Details: Fri Sept 4th – 6th (it is open to come earlier and stay later if you want)
Where: Berkeley’s Echo Lake Camp (off Hwy 50 above Lake Tahoe)
You can look forward to:
* A private boat tour of Echo Lake with the owners of the Echo Lake Chalet, who know the history and knowledge of the area better than anyone! Should be amazing!
* Wine tasting and Happy Hour on the Observation Deck!
* Morning Yoga with a 10,000 ft view and a Nature Hike with our Naturalist Phil Coffin!
* Swimming in the Pool, Canoeing on Echo Lake, Arts and Crafts, Volleyball vs. the Staff, Campfire, morning coffee in the Green Chair Circle … and much more!
Please reserve your tent before they sell out!
We expect the tents to be filled by Aug 15th.. so reserve early.
E-mail me with any questions. It would be great to be in the mountains with you at the end of the summer and enjoying camp before we turn the page to the busy Fall season.
A HUGE thanks to all of you who have already signed up to golf, eat delicious tacos, donated raffle prizes, and/or bought raffle tickets!
We need EVERYONE’S help to make this a fun and successful event again this year.
Last year this tournament raised over $15,000! This money will be utilized to restore, refurbish and replant our beloved camp. Think of it this way…every time you buy a raffle ticket another leaf on a dogwood tree will bloom. Every golfer that signs up represents another green chair to add to the circle. Every taco you eat represents a smile on a future camper’s face as they jump off Beaverhead Rock for the first time. So if you don’t golf ask someone who does and sign them up. If you don’t like tacos find a friend that does and send them our way, we would love to have them.
Online registration is now open for both golfers and for the dinner to be held at Tilden Park Golf Course in Berkeley.
PLEASE SIGN UP SOON AS SPACE IS LIMITED!
It would really be helpful to the planning committee to know as soon as possible how many are attending this year to order food and beverages.
EARLY BIRD SIGN-UP BONUS – If you sign up before August 15th for either the golf or dinner we will throw in a FREE RAFFLE TICKET. See the website for the current list of raffle prizes.
All pertinent information and online registration can be made by clicking on the link below and following the directions on the website.
If you are not adept at online registrations please feel free to contact me and I will help you in any way I can.
Scotty
Scott Gelfand
Executive Director
Friends of Berkeley Tuolumne Camp
www.fobtc.com
https://www.fobtc.com/wp-content/uploads/FOBTC_logo_and_type1.png00Scott Gelfandhttps://www.fobtc.com/wp-content/uploads/FOBTC_logo_and_type1.pngScott Gelfand2015-08-07 20:23:502015-08-07 20:23:50Please Help Us Support Camp With These Upcoming Events!
Hi Campers and Staff! The City has done a series of workshops in this Master Planning process to include your feedback – and as of Friday, updated its web page to include the summaries of the recent BTC workshops and the two attached graphic documents.
More comments are still flowing in, and combined with Forest Service review and technical baseline reports that are now coming in, these documents will change by the time the Scoping Package is complete and released for public comment.
It is a work in progress. Big thanks to the City staff and Patrick and Jane for their excellent work and inclusivity! Here is their update on the progress of camp..
https://www.fobtc.com/wp-content/uploads/FOBTC_logo_and_type1.png00Scott Gelfandhttps://www.fobtc.com/wp-content/uploads/FOBTC_logo_and_type1.pngScott Gelfand2015-07-13 20:52:362015-07-13 20:52:36The latest progress in the rebuilding of Camp Tuolumne
The staff are having a blast, the food’s been great, the pool’s beautiful and refreshing, and there’s NOTHING like Echo Lake and Lake Tahoe for vacation settings!
They’ve done a great job since last year getting Camp right and the City Staff deserves a lot of credit for a fabulous summer at Camp!
_____________________________________________________
PLEASE JOIN US!
We really want your involvement and support!
Saturday Sept 12th 1pm Tilden Park
2nd Annual “Tee off For Tuolumne!”
6pm Dinner, auction and raffle follow the golf Click Here for Details
Amazing Prizes:
Vacation Houses
Ipad’s
Adirondack Green Chairs
Expensive Wine and Art
Tickets to the San Francisco Giants
and lots more..
