Help Us Help Camp
Our mission is to promote, enhance, protect and support the traditional, recreational, social, environmental and historic aspects of Camp Mather.
|
Monthly Meetings
Come join us! Offer a suggestion, voice your opinion or just hear what's going on with Camp. Meetings Calendar |
Welcome
|
This Friends of Camp Mather website provides guidance and information to new and old campers alike. Here you will find news and information on Camp Mather itself, week specific information as available, background information on Friends of Camp Mather, and much more.
Camp Mather is the San Francisco family camp that was built as a sawmill for the construction of the O'Shaughnessy Dam in the 1920's 150 miles east of San Francisco near the Hetch Hetchy Valley. The border of Yosemite National Park is a mile up the road and Yosemite Valley is 18 miles south. The camp is beloved by many as an off-the-grid refuge from city life and is a treasure for generations of SF families. |
Connect with Us:
Looking for Camp Registration?
Friends of Camp Mather is not involved with the San Francisco Recreation and Park reservation process for Camp Mather. For reservation information call the Camp Mather Desk of San Francisco Rec. & Park at 415-831-2715 or email them at matherreservations@sfgov.org. Applications can be found here.
|
Updates
Calling All Artists, Designers, and T-Shirt Wearers!
Friends,
Happy 2022! We're excited at the prospect of returning to Camp Mather this summer. And in that spirit, we are once again calling on all artists and aspiring designers to help us imagine the annual Camp Mather.
If your answer is yes, we want to see your design!
Please email your design by February 15, 2022, to focm@campmather.org for consideration.
Some technical nitty-gritty: Designs must be submitted as a high-quality digital image file, such as an Illustrator, EPS, SVG, or other vector format file. Also, remember that your design will need to be silk-screened onto a colored t-shirt, so clear, bold lines work best. Shading and color make images more difficult to use.
All proceeds from the shirt sales will benefit Friends of Camp Mather. We can’t wait to see your design!
Happy 2022! We're excited at the prospect of returning to Camp Mather this summer. And in that spirit, we are once again calling on all artists and aspiring designers to help us imagine the annual Camp Mather.
- Do you have a creative idea for a t-shirt design inspired by Camp Mather?
- Would you like to see your great design worn by hundreds of campers?
- Does the idea of your design accented with a bit of camp dirt or splashed with colorful tie-dye fill you with joy?
- Is the chance to win $100 and a free t-shirt the icing on the cake?
If your answer is yes, we want to see your design!
Please email your design by February 15, 2022, to focm@campmather.org for consideration.
Some technical nitty-gritty: Designs must be submitted as a high-quality digital image file, such as an Illustrator, EPS, SVG, or other vector format file. Also, remember that your design will need to be silk-screened onto a colored t-shirt, so clear, bold lines work best. Shading and color make images more difficult to use.
All proceeds from the shirt sales will benefit Friends of Camp Mather. We can’t wait to see your design!
Friends,
It’s a new year, and an opportunity to treasure old friends and fresh beginnings alike. We are thrilled and grateful that 2022 promises a return to Camp Mather.
2022 Camp Mather lottery is ending soon!
A reminder that San Francisco Recreation and Parks Department is conducting a lottery for cabin and campsite reservations. The lottery will close this coming Thursday, January 6, 2022 – learn more and enroll at sfrecpark.org/campmather.
Friends of Camp Mather board meeting and election
The board of directors of Friends of Camp Mather meets monthly on the first Wednesday of the month. A portion of every meeting is open to the general public, and we hope you will attend! The next meeting is scheduled for this coming Wednesday, January 5, 2022 at 7 PM and will be conducted virtually due to current COVID-19 conditions. See the agenda and Zoom meeting link on our web site.
A special note: at the January meeting, we will be electing a new Board of Directors for 2022. The current board will propose a recommended slate of directors. Any general member also can propose a slate during the meeting, and we invite you to do so. In accordance with our organization’s bylaws, the board will consider and vote upon all presented slates. Learn more about the Board of Directors on our web site.
Work at Camp Mather!
