Camping At The Presidio

Camping in San Francisco?

Yes! Stretching 40 miles north and south of the Golden Gate, the Golden Gate National Parks preserve 75,000 acres of open space and provide unlimited opportunities for recreation, learning, and enjoyment. The Campground at Rob Hill, nestled in a eucalyptus grove, is one of the Presidio’s hidden gems. The only camping facility in San Francisco, Rob Hill is a fantastic venue for outdoor learning and fun, bringing the experience of the national park to the city's doorstep.

To provide children and youth who traditionally have not visited national parks with overnight camping experiences, the Crissy Field Center (operated by the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy and the National Park Service), the Presidio Trust, and Bay Area Wilderness Training have developed the Camping at the Presidio (CAP) program. Designed for community organizations and schools serving the area's most disadvantaged youth, the program provides a dynamic and affordable way to enrich the lives of young people. The Presdio Trust, working directly with the Crissy Field Center, is taking the lead in making this campground available to our communities.

> HOW CAN I PARTICIPATE?

> WHAT DOES THE PROGRAM INCLUDE?

> ABOUT OUR PARTNERS

> ELIGIBILITY FORM

HOW CAN I PARTICIPATE?

To participate in CAP, community organizations and schools must:

• Offer their services for free or at low cost
• Work with children and youth who a part of families with limited incomes

In addition, youth served must meet at least one of the following criteria:

• Receive free or reduced lunch
• Have emotional, physical, or developmental needs
• Experience barriers that have prevented them from visiting national parks

If your organization has multiple programs, each program must be evaluated for eligibility.
To determine if your organization is eligible, please complete the eligibility form and mail or fax to:

Camping at the Presidio
Crissy Field Center
P.O. Box 29410
San Francisco, CA 94129
Fax (415) 561-7695

The Crissy Field Center will notify you by phone or in writing concerning your eligibility within several weeks. For questions about the CAP program, email or phone Eve at BAWT (415) 788-3666 x109 or the Crissy Field Center Directly at (415) 561-7690.

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WHAT DOES THE PROGRAM INCLUDE?

Outdoor Leadership Training
CAP is designed to provide group leaders with the skills and resources to plan and lead a youth camping trip at the Presidio’s Campground at Rob Hill . During the two-day, one-night training session, group leaders gain technical camping skills and become familiar with the Presidio’s natural and cultural resources. They are trained to lead place-based nature hikes and other outdoor activities as well as learn about the process for reserving a camping trip through CAP. After program leaders and teachers complete the Outdoor Leadership Training program, they can begin to prepare for their camping trip to the Presidio.

Training Cost
$35 for teachers and individuals paying out-of-pocket,
$65 for community organizations.

Spring training will be held March 8-9, 2008.

Fall training will be held October 4-5, 2008.

Camping Package
Eligible community and school groups can reserve the campground between March and October. There are two campsites a Rob Hill; each accommodates up to 30 people and includes picnic tables, barbeque grills, a central campfire ring, running water, and restrooms. Participants in the CAP program receive:

Round-trip transportation to and from a school or community center
One-night stay at the Campground at Rob Hill in the Presidio
Use of camping gear, including tents, sleeping bags, pads, and cooking equipment
Two-hour, place-based interactive program led by park program

Program Cost
$100 per visit for groups up to 30 people; additional $50 for round-trip transportation.

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ABOUT OUR PARTNERS

The Presidio Trust

The Presidio Trust was created by Congress in 196 to preserve and enhance the Presidio in partnership with the National Park Service. The Trust has jurisdiction over the interior 1,168 acres of the former military post. For more information about the Presidio Trust, please visit www.presidio.gov.

Crissy Field Center

From its setting in a national park, Crissy Field Center offers a wide variety of programs and amenities that connect the diverse population of the Bay Area to urban environmental issues. Working in partnership with the National Park Service and Bay Area communities, the Center actively engages people with their environments to promote a more sustainable and environmentally-just society. For more information about Crissy Field Center, please visit www.crissyfield.org/center.

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ELIGIBILITY FORM

Please click here for a printable form.

Deadline for the October 2007 training is August 15, 2007.

Mail or fax eligibility form to:

Camping at the Presidio
Crissy Field Center
P.O. Box 29410
San Francisco, CA 94129
Fax (415) 561-7695

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