Nestled in the breathtaking region of the Sierra Nevada mountains, Gold Arrow Camp offers an unforgettable summer experience for children. Located near the pristine Huntington Lake in Clovis, California, this camp is surrounded by the natural beauty and serenity of the forested landscape, making it an ideal setting for adventure and exploration.

Since its establishment, Gold Arrow Camp has been dedicated to creating lifelong memories and fostering personal growth in a safe, supportive environment. With a rich history rooted in the tradition of outdoor adventure, the camp prides itself on helping campers step out of their comfort zones, learn new skills, and build lasting friendships.

The mission statement of Gold Arrow Camp revolves around the philosophy of encouraging children to develop a deep appreciation for nature, build self-confidence, and acquire leadership skills through a variety of outdoor activities. The camp believes in the transformative power of the wilderness experience to teach valuable life lessons that extend well beyond the camp’s boundaries.

Catering to both boys and girls across various age groups, Gold Arrow Camp offers a coeducational setting where campers from ages 6 to 17 can enjoy a wide range of activities tailored to their interests and abilities. Whether it’s sailing, hiking, rock climbing, or arts and crafts, the camp provides an inclusive, enriching environment that nurtures both the physical and emotional well-being of each camper.

In summary, Gold Arrow Camp in Clovis, CA, is not just a place for summer fun; it’s a community where children grow, learn, and become part of a tradition that cherishes the great outdoors and the adventures it holds.

Programs Offered by Gold Arrow Camp

Gold Arrow Camp offers a diverse array of programs designed to cater to the varied interests and developmental stages of its campers. These programs emphasize outdoor adventures, personal growth, and skill development, all while fostering a strong sense of community and friendship among participants. Here’s an overview of the programs, their durations, specialty offerings, and what a typical day looks like at the camp.

Description of the Programs

Outdoor Adventure Programs: Central to Gold Arrow Camp, these programs include activities like kayaking, rock climbing, horseback riding, and backpacking. Designed to challenge campers and introduce them to the beauty of the outdoors, these adventures are tailored to different age groups and skill levels.

Water Sports: Making full use of Huntington Lake’s crystal-clear waters, the camp offers sailing, wakeboarding, water skiing, and paddleboarding. These programs aim to build confidence in the water and teach valuable safety skills.

Arts and Crafts: For those who wish to explore their creative side, the camp provides a variety of arts and crafts options, including pottery, painting, and woodworking, encouraging self-expression and creativity.

Length of Sessions

Gold Arrow Camp organizes its summer sessions to accommodate different family schedules and camper readiness. The options typically include:

One-Week Sessions: Ideal for younger campers or those trying camp for the first time, providing a taste of the full Gold Arrow experience.
Two-Week Sessions: The most popular choice, offering a deeper dive into camp life, more friendships, and the opportunity to participate in a wider range of activities.
Full Summer: For the ultimate camp experience, some campers stay for multiple sessions, fully immersing themselves in the camp community and activities.

Specialty Programs

In addition to the core offerings, Gold Arrow Camp sometimes hosts specialty programs focusing on specific interests such as:

Leadership Development: For older campers, these programs focus on building leadership skills, teamwork, and responsibility.
Environmental Education: Designed to deepen campers’ understanding of nature conservation and the importance of protecting our planet.
Adventure Trips: Special sessions that might include longer backpacking trips or specialized outdoor expeditions for experienced campers.

Typical Daily Schedule

A day at Gold Arrow Camp is structured to balance activity, learning, and free time, fostering independence and personal growth. A typical day might look like this:

Morning: Wake up and enjoy a hearty breakfast, followed by a morning assembly and the first activity session.
Midday: Lunch followed by a rest period, offering campers a chance to recharge.
Afternoon: Two more activity sessions with a snack break in between, allowing campers to explore different interests each day.
Evening: Dinner and then evening activities, which might include campfires, talent shows, or night hikes.
Night: Cabin time, where campers can reflect on their day, bond with cabin mates, and prepare for bed.

