Pilot lake wilderness camp. Crane Lake Discovery Camp: Transforming Lives Through Wilderness Therapy

How did Crane Lake Discovery Camp begin. What is the philosophy behind wilderness therapy. Who were the key figures in developing this approach. How has the camp evolved since its founding.

The Origins and Evolution of Crane Lake Discovery Camp

Crane Lake Discovery Camp, founded in 2004, has a rich history rooted in the wilderness therapy methodology developed by Campbell Loughmiller. Initially established as a boys’ camp in the Muskokas, it has grown significantly since its first summer sessions in 2005. Over 250 boys have participated in the program, experiencing transformative changes in their ability to cooperate, work hard, and achieve their goals.

The camp’s founder, Ron Weber, recognized early on that some boys needed more than just a summer program. This insight led to a significant upgrade of the camp’s infrastructure in 2020, enabling it to operate year-round in the challenging Muskoka winter conditions. Following a successful Winter Pilot in 2022-2023, the camp is now poised for expansion, with the goal of hosting 40 boys year-round by 2030.

Key Milestones in Crane Lake Discovery Camp’s Development

• 2004: Founding of Crane Lake Discovery Camp
• 2005: First summer sessions begin
• 2020: Infrastructure upgrade for year-round operation
• 2022-2023: Successful Winter Pilot program
• 2023: Welcoming the first group of year-round campers
• 2030: Target to host 40 boys year-round

The Philosophy of Wilderness Therapy: Campbell Loughmiller’s Legacy

At the heart of Crane Lake Discovery Camp’s approach is the wilderness therapy methodology pioneered by Campbell Loughmiller. Known as “Chief Lock,” Loughmiller began experimenting with wilderness camping as a means to help troubled youth in the 1940s, with support from Buford McKenzie and the Salesman Club of Dallas.

Loughmiller’s groundbreaking discovery was that boys living as a group in the wilderness, under the guidance of counselors, made significant progress in overcoming personal challenges. Through group work, participants gained confidence and learned valuable life skills that contributed to their future success.

Key Elements of Loughmiller’s Wilderness Therapy Approach

1. Group living in wilderness settings
2. Mentorship from trained counselors
3. Focus on building confidence and life skills
4. Incorporation of experiential education
5. Emphasis on awakening natural curiosity

Loughmiller’s philosophy has had a lasting impact, inspiring the creation of numerous camps worldwide. His experiences and insights are documented in his books, “Wilderness Way” and “Kids in Trouble.” Although some of his language may be considered dated today, the core methodology remains effective and continues to influence therapeutic camping programs.

The Doell Family’s Contribution to Crane Lake Discovery Camp

The story of Crane Lake Discovery Camp is intertwined with the vision of Ben and Artrude Doell. Ben Doell, an engineer with the Ministry of Natural Resources, first encountered the Crane Lake property while rebuilding a dam in the area. Captivated by its potential, he and his wife Artrude purchased the property in 1960, maintaining its zoning as a camp for decades.

In 2000, Ron Weber learned about the property and visited Crane Lake. Two years later, as his term at Bald Eagle Boys Camp was coming to an end, Weber approached Ben Doell about his vision for a camp in Ontario similar to Bald Eagle. The Doells, sharing Weber’s vision, offered favorable conditions for the purchase of the property, which proved instrumental in making the dream of Crane Lake Discovery Camp a reality.

Timeline of the Doell Family’s Involvement

• 1960: Ben and Artrude Doell purchase the Crane Lake property
• 2000: Ron Weber first visits Crane Lake
• 2002: Weber approaches Ben Doell about purchasing the property
• 2003: Weber and the camp’s board present their proposal to the Doells
• 2004: The property is sold to Crane Lake Discovery Camp

Ron Weber: The Visionary Behind Crane Lake Discovery Camp

Ron Weber’s journey to founding Crane Lake Discovery Camp began at the age of 19 when he was first exposed to therapeutic wilderness camping at Fair Play Camp School in South Carolina. This experience profoundly impacted his life, planting the seed for what would eventually become Crane Lake Discovery Camp.

In 1991, Weber returned to Fair Play Camp School as a volunteer counselor. During a staff training session, he articulated his dream of establishing a similar camp in his home province of Ontario. This vision stayed with him through the years, fueled by his firsthand experience of the transformative power of therapeutic wilderness camping.

