San Diego community leaders and thousands of campers gathered in early October in celebration of Campland on the Bay providing waterfront camping in Mission Bay for 54 years. Through its fundraising program, Campland Cares, Campland supports organizations that help promote coastal access, animal welfare, recreational opportunities and food security for underserved communities, and nonprofits that aim to protect natural resources. Local City of San Diego leaders declared October 5 Campland on the Bay Day during the 2019 celebration.
At the event, Campland Cares presented $30,000 to Mid-City CAN, Young & Prosperous, Ocean Discovery Institute and Project New Village to support their missions. The donations are in addition to financial support provided to Discover Pacific Beach’s Clean and Safe Program, I Love a Clean San Diego, San Diego Humane Society, San Diego Food Bank, Promises 2 Kids and the Jacobs & Cushman Foundation.
Mid-City CAN’s Program Director of Civic Engagement Lexxus Carter, who was at the event to accept the donation presented by Campland said, “We hold events year-round for those seeking to get involved in their communities, provide training to foster local leaders, and have a Youth Council to inspire and prepare youth to take a more active role in their communities. Campland Cares’ support will be used to sustain these programs and help create future leaders in City Heights, Southwest San Diego and surrounding areas.”
In response to the support received from Campland Cares, Rudy Vargas, Vice-Chair Director of Strategic Initiatives with Ocean Discovery Institute, said, “At the Ocean Discovery Institute, we are proud to play a part in prioritizing coastal access for underserved communities and create learning experiences for young people traditionally excluded from science due to race, income status, and educational opportunity. With donations from donors like Campland Cares, we are able to provide educational programs so our students will believe that science is something they can do, and a scientist is someone they can be.”
Recipient Diane Moss, Managing Director of Project New Village, also spoke at the event. “At Project New Village, we envision Southeastern San Diego as a community of active neighborhoods supporting and contributing to the health, wealth and well-being of community members,” said Moss. “This Campland Cares donation will go towards improving fresh food access in Southeastern San Diego, including through supporting our urban farming and community engagement programs.”
Chris Jones, founder of Young and Prosperous, explained how donations from organizations like Campland Cares supports their work, stating, “Through our programs, we provide college and career exposure, as well as community awareness and service opportunities to empower youth across City Heights, Southeastern San Diego, and Lemon Grove as future leaders in their communities. Thanks to donors like Campland Cares, Young And Prosperous is able to support our students and ensure they have the resources they need to reach their full potential.”
Jacob Gelfand, Chief Operating Officer of Campland, and Sean Schwab and Elizabeth Van Clief, Co-chairs of local camping advocacy group Friends of Campland, spoke at the event to recognize the organizations and presented the checks on behalf of Campland Cares.
“As campers, we’re not only passionate about the outdoors – we’re passionate about giving back to the community. That’s why Campland campers are proud to contribute part of our stay to these outstanding organizations that are empowering and uplifting the community,” said Elizabeth Van Clief.
“Through our program Campland Cares, we have the privilege of supporting incredible organizations like those we’re honoring today,” said Jacob Gelfand. These are organizations that are supporting our local youth, improving food security, and helping to make our coastline more accessible for all communities in San Diego, as well as organizations working to protect our natural resources and animals.”
During the event, Campland on the Bay invited the public to take part in live music, games, food trucks, and raffles with prizes. Campland also recently introduced its Free Camping Program for underserved California youth and families to experience camping on Mission Bay. This unprecedented free program also includes complimentary camping equipment and watercraft rentals.
For more information on Campland on the Bay and Mission Bay RV Resort, please visit www.campland.com and www.missionbayrvresort.com to discover why they are the most popular and highly awarded campgrounds in San Diego. To learn more about Friends of Campland, an advocacy group composed of volunteers, campers and community members dedicated to preserving waterfront RV camping on Mission Bay, visit www.FriendsofCampland.org.
