came here for an end of the season ccc backcountry trails for the sequoia tahoe dirtbags crew!!!! very nice campground. read more

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They had nothing in stock since it was the last week of summer. Kind of a bummer for the kids wanting merch and stuff

i love camp mather it is a great place and i love it 10/10 would recommend. very awesome i love camp mather read more

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Anyone who gets to come here is super lucky. (And any kid who gets to come here is even more so!) Camp Mather really is a SF gem - it combines the best of nature and civilization. Nature because there's trees, lack of wifi/reception, lakes - and it's relatively close to several hikes that have waterfalls, the Hetch Hetchy dam and reservoir, and sequoias. Civilization because there are cabins with electricity, screen doors/windows, a dining hall, and planned recreation like ropes courses, archery, horse rides, tennis courts, a swimming pool, and more. There's also pretty nice bathrooms (flush toilets and strong showers). And laundry. If you ever get the chance to come and want tor recharge from the Instagram-connected world, Mather is just a fantastic place to do it. Tips: - the larger cabins have screen windows and doors. The smaller ones depend if someone left one behind for future visitors :) - there's 1 outlet in the cabin and it's ungrounded (that means 2 prongs only). You can buy an adapter at the general store to let you plug in 3-prong stuff though read more

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Absolutely will recommend the ice cream! On a hot day, there is nothing better than to order an ice cream cone with your favorite flavor (and they are generous sized portions) and sit on the side deck under the beautiful trees and take in the view. read more

I found myself (or at least my current self) in Camp Mather. Cheesy sounding. But true. I'd seen a flier for the Symbiosis Festival months before it actually took place at Camp Mather - and just knew I was meant to go. I found a random RV ride on a ride-share forum, brought a hastily packed duffel bag, an old pillow, my favorite blanket, a broken drum - and just went for it. That ride up to Camp Mather and my stay there with complete strangers - created what I hope to be life- long friendships and it taught me so much about embracing the moment. Immersed in picturesque wonder - Camp Mather is an ideal spot for an unbelievable and memorable music festival. It's secluded, safe, and absolutely stunning. With it's lush wooded areas, it's adorable general store, it's clean large cabins, RV and camping grounds, biking trails, grassy fields, and accessible swimming lake - graced by a diversity of glistening clothed - and unclothed bodies - it's a California wonderland. There was running water outside cabins for when you wanted to fill up your bottles, a plethora of shade, I didn't get bitten once by any insects, and the weather was absolutely perfect. Cuddled up with my soft fleece blanket - among good truly beautiful people, as Van Morrison crooned from the RV CD player - as Whomping dubstep crawled in through the windows - as night fell on Camp Mather - I closed my eyes. And. Fell asleep to the lull of Mather magic. PS. You can learn more about Camp Mather's fascinating history here - http://www.campmather.com/history.html read more

Camp Mather General Store - Grocery Near Me - Groveland, California

Awesome place to stop and rest. We bumped into Claudia who ran the general store and she was the sweetest person. Highly recommend stopping by for a cup of coffee and to sight see the beautiful campground. Definitely coming back again. read more

Store is great for picking up things like: beer, wine, bug spray, ice cream, inner tubes, etc. etc. They even have stuff like 3-prong converters if you forgot yours at home for your cabin :). My favorite part growing up as a kid was paying cash each day for a big cone of mint chip before heading down to the Lake! Gives kids a real sense of independence; I used to save up every summer for some new General Store toy or book. Have seen a lot of great Mather gear come in over the years -- every time I go I try to pick up the current year's water bottle, shirt, mug, or hat to add to my collection :o). WE LOVE CAMP MATHER!! read more

If you want to find a whimsical, lose yourself in the woods, friendly small town kind of place look no further. We stumbled across the location, but we were welcomed with open arms. We came across an angel like individual that made our morning. Claudia served us fresh brewed coffee, sweet treats, wonderful advice, and a big happy smile early in the morning. We will forever stop by just to visit her and the coffee shop. It is a must stop to Hetch Hetchy park. read more