The precise schedule can vary, but the aim is always to provide a balanced, enriching experience that promotes growth, learning, and fun in a supportive community setting.

Accommodations in Gold Arrow Camp

Gold Arrow Camp provides a rustic yet comfortable living environment that enhances the overall camp experience by fostering a sense of community and connection with nature. The accommodations are thoughtfully designed to ensure safety, comfort, and a genuine outdoor experience for all campers. Here’s an overview of the sleeping arrangements, dining options, and bathroom and shower facilities at the camp.

Sleeping Arrangements

Cabins: The primary accommodations for campers at Gold Arrow Camp are cabins that blend traditional rustic charm with the necessary comfort and safety features. These cabins are typically equipped with bunk beds and are grouped by age and gender to create a supportive and inclusive atmosphere for campers. Each cabin houses a specific number of campers, usually ranging from 8 to 12, along with one or two trained counselors who provide supervision, guidance, and support.

Tents: For specific outdoor adventures and programs, campers might have the opportunity to sleep in tents. This allows for a more immersive outdoor experience, especially during overnight hiking trips or when participating in wilderness exploration activities. The tents are high-quality, weather-resistant, and designed to accommodate small groups of campers, ensuring safety and comfort in the natural environment.

Dining Options

Meal Plans: Gold Arrow Camp takes pride in its dining services, offering nutritious, balanced, and tasty meals to campers three times a day. The camp’s meal plan is designed to fuel the active lifestyle of campers with a variety of options to suit everyone’s tastes. Meals are served in a communal dining hall, where campers and staff eat together, further fostering the camp’s community spirit.

Dietary Accommodations: Understanding the importance of catering to diverse dietary needs, Gold Arrow Camp accommodates special diets including vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and allergy-specific requirements. The camp’s kitchen staff is trained to handle these needs with care and attention, ensuring that all campers have healthy and delicious meal options.

Bathroom and Shower Facilities

The camp is equipped with a centralized bathroom and shower facilities that are shared among campers staying in nearby cabins or tents. These facilities are maintained to high standards of cleanliness and hygiene, with separate areas for boys and girls. The showers offer privacy and are designed to be environmentally friendly, promoting water conservation. Regular cleaning schedules ensure that these shared spaces remain clean, hygienic, and comfortable for all campers.

Overall, the accommodations at Gold Arrow Camp are designed to enhance the camping experience by providing a comfortable, safe, and engaging environment where campers can relax, recharge, and prepare for the day’s adventures.

Activities in Gold Arrow Camp

Gold Arrow Camp offers a broad array of activities designed to engage campers of all interests and skill levels. These activities aim to promote physical health, creativity, personal growth, and a deep appreciation for the natural world. Below is an outline of the typical activities offered, along with special events, traditions, and skill development opportunities that make the camp experience truly unique and enriching.

List of Activities Offered

Swimming and Water Sports: Including swimming in the lake, water skiing, wakeboarding, canoeing, sailing, and paddleboarding.
Outdoor Adventures: Such as hiking, backpacking, rock climbing, and mountain biking through the beautiful Sierra Nevada surroundings.
Arts and Crafts: Summer camps offer a creative outlet through pottery, painting, woodwork, and other craft activities.
Archery and Shooting Sports: Teaching safety and skill in archery and riflery.
Nature Exploration: Focused on environmental education, wildlife observation, and conservation efforts.
Horseback Riding: Providing lessons and trail rides for all skill levels.
Ropes Courses: Including both high and low ropes courses, designed to build confidence, teamwork, and leadership skills.