San Francisco Recreation and Parks Department is currently hiring Camp Assistants for the Summer 2022 season. Camp Assistants work with other camp staff to ensure guests experience a sense of community and enjoy a wonderful vacation – and it’s a great work opportunity for young people returning to Camp or coming for the first time. This position requires a high level of physical effort as well as strong customer-service skills. Learn more at https://smrtr.io/7t7qr.
Look for more updates from Friends of Camp Mather soon. For now, we wish you and your loved ones a healthy and happy year to come.
It’s a new year, and an opportunity to treasure old friends and fresh beginnings alike. We are thrilled and grateful that 2022 promises a return to Camp Mather.
2022 Camp Mather lottery is ending soon!
A reminder that San Francisco Recreation and Parks Department is conducting a lottery for cabin and campsite reservations. The lottery will close this coming Thursday, January 6, 2022 – learn more and enroll at sfrecpark.org/campmather.
Friends of Camp Mather board meeting and election
The board of directors of Friends of Camp Mather meets monthly on the first Wednesday of the month. A portion of every meeting is open to the general public, and we hope you will attend! The next meeting is scheduled for this coming Wednesday, January 5, 2022 at 7 PM and will be conducted virtually due to current COVID-19 conditions. See the agenda and Zoom meeting link on our web site.
A special note: at the January meeting, we will be electing a new Board of Directors for 2022. The current board will propose a recommended slate of directors. Any general member also can propose a slate during the meeting, and we invite you to do so. In accordance with our organization’s bylaws, the board will consider and vote upon all presented slates. Learn more about the Board of Directors on our web site.
Work at Camp Mather!
San Francisco Recreation and Parks Department is currently hiring Camp Assistants for the Summer 2022 season. Camp Assistants work with other camp staff to ensure guests experience a sense of community and enjoy a wonderful vacation – and it’s a great work opportunity for young people returning to Camp or coming for the first time. This position requires a high level of physical effort as well as strong customer-service skills. Learn more at https://smrtr.io/7t7qr.
Look for more updates from Friends of Camp Mather soon. For now, we wish you and your loved ones a healthy and happy year to come.
Giving Tuesday
Friends,
Camp Mather is scheduled to reopen next summer, but we need your help today.
This winter, Friends of Camp Mather already is preparing and working to help Camp and its users. From big expenses like a brand-new sports court, to ongoing needs such as naturalist supplies, to cabin comforts such as a new dresser or mattress... these are just some of the ways the work of Friends of Camp Mather supports and enhances the Camp experience.
But none of this is possible without the generosity of supporters like you, because Friends of Camp Mather relies on donations from campers and the community to do our work. Funds raised by Friends of Camp Mather go right back to Camp — with practically zero overhead and an all-volunteer Board of Directors and staff, your gift will be put to great use.
This Giving Tuesday and beyond, consider making a donation to Friends of Camp Mather. Whether you are able to make a one-time gift of $35, $65, or $125 — or an ongoing pledge every month — your contribution is a vital part of improving the Mather experience for everyone.
Friends of Camp Mather is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, so your donation not only will support Camp, but also may qualify as a charitable deduction for federal income tax purposes. Consult with your tax adviser or the IRS to determine whether your contribution is deductible.
Please make a donation today. Your gift will make a difference and enhance every camper’s experience… next summer and in the years to come.
Camp Mather Will Open in 2022
Friends,
We’re thankful to share that Camp Mather will be back for the summer of 2022!
As in past years, San Francisco Recreation and Parks Department will be conducting a lottery for cabin and campsite reservations. Mark your calendars to enter the lottery, which will begin on Thursday, December 2, 2021, and close on Thursday, January 6, 2022.
The lottery is beginning with a clean slate for 2022; no priority will be given to reservations that have been cancelled in previous years. And please note that for this year, proof of COVID-19 vaccination will be required for all vaccine-eligible campers. You can learn more about the lottery process and other Camp Mather policies at sfrecpark.org/campmather.
Look for more updates from Friends of Camp Mather soon. But for now, we simply are grateful for the opportunity to reconnect with Camp Mather and our community. We wish campers, volunteers, and staff a wonderful holiday.