Ron Weber’s Path to Founding Crane Lake Discovery Camp

1. Age 19: First exposure to therapeutic wilderness camping at Fair Play Camp School
2. 1991: Returns to Fair Play Camp School as a volunteer counselor
3. Mid-1990s: Works in various fields while nurturing his camp vision
4. 2000-2002: Serves as Group Work Supervisor at Bald Eagle Boys Camp in Pennsylvania
5. 2002: Settles in Linwood, Ontario, and revisits the Crane Lake property
6. 2004: Founds Crane Lake Discovery Camp

The Impact of Therapeutic Wilderness Camping on At-Risk Youth

Therapeutic wilderness camping, as practiced at Crane Lake Discovery Camp, has shown remarkable success in helping at-risk youth overcome personal challenges and develop essential life skills. But how exactly does this approach benefit participants?

The wilderness setting provides a unique environment that removes distractions and negative influences often present in urban settings. It challenges participants to develop self-reliance, problem-solving skills, and teamwork. The group living aspect fosters social skills, empathy, and conflict resolution abilities.

Key Benefits of Therapeutic Wilderness Camping

• Improved self-esteem and confidence
• Enhanced communication and interpersonal skills
• Development of resilience and coping strategies
• Increased sense of personal responsibility
• Improved physical health and fitness
• Greater appreciation for nature and environmental stewardship

Research has consistently shown that participants in therapeutic wilderness programs experience significant improvements in emotional and behavioral functioning. Many graduates of these programs report long-lasting positive changes in their lives, including better relationships with family and peers, improved academic performance, and increased motivation to pursue personal goals.

The Role of Experiential Education in Wilderness Therapy

Experiential education is a cornerstone of the wilderness therapy approach employed at Crane Lake Discovery Camp. This methodology, championed by Campbell Loughmiller, is based on the belief that all children have an innate desire to learn and that hands-on experiences in nature can awaken and nurture this curiosity.

In the context of wilderness therapy, experiential education goes beyond traditional classroom learning. It involves immersing participants in real-life situations that require problem-solving, critical thinking, and practical application of knowledge. This approach not only enhances academic skills but also develops life skills that are crucial for success in the real world.

Examples of Experiential Education in Wilderness Therapy

1. Navigation and map reading
2. Wilderness survival skills
3. Campsite setup and maintenance
4. Meal planning and outdoor cooking
5. Flora and fauna identification
6. Leave No Trace principles and environmental ethics

By engaging in these activities, participants learn to apply mathematical concepts, improve their reading comprehension, develop scientific observation skills, and gain a deeper understanding of environmental science and ecology. Moreover, these experiences often spark a lifelong interest in learning and personal growth.

The Future of Crane Lake Discovery Camp: Expanding Year-Round Programs

As Crane Lake Discovery Camp looks to the future, it is poised for significant growth and expansion. The successful implementation of the Winter Pilot program in 2022-2023 has paved the way for year-round operations, marking a new chapter in the camp’s history. But what does this expansion mean for the camp and its participants?

The move to year-round programming allows Crane Lake Discovery Camp to provide more comprehensive and sustained support for at-risk youth. By extending the program beyond the summer months, participants have the opportunity for longer-term interventions, potentially leading to more profound and lasting changes.

Key Aspects of Crane Lake Discovery Camp’s Expansion Plan

• Increased capacity to host 40 boys year-round by 2030
• Development of specialized winter programs
• Enhanced facilities to accommodate year-round operations
• Expanded staff training for winter wilderness therapy
• Potential for academic programming integration
• Opportunities for longitudinal research on program effectiveness

This expansion not only increases the camp’s impact but also positions it as a leader in year-round wilderness therapy programs. The extended programming allows for more in-depth work with participants, potentially addressing a wider range of issues and providing more comprehensive support for their transition back to home and school environments.

The Wilderness Road Therapeutic Camping Association: A Community of Practice

Crane Lake Discovery Camp is part of a larger community of therapeutic wilderness camps known as the Wilderness Road Therapeutic Camping Association. This association brings together camps that share a common philosophy rooted in Campbell Loughmiller’s approach to wilderness therapy. But what role does this association play in the field of wilderness therapy?

The Wilderness Road Therapeutic Camping Association serves as a platform for sharing best practices, conducting collaborative research, and advancing the field of wilderness therapy. Member camps benefit from shared resources, professional development opportunities, and a supportive network of experienced practitioners.

Functions of the Wilderness Road Therapeutic Camping Association

1. Promoting ethical standards in wilderness therapy
2. Facilitating knowledge exchange among member camps
3. Advocating for the recognition and support of wilderness therapy programs
4. Conducting and disseminating research on program effectiveness
5. Providing professional development opportunities for staff
6. Collaborating on program innovations and improvements

By participating in this association, Crane Lake Discovery Camp stays at the forefront of developments in wilderness therapy. This connection ensures that the camp’s practices remain grounded in proven methodologies while also incorporating new insights and innovations in the field.

