Experience Camp Mather
During each session of camp, there are many activities for all age groups. We have swimming, arts & crafts, softball, basketball, bike riding (bring your own), sack races, and many others sports and activities. Fun filled days are capped with entertaining nights of camp films, videos, bingo and dancing. Most families that attend the camp usually plan to go again, and again.
Camp Mather Family Lottery registration opens on January 6 (10am), and closes on February 5 (5pm).
2012 SENIOR GETAWAY TO CAMP MATHER-55 AND BETTER
2012 SUMMER FAMILY CAMP INFORMATION:
Camp Mather information is also available in the following languages:
Interested individuals may email us at
matherreservations@sfgov.org for more information. For
additional information about the Camp Mather experience, please
visit: Friends of Camp Mather.
Welcome to Camp Mather!
Choose your favorite summer recreation and you will find it at Camp Mather in the High Sierra. In a setting unparalleled in the West, your family can take advantage of the many activities available at San Francisco's own vacation land.
You'll enjoy all your favorite outdoor activities in this locale of spectacular beauty. Crystal clear lakes, surging streams and quiet mountain forests surround Mather and offer unlimited recreation to visitors. Water sports abound with swimming at Birch Lake and Pool. Fishing is plentiful in any of the nearby mountain streams and lakes. There are miles of hiking and horseback riding trails, all at their scenic best within these tranquil surroundings.
Fun-filled days are capped with entertaining nights of dances, campfire songs, skits
and games. From dusk to dawn, an air of relaxation prevails throughout the Camp slowing down the quickened pace of modern life. An experience in dining awaits you as hearty home cooked meals are prepared and served to you three times daily, cafeteria style.
Campfire entertainment, dport activities, supervised recreation programs for children, fine dining, all are yours at very reasonable rates at Camp Mather!.
Camp Mather History
The history of Camp Mather dates back many years before the area became a popular vacation site. Even before the pioneers settled in California, Mather was home to a group of Miwok Indians, who made their camp near where the corral now stands. Artifacts are occasionally found from these Indians.
Although there are signs that prospectors may have re-settled the area during the gold rush era, it was actually not until the early part of this century that the area became heavily populated, when the City of San Francisco began construction of a dam at nearby Hetch Hetchy Valley.
During this time, a sawmill was built on the lake side of Mather to supply the lumber needed for the dam's construction. ' Birch Lake, now the camp "swimming hole," was used to float logs needed for the project.
At the same time, the Yosemite Park and Curry Company used the other side of camp to house tourists interested in seeing both Yosemite National Park and the construction of the dam. The company built the Jack Spring Dining Hall for this purpose, the building that now serves as the Camp Mather kitchen and dining room.
When the O'Shaughnessy Dam was completed, many of the facilities were no
longer needed. In the mid 1920's, the City of San Francisco designated the
property for use as a family recreation area. It was named Camp Mather in
honor of Stephen T. Mather, the first director of the National Park Service.
The telephone number of Camp Mather is (209) 379-2284.
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