For 63 years, countless individuals poured their hearts and souls into making Camp Krem a wonderful place in the Santa Cruz Mountains for hundreds of children and adults with developmental disabilities — a place to nurture independence, encourage responsibility, and build lifelong relationships.
Unfortunately, in August, the CZU August Lightning Complex Fires tore through Santa Cruz and Mateo counties, burning 86,000 acres, including the beloved Camp Krem in Boulder Creek.
Almost everything was destroyed — the cabins, the amphitheater, music pavilion, the dining hall, the arts & crafts building, the bell tower and the bathrooms, the John Lucchese Multi-Purpose Building — all gone.
Despite this heart-breaking loss, supporters say now is not the time for despair. They say Camp Krem is so much more than the buildings that sat atop our beautiful mountain. They say Camp Krem is a feeling — our philosophies, our friendships and our community.
A recent end-of-camp photo from Camp Krem. • Courtesy of campingunlimited.org
Work has begun on plans to rebuild, and any and all contributions are welcomed.
To rebuild the camp, a GoFundMe campaign has been launched with a goal of $1 million.
Funds will go to repair the driveway, which is unsafe, clean up the fire damage, protect the property from landslides and damage when the rains come, and provide campers with a Virtual Camp program in lieu of in-person events, due to COVID-19.
The Virtual Camp is vital to connect campers and their families and give them a sense of community.
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To support Camp Krem:
- Visit charity.gofundme.com/o/en/campaign/campkrem-project-phoenix.
- Visit campingunlimited.org, where the Klebanoff Cohen Fund is matching donations up to $50,000.
- Mail a check to Camping Unlimited, 102 Brook Lane, Boulder Creek CA 95006.