The Role of Mentorship in Wilderness Therapy Programs

Mentorship is a crucial component of the wilderness therapy approach employed at Crane Lake Discovery Camp. Trained counselors play a vital role in guiding participants through their wilderness experiences and personal growth journeys. But how does mentorship contribute to the effectiveness of wilderness therapy programs?

In the context of wilderness therapy, mentors serve as role models, guides, and support figures for participants. They help create a safe and nurturing environment where youth can explore their challenges, develop new skills, and build self-confidence. The mentor-participant relationship often becomes a powerful catalyst for personal growth and positive change.

Key Aspects of Effective Mentorship in Wilderness Therapy

• Building trust and rapport with participants
• Providing emotional support and guidance
• Modeling positive behaviors and coping strategies
• Facilitating group dynamics and conflict resolution
• Encouraging personal reflection and goal-setting
• Adapting interventions to individual needs and progress

Research has shown that strong mentorship relationships in wilderness therapy programs are associated with better outcomes for participants. These relationships often extend beyond the duration of the program, providing ongoing support and guidance as youth transition back to their home environments.

Measuring Success: Outcomes and Research in Wilderness Therapy

As Crane Lake Discovery Camp continues to grow and evolve, measuring the program’s effectiveness becomes increasingly important. But how do wilderness therapy programs assess their impact on participants? What kind of research is being conducted in this field?

Wilderness therapy programs use a variety of assessment tools and research methodologies to measure outcomes. These may include standardized psychological assessments, behavioral observations, self-reports from participants and their families, and long-term follow-up studies. The goal is to understand not only the immediate effects of the program but also its long-term impact on participants’ lives.

Common Areas of Assessment in Wilderness Therapy Research

1. Emotional regulation and coping skills
2. Interpersonal relationships and social skills
3. Academic performance and engagement
4. Substance use and risk-taking behaviors
5. Self-esteem and self-efficacy
6. Family dynamics and communication

Recent studies in the field of wilderness therapy have shown promising results, with many participants demonstrating significant improvements in various areas of functioning. However, researchers also emphasize the need for more rigorous, longitudinal studies to better understand the long-term effects of these programs.

As Crane Lake Discovery Camp expands its year-round programming, it has the opportunity to contribute valuable data to the growing body of research on wilderness therapy. By systematically tracking outcomes and participating in collaborative research efforts, the camp can continue to refine its approach and demonstrate the effectiveness of its programs.

Challenges and Opportunities in Expanding Wilderness Therapy Programs

The expansion of Crane Lake Discovery Camp to year-round programming presents both challenges and opportunities. As the camp grows, it must navigate various obstacles while capitalizing on new possibilities for impact. What are some of the key challenges and opportunities facing expanding wilderness therapy programs?

One of the primary challenges is maintaining program quality and consistency while scaling up operations. This includes ensuring adequate staffing, adapting programming for different seasons, and managing increased logistical complexities. Additionally, expanding programs often face financial hurdles, regulatory requirements, and the need to educate stakeholders about the benefits of wilderness therapy.

Key Challenges in Expanding Wilderness Therapy Programs

• Maintaining program quality during expansion
• Recruiting and training qualified staff for year-round operations
• Adapting programming for different seasons and weather conditions
• Securing funding for expansion and ongoing operations
• Navigating regulatory requirements for year-round residential programs
• Managing increased operational complexities

Despite these challenges, expansion also brings significant opportunities. Year-round programming allows for more sustained interventions, potentially leading to better outcomes for participants. It also provides opportunities for innovative programming, such as integrating academic curricula or developing specialized tracks for different participant needs.

Opportunities in Expanding Wilderness Therapy Programs

1. Providing more comprehensive, long-term support for participants
2. Developing innovative, season-specific programming
3. Integrating academic components into the wilderness therapy model
4. Conducting more extensive research on program effectiveness
5. Becoming a leader in year-round wilderness therapy approaches
6. Expanding partnerships with schools, mental health providers, and community organizations

By carefully navigating these challenges and seizing new opportunities, Crane Lake Discovery Camp and similar programs can enhance their impact and contribute to the advancement of wilderness therapy as a whole. The expansion to year-round programming represents a significant step forward in providing comprehensive support for at-risk youth and furthering the field of wilderness therapy.

Our Story-Crane Lake Discovery Camp

About the camp

Crane Lake Discovery Camp was founded in 2004 as a boy’s camp in the Muskokas, using the wilderness therapy methodology developed by Campbell Loughmiller.

