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 80,400 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. (Note: Rob Hill is undergoing extensive renovation during the 2009 camping season. An alternative camp site, Dragonfly Creek, will serve campers for the spring and summer of the 2009 season.)

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, CAP is being offered through the Crissy Field Center and 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 all our communities.

> HOW CAN I PARTICIPATE?

> WHAT DOES THE PROGRAM INCLUDE?

> HOW CAN I VOLUNTEER?

> ABOUT OUR PARTNERS

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, fax, or email to:

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

The Crissy Field Center will notify you by phone or in writing concerning your eligibility within several weeks.

back to top

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
$40 for teachers and youth workers.
$20 for each additional participant from the same school or community organization.

2010 Training Dates
March 13-14.
     Eligiblity deadline is March 1.
April 10-11.
     Eligiblity deadline is April 1.
September 18-19.
     Eligiblity deadline is September 6.

Additional trainings can be scheduled for groups of 12 or more poeple.

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:

• Overnight stay at Rob Hill Campground in the Presidio
• Use of camping equipment, including tents, sleeping bags, pads, and cooking equipment
• Groups can choose from 3 different 2-3 hour guided park programs

Program Cost
$100 per visit for groups up to 30 people, $25 per additional night on the same visit; additional $50 for round-trip transportation from your school or community center (optional).

For general questions about the CAP program contact Zak Klein at zak@bawt.org or Miguel Gutierrez at the Crissy Field Center at (415) 561-7757.

back to top

ABOUT OUR PARTNERS

Crissy Field Center

Crissy Field Center encourages new generations to become bold leaders for thriving parks, healthy communities, and a more environmentally just society. This urban environmental center is a partnership of the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy and the National Park Service. Since 2001, the Center has served more than 750,000 people through field trips, summer camps, outreach and after-school programs, youth internships, family events, and more. The Center's programs are supported by the 14,068 members of the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy, as well as grants from private foundations and public agencies. To find out how you can support the Center by becoming a Conservancy member or volunteer, please visit www.parksconservancy.org.

National Park Service

The National Park Service (NPS) was created in 1916 to preserve America's natural, cultural, and scenic treasures and to provide for their enjoyment by future generations. Today, the NPS manages 391 park sites across the country, including the Golden Gate National Parks. For more information, phone (415) 561-4700, or visit www.nps.gov/goga.

The Presidio Trust

Responsible for the transformation of the Presidio from an historic Army post into a premier national park that is financially self-sustaining, the Trust is leading the nation's largest historic preservation project, restoring the park's buildings and landscapes, and creating innovative programs. To learn more about the Presidio Trust, call (415) 561-5300, or visit www.presidio.gov.

back to top