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Pal Camp is located on 3 acres of private property at 1 Pacific Lumber Camp Road in Freshwater, CA.
Phone number for the lodge: (707) 684-6137
This number is only answered when camp is in session. For Pal Camp questions when camp is not in session, please email [email protected]
Summer 2026 Weekly Themes
Tell Me a Story, 6/15-6/19
Learn all about telling stories, hear new stories, and have fun with new friends coming up with wacky tales! Book crafts, legends, and art will interact with science exploration and forest play for a well rounded week of camp fun!
Week of the Robots, 6/22-6/26
Make a machine that actually works, build a robot friend, and compete in mechanical challenges, all while helping to recycle/reuse common household materials.
Pal Camp Survivor 6/29-7/3
Can you survive in the wild? Come learn how to tie knots, set up a shelter, ID plants and animals, basic first aid, and more this week!
Where in the World? 7/6-7/10
Where are we? How did we get here? What else is out there? Learn about the world, starting with our very own watershed, and then explore other ecosystems!
Gaming Around 7/13-7/17
This week is all about games – board games, card games, forest games, field games, and more! Create your own games and play with friends! Complete challenges for a chance to win medals!
All the Camp’s a Stage, 7/20-7/24
Clown around with friends, create costumes and masks, and show off your performance skills! This creative week will be drama-filled in all the best ways!
Medieval Carnival Week 7/27-7/31
Go back in time to a world of making your own clothes, growing your own food, and fighting in honorable duels! Knights and Queens and Adventures, oh my!
Capture the Flag Week 8/3-8/7
It’s BAAAAACK! A whole week of Capture the Flag. In the Forest, in the back field, counselors vs. campers, and MORE! Come and play, if you dare!
Since 1951, Pal Camp (formerly Camp Fire) has provided children of Humboldt County aged 5 – 17 with educational summer fun. Divided into groups based on age, children will spend the summer romping through the forest, crafting, experimenting with science and nature, playing games, getting to know the environment, making new friends, and creating lasting memories.
Summer Sessions: Each week offers a different theme that is tied in with the week’s activities. Dress up days offer a friendly costume contest, and family Potluck on Thursday evenings will give them a chance to show off all they learned that week, including performing group skits and songs. On Wednesdays a special presenter is brought in with expertise in the week’s theme. Fridays are Water Play Days, and during the week each group will get to visit Freshwater Park via a private trail. Campers can swim in Freshwater Park during park days if they pass a swim test and/or bring a life vest. We have a life guard on duty during park/swim days and each counselor is CPR/First aid certified.
School Break Camps: Pal Camp is also offered during school breaks through out the year. These “mini ” sessions have limited spaces as much of the time is spent inside the cozy lodge.
Supervision Standards
Pal Camp has and will always keep campers’ safety as our #1 priority. At no point is any camper left unattended or unsupervised by a staff member or volunteer.
We employ 2 Directors, 6 counselors, and 12 Counselors in Training (CITs) and Junior Counselors (JCs). Pal Camp max capacity is 72 campers. divided into age groups of no more than 12 children per group. Each group of 12 is supervised by a counselor, a CIT (age 15-17) and a JC (age 13-15). Swim days are also supervised by a certified lifeguard. Each counselor is certified in BLS CPR & First Aid.
Refunds can only be issued if 10 days‘ notice is given for any cancellation. The $40 deposit is a service charge and is nonrefundable no matter the reason for cancellation. Additionally, refunds can not be issued if cancellation happens after they start the week of camp.
Junior Counselors (JCs) options for ages 12-14: JCs will gain experience in a working environment and fully trained by our staff. JCs get to have the summer camp experience while gaining knowledge and insight through responsibilities of assisting the camp counselors. JC registration costs $85/week