Since the first summer sessions were run in 2005, the program has developed and grown. Over 250 boys have come through our doors since the early days, continuing the legacy of Ben and Artrude Doell. Lives have been changed, boys leaving camp more able to get along with others, work hard, and accomplish their goals.

As effective as the summer program has been, our founder Ron Weber always knew there were boys slipping through the cracks, who needed more than what a summer program could provide. So in 2020, we began the work of upgrading our infrastructure to be able to withstand a Muskoka winter in all its beauty and ruggedness.

Our successful Winter Pilot in 2022-2023 has tested all our buildings and equipment. We are ready and excited to expand our program.

Our goal is to host 40 boys year-round by 2030. We will welcome our first group of year-round campers in 2023.

Campbell Loughmiller was an early pioneer in the development of therapeutic wilderness camping. His philosophy became the foundation for Crane Lake Discovery Camp and other camps around the world.

“Chief Lock”, as he was known, began experimenting with wilderness camping in helping troubled youth in the 1940’s, with the help of Buford McKenzie and the financial backing of the Salesman Club of Dallas.

Loughmiller discovered that boys living as a group in the wilderness, with the mentoring of counsellors, made huge strides in overcoming personal problems. Through group work, boys gained confidence and learned ways of navigating life that helped them be successful.

Loughmiller was also an avid naturalist. He naturally incorporated experiential education into the program, insisting that all boys want to learn, and modeling how to awaken youth’s natural curiosity. He wrote about his experiences in his books, Wilderness Way and Kids in Trouble. Though his language is now dated, his methodology remains effective.

Many camps were founded on this philosophy. In recent years, these camps formed an association of camps called the Wilderness Road Therapeutic Camping Association.

Ben Doell was an engineer with the Ministry of Natural Resources. While rebuilding the dam at Crane Lake, he fell in love with the property, dreaming it could become a place of Christian ministry. He and his wife Artrude bought it in 1960, maintaining zoning as a camp throughout the decades that followed.

In 2000, just prior to working at Bald Eagle Boys Camp, Ron Weber heard about the property from a friend and together they went to visit Crane Lake. In 2002, nearing the end of his term at Bald Eagle, Ron called Ben to talk about his growing conviction that Ontario needed a camp like Bald Eagle. Ben invited him to submit a proposal to purchase the property.

In the fall of 2003, Ron and the fledgling board of Crane Lake Discovery Camp presented their proposal to Ben and Artrude. Sharing the group’s vision, they gave them very favourable conditions, without which the purchase could not have been possible. In 2004, the property was sold to Crane Lake Discovery Camp.

A dream was planted

Crane Lake Discovery Camp’s founder and Executive Director, Ron Weber, was first exposed to therapeutic wilderness camping at the age of 19 at Fair Play Camp School in South Carolina. Two years later, in 1991, he joined the camp as a volunteer counsellor. During a staff training session, counsellors were asked to write out a dream for their lives. Ron shared his vision of a camp similar to Fair Play in his home province of Ontario. Therapeutic wilderness camping had changed his life, and he saw its impact on campers. He felt strongly that he needed to share what he had learned with at-risk youths in Ontario.

Preparation years

After completing his term at Fair Play, Ron returned to Ontario, where he worked on the family farm, in construction, and in sales for a lumber company for several years. He met his wife Cindy, who grew up helping at-risk boys and shared his dream of camp work. Her family had run group homes for boys, and shared his vision.

Group Work Supervisor at Bald Eagle

In 2000, Ron, Cindy, and their children moved to Bald Eagle Boys Camp in Pennsylvania, where Ron worked as the Group Work Supervisor for two years. His term at Bald Eagle was foundational, giving him the skills and training he needed to open a camp in Ontario. In the early part of his term, he toured the property at Crane Lake.

Coming home to Ontario

In 2002, they settled into their home in Linwood, Ontario. Ron once again returned to visit Ben Doell, camping with his family on the property. Ron talked about his vision of an Ontario camp for boys with family, friends, and anyone else who would listen. Together, they began the non-profit and submitted a proposal to Ben. Ben resonated with their vision and gave them very favourable terms. The property was transferred to the fledgling charity in 2004.

In the fall of 2004, Ron organized two canoe trips with teenaged boys to explore the property and its surroundings. In 2005, Ron and the developing Crane Lake team ran the first summer sessions with campers from a group home; that year the Voyagers camp site was built.

Throughout the next years, camp was run during summer months, with Ron and Cindy and other staff living at camp during the summer and returning to winter homes and jobs during the off-season.

Ron and Cindy were joined by Tom and Rita Weber for many years, and Ron and Tom formed a construction company to fund their summer work. Together both couples and their families spent many summers on the property, running the program and forming a strong foundation for the future of camp.

