Circle V Ranch Camp opened for business this month for the first time since its campus was badly damaged by the Whittier Fire in July 2017.
On July 12, the campgrounds opened up to more than 110 campers and 30 staff members. Campers and staff participated in Space Week, one of four themed summer camp sessions Circle V is hosting this year.
The reopening wouldn’t have been possible without major donations and hours of volunteer work put in by dozens of community members and organizations, according to Laura Kath, camp community relations coordinator.
“So many people in the community have risen up to contribute their hard-earned dollars,” Kath told the Sun, “and a lot of sweat equity as well.”
The Catholic summer camp near Cachuma Lake was damaged in 2017 when the Whittier Fire ignited nearby, trapping more than 80 staff and campers on the grounds for two hours. Although campers and staff were all eventually rescued without injury, the fire rapidly burned through much of the camp’s grounds, destroying its health and craft lodges and seriously damaging its water treatment facility and pipes.
Since then, all camp and retreat activities had been canceled. Kath said some long-term maintenance and kitchen staff were temporarily laid off throughout the cleanup process, which has been extensive and costly.
The pool and many of the facilities were covered in soot, buildings and vital facilities were burned down, and supplies were lost. So far the cleanup and repairs have cost more than $1 million, and Kath said that price is still increasing.
Though the craft and health cabins have not yet been rebuilt, Kath said Circle V was able to repurpose portions of other facilities to make temporary room for what was lost in the fire. The water treatment facility is up and running again, the damaged pool was cleaned out, and although Kath said rebuilding work is still ongoing, “the goal has always been to reopen.”
During the summer months, Circle V Ranch Camp offers six days and five nights of activities for fun and leadership training. The camp will be hosting Carnival Week from July 26 to 31, and Talent Show Week from Aug. 3 to 8. When the kids are back in school, Kath said the space will open up for retreats in September.
—Kasey Bubnash
This article appears in Jul 25 – Aug 1, 2019.