All proceeds benefit the FOBTC
Rebuild Camp Tuolumne Campaign
Email: jimwhitty@comcast.net
or Click Here for details and registration
__________________________________________________
FOBTC Weekend at Echo Lake
Thursday Sept 3rd – Mon Sept 7th
Extended to Beat the Traffic and Come up on Thursday!
Tents with a view
Labor Day weekend is on with special events for everyone
in the family hosted by FOBTC!
Come up to camp with “Fish Camp” rates!
Breaking News! We have arranged for a Private Boating Tour of Echo Lake with the Owners of the Echo Lake Chalet! They will take us all around the lake and talk about its history, geology, flora, fauna, and special insider historical knowledge. Awesome!!
We’ll also have a special wine tasting, old-school Arts and Crafts, campfire and table night talent, all organized by 3 former Recreation Supervisors (now on the Board)!
The Tuolumne Spirit!
It is almost summertime, and we all know
we love to be in the mountains during the summer…
UPDATE on Rebuilding Camp:
Don’t miss the Parks and Waterfront Meeting!
This Wed June 10th 7pm
Frances Albrier Community Center 2800 Park St. Berkeley
click here for more information: http://www.cityofberkeley.info/Parks_Rec_Waterfront/Recreation/Tuolumne_Camp.aspx
********************************************* Sierra Family Camp is open and excited to host your family at Echo Lake Camp!
There are still some days available early in the summer (June 20th – July 1st), and a few sprinkled throughout July, so click: http://cityofberkeley.info/FamilyCampEchoLake to check out availability and make a reservation!
The pool is open, the canoes are at the lake for you, and the Staff Show is E.T. the Extra Terrestial (to the music of Michael Jackson and Earth Wind and Fire and Bruno Mars, to name a few).
Of course ET gets to experience Camp, and even though he wants to go home, being a Camper is pretty exciting!
The weather has been beautiful – warm Sierra days and cool nights, with a sky full of stars.
Sign up today, get to the mountains and check out Sierra Family Camp for a few days!
Go to: http://cityofberkeley.info/FamilyCampEchoLake to check out availability and make a reservation!
is on with special events for everyone in the family hosted by FOBTC!
Tents with a view
Come up to camp with “Fish Camp” rates and get ready for boating on Echo Lake, wine tasting, old-school Arts and Crafts, campfire and table night talent, all organized by 3 former Recreation Supervisors (now on the Board)!
Sign up with a Fish Camp reservation form: http://cityofberkeley.info/uploadedFiles/Parks_Rec_Waterfront/Level_3_-_Recreation/BELC_2015_FISH_CAMP_Registration_Form.pdf
We had a brilliant night of learning about The Rim Fire from our friends at The United States Forest Service!
The Freight and Salvage was a packed house of enthusiastic Bay Area residents interested in learning about the scope and size of the fire, and what can be done going forward to help our forest be sustainable, and healthy. We had campers from Tuolumne Camp, Camp Tawonga, Camp Mather, San Jose Camp and Lair of the Bear, as well as other non-profits working in the forest. Thank you to The Freight for hosting us!
Amongst the biggest news we learned is that the City of Berkeley and the USFS have an agreement to go forward for the rebuilding of camp at the current Harden Flat location! Huge news! That leads us to The Master Plan development process which has started with public meetings. See the schedule at: http://www.cityofberkeley.info/Parks_Rec_Waterfront/Recreation/Tuolumne_Camp.aspx
Please come and give the Master Plan your voice and opinions in these public workshops!
We learned about the cooperation and volunteer effort needed from the Bay Area community to help the USFS plant 7 million trees over the size of an area equal to Los Angeles! Since the fire was one of the most devastating in California history, there is an unprecedented effort to reforest and they need help from every source they can.
Watch the 13 min. clip of “The Fire Next Time” which we showed that illustrates what Mega-Fires are all about and the amazing collaboration of the Yosemite Stanislaus Solutions group that FOBTC is a part of:
Most people have not been to camp to see what it currently looks like. We showed a slide show from our Executive Director Scott Gelfand made in December of what Camp looks like today after the 1400 hazardous trees were removed in the fall. View it here:
Craig Veramay and Denise Brown from the City of Berkeley spoke beautifully about the rebuilding process of Camp, and also Sierra Family Camp at Echo Lake. The business of Camp is vital to the process of rebuilding camp, and our support of camp at Echo Lake is very important to the continuing of the traditions and experience of Tuolumne Camp. There is still room for reservations, although the camp is filling up.
