Environmental Education

Summer Day Camp

Summer Day Camp is a cooperative project of Gateway Education and Del Norte County Unified School District, which is hosted by Smith River Alliance at Rock Creek Ranch. It is open to Del Norte County youth between the ages of 9 and 14. The 2011 session of camp will be July 25-29.

Camp Activities

Now in its ninth year, camp strives to educate participants about the natural resources available in the Smith River National Recreation Area. Based at Rock Creek Ranch on the South Fork of the Smith River, the group will learn about different plants and wildlife, river ecology, early pioneers, native Americans, and the role of service and volunteerism plays in a community.

The day camp curriculum includes supervised skill-building exercises to support the development of 1) leadership, self-esteem and team building skills, 2) an awareness of why Del Norte County is a great place to live and 3) an understanding of the importance of community service. In addition, counselors serve as role models and mentors for campers throughout the session.

Activities include:

• Nature Walks
• Crafts
• Games
• Sketching
• Create a Journal
• Special Project

Camp Staff

Counselors and support (including meals and insurance) for the Day Camp have come from Americorps, the California Conservation Corps, the Humboldt Area Foundation, Redwood National and State Parks, Del Norte County Mental Health Drug and Alcohol Program, the Rotary Club, Soroptomists, Red Cross, the Gateway Partnership, the Yurok Tribe, and the Smith River Alliance. All counselors attend special pre-camp training.

For more information about this program contact: Gateway Education Coordinator Ron Cole at (707) 954-7666 or visit the Gateway Education website.

The day camp is located at Rock Creek Ranch, a site rich in local history and strategically situated along the wild and scenic South Fork Smith River.