Friendship Center Children's Camp

Friendship Center Children’s Camp includes activities such as ecological studies, scientific investigations, problem solving, journal writing, reading, teamwork, social interactions, and religious studies. The program takes place at Friendship Center, a non-profit organization whose purpose is to inspire, especially in young people, learning and love of the natural world. The camp uses facilities that include a lodge and bunkhouses that were built by volunteers.

Friendship Center was founded in 1970 and later bought 28 acres in Canyon Park Creek Valley in 1975, where it is now located. Friendship Center celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2010. The original funds for securing the property and erecting the main lodge were primarily donated by Isabel and Monroe Smith, founders of American Youth Hostel and Youth Argosy. Friendship Center has held reading and nature camps for many years and has evolved into a retreat center offering use of the facilities for adults as well as youth for retreats, small conferences, and other educational programs. Both groups of friends or families and small educational, religious, and non-profit groups rent the facilities on weekdays, weekends, or for longer periods of time. Friendship Center relies on volunteers for its maintenance and educational programs, and these volunteers serve without pay. Many regular visitors return year after year to work, rest, relax, learn, and enjoy the quiet atmosphere at Friendship Center.

Last updated February 26, 2026.