Letter: YMCA’s Camp Fox is still going strong

Camp Fox has been the location for the YMCA of Glendale summer youth camps since 1926. Many have experienced the magic of Catalina Island through a week of summer camp at Fox. The location is ideal for capturing the interest of the many aged youth campers through its blend of “landlubber” and oceanfront activities. The staff has led the growing process of youth into productive, caring adults through their leadership in activities, cabin time, devotions, encouragement, evening discussions and providing each individual youth with an ear for their feelings.

This summer saw 1,018 youth ages 8 to 17 attending Camp Fox sessions. We had 351 youth attend this summer from the Glendale-Burbank-Pasadena areas. Unfortunately our 47th Annual Family Camp over Labor Day weekend had to be canceled due to the storms knocking out the camp’s pier.

Campers enjoy archery, climbing walls, snorkeling, fishing, stand-up paddle boarding, kayaking, basketball, soccer, softball, ropes challenge course, tide-pooling, aquarium tanks, hiking, disc golf, table games and loads of special fun designed for each week and each age group. Each night also ends with a campfire featuring songs and skits.

Counselors are all volunteers who are approved by our Human Resource Department, the same as our paid staff. The process includes a face-to-face interview, reference check, criminal background check, attending special safety courses and attending pre-camp training sessions. This year we had 172 volunteers give a week of their summer to camp attendance and training time.

Camp Fox has been operational since 1926, affecting the lives of many people and in many cases providing them with the positive course and direction their lives took.

Ray “Gator” Calame
Camp Development Director
YMCA of Glendale