This is a lovely venue. Staff are welcoming and friendly. Food is bountiful and tasty. Site is accommodating to our needs. Metta john read more

I'm posting as a vendor that had the pleasure of visiting this camp last weekend. There's nothing like being in the redwoods. This venue is large which provides the opportunity to accommodate larger sized events. It has such a beautiful view that you can really take in while out on the deck. The staff is amazing. The coordinators Paul and Carla are the absolute best. They made sure I had everything I needed and more. Just the nicest people you'd ever want to meet. I'm not sure if this venue is available for private events, or just events for the camp. But if you have the opportunity to visit, it's definitely worth coming! read more

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Over the years as a camper, Boy Scout, leader and parent I have been to many camps. Caritas CYO Camp tops the list of camps in so many categories ranging from camp staff to location to the cafeteria food to the message and values shared. If I could change only one aspect of our 6th grade student curriculum across all schools I would make camps like this accessible to all, not just our CYO schools. The kids go through a magical transformation in which they experience events that may be daunting to them initially but upon completion leave them with an increased sense of confidence and love for the outdoors. The chef and cooking staff are exceptional. They made gluten free food especially for me. The Italian soup was the best I have ever had. Thank you cooking staff! A huge shout out to Dawud who was the teacher naturalist of our group. He is an inspiration to the students, staff and parents. His enthusiasm, compassion and ability to connect are top notch. read more

Went with my 5th grader, during an atmospheric River, needless to say we got WET. Had a good time none the less, on your hikes pack layers and bring an apple or 2 for the trail. Cabins are nice, but a hike to the bathroom building depending on your cabin location. Extra batteries for your flashlight!! read more

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This was my eleven-year-old's first overnight camp. I was a little worried that it would be too long away, but BOY WAS I WRONG! He came home full of joy, excitement, and many stories of the fun he had. I can say that he made memories he will have forever... sleeping under the stars one night, a dance party, so so so many fun games! The CYO team really works hard to create an engaging fun program. I haven't seen my son this happy and confident in awhile. He adored the CIT staff, felt super comfortable with the food (wasn't easy with his vegan diet), and couldn't stop telling us about all the fun amazing things he did. As this was his first overnight camp, it means the world to me that he had such a fantastic experience! I am so grateful to the CYO staff for all the programming work they do to make this camp active, fun, engaging, and to develop the social-emotional health of our kids! My son is already talking about going back next year! read more