Please go to http://www.cityofberkeley.info/FamilyCampEchoLake/ and sign up for some time at Camp. FOBTC will be programming a Labor Day weekend there (Boat Regatta on Echo Lake!) at the end of the summer, and Blues Weekend returns as well! Check out our events page for more information.
Finally, we ended the night by showing rare footage saved in the fire of 16 mm film taken at Camp Tuolumne in 1948! FOBTC paid for digitizing the film and editing it to a cohesive short film of what it was like to be at Camp in 1948! Enjoy:
Our new partnership with the Forest Service was in full bloom at this event, and everyone in the audience could feel their incredible efforts to save Camp and rebuild it in the same location. We are amongst their top priorities in their planning, as they recognize the important history and connection to the Bay Area.
A “Call to Action” plan will be coming down the road to rebuild trails, plant trees, collect seeds, clear brush, etc.. all under the supervision and guidance of the USFS. We’ll keep you posted and hope you will join us.
Thank you!! We’ll see you at The Master Plan meetings! Very exciting!
Scotty and the Board of Friends of Berkeley Tuolumne Camp
https://www.fobtc.com/wp-content/uploads/FOBTC_logo_and_type1.png00Scott Gelfandhttps://www.fobtc.com/wp-content/uploads/FOBTC_logo_and_type1.pngScott Gelfand2015-04-28 18:56:452015-04-30 04:01:45Recap and videos from our event at The Freight & Salvage!
If you have thoughts and/or have the time to attend a Master Planning session, we encourage you to participate! This is a big step towards getting our beloved BTC re-built.
From the City of Berkeley:
Tuolumne Camp Master Development Plan Concept and Online Survey Released; Public Workshop Dates Announced.
Berkeley, California (Thursday, April 9, 2015) – The City is inviting the public to participate in the Berkeley Tuolumne Camp Master Development Plan by completing a new online survey and attending upcoming public workshops and meetings. The Survey and Workshops will provide an opportunity to see initial concept drawings of the camp, to contribute ideas, and to gain a better understanding of the design and planning processes for rebuilding the Camp (including the environmental analysis and subsequent decision making). Additional information is now available on the City of Berkeley Tuolumne Camp Website.
Tuolumne Camp Master Development Plan Public Workshops
Tuolumne Camp Master Development Plan Public Workshops
Event
Date
Time
Location
Address
Public Workshop #1
Wednesday, April 29th
7pm – 9pm
James Kenney Community Center
1720 Eighth Street, Berkeley, CA
Public Workshop #2
Saturday, May 9th
10am–12pm
Frances Albrier Community Center
2800 Park Street, Berkeley, CA
Public Workshop #3
TBD
TBD
TBD
Groveland, CA
Parks & Waterfront Commission
Wednesday, June 10th
7pm
Frances Albrier Community Center
2800 Park Street, Berkeley, CA
Echo Lake Family Camp Meetings
June 20-28th
To Be Announced
Berkeley Echo Lake Camp
Lot #7, Echo Lakes Rd. Echo Lake, CA 95721
Meetings about the Tuolumne Camp design process will be hosted for registered Family Campers at Echo Lake Camp the week of June 20-28, 2015. Interested in attending Echo Lake Camp? Space is still available! To register for Family Camp at Echo Lake, visit the Echo Lake Camp website or call (510) 981-5140.
