About Family Camp

Family Camp is truly unique and extraordinary. Since everything about our week-long experience will be generated and enjoyed in community, no two camp experiences are ever alike. The activities offered and overarching themes of camp vary from year to year based on the contributions of the people attending.

Camp runs for one week. All campers are enrolling as participants in the schedule as designed. As such, we request that campers commit to participating for the full duration of camp. Former campers who have unavoidable timing conflicts and cannot start or end camp on the designated dates must get approval from the registration team.

We all sleep in tents between the redwoods on the beautiful land of Camp Loma in the Santa Cruz Mountains. 

Typical Daily Schedule

Each morning we will have a community gathering after breakfast held in the amphitheater to connect and bring focus to the day ahead. Members of our community will generate the day’s activities offering a variety of options for those that want to participate. An activity board will list what’s happening each day, subject to change.

Community Service

In order to maximize our individual and collective learning and enjoyment we will all share in the awe-inspiring tasks of making camp work. There is a multitude of community service opportunities (meal set-up, kitchen assistants, kids program, lifeguard assistants, etc.), distributed evenly amongst the adults, giving each of us about one job a day during the week. Our young people over the age of 12 will also participate in jobs around camp during the week.

Adult Activities

A central part of our experience at Camp Loma will be generated by you! This is a wonderful opportunity to get in touch with the “workshop leader” inside of you to offering your heart, creativity and wisdom to us all. Here is how it works: Each day (except for our free day on Wednesday) we will have “Choice Time” (a couple of hours in the morning and a longer period in the afternoon) which will allow you to offer or participate in an activity. Every morning during our community gathering, activities and workshops that are scheduled for that day will be announced and then it will be up to you to choose what you want to do (including doing nothing which is always an option.)

Children’s Program

We have approximately 10-25 children between the ages of 1 and 18 who attend camp each year. The intention is to have a constant stream of fun, creative, and engaging activities throughout the week, some of which will be available to kids and adults alike. In addition, basic art supplies, beading kits and clay available for independent use are always available.

Community Play

Some years, a theatrical play is offered as one of the activities. Participants who choose to participate gather with the Writer and Director to create a character for themselves. Each actor gets to choose what the character is (it can be anything!), how the character talks and walks, what the character wants, etc. The writer then creates a script and rehearsals begin. In less than a week from start to finish, the actors rehearse and perform the play, assisted by stage helpers, musicians, and the Director. Performances usually exhilarate the whole community, both audiences and performers. 

Skit and Talent Night

On the last night of camp we have our annual Family Camp Skit and Talent Night. Everyone is welcome and all are encouraged to participate in any way that you are inspired.

Healing Center

One of the blessings of our Community Camp is our Healing Center- a sacred space under the redwoods infused with nurturing and healing energy. It includes a Healing Tent for Bodywork practitioners to offer their loving services of acupuncture, massage, sound therapy, aromatherapy and restorative practices as well as a wide, open, quiet space for council circles, yoga, dance and other workshops. All happenings and healing services are offered within the spirit of our gifting culture.

Food

All meals are catered by our gourmet chef, Ruthie Praskins and her assistants. The food at camp is abundant, nutritious and delicious. The meals are mostly plant-based, organic and as locally-sourced as possible.Vegan and gluten-free options are always available. Between meals, beverages and light snacks are provided.

Safety and First Aid

Please bring your own basic first aid supplies to have available at your tent. We will also have a larger community size first-aid kit with basic emergency medical supplies available in our infirmary building.

Bathrooms

There are two facilities at our campsite with flush toilets, sinks and multiple hot water showers.

Weather

Expect 75 to 85 degree days when sunny (most probable) and chilly in the mornings and at night. Even though we are inland from the coast, the fog can still roll in, making the mornings and evenings cold and damp until the sun breaks through. It is best to be prepared for anything and a spot of summer rain is always a possibility as well. Layers are best.

Mosquitoes

Yes, they will be part of our community too (little buggers). So bring what you need to take care of yourself and your family (citronella, repellent, nets, etc.) Remember, this is a natural environment and there are critters and bugs that bite as well as poison oak off the main camping areas and trails so be aware and be prepared.