Official Site of Friends of Camp Mather | FoCM
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Help Us Help Camp

Our mission is to promote, enhance, protect and support the traditional, recreational, social, environmental and historic aspects of Camp Mather.
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Monthly Board Meetings Are Open to the Public
Come join us! Offer a suggestion, voice your opinion or just hear what's going on with Camp. Our monthly meetings are currently held online. Click here for our meeting calendar and to connect via Zoom.

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?

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​​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.


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Updates

The Friends of Camp Mather Annual Gala 2022

Our annual fundraiser is set for September 17, 2022. Buy your Tickets today and Donations made easy, if you can't attend.
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CAMP IS OPEN FOR WEEK 6!

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Update: Temporary Camp Closure

San Francisco Recreation and Parks (SFRPD) has informed us that Camp Mather will be closed Weeks 4 and 5 (June 26–July 9, 2022) due to a Covid-related staff shortage. Campers registered for these weeks will be contacted by the SFRPD management team with options for potential rescheduling or refund.

We are disappointed, but we do hope Camp will reopen for the remaining weeks of summer. Friends of Camp Mather is in touch with SFRPD team and will share any news as we get it.

Please visit the official SFRPD Camp Mather web page for any last-minute updates and news.



​Friends of Camp Mather T-Shirt Available at Camp!

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Friends,
It’s mid-June. The days are warming and the summer rhythms at Camp Mather are returning… dragonflies buzzing, swimmers splashing in Birch Lake, and campers tie-dying t-shirts behind the General Store.
2022 T-shirt now available in the General StoreEach year, Friends of Camp Mather releases a unique t-shirt to commemorate our summer at camp. Collecting (and perhaps tie-dying) these unique t-shirts is a beloved tradition among campers.
The 2022 design was created by camper Kevin V. and was the winner of this year’s design contest. Thank you to Kevin and everyone who submitted such great designs! The t-shirts look awesome and are available in a great green color as well as white, suitable for tie-dying. Get yours at the Camp Mather General Store.





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​Drinks, treats, and sundries at the Camp Mather General Store
Besides t-shirts, hats, and other commemorative Friends of Camp Mather gear, all manner of essential items, from sundries to snacks to wine and beer are available at the Camp Mather General Store. And new this year, the General Store is offering specialty coffee drinks along with ice cream treats and more. The store is operated by the Friends of Camp Mather for the enjoyment of campers. All profits support our mission and the improvement of Camp.
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P.S.This summer’s season at Camp Mather is underway! Please be sure to check out the San Francisco Recreation and Parks department web site for any late news and updated information about Camp procedures and policies.

Packing Advice from Friends of Camp Mather

Friends,
The first week of Camp Mather is coming fast! This week’s warm weather in the Bay Area has us daydreaming about a lazy afternoon on the grass lawn or floating in Birch Lake. Oh, wait...! Did we remember to pack the floaties and sunscreen? Fret not. We’ve got you covered with helpful packing advice right here.

Updated Camp Mather packing list.
Whether you’re an old hand or a first-time camper, it can be a scramble to get ready for a week up at Camp Mather. Fortunately, we’ve assembled a list of suggested items to pack that will help you relax. And this year, it’s all packaged up in a handy, printable Friends of Camp Mather packing list that you can download. Be sure to check it out!

Camp Mather General Store has you covered.
Don't panic if you forget something. All manner of essential items, from sundries to snacks to wine and beer are available at the Camp Mather General Store. The store is operated by the Friends of Camp Mather for the enjoyment of campers. All profits support our mission and the improvement of Camp.

P.S.
Speaking of being prepared as your week approaches, be sure to check out the San Francisco Recreation and Parks department web site for any late news and updated information about this summer's Camp procedures and policies.

YOSEMITE UPDATE Summer 2022

This year visitors to Yosemite  will need RESERVATIONS to enter the Park. If you plan to visit Yosemite when you are Mather you will need a RESERVATION. Please see the park's web site for more details.

May Update from Friends of Camp Mather

Friends,
The first week of Camp Mather is just a month away, and we're sure we're not the only ones counting down the days! We are grateful for the hard work we know the staff is putting in to get Camp is great shape for guests. Whether you have confirmed reservations or are on the waitlist, be sure to check out updated information about this summer's Camp procedures and policies on the San Francisco Recreation and Parks department web site.​


​​Camp Mather General Store Is Hiring

Camp Mather General Store is located in the heart of camp and stocks a variety of food, drinks, and sundry items, as well as an active soda fountain featuring ice cream cones, milkshakes, floats, and many other treats. The store is operated by Friends of Camp Mather to serve campers, staff, and other visitors.

The General Store manager is recruiting candidates who'd like to serve as store clerks during the Summer 2022 camp season. It’s a great summer job with free room and board at Camp. If you'd like to learn more, please review the full job description and application here on our web site.

​Work at Camp Mather this Summer

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.​

​Give Back to Camp

​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.
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Happy Holidays!



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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.)



​Friends of Camp Mather | FoCM@campmather.org | 415-570-8593
PO Box 320542 San Francisco, CA 94132-0542
Camp Mather Reservation Desk | SF Recreation + Parks
Camp: 35250 Mather Road, Groveland, California 95321-9717
FoCM is a 501(C)3 Non-Profit Organization | Privacy Policy
  • Home
  • Fall Fundraiser 2022
  • Camp News
  • Camp Details
    • General Camp Information
    • Contact Camp Mather | SFR+P
    • Directions to Camp
    • Camp Rules
    • Trails + Hikes
    • What to Pack
    • Camp History >
      • Camp History
      • Historical Photos
      • Camp Mather 1949 Plan
  • Meet FoCM
    • What FoCM Has Done for Camp >
      • FoCM Donations to Camp
      • FoCM Volunteer Leaders
      • Past Volunteers
    • About FoCM
    • FoCM Naturalists >
      • Miwok Acorn Cooking
    • Meetings
    • FoCM at CAMP
    • The Raffle
    • Contact FoCM
    • FoCM Board of Directors
  • General Store
  • Donate