Four weeks ago, Camp Mendocino opened its doors to campers for the first time since 2019. Camp Director, Sara Richardson, reflects, “It has been such a joy to feel the spirit of Camp return to the redwoods after what has been an immensely challenging time for all of us. Seeing our campers' huge smiles as they sit around the campfire, try an activity for the first time or bond with a new friend fills me with so much hope for our post-pandemic world.”

Every day this summer, youth from Kindergarten - 8th grade participate in hands-on activities that advance learning, build health and life skills, and provide social and emotional support. Literacy programming, STEM projects, maker spaces, and arts & crafts are integrated into the summer curriculum. Weeks are themed to keep the programming fresh and youth highly engaged. This summer, themes include Around The World, Outer Space, Superheroes, Under The Sea, and Club Olympics. 

Our organization has a long history of supporting youth during times of change and crisis, which meant that the framework for engaging with these crucial topics – the culture of trust and open communication – was already in place. But the events of last year helped us to recognize that we needed to be more intentional about bringing anti-racism into our programming. This is an ongoing process, but we’re making real progress and continually moving forward, always with the goal of doing whatever it takes to help our youth succeed.