Registration still open, 2022

May 21, 2022 / Dan Harper

Yes, we still have room for a few more campers. But register soon before we run out of room!

Updated safety info, 2022

May 20, 2022May 21, 2022 / Dan Harper

More updated info for Ecojustice Camp, 2022!

(1) COVID safety: We will comply with the COVID safety policies of our fiscal sponsor, the UU Church of Palo Alto. All activities will be outdoors. We’ll be wearing masks, except for stationary activities where counselors give permission (such as eating). All staff are vaccinated. It is strongly recommended that all campers be vaccinated.

(2) COVID symptoms & exposure to COVID: We will follow the CDC guidelines for schools as outlined on this webpage.

To encourage compliance, we will offer pro-rated refunds for any days you have to miss due to COVID exposure or illness.

(3) Child safety: The UU Church, our fiscal sponsor, is in the process of revising its child safety policy to comply with a new California law, AB 506. The new safety policy is more strict than the policy posted on the camp website, but is not ready to be posted online yet. If you have any questions, please email one of the directors.

Updated scheduling info, 2022

May 19, 2022May 21, 2022 / Dan Harper

We’re all looking forward to Ecojustice Camp June 13-17! Here’s some updated scheduling information.

(1) Overnight: Group campsites are open again, so we are able to do the overnight Thurs. night! No extra charge. We’ll be staying at Sanborn County Park in Saratoga. If your child cannot go on the overnight that’s fine, but let us know ASAP so we can figure out transportation for them Thursday afternoon and Friday morning.

(2) Long day on Wed.: Yes, we’ll be going to Pescadero State Beach on Wed. Due to the long drive, camp will run until 4 p.m. on Wed. No extra charge.

(3) Extended care: Morning extended care from 8-9 a.m. Mon-Thurs. (overnight on Thurs. night means no morning extended care on Fri. morning).

Afternoon extended care from 3-5:30 Mon.-Tues. and Fri., 4:00-5:30 on Wed. (long day on Wed. means extended care begins at 4:00 — overnight on Thurs. night means no afternoon extended care on Thurs.).

Camp day five

June 15, 2019 / Dan Harper

Before we left the campsite, we cleaned up our trash — and trash left by previous campers….

…and we found a LOT of trash, including a lot of plastic trash (Peri and Carol have been talking to us all week about trying to get to zero waste)

Working on natural tie-dye, using redwood cones

Tending the rocket stove, a high-efficiency stove that burns biomass, but needs to be tended (tending the stove is more fun when you have someone to talk with)

Playing “Evolution,” also known as “Pond Scum,” a game that has no particular educational value but is simply fun

Overnight

June 15, 2019 / Dan Harper

Sometimes when you’re setting up your sleeping bag, you have to stop and look at something interesting

Playing “Camouflage,” a game which helps understand how predators stalk their prey

Opening cans of beans to make taco filling

Sea Otters day four

June 15, 2019 / Dan Harper

Getting ready to cook “Solar S’mores” in the solar oven

Playing in the middle of the native plants garden

Day three camp photos

June 13, 2019June 13, 2019 / Dan Harper

The older campers took a field trip to Pescadero State Beach today — lots of photos below. For the younger campers, Kris left her phone behind so we don’t have any photos yet — if I get some, I will post them later.

A skit at opening circle — Ecojustice Super Hero confronts Trashman, telling him that he shouldn’t throw his plastic trash on the ground!

Examining the exoskeleton of a dead crab found on the beach

We found lots of Sand Crab shells (and some live Sand Crabs), Dungeness Crabs shells, Pacific Ribbed Mussel shells, and more along the beach

Naturalist Kat showing animal tracks in the wet sand along Pescadero Creek

Practicing whittling under the bridge over Pescadero Creek

Exploring tide pools, and looking at Harbor Seals through binoculars

Day two camp photos

June 12, 2019 / Dan Harper

The National Weather Service station at Los Altos recorded 103 degrees today, our second day of triple-digit heat (102 on Monday). Our amazing campers and junior counselors handled the heat well, proving that you can have fun outdoors even in extreme weather conditions.

I got so wrapped up in our activities with the older groups (gr. 2 and up) that I only took two photos, both from our field trip to Ulistac Nature Preserve:

Drawing from nature at Ulistac Nature Preserve

Eating lunch in the shade at the city park across the street from Ulistac

Some of the other adults did take photos of our other activities (looking for macroinvertebrates, learning to use pocket knives, salsa-making workshop, games, etc.), and as soon as they email them to me I’ll post them here.

Fortunately, Kris remembered to take plenty of photos of the Sea Otters: