2019 Top-Rated Nonprofit

Camp Unalayee Association

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Nonprofit Overview

Causes: Camps, Children & Youth, Environment, Environmental Education, Recreation & Sports, Sports, Youth Development

Mission: Camp Unalayee is a wilderness camp for kids from all walks of life, begun in 1949. We are a community that cultivates a deep respect for the natural world. Our programs offer a balance of freedom and responsibility that generates self-confidence while creating a safe place for kids to discover their own creativity, new friendships and a unique sense of community. Our campers: · Grow through personal challenge and cooperative living · Develop respect for themselves and others · Develop a sense of self and the confidence to stand up for what they believe · Experience challenges and unexpected accomplishment · Have life changing experiences that stay with them forever · Become stewards of wild places We stand for: · A deep love of the wilderness · A commitment to self-discovery and responsibility · A dedication to transformation · Being a place of friends Camp provides a world away from technology where kids have fun working together and becoming a part of a community and a place they can always come home to.

Community Stories

9 Stories from Volunteers, Donors & Supporters

the.mimster18, Volunteer

Rating: 5

11/15/2012

Camp Unalayee is the most life changing community I have ever been apart of. It is more than a summer camp; it is a powerful, loving family that is deeply passionate about showing children and families how sacred and beautiful nature is, as well as the importance of trust, respect, and courage. There is no place in the world I'd rather be. Camp Unalayee is the only place I can be my true self 100% of the time. I am accepted for who I am, I am challenged to be the best person I can be, and I am honored for expressing myself fully. Camp Unalayee encourages us to dig deep down into the depths of our hearts and souls and to celebrate growth, friendship, challenge, courage, music, laughter, wilderness, community, and FUN. The friendships I've made at Camp Unalayee are the strongest I've ever had. My friends, family and myself have all noticed what a positive impact Camp Unalayee has had on me these past 5 years. I'm more confidant, thoughtful, healthy, and compassionate. Camp has touched me and changed me in a way that I am eternally grateful for. In my first week up in those mountains, I felt like I had been grabbed by a hook and pulled deep into its core. I will forever be connected to Camp Unalayee. It's the closest to utopia I've ever been. I am so incredibly grateful for Camp Unalayee.

campunalayee Professional with expertise in this field

Rating: 5

10/26/2019

Camp Unalayee is an empowering, supportive, challenging, life-changing/enriching experience for everyone involved. And you leave with friends for life. I highly recommend this camp over any other! A place where you can truly be yourself and have the support and encouragement to face life’s challenges as well as the inspiration to do better. And it is located in an amazing wilderness area, that feeds your soul. This camp is a gem!!

Jay W.1 Board Member

Rating: 5

10/24/2019

In the late 1970's, I was a backcountry ranger in what was to become the Trinity Alps Wilderness of northern California. I would spend five days a week on the trail, I would run into groups of campers and counselors from a nearby camp -- Camp Unalayee, wilderness summer camp run by the Camp Unalayee Association. One of my key duties was to provide information to groups on what was then called "low impact camping" and wilderness ethics. The groups from Camp Unalayee were always exemplary in their behavior. They would always leave a wilderness campsite cleaner than when they arrived. Above and beyond that, Camp Unalayee brought young people from a wide range of ethnic and economic backgrounds into the wilderness, which then and now can be a transformative experience. They called the camp a "Place of Friends." I believe Camp Unalayee is vitally important in today's world. Many years later, like 38, I joined the Board of Directors of the Camp Unalayee Association. It is today, a very well run and stable non-profit organization.

Previous Stories

Professional with expertise in this field

Rating: 5

10/10/2018

To put it simply, Camp Unalayee is a very special place, especially for the youth who attend as campers. Located within the Trinity Alps Wilderness, this true, wilderness camp provides life-changing experiences for boys and girls who spend part of their summer at the camp. This "Place of Friends" allows campers to live in the outdoors for two-weeks at a time, unplugged, off-line, and engaged in a wide array of camp activities. From the walk into camp at the beginning of a session, to the end.....campers sleep under the stars, cook over a campfire, hike, rock climb, fish, canoe, and swim..so important in today's world.

