Field Report: Our Feather River Camping Trip 2009
We just got back from 8 days of Northern California bliss with some of the most fun and fantastic Bay Area folks who all had the same vacation idea: Feather River Camp!
Each year, I meet up with the self titled “Stumpers”. We converge on the camp’s Folk Dance Week theme, and are notorious for our daily all-inclusive Happy Hour, around a big old stump that doubles as a lounge table. Evan and Willa, our resident bards, came up with a theme song some years back (“Here at Feather River!”) that celebrates the camp, our group, and the City of Oakland — and each year they add a new, clever verse that summarizes the peculiarities of each session.
I have to admit, Folk Dance Week at Feather River took this Oakland girl some getting used to years ago, but once I realized all the dances were some form or another of the “Electric Slide” and when they added the “Cupid Shuffle” to the mix in 2007, I was hooked!
For the novice camper, this is your kind of place. You don’t have to bring a tent because you can choose from a sturdy canvas covered tent like this:
I attempted to pen down some highlights while I was at camp, but whenever I tried to sit down and write, I was either whisked away for the next dance or was too zoned out in a wilderness induced stupor. But there are some moments I’ll never forget:
— Playing Disco B-I-N-G-O with my youngest. In our camp’s version, each time your number is called, you have to get up and do a 70’s jig, like “The Hustle” or “The Bump“!
Look at mama work it!
–Meeting new families; learning and laughing about how much we had in common with one another
— The whole dining hall singling Happy Birthday to my little guy and how proud he looked to be turning 6
— Watching my kids play with friends old and new in the freedom and dirt of the outdoors
— Tubing with my 7 year-old daughter down a gentle river, surrounded by austere forests on a gorgeous Sunday afternoon
— Having a late night heart-to-heart chat with my 12-year old by lamplight — and he was actually listening!
It has taken me a few days to get on track with the Bay Area schedule, but I am still basking in the rewards of our time away that was a gift that keeps promoting peace, connectedness, and love for my family and community through nature.
…who also makes terrific Margaritas!
Hi. I have a blog at http://www.picturecamping.com where I feature people's posts about camping, and I would like to send my readers your way. Of course I would give you credit for quotes and would link back to your site.
Thanks for considering this,
Jean B. in SC
Sure thing Jean!
I love it! Looks like you had a wonderful trip… aw shucks, The Cupid Shuffle out in the woods? WHAT?! And you were working that Bingo dance!!!
One of these days, I'm going to try tubing… I was always afraid they would lead us over some crazy waterfall, but your tubing adventure looks relatively tame.
Thanks for sharing this!
Go head auntie!! This is your nephew Phil. Antoine and Christie are planning on visiting Bar 707 ranch the weekend before the wedding. I might go with him, and if I do I will be sure to take pics for your webpage. Keep up the great work!
Hey Philly Phil! So glad to see you out "here". I can't wait to get the report from BAR 717!
Love,
Auntie
Hey Rulette!
Didn’t I go to this camp with you when we were kids? AWW man, that took me back!
Nice to see you.
Good website.
Theresa
You sure did Theresa! How are you? You should definitely revisit the camp as an adult — it’s still such a sweet place!