Camp Krem on the Road to Recovery
A Bright Future in Sight: Camping Unlimited at Camp Krem Approved for FEMA Assistance
By Julie Horner
Many remember Camp Krem, a Santa Cruz Mountains recreational mainstay and American Camp Association accredited outdoor experience for children, teens, and adults with developmental disabilities. Founded in 1957, Camp Krem occupies nearly 100 acres high above Boulder Creek just a few miles west of the town center. The ridgetop campers’ village featured cabins, performance spaces, communal halls, an animal pen, small garden and orchard, multiple gazebos and play areas, and a pool. The CZU fire in August of 2020 destroyed most everything on the property. Executive Director Alex Krem said in a statement, “Camp has been approved for public assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to assist in our recovery and rebuild effort.” Preliminary designs have been presented to the county, the property has passed septic inspection, the road is rehabilitated, and storage and a temporary office trailer have been installed on the property to support construction.
Alex said, “Fortunately, the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services has proven wonderfully supportive, as has the office of Congresswoman Anna Eshoo. To our knowledge,” he continued, “Camping Unlimited is the only camp in the state (and possibly in the nation) to receive FEMA assistance, which recognizes the state’s obligation to provide essential services to those with disabilities under the Lanterman Act.”
Alex said that FEMA funds cover only certain parts of the rebuild. “There will be numerous areas of Camp which will be deemed ‘ineligible’ and will be our sole responsibility to fund.” Key structures for consideration to be rebuilt include the 1970s-era Richard Bohn Arts & Crafts Building, the original building on the property; The John Lucchese Multipurpose Center, designed by architect Richard Bohn and named for a former Executive Director; And the Music Pavilion, which was dedicated to behavioral music therapy.
Setting measured expectations, Alex said the hope is to rebuild strategically so that the property can be used on the weekends long before the full campus is complete, which could take anywhere from 4 to 10 years.
Camp Krem Hosts California Conservation Corps
By July 2024, Alex Krem said, “The rebuilding of Camp Krem Boulder Creek is progressing slowly but steadily. We hope to submit our architectural and engineering designs to the County soon. Once approved, we will submit them to CalOES, which acts for FEMA.” The camp that has served as a source of outdoor fun and education for individuals with developmental disabilities for more than 60 years was lost in the CZU fire in August of 2020. Camp also grappled with damage from the storms of January and March 2023, which required more applications for federal assistance. This summer, there is good news. After four years, they have water at the property again. Alex said, “This means our bathrooms and hoses are working and we can begin to clean and repair our beautiful swimming pool – a symbolic step to our eventual recovery.”
Camp Krem is currently hosting a young and energetic crew from the California Conservation Corps (CCC) as they work with the San Lorenzo Valley Water District (SLVWD) to repair the Peavine Flume, which runs above Camp and which was also destroyed in the fire. SLVWD said that the crew is reestablishing the pipe “bench” and removing hazardous trees on Ben Lomond Mountain with the goal of reinstalling the pipeline some time this year. The high density polyethylene (HDPE) pipe will be laid above ground, conveying raw water from the District surface water sources to one of the District’s water treatment plants (Felton or Boulder Creek). According to the SLVWD, the initial estimated cost for the replacement project is $2.1 million with roughly 90% of that cost to be reimbursed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
See related article in the San Lorenzo Valley Post: slvpost.com/dark-clouds-and-silver-linings
Camping Unlimited Camp Krem
(831) 338-3210
Email: campkrem@campingunlimited.org
Website: campingunlimited.org
YouTube: youtube.com/@CampKrem1957
FB @CampKrem1957
IG @camp.krem
Featured photo: Construction trailers ready to begin the rebuild at Camp Krem overlooking Boulder Creek, California. Photo by Julie Horner.
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Julie Horner is Co-Founder and Editor for the San Lorenzo Valley Post. Julie lives and works in Boulder Creek and is an active participant in the county's vibrant music scene. She loves the outdoors and is the go-to expert on Santa Cruz Mountains hiking trails.