Happy Holidays!
We’re thankful to share that Camp Mather will be back for the summer of 2022!
As in past years, San Francisco Recreation and Parks Department will be conducting a lottery for cabin and campsite reservations. Mark your calendars to enter the lottery, which will begin on Thursday, December 2, 2021, and close on Thursday, January 6, 2022.
The lottery is beginning with a clean slate for 2022; no priority will be given to reservations that have been cancelled in previous years. And please note that for this year, proof of COVID-19 vaccination will be required for all vaccine-eligible campers. You can learn more about the lottery process and other Camp Mather policies at sfrecpark.org/campmather.
Look for more updates from Friends of Camp Mather soon. But for now, we simply are grateful for the opportunity to reconnect with Camp Mather and our community. We wish campers, volunteers, and staff a wonderful holiday.
Happy Holidays!
Camp Mather to Remain Closed for Summer 2021
SF Rec and Park has shared the unfortunate news that Camp Mather will remain closed for the summer of 2021, due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. While we are sad to imagine a second straight summer without Mather, we understand that the current circumstances would make it impossible to properly ensure the safety of guests and staff. So while it was surely a difficult decision, it was clearly the right one.
We now look forward even more to the day that we can safely return to Mather, to enjoy a swim in Birch Lake and share a meal with family and friends in the Jack Spring Dining Hall. Though we've never been accused of taking Mather for granted, it's safe to say we will appreciate it more the next time we visit.
You can read more details on this summer's closure in this article from the SF Chronicle.
We now look forward even more to the day that we can safely return to Mather, to enjoy a swim in Birch Lake and share a meal with family and friends in the Jack Spring Dining Hall. Though we've never been accused of taking Mather for granted, it's safe to say we will appreciate it more the next time we visit.
You can read more details on this summer's closure in this article from the SF Chronicle.
Seasons Greetings from FoCM
Hello Campers, we hope you are all doing well and staying safe during this holiday season.
Like many of you, we missed Mather quite a bit during this past year. While we wait to learn when Mather will be able to open again, we thought it might be nice to share some Mather memories with everyone.
FoCM volunteer Kirk Fetzer has created a slideshow called "Camp Mather in Seasons". Images of Mather in the wintertime are set against photos of summer memories. While Mather "sleeps" for the winter, we all look forward to the day that we can return to create new memories. Thanks to Kirk for creating this, and to everyone who shared photos with him.
The video can be watched here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=BlL8CRbxxJY
We also wanted to take a moment to acknowledge the passing of a treasured Mather volunteer, and founding member of our Naturalist program, Matthew Cory. He generously shared his time and knowledge with Campers for many summers, and was a beloved member of the Mather community. He will be missed. You can learn more about his life here: https://www.fernwood.com/matthew-cory.
Please enjoy your holiday season, and we look forward to a time when we can all be together in person again
Like many of you, we missed Mather quite a bit during this past year. While we wait to learn when Mather will be able to open again, we thought it might be nice to share some Mather memories with everyone.
FoCM volunteer Kirk Fetzer has created a slideshow called "Camp Mather in Seasons". Images of Mather in the wintertime are set against photos of summer memories. While Mather "sleeps" for the winter, we all look forward to the day that we can return to create new memories. Thanks to Kirk for creating this, and to everyone who shared photos with him.
The video can be watched here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=BlL8CRbxxJY
We also wanted to take a moment to acknowledge the passing of a treasured Mather volunteer, and founding member of our Naturalist program, Matthew Cory. He generously shared his time and knowledge with Campers for many summers, and was a beloved member of the Mather community. He will be missed. You can learn more about his life here: https://www.fernwood.com/matthew-cory.
Please enjoy your holiday season, and we look forward to a time when we can all be together in person again
|
Invite Camp Mather into your inbox!
Monthly meeting notice and occasional special announcements such as lottery sign-up reminder, raffle/auction info. and similar. |
Help Us Help Camp Mather this Year!
Please consider giving to FoCM. FoCM is a 501(C)3 non-profit. 100% of all donations are used directly at Camp (examples.) |