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.

Would 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 [email protected] with a CC to [email protected] 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 [email protected] to learn more.

Curtains for Camp

For most of us, Camp Mather’s unhurried pace and simple amenities are the whole point. But let’s face it: there are times when bare cabins and cold floors can be a little too… rustic.

That’s why, among the many contributions made by Friends of Camp Mather over the years, one of our most enduring, hands-on efforts has been to improve campers’ comfort by supplying new curtains for every cabin. The curtains donated by FoCM and our volunteers provide privacy and help keep cabins cooler during hot summer days.

You may have heard volunteers mention them at Camp. But did you know that every curtain is hand-sewn by FoCM volunteers using donated supplies? 

We Want You!

The Camp Mather curtain replacement project for Summer 2026 is now in full swing. Can you help? Sewers of all ages welcome—only modest sewing skill is required.

The work is all simple straight-stitch seams and pressing. You need just a basic sewing machine and an iron. We will provide the fabric (already cut to size), thread, easy instructions, and a sample to follow. 

Currently, about 25 cabins are in need of new curtains, and each cabin requires approximately 6–8 panels. Whether you have time to sew just a few or many, every curtain helps.

This year’s sewing must be completed by early May, so that curtains can be installed before Camp opens the first week of June.. Let’s see how many we can knock off!

Please Volunteer Today!

I’ll repeat: we’re talking really simple straight-stitch sewing. Every single curtain will help improve campers’ experience this summer. It’s an easy and fun way to support Camp and build connection with the Camp Mather community.

Contact curtain project coordinator Linda Litehiser today to get involved.
Email linda.litehi (at) gmail.com or text 415-516-9224