My younger son got a summer job at the Camp Mather for a couple month. So, my GF and I decided to visit him. He was working at the dining facility. It was really nice to see him working there. At the same time, the memories when he was here for his first time, ... I think 2 years old. Time goes really fast. But everything here is same. I didn't notice that there were so many really tired lookin' young parents were there. It was fun watching them. I saw funny things. There was a 30 something fit mom without make up, carrying 2 tray with her 2 small kids. She made it to a table to get settle down. But her husband came little later with another 2 tray, he bumped into her and he dropped the food all over the table. I just could not stop laugh out loud. But the mom was looking at me like how could you. But I still could not stop laugh out loud. I told her that happen to me many times before. Many big stomach guys with tie-dye T shirts, shorts and sandals are not really attractive. Many big stomach ladies with tie-dye T shirts, shorts and sandals are not really attractive at all. There are no chicks to watch what so ever. They will be nothing going on. This place is safe. Really safe. Really relaxing, No excitement. We went to a place calls Evergreen lodge to get decent dinner near by camp mother and we saw a drunk-mom having fun at the bar looking for action who were staying at camp mather. Something like that. You know, That's a part of the family camp. dropped the food all over the table. Kids dropped a cup of milk all over. Small kids vomit in the bathroom. a mom holding her baby in the swimming pool but she doesn't know the baby puking right on her back and into the water. The toilet plugged up because there was always one whole roll of toilet paper in a can. No one knows why and how human poop is out of a can. I saw that all, when I was here for summer 10 years in a row, 1989~ 1998. Thank God he wasn't the clean-up crew. San Francisco own the camp. Kids can run off to play. That's something kids can not do it in the city living. That is a good thing. I like the place. Peace! read more

Spent 4th of July week at Camp Mather this year with a 20-month old toddler. We loved it. It would be better for all of us had our toddler been about 3 years old (or older), but we hope to be back when she is older! Activities are somewhat limited for children any younger but we made our own fun. Our daughter enjoyed spending most of her time in the lagoon playing with the sand and water -- HOURS OF FUN! PROS: Didn't cook a single meal all week. Nice Lake for older kids to swim and play in. Nice shallow lagoon with beach area for infants, toddlers and non-swimmers. All families! Everyone understands when your child has a meltdown! Families help and are friendly to other families -- we have something in common! No excessive boozing or the behavior that typically goes with that. CONS: No A/C but we were there possibly during the hottest week of the year and it was just fine -- stay in the shade, go in the water. Camp Mather is awesome! read more

Nice milkshakes at the General Store. Always a solid choice for a mid-afternoon break. One star off for price, but four other ones for taste, friendly service, and near-East Coast milkshake texture. I've always been satisfied, and there's a nice shady porch for drinking the milkshakes! (Sometimes we also walk over to the Mather lake, where there's some nice shade as well.) Pro-tip: Stick with the freshly-made milkshakes. While the smoothie flavors are exciting, it's all from a chemical mix... read more

An awesome, huge summercamp with a lake. Also the recent site of a killer music festival. But really, Camp Mather, you held it down. The home of blisstopia! ;) read more

Fun, laid back. Staff fun and not uptight. Good food. Had a great time, thanks half sack

Best huckleberry ice cream I've ever had!

