1989 to 1999
Mission Statement
To provide a unique recreational camp,
integrating children with special needs
and youth counselors to experience friendship,
understanding, acceptance and allow respite
for families and caregivers.
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Camp Rubber Soul is located 160 miles north of San Francisco right on the coast between Albion and Mendocino, California.
Camp Rubber Soul began in 1989. It was formed to provide a week day camp focusing on nature
with a Saturday night camping sleep over. There were four adults supervising the camp and the parents of the campers
would meet, with their children, at one of the area's beautiful State Parks. There were 6 campers the first year.
The second year we rented a bus and took 8 campers, four youth counselors, and two adults to the parks. With two sheets of plywood we were able to roll the wheelchairs onto the beach by placing one in front of the other, leap frog style. One week was a day camp and the second week was overnight cabin camping in a rented facility. This turned out to be such a wonderful experience for campers and counselors that we expanded to two week over night camps. Currently we are offering four week long camps. The camp begins on Monday and ends Saturday afternoon. We now have "rickshaws" to easily take the campers to the beach and across rough terrain, a multi person swing set that meets the requirements for children of many different needs and we now have our own bus. Camp has grown to serve between 32 and 40 people a week counting campers, counselors and adult staff. We offer crafts, adaptive sports, 3 or 4 field trips a week to one of the truly beautiful local parks and beaches. Cabin camping and a full service kitchen. We have kept the formula of youth counselors caring for the campers as a camping buddy. Camp Rubber Soul offers a magical experience that has to be seen to believed and the opportunity for all involved to grow. We are always interested in talking to individuals or groups that would like to spend a week on the coast and volunteer as a counselor. Space is limited and we fill up quickly whether it be campers or volunteers so get in touch early. Our season is mid July to the end of August. |