Berkeley Tuolumne Camp, in operation since 1922, has been a highly regarded summer tradition for generations of Berkeley residents. More than 4,000 individuals annually enjoyed fun-filled activities and heart-felt traditions at Tuolumne Camp. We encourage campers to explore the new Family Camp at Echo Lake, which takes the best of Echo Lake and Tuolumne Camps to create a wonderful family camping experience for all ages. Whether exploring the new programs available at Echo Lake Camp or participating in the upcoming public process, we thank you for keeping the City of Berkeley Camp Spirit alive. For more information about City of Berkeley Camps, contact:
City of Berkeley Recreation Office 1947 Center St. 1st Floor Berkeley, CA 94704
(510) 981-5140 camps@cityofberkeley.info
If you are interested, the link to Conceptual Drawings can be found here.
https://www.fobtc.com/wp-content/uploads/camp1.jpg23043072Andrei Verzeahttps://www.fobtc.com/wp-content/uploads/FOBTC_logo_and_type1.pngAndrei Verzea2015-04-10 17:49:412015-04-10 20:06:12City Announces Workshops for Master Plan
Tuesday April 14, 2015 7pm – 9pm
Freight and Salvage Coffeehouse Berkeley Click Here for Tickets
Our Dining Hall and Circle of Green Chairs
The Rim Fire was one of the nation’s worst disaster’s and one of the worst fires California has ever had. Come see an amazing and powerful presentation, and ask questions about The Rim Fire and its effects on the land we love by the US Forest Service, as they work towards reforesting an area the size of Los Angeles!
Evening Program:
7pm Welcome by The Friends of Berkeley Tuolumne Camp
7:15pm – 7:30pm “The Fire Next Time” – an amazing 13 min. film on The Rim Fire and Mega-Fires by Stephen Most and Kevin White of Filmmakers Collaborative SF.
7:30pm – 8:15pm The Impact of The Rim Fire and How You Can be Involved in the future of the Stanislaus Forest
Clare Long – Rim Fire Recovery Partnership and Volunteer Coordinator
Seth Connolly – Tuolumne River Trust – Restoration and Volunteer Coordinator
Q&A with Scott Tangenberg – Deputy Forest Supervisor – USFS
8:15pm What does camp look like today? Slide Show of Camp Tuolumne, December 2014
8:25pm – 8:45pm Update on Berkeley’s Tuolumne Camp by the City Recreation Staff
8:45pm Closing thank you’s – The Friends of Berkeley Tuolumne Camp
9pm 5 min of unseen footage that was saved in the fire of Camp Tuolumne in 1948
please note: The presentation includes video of The Rim Fire up close – we hear and see the fire in amazing footage. This event may not be good for small children. Please feel free to email me personally (scott@fobtc.com) if you have questions.
Thank you,
Scott Gelfand
Executive Director FOBTC
& the Board of the Friends of Berkeley Tuolumne Camp
https://www.fobtc.com/wp-content/uploads/FOBTC_logo_and_type1.png00Scott Gelfandhttps://www.fobtc.com/wp-content/uploads/FOBTC_logo_and_type1.pngScott Gelfand2015-03-15 00:11:132015-04-02 19:35:22“The Impact of the Rim Fire and the Future of the Stanislaus Forest”
We had a great Town Hall Meeting on Feb 10th in Berkeley.
We were so impressed with campers showing up to get involved, lend their voices, and tell us their concerns.
We wanted to send out a recap as to what was discussed, for those that missed it. We had over 100 people sign up to come, so we know there was a lot of interest!
Here is a summary of what was discussed. Feel free to email me (scott@fobtc.com) with any specific questions, or if you’d like to be more involved with the Friends and how you might plug in…
Thank you!
Scott Gelfand and the Board of The Friends of Berkeley Tuolumne Camp
After the presentation below, we broke out into 4 groups – Fundraising, Political Strategy & Partnerships, Live Events & Community Engagement, and PR and Communications. Attendees went to whatever area interested them. The conversations were full and vibrant, and there were great ideas and passion. We hope to engage as many volunteers as want to be involved with us, and continue to do the work of keeping our camp community engaged and informed.
They gave us great ideas on giving campaigns and fundraising, special events like a Theme Day in the Park to bring us all together (they literally had dozens and dozens of fun ideas), PR to reach out to younger campers and get them involved (we have sinced launched an official Instagram page), and continuing and growing our advocacy and partnerships work to make sure we are educating and involving all the important legislators and decision makers.
Update on Camp and Current Status
The City, their Insurance Company, and the USFS are currently negotiating the Zoning and Master Plan areas.
Specifically: What can be built, where can it be built, and what insurance will pay for.
All 3 stakeholders are hopeful this process will be complete this spring/summer and an agreement will be signed.