This review is strictly for the parent chaperones for Outdoor Ed-- not Summer camp. This was my first outdoor ed experience EVER! I thought I was there to babysit and make sure the kids came back in one piece-- it was much more than that. Without giving too much away, we were guided to find ways to connect with nature, find faith in people, find trust in ourselves, and discover all of our Blessings. The camp staff and Naturalists were awesome! I was just as much of a student as these 6th graders were. S/O to Gabby! Not gonna lie, I am a very overprotective Mom. I volunteered to keep a close eye on my daughter. That was out the window once we stepped foot on camp. I was NOT assigned to her cabin, in her hiking group, not even her meal group. So imagine my anxiety was a level 10! Right off the bat, the cabin leaders were separated from the students-- they were off with the Naturalists doing God knows what!! Who was this man taking my kid to the woods?? It was hella dark outside, and she didn't even have her flashlight!! Meanwhile, I had to go to some cabin leader meeting with the director to introduce ourselves to the other chaperones and talk about rules. Can we hurry up already, so I can go find my kid?? Finally, hours later, I met with my daughter. She told me about all the fun things they were doing and plants and bugs they found. Anxiety level 0-- she's having fun, she's SAFE! So don't trip-- you can trust the camp staff and Naturalists. They do this every day with a bunch of kids! Now here are some things that might be helpful. CABINS Bunk mattresses are dirty. Bringing a pack of baby wipes might help since it has a non-porous covering. I brought a twin-size fitted sheet along with my sleeping bag and travel pillow. Worked out perfectly. I chose to sleep on the top bunk since the walls surrounding the bottom corner bunks had mold. Not sure if the other cabins had this problem. They advised keeping all the windows open while we're out on hikes, but not all windows had an intact screen. There are hooks outside the cabin for drip-drying towels and bathing suits. There is also a boot brush attached to the porch floor to minimize the dirt you all bring into the cabin. SHOWERS Just like your average gym shower-- attached shower head. Bring shower flip-flops. I brought a bathing ladle ("tabo", for you Pinays.) There is a curtained shower with a curtained dressing space-- where there is a hook and a small bench. DINING LODGE All meals are served here. Breakfast at 8:30'ish and dinner at 5:30'ish. Lunch will be on the trails, and they'll have all your sandwiches and other goodies to pack here. Double up on the sandwiches and fruit!! Trust me, you and the kids will need it after all the hiking. And keep your chips bag to stuff your scraps. There are no trash bins on the trails. The lodge is always stocked with fresh fruit: apples, pears, oranges, and bananas. There's also coffee, and nice herbal tea selection, and hot cocoa. They provide mugs and paper coffee cups. This is also where you fill your water bottle with water and ice. All self-served. Make sure to fill it before you head to the cabins for the night. I brought 2 - 32 oz bottles-- worked well for me. COURTS There are basketball and volleyball courts for the kids to enjoy. There are also 2 sets of bleachers where we met often before hikes and meetings. POOL On the first day, you'll be asked to take a swim test. If you or any student do not take this swim test, you will not be able to swim in the deeper pool. You will, however, be able to swim in the shallow pool with the volleyball net. Pool time is only available during free time. Which is only about 40 mins, since they still have to change into and out of swim gear before having to trek to their elective class. A lot of kids wore crocs. I brought mine, but wouldn't recommend them, since a gravel rock pierced right through the bottom and nearly stabbed my foot. HIKES Fill your water bottles. Use the restroom before the hike!! If not, you'll be shedding your waste in the woods. Bring ibuprofen-- just in case you feel something is about to swell, or a migraine might be coming on, etc. I packed so much gear that I didn't need. A t-shirt with hiking pants or leggings is just fine.... and maybe a hoodie to tie around your waist. I wish I brought gloves with a rubber grip. You'll be pushing lots of branches--sometimes with thorns. Pack enough to eat. Your students might take your food too! I brought small plastic bags (like the grocery store produce ones) for my lunch trash and scraps. Encourage your students to keep their chips bag to use for their scraps. The Naturalists will not let you leave the lunch site until every single piece of trash, orange peel, apple core, and napkin is picked up and stuffed in their backpack. Respect the woods yall! If you bring baby wipes, make sure you stuff them back into your backpack. Take lots of pics and vids!!!! Don't bring flashlights to evening hikes! read more

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My daughter attended St Basil School field trip at CYO for five days with my wife as a camp parent. It was the first time that my daughter was alone by herself. My wife was the camp parent for another group. The kids came home with so many life changing experiences and learned so much about nature. Just make sure that your kid brings warm clothes and protective shoes, during the cold weather. Getting there was tricky, but was not hard. read more

We attended the Sonoma Mushroom Camp but chose to stay at a local hotel in Occidental. We probably didn't see everything this center has to offer but what we did see was beautiful. I just wish they had more accessible parking. The food prepared for the weekend was very good; I'm not sure if I can credit the Center staff or the Mushroom folks. I found myself entertaining ideas about returning to the camp for other reasons -- family reunion, other conferences. ;-) read more

I was a camper there from 2000 to 2006. Did Woodridge, Stepping Stone, Wild Wood, Noyo Harbor, and Ohlone Pueblo. A couple years ago I got a tattoo of the little tree engraved on the crosses they gave us at the end of each session. Camp is love. Camp is life. read more