Special Events or Traditions

Gold Arrow Camp is rich in traditions and special events that foster a sense of community and create lasting memories. Some of these include:

Opening and Closing Ceremonies: Marking the start and end of sessions with meaningful rituals that celebrate community and individual achievements.
Campfire Nights: Featuring storytelling, singing, and skits, these evenings strengthen bonds and entertain campers of all ages.
Theme Days: Where campers and staff dress up and participate in themed activities, adding a fun and imaginative twist to the camp routine.
Olympic Games: A camp-wide competition that encourages teamwork, sportsmanship, and friendly competition.
Awards Ceremonies: Recognizing individual and group achievements in various activities and contributions to camp life.

Skill Development Opportunities

Gold Arrow Camp places a strong emphasis on skill development, offering campers the chance to learn new skills or advance in areas of interest. Opportunities include:

Leadership Training: For older campers, focusing on responsibility, communication, and leadership in various camp settings.
Environmental Stewardship: Educating campers on the importance of environmental conservation and responsible outdoor behaviors.
Advanced Skill Workshops: In areas like sailing, rock climbing, or horseback riding, allowing campers to deepen their expertise and possibly earn certifications.
Personal Growth: Through activities designed to build self-esteem, resilience, and independence.

At Gold Arrow Camp, the combination of diverse activities, special events, and skill development opportunities ensures that every camper has the chance to explore their interests, challenge themselves, and grow in a supportive and dynamic environment.

The staff of Gold Arrow Camp

The staff at Gold Arrow Camp are integral to creating a safe, supportive, and enriching environment for all campers. The camp prides itself on a high staff-to-camper ratio, a rigorous hiring process, and comprehensive training that includes various certifications to ensure the well-being of campers. Here’s a closer look at these aspects.

Staff-to-Camper Ratio

Gold Arrow Camp maintains a high staff-to-camper ratio to ensure that each camper receives personalized attention, guidance, and supervision. This ratio is designed to foster a safe and nurturing environment where campers can thrive. While the exact ratio may vary depending on the age group and specific activities, the camp typically aims for one staff member for every three to six campers. This high ratio allows for small group sizes, individualized instruction in activities, and a strong sense of community and support.

Hiring Process and Staff Qualifications

The hiring process at Gold Arrow Camp is thorough and competitive, with a focus on selecting individuals who are not only skilled in their respective areas but who also possess strong character, a passion for working with children, and a commitment to the camp’s values. Potential staff members undergo:

Background Checks: Comprehensive background screenings to ensure the safety and security of all campers.
Interviews: Multiple interviews to assess compatibility with the camp’s philosophy, communication skills, and ability to work with children.
References: Checks with previous employers and character references to confirm reliability, expertise, and suitability for the camp setting.

Training and Certifications

Once hired, staff members participate in extensive pre-camp training that covers camp policies, child development, emergency procedures, and specific activity instruction. Key certifications include:

CPR and First Aid: All staff members are required to be certified in CPR and First Aid to respond promptly to any health concerns or emergencies.
Lifeguard Certification: Staff involved in water activities are certified lifeguards, ensuring the highest safety standards during swimming and water sports.
Specialized Activity Certifications: For activities requiring specific skills, such as rock climbing, horseback riding, or sailing, instructors hold relevant certifications and undergo rigorous training to provide expert guidance and instruction.

Additionally, ongoing training throughout the camp season ensures that staff members continue to develop their skills, adapt to new challenges, and maintain a supportive and enriching camp environment.

Gold Arrow Camp’s commitment to a high staff-to-camper ratio, a meticulous hiring process, and comprehensive training and certifications underscores its dedication to providing a safe, positive, and memorable camp experience for every camper.

Safety and Health in Gold Arrow Camp

Gold Arrow Camp prioritizes the safety and health of all its campers and staff, implementing comprehensive protocols and procedures to ensure a secure and supportive environment. The camp’s approach to safety encompasses proactive measures, rigorous training for staff, and well-equipped on-site health facilities, all designed to handle any situation that may arise during the camp session.

