Camp Hi-SierraFriends of

The 2009 Camp season is just getting started, but everyone is already itching to get back to the Sierras! Especially since this year is the 60th anniversary of Camp Hi-Sierra, which is going to mean special 60th events. That means pay attention to your e-mail and calendar, cause you won't want to miss 'em. With all that's going on, this summer should prove to be the best it can possibly be. But then, that's how it always is at Hi-Sierra!

2009 Staff

• Camp Director: Ken Schott
• Program Director: Rohan Shahani

(both can also be contacted through this site's Contact form)

60th Anniversary of Camp

The 60th anniversary is coming up on us, and there's already an event occurring. On the 28th of February, a brainstorming session will be held at camp Chesborough to determine what further events everyone would like to see during this, the 60th year of camp. Lunch will be served to those who RSVP by the 20th of Feb. Attendees will include camp alumni, current staff, Scoutmasters attending camp, SPLS, and others. To download a pdf with info on this event, click here.

Adopt A Campsite Weekend

The Adopt-a-Campsite program has long been a part of Hi-Sierra's unique assortment of activities. This program allows individual troops to select one of our fifteen gorgeous campsites and thereafter be given priority (whenever possible) to stay in that campsite every summer they attend. The program strongly encourages the troop to do work projects on their adopted campsite, which will benefit them in the long run, since they will be returning to an improved site the next year (this does not preclude other troops from improving the site when in residence). That's the regular program. Now, on this coming Memorial Day weekend, troops will be encouraged to come to camp to work on their adopted campsites. This will likely include things such as setting up the tents (for which the staff says: Thank You!), completing a number of projects that the troop comes up with for improvement of the site, and possibly doing some work on some of the general camp facilities. It has been mentioned that scouts who are already members of the Tribe of Hi-Sierra, may be able to fulfill some of the service project requirements for their upcoming ranks. Further information on this event can be found on the pdf/registration form located here.

On the way back from a trip to the Emigrant Wilderness, I visited Camp on Tuesday to see some surprising and wonderful improvements to Camp for this year. Read on to learn about the new shower building, new merit badge sign-up process, returning staff heroes, the return of the sailing program, our site updates, and even the beginning of the end for latrines!

Shower Building

The new shower building is completed and operational! This $250,000 project updated the old camper shower building (between Miwok and Chippewa campsites) with a new facility featuring individual shower stalls - no more waiting for the correct hours or finding the correct side of the building for your age/sex! Pictures should be coming soon.

Merit Badge Sign-up Process

The merit badge sign-up process has also changed dramatically - most Scouts are now signed up for merit badges online using a system based on Camp Chawanakee's popular online sign-up system. This has eliminated the need for a Sunday evening Program Midway (the end of a VERY long run for that program event) and helped make Sunday afternoon check-in much more relaxed: Troops now visit only the "essential" check-in spots during the afternoon tour (Health Lodge, Dining Hall, Waterfront, Rifle Range, etc.) and then get settled in. After dinner, program tours are conducted to show troops the main program areas in the Camp valley.

Returning Staff

Many returning staff continue to make Camp an enthusiastic and zany place -

Location

One of two campsites (see: Apache campsite ) located opposite of porcupine creek, Nez Perce sites lower on the hill above the Nature Cabin.

Why?

Pros

• Large site
• Short walk to the dining hall
• Quick access to the rifle range and campfire circle
• Acoustics are great - you can be heard all around camp

Cons

• Acoustics are great - you can be heard all around camp
• Somewhat isolated from other sites

Pronunciation

Often incorrectly pronounced the same way as a similarly named Native American Tribe. The correct pronunciation is actually: "Nəz `Pēr-s"

Links to online maps showing Camp Hi-Sierra's location (easy to look up directions):

(Note: please do NOT use any of the addresses or intersections noted within these links to attempt to contact Camp; our official mail address usually does not display the correct location on electronic maps, so alternatives may be used below. Camp's official mailing address is: 29211 Hwy 108, Long Barn, CA 95335; though directing your online map tools to "Cold Springs, CA" will often get you better results.)

For an easily printable map of Camp Hi-Sierra, you may download the attached file, an Adobe Acrobat PDF file.

Camp Hi-Sierra has 15 campsites. Choose any below to read more about them, and/or add your own information.

Descriptions of Sites

• Blackfoot campsite
• Chippewa campsite
• Miwok campsite
• Crossroads campsite (really half a site for overflow)
• Navajo campsite
• Paiute campsite
• Yahi campsite
• Delaware campsite
• Havasu campsite
• Maidu campsite
• Sioux campsite
• Arapaho campsite
• Hopi campsite
• Costanoan campsite
• Apache campsite
• Nez Perce campsite

Adopt-a-Campsite program

How to Reserve a Campsite

Here you can find maps of Camp, directions to Camp, and other fun maps of areas near Camp through which our programs travel!

General Camp Hi-Sierra Maps

• Directions to Camp - Driving directions and a map for getting to Camp from the Bay Area
• Map of Camp Hi-Sierra facilties - A graphical, labeled map of Camp Hi-Sierra itself, showing campsites, buildings, and program areas.

Program-specific Maps

• Amazingly cool Google map of the Clavey trail