Marcel2 Professional with expertise in this field

Rating: 5

10/19/2019

A life changing summercamp. I'm from The Netherlands, and I spend 3 summers at Unalayee. As a counelor in 1990, went back the next year, and a few years ago with mine daughter of 11 years old. And now she's in love on Unalayee too!!

Previous Stories

Volunteer

Rating: 5

10/26/2016

I'm from The Netherlands and I was a counselor in 1990 and 1991. That was livechanging. In 2012 I wet back for the thirth time, but this time with mine 12 year old daughter. Is was an wonderfull experience for her too. Even now days she wants to go back and do it all over again.
Marcel Lancée, The Netherlands.

Katie57 Professional with expertise in this field

Rating: 5

10/16/2018

Camp Unalayee is a life-changing place. Where children learn to be more communal, self-reliant and connect with nature in a way that is a rare this day and age. They also gain self respect through overcoming challenges. The staff is uniquely dedicated and caring. Doing their best to ensure that children have a special time.

Previous Stories

Former staff

Rating: 5

10/28/2015

Awesome summer camp that changed my life. It has led me to my friends, family and most of all to my community.
I started going camp Unalayee at 12 and at 32 I can't wait till my children are old enough to attend.
Through wilderness, backpacking, and a close knit community you learn so much about your self when your there.

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Cavayak Professional with expertise in this field

Rating: 5

10/11/2018

Changed my life and worldview, and now changing my daughter’s!

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Thomas36 Professional with expertise in this field

Rating: 5

09/16/2014

All I have to say is : Search YouTube Thomas Svensson Camp Unalayee !!! Theres TONS of PROOF of a R E A L CAMP !!!

Shana L. Professional with expertise in this field

Rating: 5

05/01/2012

Being a counselor at Camp Unalayee was my first job when I moved to northern California. A fellow graduate student at the University of Michigan had referred me to the director, and I was hooked. I was lucky enough to work there for a summer, which led to other environmental education jobs and teaching experiences. Since then, I have recommended Camp to several students over the years, and each has been positively influenced in some way. My son has gone to Family Days since he was one; this will be his 11th year. It is a truly special place for the whole family. I find such a place even more important, now that electronic screens are so ubiquitous: at Camp Unalayee, kids are unplugged, and they love it!

Bob_6 Professional with expertise in this field

Rating: 5

04/29/2012

I have known this camp since 1970. It truly focuses on helping young people see that they can extend themselves beyond their perceived limitations. Whether it is physical, emotional, interpersonal, or spiritual Unalayee challenges youth and staff to go one step beyond. Started as an interracial project by the Quakers they have used the wilderness experience as a vehicle to build strong individuals who can contribute toward a balanced society. Bob Strickler, LCSW and former director.

Samuel M. Professional with expertise in this field

Rating: 5

03/11/2011

For anyone who has ever spent time at Camp Unalayee, memories represent their personal happy place that they send their mind to in stressful times. Children are actually taught to value others, respect the natural world, and to generally be flat-out awesome people. They do not preach morals or ethical values beyond common sense coexistence and conservation. They take children from all socioeconomic backgrounds, throw them out into the wilderness for 2 weeks and return them as caring, self-aware, self-assured individuals (albeit slightly dirty from all the hiking) that begin eyeballing their calendars in anticipation of their earliest opportunity to go back. With a program that includes backpacking in pristine wilderness, rock climbing, swimming, canoeing, fishing, cooking, a plethora of arts and craft activities, and an impressive counselor-in-training program; Camp Unalayee represents a comprehensive outdoor summer camp experience. As a camper, counselor, and now-volunteer I have been able to watch this organization empower children to be the kind-hearted, introspective, outgoing, leaders of tomorrow that we all can attest we as a people need.

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