About Us
jack & jill family camp history
Jack & Jill Family Camp is one of longest continuously running family camps for African American families in the United States. Dr Ruth Howard discovered the Mendocino Woodlands Camp in 1958 when a friend, involved with a group affiliated with the Quakers, invited her to camp with them. Dr Howard had a vision and in 1959 convinced her friends from the San Francisco and Oakland Bay Area Chapters of Jack & Jill of America to lease the camp for a week. They packed up their cars with equipment and children, rented a truck to haul food and supplies, and headed off to Mendocino, a small idyllic town on the Northern California coast.
In the early years, a group of dedicated parents and grandparents cooked in the kitchen and planned activities for younger children with the help of their own recent high school graduates. Adults played bridge, bid whist, and took long walks in the woods. Mrs. Winifred Younge and Mrs. Marion Francois were legendary for lights out at midnight and conducting cabin checks to ensure all (especially teens) were snug in their sleeping bags. In those days, meals consisted of delicious one-pot meals, like beans, chili, and spaghetti.
Hiking
Enjoy group hikes or on your own. The Mendocino Woodlands Naturalist usually leads at least 1 hike for us. The Night Hike is always a favorite activity.
Crafts
Activities and crafts are planned so families work together and to get to know each other. We have crafts for kids in every age group. We even have Mommy Crafts!
Games
Teen counselors lead field games and the basketball tournament. Family Game Night is a ton of fun. Bring your musical knowledge and talent for Karaoke and Name That Tune Jeopardy!
Food
Our Kitchen Crew prepares tasty meals from their years of tutelage under our Executive Chef Emeritus, Harold LeBlanc who is a Bay Area legend. Gumbo and BBQ Nights are favorites.
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Jack & Jill Family Camp is one of the longest continuously running family camps for African American families in the United States. Dr Ruth Howard discovered the Mendocino Woodlands Camp in 1958 and returned the following summer after convincing her friends from the San Francisco and Oakland Bay Area Chapters of Jack & Jill of America to lease the camp for a week.
The camp occurs in mid-July every summer. The following links have been curated to answer most of your preliminary questions.
- How it Works
- Sample schedule
- FAQs
- Future camp dates
- 2025 Registration
- Mendocino Woodlands Camp Association
Campers in our database receive an email announcement when registration opens in January. New campers can ask to be added to the database anytime by completing the “Contact Us” form below.
A $500 deposit holds a cabin for your family and is 100% refundable until late April, 50% refundable until mid-May, 25% refundable until late May, and not refundable after that. After paying the deposit you will receive a link to complete your registration form and then an invoice with your final balance, which is due by the end of April.
Teamwork Makes the Dream Work! Cooperation is key to the success of camp! Family Camp is organized and run by a team of dedicated volunteers. In order to keep the cost low and the activity level high, families assist in some camp activities. The most important is Kitchen Patrol Duty or “KP” Duty. Beyond KP Duty, we ask parents to assist in activities in which their children participate, or just lend a hand when needed. Come with with an open heart and ready to lend a hand. This is Family Camp, NOT Club Med!
Jack and jill family camp
Check out past camps Stats
Jack & Jill Family Camp has occurred annually since 1959, except for 3 years – 1 due to drought and 2 due to COVID. Camp occurs 1 week in mid July. The exact dates slightly change every year, but camp runs Sunday to Saturday, always after and never including the 4th of July holiday.
contact us
Question or Comment?
Have a Question?
You have questions / we have answers. We’ve curated the most common questions and answers on our FAQ page. If you have additional questions, please submit your question on this form – we love to hear from new campers.
address
6114 La Salle Ave. #737, Oakland, CA 94611
admin@jackandjillfamilycamp.com
PHONE
(510) 919-8809