Fam Camps - www.calroundtable.org.

FamCamp®
Program
Launched
at Castaic Lake
FamCamp® Program
Launched at Castaic Lake
On April 1, California State Parks
and the Los Angeles County
Department
of
Parks
and
Recreation launched the first
locally
operated
FamCamp®
Program at Castaic Lake State
Recreation Area (SRA) in Southern
California. Under this two-year
pilot program, LA County staff will
coordinate with the State Parks
Office of Community Involvement
to provide camping opportunities
for Southern California youth and
adults who may not otherwise
have the opportunity to enjoy a
camping experience.
FamCamp®
A Program of California
State Parks and the
California
State
Parks
Foundation that began in
1994. It is the largest
statewide program that
introduces camping to
underserved areas of our
communities.
FamCamp®
The goals are:
• To
introduce
camping
to community groups who would
otherwise not have the opportunity
to have an overnight outdoor
recreation experience
• To strengthen human relations by
teaching a new form of recreation
FamCamp®
The goals are:
• To promote a safe, affordable
recreation activity that involves all
members of the community
• To encourage the use of State Parks
by community based organizations
and to help them meet their goals
for the community
FamCamp®
The FamCamp® program provides a
trailer full of camping equipment and
a campsite reserved at a State Park.
The campground is usually located
relatively close to an urban area and
is available during the prime camping
season. Ten of these FamCamp®
trailers are located throughout
California
and
each
one
accommodates up to 35 campers.
FamCamp®
The trailer contains tents, sleeping
bags, pads, stoves, lanterns, propane,
and other essential items for
camping. Participating groups need
only bring food, personal gear, and a
willingness to try out something
different. The groups are responsible
for the care of the equipment, proper
storage after use, and washing the
sleeping bag liners. If they wish, users
can make a donation to the California
State Parks Foundation to help with
equipment
maintenance
and
replacement.
FamCamp®
Advantages of the partnership
between CA State Parks & Los
Angeles County Parks
•LA County operates 174 parks –
many located in inner city
neighborhoods
•This provides a direct link to nontraditional park users and underserved communities.
FamCamp®
•
•
Who Qualifies and How to Get Started
FamCamp® is designed to introduce non-traditional users
to California State Parks and to the benefits of high quality
outdoor recreational experiences. In order to qualify as a
participant in the FamCamp program an organization must
meet the following criteria:
1. The organization must be a non-profit.
2. A representative from the organization, who will be
present during the entire FamCamp outing, must be
currently certified for FamCamp. In other words, the
representative/s must have attended the Outdoor
Recreation Leadership training within the past two years
of the requested reservation. FamCamp users must
recertify every two years. This fee based interactive
hands-on training equips adults with the skills and
confidence to lead outdoor recreation activities and
camping. Participants become proficient in setting-up,
using, and packing-up all of the camping equipment in the
FamCamp® trailer.
FamCamp®
What if you had an opportunity to learn the skills and techniques to take people
on an awesome outdoor adventure? What if you could gain these skills, have a
great time learning, and take a group out on an outdoor adventure? What if you
could make a difference in your community and the lives of people around you?
What if you could become a leader!?
Yes You Can!!!
FamCamp®
How?
With Outdoor Youth ConnectionTM (OYC)!
OYC connects youth with their peers, their
community, the great outdoors, and their own
leadership potential.
FamCamp®
Here’s what it is: Outdoor Youth ConnectionTM is a collaborative effort of
California State Parks, California State Parks Foundation, and Pacific
Leadership Institute, a San Francisco State University non-profit
organization. With funding provided through the Stewardship Council,
OYC provides teens ages 13 through 17 who are involved in community
based organizations experience in outdoor activities, teambuilding, and
camping. They are empowered with the opportunities to develop
leadership and life skills. With their new skills in outdoor activities, the
participants will organize and lead their own outdoor trips and projects
for their peers and community.
For More Information Contact CA State Parks Office of Community
Involvement or visit the State Parks website
Activities Included at Castaic Lake
Activities Included at Castaic Lake
Activities Included at Castaic Lake
Activities Included at Castaic Lake
Activities Included at Castaic Lake
Activities Included at Castaic Lake
Accomplishments Since April
1. 15 Los Angeles County Parks and Recreation Staff
were FamCamp certified through the hosting of an
Outdoor Recreation Leadership Training
2. With CA State Parks conducted 2 Outdoor Youth
Connection Programs
3. Hosted 10 groups for a FamCamp outing at Castaic
Lake
Accomplishments Since April
4. 395 mostly first time campers
a) 269 youth
b) 126 adults
Whats Happening in 2015
March 24, 25 & 26, 2015 - Outdoor Recreation Leadership
Training
June 2, 3 & 4, 2015 – ORL or OYC
June 26, 27 & 28, 2015 – Outdoor Youth Connection
August 7, 8 & 9, 2015 – Outdoor Youth Connection
Dates to be determined – Trainings for LA County Parks Staff
designed to introduce camping and overcome
barriers/fears of staff
For Questions or more information contact:
Castaic Lake Superintendent
Lori Bennett
(661) 257-4050
Lbennett@parks.lacounty.gov