This August, we had the privilege of hosting our annual Robert Sundance Summer Camp, bringing together nearly 30 youth for an unforgettable experience in Big Pine, California.
Throughout the four-day camp, our campers, staff, volunteers, and kitchen crew shared meaningful experiences, outdoor adventures, cultural learning, and plenty of great food. Our dedicated kitchen staff provided delicious and nutritious breakfasts, lunches, snacks, and dinners each day to keep everyone energized and ready for every adventure.
Day two of camp started our camp adventure with a trip to Mammoth for horseback riding. For many of our youth, this was their first time ever riding a horse and their first opportunity to travel outside the Los Angeles area. Stepping outside of their comfort zones and taking on something completely new was a powerful display of courage, confidence, and personal growth. We are incredibly proud of each camper who faced their fears and embraced the experience!
On day three, our youth visited the Bishop Paiute Cultural Center, where their wonderful staff welcomed them into the garden. Campers learned about Native plants and participated in a fun educational bingo activity, creating an opportunity to connect with culture, nature, and traditional knowledge. After a day of learning and exploring, everyone headed to the Bishop City Park Pool to cool off and enjoy some well-deserved fun in the sun.
The final evening featured a delicious BBQ prepared by our incredible kitchen crew. We also celebrated our August birthdays, including our Program Manager, Sara Vielmas, whose birthday was August 5th!
One of our cherished camp traditions is our closing ceremony, where we take time to recognize and celebrate every youth, staff member, volunteer, and member of our kitchen crew. Each person plays an important role in making camp possible, and this ceremony allows us to acknowledge their dedication, contributions, and the positive impact they have on our community.
The 2026 Robert Sundance Summer Camp was filled with adventure, courage, culture, learning, laughter, connection, and community. We are grateful to everyone who helped make this experience possible and, most importantly, proud of our youth for embracing every opportunity to learn, explore, and grow.
Thank you to our campers, families, staff, volunteers, kitchen crew, and community partners for making this year’s camp so memorable. Until next summer!
