At the end of the road, deep in the Redwood forest, by the Little North Fork of the Big River, there is a place to go… where people are happy to welcome you for who you are, not what you are… where you are encouraged to be and let be… where you are included in the Family, not despite who you are, but because of who you are… a place where it is safe for kids to be kids. It’s a mystical place, where the simplest things are spiritual: dancing, singing, drumming, walking, and talking. Once you’ve been to Family Camp, you’ll wonder what you did without it. It is a wonderful respite in your busy life, whether you can come for one week or two, you owe it to yourself and your family to do it this year.
Family Camp 2024
Week 1: July 7 – 13
Week 2: July 14 – 20
Find out more about Family Camp!
Camp Activities
Enjoy your day by participating in our diverse workshop offerings, hiking a redwood sheltered trail, playing musical instrument, singing, meeting new friends and visiting old friends, sunbathing on the river, reading a book, or doing whatever suits you most.
Worship service is offered daily with an on-site volunteer chaplain. Bring your coffee with you and enjoy a heart-felt community curated experience.
Wednesday is out-of-camp-day. You can enjoy the day exploring the beautiful village of Mendocino and its coastal beaches, or visiting the botanical gardens or nearby Fort Bragg. Campers often lead hikes or stay-cations at the local Woodlands beach spots.
Camp Workshops
Workshops are offered twice a day (10 am – 12 pm & 2 pm – 4pm) by our wonderful volunteer staff. They range year-to-year based on the expertise of our volunteer staff. Get creative with such activities beading, environmental art, watercolor, and beer making. A summer camp experience would not be complete without tie-dye which our volunteers run for a full day weekly!
Evening Activities
Evenings offer activities for the whole family. Enjoy the night with a led activity such as campfire sing-a-longs, games, dancing, karaoke, and a talent show. Don`t forget a costume! Late night activities include a relaxing sweat lodge for adults and teens. Join us for UU chants in our naturally constructed forest sauna. Every week we host a silent auction to raise funds for camper scholarships.
Youth Programs and Childcare
Our youth at Family Camp enjoy a plethora of activities! Activities for youth last the duration of our workshops times from 10am to 12pm and 2pm to 4pm on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday.
Join us for daycare in the forest! Youth aged 0-4 can experience childcare in the Hill House. We provide some toys and activities but please bring your toddlers favorite snacks, toys, and cozy items to help them feel at home.
Special activities will be provided for our younger campers aged 5-12 on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday as well. Volunteer staff members organize crafts, games, recreation activities and other diversions that will provide kids multiple opportunities for out-door fun in a safe environment. Meet staff under the Redwood Canopy outside the dining hall at the start and end of programming for hand off.
Dining
Our meals are lovingly planned and prepared by our volunteer kitchen staff. The food is good, casual comfort food, made with fresh and mostly organic ingredients. It is usually served family style, with desserts to live for. There will always be vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options, with other considerations upon request.
Meals and most activities take place in and around the dinning hall. The Dining Hall also provides a well lighted gathering spot for those who enjoy late evenings.
Lodging
Campers sleep in rustic redwood cabins with open screen windows surrounded by beautiful trees and a bubbling stream. There are 4 cabin areas, each with their own bathroom but without electricity. The camp has one main shower house with hot water and electricity.
For more information about the Mendocino Woodlands, a National Historic Landmark, go to the Mendocino Woodlands web site.
Regrettably, this camp site may present accessibility issues to some persons with physical disabilities. If you have questions regarding accessibility, please contact the camp deans, deans@ncuucc.org.
About Our Staff
Family Camp is run by dedicated volunteers who love our tradition of coming together in community fellowship. Members of our staff are campers too. All campers are responsible for helping with light chores and helping to build a loving and supportive community.
We ask and encourage all campers to get involved in helping make camp happen. For those who are looking to formally volunteer (and receive a discount on your camper fees) check out our staff positions. If you are interested in joining the staff community, please contact one of the camp deans for more information.
Please note that staff are expected to arrive on the Saturday. If you have any questions about this, ask your staff contact person.
Registration Information
Before Registering for Family Camp Please Review
Register for Family Camp
Registration for Family Camp opens in late-February to early-March.