Safety Protocols and Procedures

Risk Management: The camp conducts regular risk assessments of all activities and facilities to identify and mitigate potential hazards. This includes equipment checks, safety drills (e.g., fire, earthquake), and ensuring that all activities are conducted within established safety guidelines.

Supervision: Campers are closely supervised by trained staff members at all times, whether during activities, in cabins, or at meal times. The staff-to-camper ratio is designed to ensure that adequate supervision and support are always available.

Activity Safety: For activities with inherent risks, such as water sports, rock climbing, and horseback riding, the camp employs additional safety measures, including the use of certified equipment, safety briefings, and appropriate safety gear.

Transportation: When transportation is necessary, the campus vehicles that meet all safety standards, and drivers adhere to strict guidelines to ensure the safety of all passengers.

On-site Health Facilities and Staff

Health Center: Gold Arrow Camp maintains an on-site health center staffed by licensed medical professionals, such as nurses or EMTs, who are available 24/7 to address health concerns, administer first aid, and manage medications.

Pre-camp Health Screening: To further protect the camp community, all campers and staff undergo health screenings upon arrival and are encouraged to update the camp on any health changes before and during the session.

Allergy and Medication Management: The camp has protocols in place for managing allergies (including food allergies) and administering medications, ensuring that those with specific health needs are well cared for.

Policies on Handling Emergencies

Emergency Response Plan: Gold Arrow Camp has a detailed emergency response plan that outlines procedures for various scenarios, including natural disasters, medical emergencies, and other critical situations. This plan is regularly reviewed and updated to reflect best practices.

Training and Certifications: All camp staff undergo comprehensive training that includes emergency response, CPR, and First Aid certification. Specialized training is also provided for activities that require specific safety certifications.

Communication: In case of an emergency, the camp has protocols for promptly communicating with parents, guardians, and relevant authorities, ensuring that information is shared efficiently and appropriately.

By maintaining strict safety protocols, providing on-site medical facilities, and preparing for emergencies, Gold Arrow Camp ensures that campers have a safe, healthy, and enjoyable camp experience.

Cost and Registration in Gold Arrow Camp

Gold Arrow Camp offers a transformative experience for its campers, complete with a range of outdoor activities, skill-building opportunities, and a nurturing community environment. Understanding the cost of attendance, registration details, and financial options is crucial for families planning their camp experience. While specific details can vary from year to year, here’s an overview of what families might expect regarding costs, registration, and financial aid.

Cost of Attendance and What It Includes

The cost of attending Gold Arrow Camp typically includes all aspects of the camp experience, ensuring a comprehensive package that covers:

Lodging and Meals: Comfortable accommodations in cabins or tents and three nutritious meals per day, plus snacks.
Program and Activities: Access to all camp activities, including specialized programs like water sports, horseback riding, arts and crafts, and outdoor adventures.
Equipment and Supplies: All necessary equipment and materials for activities, ensuring campers can participate fully without needing to bring specialized gear.
Supervision and Care: Round-the-clock supervision by trained staff, along with access to on-site medical care and support.

Registration Process and Deadlines

Early Registration: Families are often encouraged to register early, as spaces can fill up quickly. Early registration may also come with the benefit of discounted rates.

Online Registration: Most camps, including Gold Arrow, typically offer an online registration process. Families can fill out forms, select session dates, and provide necessary medical and dietary information through the camp’s website.

Deadlines: It’s important to be aware of registration deadlines to ensure your child’s spot in the camp. These deadlines are usually clearly communicated on the camp’s website or through its promotional materials.

Payment Plans, Refunds, and Cancellation Policies

Payment Plans: To make camp more accessible, Gold Arrow Camp may offer flexible payment plans, allowing families to spread out the cost over time before the camp session begins.

Refunds and Cancellation: Camp policies regarding refunds and cancellations can vary. Typically, there may be a non-refundable deposit, with partial refunds available if cancellation occurs by a certain date. It’s important to understand these policies fully at the time of registration.

