Camp Fresno
Nestled in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, Camp Fresno is a 35-acre site located near Dinkey Creek that has been operated by the City of Fresno since the 1920’s. It has provided a retreat for thousands of campers in its 60-plus cabins and shared facilities. After touring the camp, Mayor Dyer instructed his administration to work in earnest to prepare it for the City’s youth starting in the summer of 2021. One challenge was the camp’s dilapidated state. A 2015 Blair Church and Flynn site study3 revealed the camp needed approximately $5.3M in investments to restore it to its former glory.
Lacking a repair budget for youth camps, Mayor Dyer nevertheless forged ahead, intent on providing the experience to hundreds of Fresno youth aged 8 – 17. The Mayor was particularly driven to focus the camp on changing the trajectory of our disadvantaged, and often marginalized, youth. Campers would receive:
- Access to free 1 and 3-day camps
- Free transportation from City Hall
- Instruction in Leadership, Career Readiness and Civic Engagement; and
- A full experience of camp food, hikes, bond fires, story telling and making new friends.
2021 camps were a complete success. 408 youth have attended 17 1-day or 3-day camps at the reborn Camp Fresno. Campers aged 8 – 17 (average age 12 years old) participated in camps specifically geared to grow their civic engagement, leadership, career readiness and appreciation of the outdoors. Per post camp youth surveys:
- 91% of youth survey respondents have said their experience at camp Fresno has improved their mental health.
- 99% have shared that they have made new friends.
For a full overview of the 2021 Camp Fresno report click below
Attention parents and guardians!
To date over 328 individuals have volunteered over 2,333 hours to restore the Camp. This coupled with City investment and private contributions from the Mayor’s One Fresno Foundation has led us to a goal of hosting 1,000 young people this summer. Starting Thursday July 7th, Camp Fresno will be open to our youth for the 2022 season.
If you are interested in your child attending one of our free 1 or 3-day camps please press the following interest form button.
Camp Fresno Cabin Rentals
“Camp Fresno is also available for public rentals. To make a reservation to rent a cabin please see the information below.”
Camp Fresno cabins are available to rent to the public from May 27th through October 2, 2022. To make a reservation, please call 559-621-2905 or email campfresno@fresno.gov.
DIRECTIONS:
From U.S. 99 in Fresno, follow CA 168 East (Shaw Ave.) thru Clovis to Shaver Lake. A Shaver Lake turns right onto Dinkey Creek Road. Turn right again on McKinley Grove Road. After traveling 1/4 mile, turn left off McKinley Grove Road and take another quick left toward the U.S. Forest Service Dinkey Fisherman Picnic Area. Follow the paved road 1/4 mile to the Dinkey Creek wood truss bridge. The camp entrance is on the right. To access Camp Fresno Jr. stay on the Dinkey Creek Road turning right at the store.