Many volunteers and staff also lived and worked at camp, contributing skills in building, cooking, mentoring, leadership, painting, drywalling, tree stewardship, and bridge-building, among other things.

Crane Lake Discovery Camp, which is a member of the Wilderness Road Therapeutic Camping Association, is the first camp of its kind in Canada. But unlike the other camps, which run a year-round program, it only ran a summer program.

What would it take to go the next step?

The WRTCA is an association of camps that incorporate the therapeutic wilderness camping philosophy developed by Campbell Loughmiller and Buford McKenzie. This association organizes an annual meeting for members. They do not have a website at this time.

Crane Lake Discovery Camp is the only member camp in Canada.

Member camps include:

• Fair Play Camp School (boys)

• Bald Eagle Boys Camp (boys)

• Wilderness Way Girls Camp (girls)

• Gator Wilderness Camp School (boys)

• Ohio Boys Camp (boys)

• Cameron Boys Camp (boys)

• Camp Duncan (girls)

• Comeragh Wilderness Camp

In 2020, the pandemic disrupted the summer program. As the mental health crisis deepened for youth, Ron and the board turned their attention to making year-round camp a reality.

A Ten-Year Plan was created, mapping out the buildings, infrastructure, and other improvements needed to handle the Muskoka winter. The goal? To open our doors for year-round camp in 2023, and to increase that capacity to 40 campers by 2030.

What needed to be done?

Utilities needed to be upgraded to provide stable hydro, heat, internet, and clean water. A new Shower House needed to be built (the old one was undersized and uninsulated). The roads needed to be upgraded to handle winter maintenance.

With a huge team of dedicated volunteers, we set to work.

Every fall in the history of Crane Lake Discovery Camp, buildings were closed and water lines filled with antifreeze before staff moved south. In 2022, for the first time, three families stayed over the winter to test the buildings and infrastructure.

Ron & Cindy Weber, Kristen & Nick Freeman, and Jen & Nate Weber moved up to camp with an assortment of four young children and pregnancies. Could they keep buildings warm, with fresh water, hydro, and internet? Could they keep the road safely open for all the children?

Though not without challenges, the Winter Pilot was successful. A historic snowfall over Christmas 2022 tested the limits of snow clearing but they were able to keep the road open. Buildings were warm, and even with hydro outages, backup generators flipped on flawlessly. At the Campsite, sleeping tents were warm and cozy with insulation and wood stoves.

In September 2023, we will welcome our first group of boys. As they settle into the program, they will be able to take all the time they need to conquer their goals.

We are so excited to be able to welcome them. Our program will run as it always has, with the solid principles of Group Work, Education, Pacing, Wilderness, and Faith.

Now, however, they won’t have to go home when the summer ends. Instead, they can stay, practicing new skills and gaining confidence that their new habits will last a lifetime.

Folsom Lake SRA

Notices

Folsom Lake SRA Boat Ramp Status As Of 5/22/2023

Folsom Lake SRA Closed Boat Launch Areas
Granite Bay Low Water: CLOSED
Granite Bay Stage 1: CLOSED
Granite Bay Stage 2: CLOSED
Granite Bay Stage 3: CLOSED

Folsom Lake SRA Open Boat Launch Areas
Folsom Point: OPEN
Browns Ravine: OPEN
Granite Bay Stage 4: OPEN
Rattlesnake Bar: OPEN
Nimbus Flat: OPEN
Black Miners Bar: OPEN
Peninsula South: OPEN
Peninsula North: OPEN
Willow Creek: OPEN

Located at the base of the Sierra foothills, the lake and recreation area offers opportunities for hiking, biking, running, camping, picnicking, horseback riding, water-skiing and boating. Fishing offers trout, catfish, largemouth and smallmouth bass, or perch. Visitors can also see the Folsom Powerhouse (once called “the greatest operative electrical plant on the American continent”), which from 1885 to 1952 produced 11,000 volts of electricity for Sacramento residents. For cyclists, there is a 32-mile long bicycle path that connects Folsom Lake with many Sacramento County parks before reaching Old Sacramento. The park also includes Lake Natoma, downstream from Folsom Lake, which is popular for crew races, sailing, kayaking and other aquatic sports.

Regular day use hours apply to all areas except the following:

1. Campgrounds
2. Overnight moorings for registered boat campers
3. Folsom Lake Marina at Brown’s Ravine

Lake Natoma is primarily managed for non-motorized and slow-speed aquatic recreation such as rowing, paddling, etc. There is a 5-mph speed limit enforced on the entire lake.

