<![CDATA[Official Site of Friends of Camp Mather | FoCM - News & Blog]]>Wed, 03 Jun 2026 19:52:05 -0700Weebly<![CDATA[Volunteers Pre-Camp Work Party]]>Tue, 26 May 2026 07:00:00 GMThttps://www.campmather.org/news--blog/volunteers-pre-camp-work-partyVolunteers organized and were getting camp ready with a pre-camp work party. New curtains were hung and memories were created. Get ready 2026!
]]><![CDATA[Yosemite Firefall 2026]]>Wed, 04 Feb 2026 21:17:46 GMThttps://www.campmather.org/news--blog/yosemite-firefall-2026
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For the first time in three years, no reservations are required to view Yosemite’s famous Firefall phenomenon this February. The projected viewing period runs from February 10 through February 26, when the setting sun may illuminate Horsetail Fall on El Capitan’s eastern edge in a brilliant orange glow.

The National Park Service is encouraging visitors to arrive early, park once for the day, and be prepared for winter conditions. With the reservation system dropped, larger crowds are expected, especially on Presidents’ Day weekend. And a reminder: Highway 120 across Tioga Pass remains closed for the season.

Photo credit: Carlos Avila Gonzalez for the San Francisco Chronicle.
]]><![CDATA[Work at Camp Mather this Summer 2026!]]>Wed, 04 Feb 2026 21:11:23 GMThttps://www.campmather.org/news--blog/work-at-camp-mather-summer-2026Would you like to spend the summer working or volunteering at Camp Mather? There are lots of ways to get involved. Friends of Camp Mather and our friends at the San Francisco Recreation and Park Department are recruiting for several roles, including:

  • Camp Mather General Store: FoCM operates the General Store with its soda fountain and variety of food, drinks, and sundries. The Store Manager is recruiting clerks for the Summer 2026 season—a great summer job with free room and board at Camp. Email Claudia Reinhart, General Store Manager at rockgarden13@hotmail.com with a CC to store@campmather.org to learn more.
  • SFRPD Camp Staff Positions: The San Francisco Recreation and Park Department is hiring for multiple seasonal positions at Camp Mather including Camp Assistants, Recreation Leaders, and Lifeguards. Positions run from mid-May through early September. 
  • Volunteer Naturalists: FoCM’s Volunteer Naturalist program connects families with the natural and cultural history of the Sierra Nevada through guided walks, workshops, and hands-on activities. VNs commit to one or two weeks during the summer season and receive guaranteed camping at the dedicated Volunteer Naturalist tent site plus meals. Email Allyson Bishop at abishop@campmather.org to learn more.
]]><![CDATA[Will Your Design Win the 2026 Camp Mather T-Shirt Contest?]]>Wed, 04 Feb 2026 19:15:33 GMThttps://www.campmather.org/news--blog/2026-camp-mather-t-shirt-contest
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A big shout-out to artists and aspiring designers who’d like help Friends of Camp Mather imagine the annual Camp Mather commemorative and collectible t-shirt design!

  • 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 28, 2026 to tshirt@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!
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