I attended a conference at Camp Armstrong over the weekend and was blown away by the location, the well-kept grounds, the large, beautiful main hall, and the food services. I rarely go to a large conference thinking I'm going to eat amazing food all weekend, but the kitchen staff surprised everyone with food that could have passed a nice restaurant in the city. I would highly recommend Camp Armstrong to others for conferences and meetings. read more

I went to CYO in the 80s and had one of the the best experiences of my life so much fun great place awesome counselors I want to send my kids so they can experience it read more

I went to CYO camp session 3 this past week and the counselors and cuts made my week the best week of my life I met so many life long friends and found out one of the cits lived on the same street as me the activities theirs were amazing and the food was amazing too can't wait to go back year after year till I'm a staff theirs I'm glad to call CYO camp my second home read more

Catholic Charities CYO Camp - Summer Camps Near Me - Occidental, California

I have just went there and it was a amazing experience! I went there with my classmates and it was so much fun. My Cabin leader Carlos was the chillest person there.I will highly recommend this place to everybody I know. read more

My wife CJ and I just got married at the CYO Camp in Occidental, and it was incredible!! This is an amazing venue for anyone looking for a "different, special, non-traditional, amazing" wedding spot. We had the camp for the entire weekend, anyone could spend the night, we had our rehearsal dinner outdoors at the huge fire pit, and we had our ceremony at the outdoor chapel in a grove of redwood trees. The reception was held at the main lodge, which was a perfect canvas for our decorations. The staff at CYO was INCREDIBLE, especially the camp director Jim, who was more than accommodating for anything and everything we needed. The breakfasts (which were included!) were perfect, the grounds were immaculate, and the cabins and day house were spotless so that everyone could enjoy the weekend without a worry. Thank you Jim and the CYO staff!!! read more

I was a camper here back in 1990. In wildwood . It was one of the best experiences in my life ! I now want my children to experience this camp. The staff was friendly , the counselors were fun and the food was the best!! And we were safe !Nice to see they are Still around. It's a good experience for kids firs time away from home . read more

I reminisce often about my time at this camp! The counselors were great, and the camp does a great job of exposing kids to new experiences ever day. I wouldn't think twice about sending my kids to this camp. I know they'd be well taken care of by friendly staff and would surely have a great time. There's something new to learn and enjoy for every kind of kid here! read more

Love this camp! I attended as a middle school-er and was a Counselor after high school. Both of my kids have gone for 4 years in a row and LOVE it as much as I did. They got to unplug and get into nature. If I could afford to send them for more weeks, I would! Staff is friendly and engaging. I love the new online system they've acquired - you can make payments as you go. read more

Yes, I served my time in the Ghetto from like 69 to 76 , so yes I remember the dreaded "bug juice" and the "troll by the lake" and and that god forsaken hike to Bodega Bay right after they released "The birds" jeez, I loved cyo camp, why? ? I don't know. I recall sleeping in some nylon bag with a sloppy joe in my lap and sand in my teeth, I sure did enjoy dat to. got some water? read more

Where do I begin? I was a camper here from 76'through 83' then came back to work here as a counselor from 87' through 89'. This place was my second home. I'll add more later. read more

If I could give CYO Summer Camp 10 stars I would. This camp is run by a phenomenal group of counselors. I attended CYO several times in my youth both for camp and retreats and have great memories. Our 9 yr old daughter is attending this year for the first time and the camp has been incredibly attentive to her. We received a call the first few hours from the nurse to go over meds. Then they reported that she had homesickness' and encouraged us to email her letters with encouragement that they would print out and give to her. They then emailed us back to let us know she had received he letters and was in good spirits. I called again a day later to check in with the staff and they told me she was being kept busy and happy and that they would peek in on her and let us know. The counselor I spoke with concluded that this would be a positive growth experience for her and I agree. Before I conclude I have to mention that CYO is priced reasonably and offers aid if needed. The center is beautiful as is the land around it. This is an old fashioned camp with simple out door fun that has always been good for kids and gets back to basic simple pleasures. A must for a not so simple society that over stimulates our kids these days. read more