The following units are closed to vehicles until further notice:

• Nimbus Shoals

For any and all questions and the most current information, please contact the park at (916) 988-0205

Camping is available at Beals Point year-round and at Peninsula Campground beginning April 1, through the summer (Peninsula Campground closes October 1). Additional information about Camping can be found here or by calling (800) 444-7275.

Location
Folsom Lake State Recreation Area is located in the Sierra-Nevada foothills about 25 miles east of Sacramento, can be reached via either Highway 50 or I-80. Both Folsom Lake and Lake Natoma have many access points and entrances. The administrative offices are located at the base of Folsom Dam at the corner.

Park Entrances
The park has multiple entrances most of which are fairly easily accessed by either Interstate 80 to Douglas Blvd.(east), or Highway 50 to Hazel Ave., or Folsom Blvd., (north).

Directions to the Peninsula campground:
80 east Reno
From Hwy 80 take the Elm St. exit out of the city of Auburn, at the 1st light make a left, at your very next light you will make another left that is High St.  High St turns  into Hwy 49 you will travel on Hwy 49 for 10 miles towards the city of Cool. You will enter a small town called Pilot Hill from that small town you will turn right on Rattlesnake Bar Rd. that road will dead end into the campground in 9 miles.

Hwy 50 S.Lake Tahoe
From Hwy 50 you will take the El Dorado Hills Blvd. exit go north on El Dorado hills for about 10 miles (at some point the road changes names to Salmon Falls Rd.) you will enter the small town of Pilot Hill you will make a left on Rattlesnake Bar Rd. which dead ends onto the campground in 9 miles.

Directions to the Beals Point campground:
80 east Reno
From Hwy 80 you will take the Douglas Blvd. exit out of the city of Roseville. Go east on Douglas for about 6 miles make a right on Auburn-Folsom Rd. go about 2½ miles until you come to a stop light the sign will say Beals Point and you make a left.

Hwy 50 S. Lake Tahoe
Take the Folsom Blvd. exit go north on Folsom for about 7 miles (the road will change names to Folsom- Auburn) you will come to a stop light, the sign will say Beals Point and you make a right.

Transportation to the Park
A variety of transportation methods are available to park visitors at Folsom Lake and Lake Natoma. With its urban setting and the accessibility of the parks entrances, local bus services can be used reach Folsom Lake and Lake Natoma. Private vehicles as well as bicycles, horseback, and foot travel are the most frequently used methods of park entry.

Visit Recommendations

The primary recreation season coincides with the spring and summer months when temperatures are in the 80s, 90s and 100s.

Visitation is highest from April through September. In the spring months when school is still in session, evenings and weekends are the times of highest lake activity.

Climate, Recommended Clothing

Summers at Folsom Lake State Recreation Area are generally hot and dry. Dress lightly for high temperatures but be careful of over exposure to the sun.

Winters can be very cold with lengthy periods of central valley fog conditions. Dress in layers as the damp can bring on a penetrating chill.

Spring and Fall offer warm days and cooler evenings and nights. Dress in layers.

Good walking shoes are a must when exploring any of the park trails. Shoes or sandals are recommended on the lake’s beaches and boat ramp areas.

Granite Bay and Black Miners Bar Group Picnic Sites

Folsom Lake State Recreation Area offers reservable group picnic sites at two park entrances. 

Granite Bay Main Beach offers two reservable group picnic sites with easy access to Folsom Lake from the Granite Bay Main Beach parking area.  The group picnic sites are available year-round during normal park hours.  Each site can accommodate up to 100 people and include eleven picnic tables, a large BBQ station, adjacent to flush toilets and water faucets.

Black Miners Bar offers two reservable group picnic sites at the newly renovated day use area with easy access to Lake Natoma from the Black Miners Bar Day use parking area.   The group sites are available year-round during normal park hours.  Each site can accommodate up to 50 people and includes six picnic tables and a large prep/buffet table, shade ramada, a large BBQ station, trash and recycle containers and is adjacent to flush toilets. 

All park day use fees apply.  Reservations can be made 90 days in advance at our Folsom Sector Office at 7755 Folsom-Auburn Rd Folsom, CA 95630 or by calling (916) 988-0205.

Granite Bay Group Picnic Reservation Application

Black Miners Bar Group Picnic Reservation Application

Shparo Camp: Mysterious Island

In 2013, we successfully tested the Little Heroes program. An amazing case – the pilot project overtook the veteran programs in popularity!

It turns out that boys and girls from 8 to 12 years old are bolder and more active than many older teenagers! They really enjoyed traveling and the vast majority want to be on the “Big Adventure” again! We cannot greatly complicate the program for “kids”, but diversifying it is easy! Welcome to Mysterious island!

