camp Arroyo staff but DYF volunteers work with the kitchen to provide carb counting and ensure that serving sizes are accurate. Gluten free food is available but it is prepared in the same kitchen as other food and therefore there is a chance of cross contamination. We do our best to work with the Camp Arroyo kitchen team ahead of time to ensure that gluten-free meals are as similar as possible to gluten-full meals but this can not be guaranteed. 

Most families drive themselves to Campamento Familiar en Español and there is plenty of parking available at Camp Arroyo.