Submitted by Camp Tuolumne Trails
Like everyone, we are looking forward to Spring and are ramping up for a good summer season ahead. Jacqui has been working hard to attain dedicated counselors, and we already have a significant number of registered campers.
Despite this positive news, camp experienced unexpected and significant damage to the property. We lost dozens of trees, which need to be removed; the gravel on roads and paths were washed away and need fresh gravel; and some decking will need to be shored up or replaced. The heavy rains also delayed further construction of the new greenhouse and the ceramics studio, which are planned to be operational by June. On top of all this, the elevator in the Great Hall needs major maintenance and will cost more than $8K to repair. Although we will need to contract out some of these costly repairs, we are seeking local volunteers to help get our grounds cleaned up and fully and safely accessible again for when our campers return in June.
We also have several construction and repair projects to complete that we sure could use some help with. Weather permitting, we will be setting aside every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday as potential volunteer opportunities. Please consider donating some of your time and skills to camp. We really need some help getting ready for what is sure to be a record-breaking summer for CTT. Call the office (209) 962-7534 or email Ed at ed@tuolumnetrails.org to arrange the days/times you can commit to helping at camp. It could be once or twice a week, once a month or whatever time you can offer. It all will be very much appreciated. While our hands-on volunteerism is crucial to camp, the impact of the storms will really strain our budget. Professional services and materials add up in a hurry. Your donations are crucial in supporting camp readiness for this summer.
Update on the Impact Quality of Life $38K grant from the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation—the three chair-lift systems have been purchased and installed in camp’s infirmary and the two cabin bath houses. We’re excited for our staff to start using these when our summer campers arrive. Not only is this an immense safety improvement for existing campers and staff, it allows us to accommodate individuals who could not have experienced camp before. To the best of our knowledge, we are the only camp in the state that has systems like these installed. One more example of how we are becoming the most accommodating place in the state!
Volunteer Day
If it’s Spring, that means Volunteer Day at Camp must be in the works. For the first time, we have scheduled Saturday, April 15, as a full-day event. You can choose to work in the morning session and/or the afternoon session, with lunch served in between. This year, more than ever before, we need extra hands-on volunteers to help clean up after a harsh winter at camp, and to make CTT a fully accessible camp before our summer campers arrive in June. Please call (209) 963-5734 to sign up for either the morning session from 8:00-12:00 or the afternoon session from 12:30-4:30. Lunch will be served at 12:00 noon for both groups.
Concerts for a Cause
We’re excited to announce that when CTT kicks off its third annual “Concerts for a Cause” summer music series on June 3, Renaissance returns for another unforgettable and lively evening with a new and fresh take on popular music through the decades. Save August 19, when acoustic soul singer/songwriter Javier Colon returns along with Grammy-nominated Matt Cusson, a self-taught piano/guitar player and singer who transitions smoothly from pop, R&B to jazz genres. Additionally, we expect a third special guest to join them on stage. Rebecca Jade also returns to the stage on Sept 9, accompanied by amazing keyboardist Carnell Harrell. Rebecca’s career has skyrocketed this past year and was recently described as “Billie Holiday meets Beyonce with some Chaka Khan thrown in for good measure.” Stay tuned for the announcement of our fourth concert, slated for late September, and be ready to purchase tickets when they go on sale. We’re sure you won’t be disappointed with this summer’s line-up as we continue to enhance our concert series year after year!
NCCC Update
The NCCC team made some good headway on clearing brush around several local properties and creating defensible space in preparation for fire season. However, when the snow storms hit in February, and the torrential rains bombarded us in March, their work abruptly came to a halt. In Mid-March the Tuolumne County OES asked if NCCC would help distribute sandbags and help with other flood mitigation work when the big rain storms hit our area.
If you have any questions or would like to find out more information about upcoming events, Summer Camp programs, Concerts for a Cause, Family Camp, volunteering and options for giving, please call CTT at (209) 962-7534, email us at: info@tuolumnetrails.org or visit: http://www.tuolumnetrails.org