YMCA Camp ELK

Chip was waiting for us at the gate to camp this morning. Here is a first look at the beauty that comes with a new snowfall. Peaceful quiet falls over the camp during and just after a big storm. #CampELK #SaveNextSummer #WearAMask #WeMissYou #YMCA #angelesnationalforest

Chip is out enjoying the last bit of snow before these warmer temps melt it all away. What happened to our winter? Hoping the heat wave is short lived and we can get back to winter and some more rain or snow. Have a great day! #CampELK #SaveNextSummer #WearAMask #WeMissYou #YMCA #angelesnationalforest

The Y’s an open door, sInce 1844! Long time Y Camp people will understand.

Chip wanted us to share a quick photo of the snow we are getting up at Camp ELK. 7-10 inches depending on the area and it was still snowing very hard at 4pm when we took this photo. Stay tuned for more photos tomorrow after the storm. #CampELK #SaveNextSummer #WearAMask #WeMissYou #YMCA #angelesnationalforest

Looking back on the year, we are grateful for the silver linings; Our members, our partners, our families, our students, our staff, and the community. Because o...f your perseverance, kindness, generosity, and drive to provide care and help one another, we are all able to find strength and move forward. We are looking to 2021 full of HOPE! Hope for a healthier, safer, and prosperous new year for all!

#SaveNextSummer Hi Camp ELK families, As we all know most camps did not operate this past summer, and we are still awaiting any official guidance on safe operation from the state of California to begin the planning, recruitment, and staffing for the summer of 2021.... As individuals and families our voice seems small in comparison to other industries. However, we have a secret weapon. We change the lives of our campers and that makes our families some of the most loyal and vocal supporters of our industry. The #SaveNextSummer CAMPaign has been created to provide our campers and their parents a voice, the tools, and resources to share why camps need to be provided the guidance and support from state and local government. This website has a step-by-step tools to provide advocacy, share the importance of the camp experience, and to ensure that our industry not only survives, but thrives. Now more than ever young people are looking for ways to engage in the process around lawmaking and public policy. Camps can be valuable leaders, helping them understand how to engage and giving them a topic to engage with that impacts them directly. *We are not asking for the green light to operate. This is a decision that needs to be made when it is true safe to do so. So visit https://www.savenextsummer.com/california and spread to word about what your camp needs. Be sure to visit our Facebook, page, and use the #savenextsummer hashtag as we move forward.

Hoping Santa makes all your dreams come true!

Programs like YMCA Camp ELK and the YMCA of Orange County need the support of congress to pass urgent funding to help insure that vital child development programs will survive and be able to open and operate to serve the needs of children during this crucial time. Please contact your congressperson to ask them to support #Relief4Charities.

YMCA Camp ELK and the YMCA of Orange County have worked with HomeAid Orange County and Gina Scott to bring the summer camp experience to the children and families both organizations serve. If you take a moment to read the bio presented you will learn that the YMCA summer camp experience as a child and young adult has played a significant role in Gina’s career choice to serve others. The YMCA of Orange County is committed to making our programs available to all. Donations, grants, and legacy gifts ensure Y programs are open to all regardless of an individual’s or family’s financial circumstances. 100% of donations support our financial assistance program or subsidized programs for marginalized populations.

YMCA Camp ELK could use your help. 2020 has been a rough year for our beloved Camp ELK. COVID-19 shut down our facility in March and we are still under a mandatory closure as ordered by state and local health authorities. We now have the extra expenses incurred as a result of preparing the camp for potential impact from the #BobcatFire. We understand that this year has been tough on many but if you do have the means and feel so inclined, we would appreciate any support you m...ay be able to offer. Any and all amounts are appreciated and will be used to support our continued operations during this difficult period. Thank you for your consideration and we look forward to seeing all of your smiling faces when we are allowed to reopen. You can donate here: http://give.ymcaoc.org/site/TR/AnnualCampaigns/General

#BobcatFire update! All evacuation orders for areas around Camp ELK have been lifted. The area does remain in an evacuation warning in case the fire conditions change. We are very grateful to ALL of the fire personnel who worked so hard to fight this fire. Personnel from Angeles National Forest Los Angeles County Fire Department, San Bernardino County Fire, LA County Sheriff and too many other cooperating agencies to name worked tirelessly to save our camp. ... Over the last several days firefighters from multiple agencies were in and around Camp ELK monitoring and preparing to defend our camp in case the fire made it to our facility. While the fire did come within 1 mile of camp, we have no damage or impact on our camp property. You will be happy to know that Chip made friends with all the firefighters who visited us and even tried to show off his skills and preparedness to the firefighters. In this photo, Chip stands at the ready to defend camp against the fire. Thank you to everyone who reached out to us and to everyone who continued to wish for and pray for a good outcome. Your well wishes paid off!

Hello YMCA Camp ELK friends, family and alumni, You may be aware that the #BobcatFire is currently very active and burning in the Angeles National Forest. Earlier today the area around Camp ELK was put under evacuation order. Currently the camp is fine and there is not an immediate threat to our beloved camp home. Our camp director, Jim (and Chip ) are at the camp and taking precautions to ensure we are ready in the event the fire does reach Camp ELK at some point in the co...ming days. We would like to express our appreciation and thanks to all of the fire personnel who work tirelessly to protect us on a daily basis. They have a very tough job and also deserve our prayers and well wishes. We will do our best to keep you informed of the situation and you can look for any updates here on our Facebook page. In the meantime, please say a prayer for camp and keep positive thoughts.

We are enjoying some cooler but smoky conditions at Camp ELK today. Chip followed me up to the water tank and posed for this photo along the creek bed. Have a great weekend! #CampELK #WeAreInThisTogether #MaskUp #YMCA #AdventuresOfChip #Camp

Chip is hoping everyone had a great Labor Day holiday. Chip and the staff were back at it this morning checking on our camp vans and keeping them in good running order and charging the batteries so we are ready to go once camp can reopen. Have a great week! #CampELK #WeAreInThisTogether #MaskUp #YMCA #AdventuresOfChip #Camp

This is one job that may be outside Chips ability??? Don’t worry. We will keep our eye on him and make sure Chip doesn’t fly away. Have a great weekend!

We are missing all of our friends and family at Camp ELK and looking forward to your return. Chip has been busy taking care of camp and even watering some of the plants around camp to keep things pretty. Have a great weekend! #CampELK #WeAreInThisTogether #MaskUp #YMCA #AdventuresOfChip #Camp

I caught Chip down in the program area daydreaming about summer camp. We cannot wait to welcome you all back. #WearYourMask #WeAreInThisTogether #Daydreaming #SummerCamp #YMCA #CampELK

Chip asked me to let everyone know how much we miss seeing all of our campers, volunteers and staff at Camp ELK this summer. We have been busy this week taking care of some raking and cleaning around and in the dining hall. We want to be sure that we are ready to go once the governor and health department give us permission. Have a great weekend everyone!

Chip has had a long day of work helping the staff do some maintenance on the ice machine. Chip wants to be sure that everything is working properly so we are able to welcome back our campers at the first opportunity. Have a great weekend!

Please celebrate safely and responsibly.

Yesterday would have been the end of Session #1, 2020. Here is a throwback to last summer and our Session #1 all camp group photo. Have a great Saturday!

Chip has been a bit lonely and keeps asking about all of our campers. We have reassured Chip that we are all eager to see all of our campers return as soon as it is safe and we have gotten permissions from the state and local authorities. Stay safe and well Camp ELK campers, friends and family. We miss you!