Oakland Feather River Camp

Mission

Oakland Feather River Camp promotes and celebrates connections between nature, family and community by creating unique opportunities to advance environmental appreciation, cultural diversity, and youth empowerment.

Vision

Our vision is for OFRC to be a microcosm of Oakland in the mountains representing the full and rich diversity of the Oakland community and providing the highest quality outdoor overnight camp experiences.

Impact

Oakland Feather River Camp is the longest-running youth and family recreation program in Oakland, and in its first century has transformed the lives of over 200,000 campers of all ages. Our 37-acre camp facility in Plumas National Forest has provided outdoor educational and recreational opportunities for generations of campers since its founding by the City of Oakland in 1924 as part of a national movement to increase access to nature.

History

Oakland Feather River Camp opened in 1924 on federal land under a long-term lease agreement with the US Department of Agriculture and the Forest Service.

Though camper attire may have changed over the last 80 years and campers have traded in their canteens for water bottles, much is still the same at Feather River. Traditions abound such as taking a dip in the camp swimming hole, singing around the campfire, participating in the camper talent show at the Starr Bowl, and dancing on the Veranda.

Until the late 50’s, not all campers upheld the tradition of comparing drive-times from the Bay Area. Many campers arrived at Camp via the train that let them off right inside the Camp. You can still hear the trains passing the Camp each day!