Welcome to Camp It Up!
An Overview
Now in its 19th year, Camp It Up! is a place where joy and community come together for a magical week in August! It’s a space to be yourself, to let us do the cooking, to wake up to clear blue skies, to know your
children are happy and well-cared for, to live with other lesbian/gay families and friends — an experience that will light up your spirit throughout the year. Why do families return time and again? Because there
is absolutely nothing that feels as good as Camp It Up! Come discover the magic for your family!
Camp It Up! exists to create community, to give each and every camper an experience that is outrageously fun, to give individuals the time and opportunity to discover new talents, to relax into and appreciate
living more simply, without the flash and hectic pace of our city lives. We give families the space to enjoy each other, to play together, to talk, to float down a river with their inner tubes tied together,
to tie-dye, to dance together. At camp, it is commonplace to see children of all ages (yes, even teenagers) and their parents actively engaged with each other, truly enjoying each other’s company, holding hands,
leaning on each other, smiling those smiles that we all cherish. There are countless moments to treasure at camp.
As the first lesbian/gay family camp in the country, we take a certain pride in creating a community that embraces both our diversity and commonality, and supports all families and family members. We believe that
all parents — single, partnered, lesbian, gay, bisexual or heterosexual, as well as children, grandparents, aunts, uncles and special friends — create unique family structures that should be nurtured and respected.
That’s what we’re here for and that’s what we’ve been about all along.
We invite you to enjoy the beauty and protected environment of Oakland Feather River Camp in the Sierra Gold Country (just outside Quincy, California) and the activities that await you: swimming, hiking, visiting
with friends, volleyball, dances, games, campfire sing-alongs, horseback riding and so much more!
You have a choice of staying with us for 3, 4, or 7 nights in rustic wood or tent cabins, many with electricity. We’ll do the cooking, serving up three healthy meals a day, served buffet-style in the large dining
hall.
There’s always something to do at Camp, with a variety of programs and activities for children, adults and families in:
- Visual and creative arts (jewelry-making, tie-dye, fimo, shrinky-dinks, murals)
- Theater (Camp musical, talent show, workshops)
- Sports (softball, hiking, biking, our very own “Family Flotilla”)
- Outdoor education (river walks, star-gazing, night hikes)
- Healing arts (Family Spa and Salon, Massage)
- Carpentry (beautiful and useful objets d’art for you to take home)
- Activities that absolutely defy being categorized (hair coloring, “Disco Bingo“, "Wild String” and "The House Beautiful Tour")
Our Children's Program includes a minimum of eight age-clustered children's groups including two special groups for teens. Our Specialists, who work with both children and adults in Art, Music, Drama and Sports, and
are assisted by “camper-teachers” who offer specialized programs in such things as Afro-Latin drumming and silk-painting.
While activities are offered from early morning through the evening, they are all optional.
History
Camp It Up! held its first summer camp in August, 1990 at Berkeley Tuolomne Camp, with approximately 130 adults and children attending. It was a spectacular week; campers, feeling like pioneers,
shared an excitement that was palpable throughout the camp session.
In the twenty years since its inception, Camp It Up! has served over 2,000 campers. Our campers are an eclectic mix: lesbian and gay, single parent, adoptive, multi-racial and heterosexual families, as well as
adults without children.
Some camp favorites over the years include dances (music provided by our very own band!), tie-dye, talent shows, all-camp musical productions, overnights, an annual spa and salon, camper-staff softball games and theme
day activities. We’re always coming up with new favorites too!
Our administrative staff includes a Director, Program and Staff Supervisor, Counselor-in-Training Coordinator, Administrative Manager, Web Master, Marketing Manager, Bookkeeper and Database Manager. Our incredible
Program Staff members — approximately 35 each summer session — have typically grown up in our camper community. We estimate that some 200 staff members have shared their talents with us over the years. Our very
popular Counselor-in-Training program trains approximately 20 teenagers each summer. Many of these young people will go on to counseling and/or administrative positions at Camp It Up! Some have built careers working
with children, inspired by their Camp It Up! experience.
Over the years, we have seen a generation of children grow from babies to college students. Our community has celebrated many births, adoptions, commitment ceremonies, career changes, retirements and other life rituals.
We have also known the shared grief of losing both adult campers and children. This shared joy and loss are the ties that bind us together as we grow. Since our inception, Camp It Up! has provided individuals and families
with new and cherished friends, with a home and community, and with a safe space in which to feel validated and esteemed. Countless campers and staff have remarked that Camp has changed their lives in innumerable and
inestimable ways. As many of “our kids” go off to college (many returning each year to work as staff), they write in their college essays that Camp It Up! is the one thing that has most shaped their view of family
and community.
Lodging and Camp Site Facilities
Cabins
Wood and tent cabins, many with electricity, are available. All accommodations have cots/beds and dressers. Wheelchair accessible tent cabins are also available. Some cabins overlook the river; others are nestled
among the trees. Some are located close to the center of camp and some are more remote for those who like a quieter environment. After you register, we will ask you about your lodging preferences so that you can
“live” near your friends, have access to electricity and whatever else would make your stay at camp most enjoyable.
Bathhouses
Each cluster of cabins share a bathhouse with private showers, abundant hot water and toilet facilities. The central area
of camp also has a large bathhouse with showers and a bathtub. Bathhouses have electricity with outlets for small appliances.
Laundry
There is a large laundry room with coin-operated washers and dryers available for campers to use. Bring quarters and laundry detergent or pick that up in nearby Quincy.
Camp Store
The place to get your hoodies and goodies! Set up a charge account at the camp store so that you and your kids can pick up miscellaneous supplies and sodas, ice cream cones and milk shakes. Sitting in the center
of camp, kicking back and enjoying your favorite flavor is a very popular activity!
Camp Site Map
Dining
Delicious, bountiful and healthy meals are served, buffet-style, each day. Vegetarian and dairy-free meals are readily available; most special diets can also be accommodated by the camp Food Service Manager.
We offer bag lunches, prepared for those who plan to go out of camp during the noon meal. And twice during camp, we have a children's dinner first, then a peaceful "adults-only" dinner, while the staff run a special
evening children's program. Needless to say (or, as you can imagine), the adults-only meals are a camper favorite! For the in-between times, coffee, tea, cocoa and snacks are available in the Dining Hall, starting
at 7am each morning.
If you need to bring particular food for yourself or your children, there is a special camper kitchen where you can store your food. If you have particular food needs, please feel free to contact the Director to
discuss the menu with her prior to camp.
Medical Care
On-site medical care is provided by a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner and a Doctor. Daily office hours for non-urgent conditions are posted at the Communications Center and on the door of the Medical Office. Urgent medical care (at camp, that's usually scraped knees, stubbed toes, sore throats) is available on-site and at the Plumas District, located just 20 minutes away, in the town of Quincy. We promise to take very good care of you!
“Pitching In” - Our Co-op Program
Camp It Up! is a village — communal and happy. Most everyone (adults who are able) jumps in by helping in some part of the camp program, pitching in for two to four hours during the week. What might you be doing?
Assisting with a meal set-up, organizing and leading a bike ride, yoga class, discussion, maybe helping out with the Camp musical. We’ll ask ahead of time what you’d like to do and when. Campers enjoy participating
actively in our community through our Co-op Program.