Main adventures of the program:

• no, creating a map of the island, preparing dinner on your own, trying to find out if there are natives on the island .
• “Land on the horizon” – a multi-day trip on catamarans, attempts to discover new lands of the Mergub Lake, go fishing, set up a tent, light a fire, discuss the most interesting events of the past day by the fire.
• “Visiting Captain Nemo” – an amazing adventure quest for those who have already mastered the basics of survival on a desert island and want to put all their knowledge into practice – we will build a hut, weave a rope, look for treasure using an encrypted map.

Trainings and master classes:

• “Doctor Nebolit” – study of the tourist’s first aid kit, proper bandaging of the hand, use of iodine, brilliant green.
• “Forest ABC” – we learn to dress properly, select equipment, provide ourselves with food and warmth, a roof over our heads.
• “Feeling of the elbow” – classes on rope courses, determining the leader, team building.
• “Four paws, the fifth tail” – we will communicate with amazing husky dogs, choose a friend for ourselves, take a walk with him.
• “Catamaran and I” – we will manage a small vessel, learn rowing.
• “Photo hunting” – training in creating a photo report, creating a final presentation.
• “In three pines” – orientation on the ground, azimuth, compass.
• “Velo-business” – we are engaged in an equipped velodrome.
• “By the fireplace” – conversations and communication.

Each participant is expected sports events in volleyball, football, table tennis, badminton, pioneer ball, checkers, chess, basketball, as well as “Merry Starts”.

Cultural and leisure events are held : “Pancake show”, presentation of teams, culinary duel, “Adventure trail”, “Starting”, “Catamaran-FM”, watching films.

All program participants will be able to:

• get acquainted with Jules Verne’s novel, act as its characters;
• light a fire, cook food, set up a tent;
• become more independent, responsible and mature;
• experience all the benefits of outdoor recreation, find out what mutual assistance and true friendship mean;
• learn to row, manage a catamaran;
• make friends with husky dogs, learn how to care for them;
• temper character and body;
• sit with friends, talk about important topics;
• spend more than two hundred hours outdoors;
• get a charge of vivacity and good mood!

Location: Republic of Karelia, Muezersky district, the shore of the picturesque Mergub Lake.

Accommodation: Children live in a heated wooden cottage and sleep in sleeping bags. Children receive all the necessary equipment, all conditions are provided.

Meals: Tasty and balanced 5 meals a day (with evening tea). We eat in the dining room, while camping we cook food on a fire.

Safety: Children are divided into mini-groups of 10 people, the ratio of adults to children is 1 to 5, all conditions for a safe and healthy holiday are provided. All classes are conducted under the supervision of instructors.

Organizer: Club “Adventure” Dmitry and Matvey Shparo

Contacts:

• Camp address: Karelia, Muezersky district, pos. Tiksha, Mergub Lake
• Sales office address: Moscow, st. Rusakovskaya, 5
• Sales office phone: +7 (495) 960-2128

Buy a ticket Reviews

• Health camp
• Campground
• Profile camp
• Sports camp
• Tourist camp

Also recommended

Expensive camps where children died: how teenagers are re-educated in the USA

as well as “wildlife therapy” programs. The latter are mostly located in Utah, and those who pass them call themselves “survivors”.

In 2020, socialite and hotel heiress Paris Hilton spoke for the first time about the abuse she experienced at age 16 at a boarding school for “difficult” teenagers. In the documentary This Is Paris, she recounted her experience of undergoing wilderness therapy in the Utah desert and subsequent life in a boarding school where she was humiliated, abused, strangled, beaten, drugged with unknown pills, deprived of sleep, kept in isolation, and forced to shower mentor. After being recognized as a celebrity, many Americans began to share similar stories on social networks and the media, urging the authorities to increase oversight of such rehabilitation programs, which seem to promise to improve the behavior and discipline of teenagers and even “cure” them from mental disorders, eating problems and addictions.

“Wild Therapy” in the Wild

Promotional brochures for popular boarding schools for teens with difficult behavior advertise that survival in the wilderness will teach children self-reliance, make them strong, courageous and resilient – both physically and mentally. According to the description, during daylight hours, children go through special routes there, learn useful survival skills in the wild and work with a psychotherapist, and at night they have dinner and set up a tent camp. Upon completion of such a trip, adolescents are transferred for several weeks or months to a hospital in a boarding school, where therapy continues.

At the same time, during the entire rehabilitation course, parents cannot contact the child – they learn all the news only from the curators of the program.

Wildlife therapy can last from six weeks to three months or more.