Some good memories here! I used to go up with an old bf for the Strawberry Music Festival they hold every Memorial Day and Labor Day. What a hoot; you won't get much sleep though, that is unless you can sleep through anything. Music goes on all night long but not on the stage, more like, around the campfire, pickin' and a strummin til the last note is played or the fat lady sings, whichever comes first. I once wrote a song about the Strawberry Music Festival, it coulda been a contender! Hey, so, I brought my son Brian and he still remembers it. This was one of the few camp trips a single mom could take her kid on and truly feel safe. read more

Check out a blog post about my family's experience at Mather http://www.triporati.com/blog/2009/08/15/family-camp/

Came here many times as a kid roughly 10-15 years ago with my family and sometimes extended family. Nothing but good memories. Lots of fun as a kid, I remember the horse riding and archery and all that jazzy very fondly, and catching tadpoles in the lake. I hope they post a lifeguard or two for the lake now, I had a close call swimming in it as a kid when I got wrapped up in some sea weed. I understand the continued operation of Camp Mather is threatened due to water rights. I do hope they can manage to stay open. read more

If you are a San Franciscan with kids, and you haven't taken them here for a summer week, or a family weekend (the fall weekends have fewer programs/activities, but fewer people make it a more peaceful time - so choose which way you prefer it), they are seriously missing out on a special part of growing up in SF. read more

There's no place like Mather. Came here for six years on Week 7 and we all have THE BEST memories. It's an amazing home away from home where you get to relax, disconnect from tech, connect with family, and get to know other San Franciscans. If you come prepared and take advantage of all that the place has to offer, it's a blast. Bring lots of floaties for the lake, bikes to get around, a hammock and some lounge gear for the grass, Christmas lights for your cabin so you can find it at night, a couple extension cords, and your Mather spirit. The naturalists are amazing and take you on trips to rosie granite pools, rainbow falls, and clouds rest for flashlight tag so take advantage of all the nature around you! read more

We visited Camp Mather many times back in the 40's. Wonderful memories. I'm now wondering, now with our age in the late 70',if we would enjoy it as much. Is it geared more toward relatively young families rather that the older generation? I think I may give it a try. Any thoughts on this? read more

Sure its awesome. But thinking about giving it a 1 star so that none of you readers apply to take a slot -- it is a lottery after all.

My family and I went for a hike yesterday at Hetch Hetchy to avoid the crowds in Yosemite Valley.It was soooo hot and so beautiful. On our way home we followed the signs to the Soda Fountain at Camp Mather. We were delighted to find offerings of dipped ice cream, milkshakes, floats with any soda or ice cream flavor we wanted, and my favorite...smoothies with fresh/frozen fruit...and mango sorbet was an option to add to that! I don't know anything about the camp itself except that it looked like people were having a great time. The store apparently is being run by a volunteer organization to support the camp. The young man that served us was very friendly and told us about other places to go hiking in the area and free places to camp in the forest. There isn't a bathroom at the store but we were allowed to walk down a path to the camp bath house. It was very relaxing to sit on the deck in the shade until we had a little scare when we were ready to leave, we couldn't find our daughter. We found her standing in front of the air conditioner in the store! We'll be back to visit Yosemite again and we'll definitely visit the soda fountain when we do. read more

CAMP MATHER. Old school is the best school. My children love this place. I like being off the grid.

a very special place for kids and parents! be prepared to be off the grid . And stress free... read more

At 75 both my wife and I have "fantastic" memories about Camp Mather. I started with my parents (while living in SF) back in the late '40s and continued on through the time my brother worked at the "chuck house". Wife started going to Mather in the '50s leaving SF on the Greyhound bus. In the ''70s and '80s we went to Mather with our kids and cousins. When I was a teenager going to the outdoor dance floor at Evergreen Lodge was the highlight of the day (week). I remember my family and a large group of SFPD officers on vacation taking over the area next to the softball fields. I saw great ball games between the staff and guests. As almost everyone mentions the camp is probably the safest place for your kids. Campfires, horses, talent shows, nature hikes for the adults and kids were great. First place I tried roasted marshmelos. The memories made at Mather just flood in with pleasure. The fresh air and pine scent were fantastic. The son, now on SFPD, was fun to watch at 5 riding with the crew on the "garbage truck". Maybe we will be able to get back up to the Camp but now we live in So.Cal. BEST VACATION PLACE IN THE WORLD. read more