This is a sensitive process, and a complex negotiation. But indications from the City staff are that it is going well and moving along in a good direction.
Big thanks to Scott Ferris for his leadership and stewardship of this.
Master Plan Process
Once that agreement is made, a new Master Plan draft is created for feedback and a public process will ensue.
FOBTC will help the City create venues for feedback and inclusion as much as possible.
The City has retained 2M Associates for the next few years, and they have already been working on Camp re-designs for a few years now, and know the Camp VERY well.
The goal would be to re-create the camp feel and footprint as best as we can.
We’ll know more hopefully by this summer.
The Land, Trees & Logging
The Camp has had approx. 1400 hazardous trees removed in the Fall
There is no work being done during the Winter.
They will evaluate some trees (not many) in the Spring
The goal for everyone is to leave as many trees as possible, of course.
No one is allowed to be on the Camp property. Harden Flat Rd. is open, but the camp property is closed. They will cite you for trespassing if caught on the property, and the city could have issues. Please do not go onto the camp property.
The Camp Business
Sierra Family Camp expanded to 5 weeks of Family Camp this summer
A larger staff size to improve family camp and keep the Tuolumne Spirit alive and well
Thanks to Denise and Craig for their leadership and vision! Weeks are selling well, but there are still openings.
FOBTC: It’s Been a Very Busy 2014 – What we’ve done!
Improved Camper Communication: we now are in communication with over 2300 campers via our email and Facebook page. Our goal is to double that so that we can keep everyone informed and educated and involved. We are expanding our web site, and our monthly communication.
New Partnerships and Advocacy: we now attend and are a part of the powerful Yosemite Stanislaus Solutions partnership, the group that meets regularly with the US Forest Service. FOBTC now has a relationship with the US Forest Service and got a unanimous agreement to treat the 14.5 acres of Camp land as a unique part of the forest and to have a special prescription for reforestation. We are also partnering with the Tuolumne River Trust on events and issues relating to Camp and the South Fork of the Tuolumne River.
Political Strategy: we have monthly meetings with Scott Ferris, the Director of Parks, Recreation and Waterfront who keeps us updated as to their negotiations. FOBTC meets with the Mayor’s office, Berkeley Council people, and all stakeholders who have an interest and connection to Camp to maintain healthy relationships and continue to advocate for the camp.
Live Events & Engagement: we have done 8 live events in Berkeley since the fire, almost one every other month, to continue to engage the community and connect our campers, bringing The Camp Spirit to Berkeley. This is a vital role for FOBTC to play to keep our community strong.
Fundraising: While not going full speed on fundraising until we have a Master Plan and a camp being built, we continue to do small fundraising so that we can continue to support family camp at Sierra Family Camp.
In the first summer at Echo Lake, we helped build the stage, and bought the sound system and lighting so that Sierra Family Camp could have the traditional Staff Show.
We bought and built over 25 Green Adirondack Chairs to create a Green Circle of Chairs.
We augmented the Ahwanee fund to give the staff an end-of-year dinner in Lake Tahoe.
We donated money for programming supplies – arts and crafts, and recreation program needs, so the camper experience would be supported.
We donated a small refrigerator for the D-Hall, and some other small items to enhance the staff needs.
The new green chair circle up at Echo Lake.
FOBTC 2015 – What we are working on! Please join us!
April 14th 7pm – 8:30pm Freight and Salvage Coffeehouse
“The Rim Fire and the State of the Stanislaus Forest” – a USFS presentation and update on what YOU can do and how to get involved! This is a powerful presentation and one in which you’ll be amazed at. We’ll also present an update on Camp from the City of Berkeley. Q & A will follow.
Saturday May 16th1pm – 4pm “A Day on the Tuolumne River” – a family canoe trip with Tuolumne River Trust
August 28th – 30th Look for “The Blues Weekend” to re-surface
Sept 4th – 6th Potential Labor Day Weekend at Echo Lake!