The cost of participation in the program is quite high – from 500 to 750 dollars a day. Most parents resort to this therapy after trying more common methods: boarding schools often end up with teenagers who are already registered with the police and psychiatric clinics. While many parents take out loans to send their child to rehab, there are government funding programs for needy families that cover some or all of the costs.

Unfortunately, in reality, many of these programs do not match the stated descriptions. There are many cases when children were deprived of food, water, hygiene items, forbidden to use the toilet, change clothes and wash, humiliated, beaten and organized collective trials of the guilty.

In an interview with the BBC ( resource blocked by Roskomnadzor ), Dr. Kate Truitt, a clinical psychologist and neuroscientist who has worked with those who have undergone wildlife therapy, said that the experience of being there is comparable to what former cult members and prisoners of war go through: Many survivors have been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder, sleep problems, trust, and anxiety. According to the therapist, in the vast majority of cases, the passage of wildlife therapy only aggravated the condition of adolescents, strengthened addictions, and could even push them to suicidal behavior.

How it all began

In the 1960s, several students at Brigham Young Mormon University began going on mini-hikes through the deserts and mountains of Utah, where they learned how to survive in the wilderness. Teachers soon noticed that these students had improved academic performance and discipline. Then the university administration began to offer lagging students to go on a hike for a month to get a chance to re-enroll – this is how the course called “Youth Leadership through Outdoor Survival” was born.

By the 1970s, youth treatment programs in Utah had expanded beyond university walking. A boarding school for troubled teenagers, Provo Canyon, opened in the state, where Paris Hilton stayed for 11 months in 1997. This school remains one of the most famous schools of this type to this day.

It’s important to note that Utah is known as the “parental rights state” because children under 18 can’t even use social media without parental consent. Also, local parents have the full right to sign any documents for the child and make medical decisions on behalf of their children. But while Utah is home to most wildlife therapy programs, there are similar organizations in other states, such as California and Arizona.

Parents often enroll children aged 12-17 in wildlife therapy programs without their knowledge and even organize abductions

They enter into an agreement with a special company that provides escort services (the cost varies from 5 to 8 thousand dollars, depending on the distance, where you need to take the child away), and at night people break into the teenager’s room and take him away in an unknown direction.

Quite often, the “kidnappers” use aggressive tactics: they beat teenagers, handcuff them, tie them up with cable wires. The carriers explain this strategy by saying that they need to disorient the obstinate teenager and minimize the risk of confrontation and flight.

As Wildlife Therapy grew in popularity, allegations of psychological, physical, and sexualized abuse and the use of dubious medications in programs began to surface. Soon, information about the tragic deaths of children began to appear.

In 1990, Kristen C., a 16-year-old participant in the program, died of heat stroke three days after arriving at the boarding school. In 2000, 15-year-old William Edward L. died from a head injury, in 2022, 14-year-old Jan A. died of hyperthermia, and 17-year-old Charles M. from suffocation; in 2005, 14-year-old Anthony H. died while serving his sentence in a boot camp, in 2007, the body of 15-year-old Caleb D. was found in a sleeping bag soaked in feces and urine, in 2011, 17-year-old Daniel W. died, in 2016 year – 19-year-old Lane L., who tried to escape from the treatment center.

What’s Happening Now

In October 2007 and April 2008, the United States Government Accountability Office reviewed reports of widespread and systematic abuse in adolescent treatment facilities. In connection with the hearing, they released a report on the wildlife therapy industry that examined thousands of allegations of abuse. According to the report, there are reasons to believe that since 19From 1990 to 2007, more than 100 teenagers died while undergoing wildlife therapy due to incompetent staff.

In the same year, some states tightened their rules for obtaining accreditation and licensing programs and schools for “troubled” teenagers, and the Federal Bureau of Land Management issued a memorandum prohibiting the use of public land in states that did not have licensing or regulatory processes . However, human rights activists demanded more and in 2008 presented a bill that was supposed to prevent child abuse in boarding schools. This bill was introduced six more times, but each time the officials were not sufficiently interested. The law was considered only in 2021, after the speech of Paris Hilton in the US Congress.

As a result, the states of Utah, California, Oregon, Montana, and Missouri passed laws to increase oversight of inpatient care programs for young people. But each state has introduced its own regulatory measures, which are very different from each other.

Activists say that until there is a federal law, owners of programs and schools accused of child abuse can cross state lines and reopen, rebrand and continue to make a profit. So the non-profit organization Breaking Code Silence, which is partnering with Paris Hilton to end child abuse in institutions, is next aiming to pass a federal law and create a commission within the Justice Department to investigate programs to help troubled teens.