Friends,

As the cold and bluster of an early winter storm approaches, a warm summer at Camp Mather can feel a world away. But we need your help today.

The work of Friends of Camp to support and enhance the camp experience includes:

• Big expenses like upgrades to equipment in the General Store…
• Ongoing needs such as naturalist supplies… 
• Cabin comforts such as a new dresser or mattress...
• And more.

But none of this is possible without the generosity of friends like you, because we rely 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.

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.

​After 20 years of service, Friends of Camp Mather’s Treasurer is retiring from Treasurer duties. She leaves big shoes to fill—are you the person to fill them?

Friends of Camp Mather are seeking a volunteer Treasurer with experience in finance or accounting to join our Board of Directors. This person will be responsible for managing accounts receivable, accounts payable, coordinating insurance, tax filings, payroll, and other needs for our organization and the Camp Mather General Store.

If you love Mather and the General Store, this is a great opportunity to show your support and build connections in the community. If interested, please email [email protected] with a bit of information about your background, and we will be in touch.

Please note that this is a volunteer position. Our board members do not accept compensation, as we want to ensure that all money we raise is put towards supporting and enhancing Camp Mather and the experience of the camper community.

Why not have the best summer of your life?

Just four hours from San Francisco, tucked into the breathtaking forest of the Sierras is Camp Mather, a summer camp that has created treasured memories for San Francisco families for nearly a century. I spent eleven consecutive summers at Camp Mather from 2005 until 2016 before joining the staff as a camp assistant in 2019. 

2019 was the best summer of my entire life. 

To rewind a bit, my childhood revolved around Camp Mather. My family went various weeks but eventually settled consistently on the week of fourth of July, along with about five other families who loved Mather as much as we did. To this day, three years after my summer on staff, I can confidently say I think about camp every single day. 

Mather was our place to just be. Some days we spent hours playing sports, horseback riding, or exploring Yosemite, and others were spent simply laying at Birch Lake from breakfast until dinner, stopping only for lunch and a daily General Store ice cream. Evenings at Mather were nothing short of magical, from campfires, to stargazing, to talent shows, and of course, the highly anticipated teen versus staff capture the flag. 

Being a camper at Mather is a week of rest for the soul, with no texts, no calls, no emails, and minimal commitment to just about anything. I could write an entire novel about my camp takeaways, but I will leave you with the two most important: 

First, I developed a deep passion for the outdoors that shaped my personality and perception of the world and people around me. Second, I knew I would be a counselor one day, filling the shoes of the hilarious, kind young adults who make Mather so special. 

Flash forward to 2019. I started work Memorial Day Weekend in a complete snowstorm and within the first twelve hours, I felt surrounded by people I had known forever. With about seventy staff members aged between 18 and 30, the counselors quickly become a close-knit family. My coworkers came from every single walk of life and background, and the only clear denominator between any of us was a love for adventure (and a great sense of humor). 

The Camp Mather General Store manager is recruiting candidates who'd like to serve as store clerks during the Summer 2023 camp season. Duties include customer service, cashiering, record keeping, inventory tasks from ordering to display, soda fountain tasks, cleaning including janitorial, store opening/closing, and other duties as assigned while maintaining a safe work environment.

Store Clerk positions are seasonal May 15 through mid- September, non-exempt full time (30-40 hrs. a week). The shifts may be up to 6 days a week, day, night, holidays, and weekends. Compensation is $17/hr with free room and board at Camp.

If you're interested, please email a note and resume to the General Manager at [email protected], with a CC to [email protected]. We plan to conduct interviews with candidates in late March/early April, 2023.

The Camp Mather General Store is located on-site at Camp Mather at the intersection of Evergreen Road and Hetch Hetchy Road, a one-hour drive to Yosemite Valley. The store stocks a variety of food, drinks, and sundry items the guests and staff may need at camp, as well as serving tourists staying nearby or passing through on their way to Hetch Hetchy. The General Store has a large deck and an active soda fountain featuring ice cream cones, milkshakes, floats, and many other treats.

​Camp Mather General Store is operated by the Friends of Camp Mather, a 501(c)3 non-profit. Its mission is to support the programs and the environment of Camp Mather; all profits go back into camp. The Friends of Camp Mather is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

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