Insurance: Some camps offer or recommend insurance options to protect against unexpected cancellations.

Scholarships and Financial Aid

Scholarships: Gold Arrow Camp may offer scholarships or financial aid to families who need financial assistance. These scholarships can cover a portion or all of the camp fees.

Application for Aid: Families interested in financial aid typically need to fill out an application detailing their financial situation, accompanied by relevant documentation. Availability and criteria for scholarships can vary, so it’s advisable to inquire directly with the camp.

This will ensure they have the latest details and can plan accordingly for an enriching summer camp experience for their child.

Gold Arrow Camp fees for their summer programs:

2-Week Sessions: These run for $4900 and are available for children completing grades Kindergarten through 9th.
3-Week Sessions: Costing $7760, these are offered to students completing grades 4th through 9th.

Parent and Camper Preparation in Gold Arrow Camp

Preparing for Gold Arrow Camp is an exciting process for both parents and campers, especially those attending for the first time. To ensure everyone is well-prepared and understands what to expect, here’s a guide on packing, rules, and policies, and some helpful tips.

Packing List

A well-thought-out packing list is crucial for a comfortable and enjoyable camp experience. While specifics may vary based on the duration of the stay and activities chosen, a basic list includes:

Clothing: Weather-appropriate clothing, including layers for cooler evenings. Include T-shirts, shorts, long pants, swimwear, a jacket, and a raincoat.
Footwear: Sturdy hiking boots, water shoes, and casual shoes or sandals.
Bedding and Towels: Sleeping bag, pillow, bath towels, and beach towels.
Toiletries: Toothbrush, toothpaste, biodegradable soap, shampoo, and insect repellent.
Sun Protection: Sunscreen, lip balm with SPF, and a hat or cap.
Reusable Water Bottle: To stay hydrated throughout the day.
Flashlight or Headlamp: With extra batteries.
Personal Items: Any necessary medication (with clear instructions), glasses or contacts, and a small backpack for day trips.

Rules and Policies

Gold Arrow Camp has established rules and policies to ensure a safe, respectful, and fun environment for all campers:

Technology Use: To encourage engagement and connection with the outdoors and each other, the use of personal electronic devices (phones, tablets, etc.) is typically restricted or prohibited. Check the camp’s specific policy.
Visitation: Parents and family are usually invited to visit on designated days only, to minimize disruptions and maintain the camp’s schedule and dynamic.
Behavior: Campers are expected to respect each other, the staff, and the environment. Bullying, violence, or any form of disrespect is not tolerated.

Tips for First-Time Campers and Parents

For Campers:

Be open to trying new activities and making new friends. Camp is a great place to discover new interests and build confidence.
Remember that feeling homesick is normal. Staff are there to help, and staying busy with activities can help you adjust.

For Parents:

Discuss what to expect with your camper before they leave, including the activities they’ll participate in and the camp’s routines.
Write letters or send care packages to your camper, if the camp allows, to stay connected and encourage them during their stay.
Trust the camp staff. They are trained to ensure your child’s safety and to help them have a rewarding experience.

Preparing for camp, understanding the rules, and knowing what to expect can help ensure that the camp experience is positive and memorable for both first-time and returning campers and their parents.

Gold Arrow Camp stands out as a beacon of adventure, growth, and community in the heart of the Sierra Nevada mountains. With its diverse range of activities, from thrilling outdoor adventures to creative arts and crafts, the camp offers something for every young explorer eager to connect with nature and discover new skills. The commitment to safety, health, and personal development is evident in every aspect of the camp experience, from the well-trained, caring staff to the comprehensive safety protocols and on-site health facilities.

The camp’s philosophy of fostering independence, resilience, and a deep appreciation for the natural world resonates through its programs, traditions, and the very spirit of the camp community. Campers leave Gold Arrow Camp not just with memories of fun times, but with lifelong skills, friendships, and a renewed sense of confidence and curiosity.