Coming into the 4th anniversary of the Bobcat Fire and closure, there’s a lot of progress at Camp— but all is still on hold for opening. Here’s the latest news at the start of Summer 2024.
He Said / She Said
In January the USFS was confident that “barring a catastrophic event” (implication “weather”), the Big Santa Anita Canyon would have a soft opening in June. But at a public meeting in May, another USFS officer reported the opening would be delayed, at least in part due to construction delays on the Chantry Road. OK, we’re used to playing yo-yo with our hopes and expectations, and frankly, it gives us time to finish some of our own key projects. Such as:
They Delivered & So Did We
The burros of the Adams Pack Train finally got the chance to prove their mettle and delivered all the materials for rebuilding the water system. But it was still on volunteers to hand-carry the 60lb bags of cement up the final steep incline to job site. Then the six steel panels, carried by hand all the way up the Canyon over two years ago and patiently waiting since, also made the trip—thanks to Super-Teah, who was tired of waiting and did it herself! (See her photo below).
Panels Up, Wrenches Go, Flies Bite
With the tank panels finally on site, it was time for a whole lot of nuts, bolts, drills, sockets and screw drivers to hold it all together. Nothing too tricky, other than fending off the swarms of bees attracted to the volunteers’ sweat, until they were displaced by the spring crop of biting deer flies. Hopefully those will die out on their own by the time volunteers return for the final assembly of the tank liners and top caps. Then it will be time to turn on the spigot and fill ‘em up with water—that will be a BIG day of celebrating!
Getting Good at This
The Conservancy made a commitment two years ago to Maggie Moran / Adams Pack Station to help get all that water tank stuff packed in, and the fire debris out. That promise has been kept, mostly because it turns out some of our volunteers really like working with burros.
“Better than the people I work for at my job” said one volunteer never on the record.
A skilled team has emerged led by Scott Wilson (VOY’23), along with Lance Luciani and Shane King-Furgala. Other volunteers also join in, but it’s the Burro Boys who have been hitting the trail every Friday, usually with Scott leading under Maggie’s blessing—and a lot of instruction (can’t forget that re-cinch prior to heading back down the Canyon.) They’ve worked their way up from three burros to run the full six, and now have very unique additions to their Linked-In profiles. Thanks y’all!
Out of Camp & Into the $ausage Factory
Not everyone who likes sausage wants to see how it’s made, and not everyone who enjoys Camp cares about the internal workings—but some do, and we have some, so this is for you who do.
With four years closed, the Camp’s fiscal activity has been near zero. But now as we ramp up for guests with a new reservations system to integrate into banking services, we took some time ‘down-Canyon’ at our home desks to work on a detailed “Fiscal Plan, Policy and Procedures” for the Conservancy and Camp.
The draft version states at the top, “Purpose: To establish the funding structure and accompanying policy and procedures for the fiduciary management of the Conservancy’s finances, including specific and transparent processes for all transactions and accounting.”
Especially as a non-profit with only volunteers to manage the work, the procedures are designed for maximum transparency, accountability, and shareability—that is, back-up so nothing is dependent on any one person.
One of the key safety features is that, just like we are “wi-fi free” at Camp, our fiscal system is “cash-free”. Fortunately, that’s the way most everything is already going, but integrating all the versions such as PayPal and Venmo with other on-line systems (reservations, banking) demands close attention and SO many authentications, passwords, etc.
All of which makes getting our boots back on the trail very appealing! We look forward to everyone leaving their desks behind and getting together at Camp soon. Speaking of which…
4th Anniversary and More
By the fourth anniversary of the Bobcat Fire September 8, 2024, we plan to be open, including a re-opening celebration for everyone who has supported the Camp through these difficult years, and everyone who wants to put their boots to the Canyon’s now happy trails.
You First / Help Wanted
To welcome the first wave of hikers into Camp, the Conservancy needs ‘docents’ or volunteer teachers about the Camp to greet people, answer questions, point them in the right direction, and hand out information about Sturtevant.
Could that be you? Yes, it could! There will be training and orientation so that you’ll both feel and be competent to guide people’s experience at Camp. Docents will be screened, trained, and scheduled to serve on a Saturday or Sunday, or both, staying overnight in Camp.
Interested in being a HOST when the Camp opens to guests? START by being a docent: we’ll use that time and experience to screen and train for Hosts. Interested in either or both? Email NOW to Teah at HostManager@SturtevantCamp.com. See you in the Canyon and at Camp soon!
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