1st Annual Echo Lake Boat Regatta
Sept 12th 2nd Annual “Tee off for Tuolumne” Golf Tourney at Tilden Park
Dec 21st Holiday Staff Show tradition at The Berkeley Rep’s Osher Studio
https://www.fobtc.com/wp-content/uploads/FOBTC_logo_and_type1.png00Scott Gelfandhttps://www.fobtc.com/wp-content/uploads/FOBTC_logo_and_type1.pngScott Gelfand2015-03-02 22:12:042015-03-02 22:12:04February Town Hall Meeting – our Update!
Hi dear campers… we know you love Tuolumne Camp and Family Camping, so as we continue supporting the rebuilding of Tuolumne at Harden Flat Road, we wanted to encourage you to continue to keep your family camping, somewhere, somehow, so that the best memories of being in nature and having fun as a family continue uninterrupted.
To make that a little easier, here are 2 choices that are near and dear to Berkeley/East Bay families. We obviously want to support Sierra Family Camp first and foremost, as that is the home of our beloved Camp and its traditions. But some people like trying new areas, so we thought to introduce you to our friends at Lair of the Golden Bear. In any case, we hope you go Family Camping!
1. Sierra Family Camp
The temporary home of Tuolumne Camp, and City of Berkeley’s beautiful Camp since 1922. It sits just down the road from Echo Lake, and hovers above Lake Tahoe with a dramatic view. It is smaller, and cozy, and gorgeous. And there is boating on Echo Lake!!
Tents with a view
The pool is fixed, the staff will be larger and there will be 5 weeks of family camp. We want to fill every space!
We LOVE this camp! Check them out and reserve today. Steve and I are working on this year’s Staff Show already, and there will be great, returning staff who cannot wait to get back up there.
The famous Lair of the Bear Camp invites Berkeley Tuolumne Family Campers to join them at their family camp this summer in Pinecrest, CA. They offer a full schedule of activities for the week, 3 hearty meals a day, and the beauty of the Sierra. You don’t need to be a Cal alum to camp at the Lair.
SPECIAL: They’re offering a 15% discount off their regular rates to BTC families for this summer’s Week 2 (June 20 – 27) or Week 3 (June 27 – July 4), so go make a mountain of memories at the Lair.
Please visit their website for more information, or give them a call if they can answer any questions or help you book a tent: 510.900.8255.
We hope this helps keep your family CAMPING this summer, and for summers to come. In the end, that’s what we all love to do..
Scott
Executive Director
Friends of Berkeley Tuolumne Camp
https://www.fobtc.com/wp-content/uploads/FOBTC_logo_and_type1.png00Scott Gelfandhttps://www.fobtc.com/wp-content/uploads/FOBTC_logo_and_type1.pngScott Gelfand2015-02-17 22:22:472015-02-17 22:22:47Keep your family camping! Plan a summer get-a-way!
While cleaning my closet last fall, fond memories of Berkeley Tuolumne Camp came flooding back after finding a trove of BTC tee shirts from past years. While I contemplated keeping them, the concept of Wabi-sabi sprang to mind. Not easy to define, Wabi-sabi represents a “comprehensive aesthetic centered on the acceptance of transience and imperfection”. It can also mean “a sense of serene melancholy and a spiritual longing (brought on by an object)”. It acknowledges three simple realities: “nothing lasts, nothing is finished, and nothing is perfect”. Wabi now refers also to rustic simplicity, or wisdom in natural simplicity. This reminded me of the spirit I associate with Tuolumne. With this in mind, I was inspired to simplify my closet, and to re-purpose the tee shirts into a BTC memory quilt.
A New Quilt by Beth Stone, a longtime Camper
I used many of our family shirts, and received quite a few donated shirts from other campers and staff. I am now about 2/3 of the way done. I want to finish the quilt this spring, and I need about ten more shirts to complete the total number of blocks needed. Please look in your own closets, and donate additional shirts to Scott Gelfand, (scott@fobtc.com).
Thank you for donations; I hope to eventually see the quilt in the dining hall of BTC when it is rebuilt and opens once again.
Sincerely,
Beth Stone (30+ year camping history with BTC)
https://www.fobtc.com/wp-content/uploads/FOBTC_logo_and_type1.png00Scott Gelfandhttps://www.fobtc.com/wp-content/uploads/FOBTC_logo_and_type1.pngScott Gelfand2015-01-27 23:45:372015-01-27 23:45:37One campers’ inspiration to design a Quilt!
