Dark Clouds and Silver Linings
Camp Krem Spirit Undaunted After Fire
By Julie Horner
Founded in 1957 by special needs educator, Alex Krem, Sr., Boulder Creek’s family run campground created especially for “giving exceptional people the opportunity to be themselves” has succumbed to the CZU August Lightning Complex fire. The CZU fire destroyed 20 buildings in all including the rustic Jon Lucchese Center, and has undermined some of the access infrastructure along Brook Lane. But the Camp Krem team has already begun the process of rebuilding. Civil and structural engineers have been engaged, and road repairs have been scheduled. Erosion control measures will begin shortly to protect the land from rain runoff.
“Once the government removes hazardous wastes and other fire debris, we will put aside our grieving, roll up our sleeves, and begin to rebuild,” said Christina Krem DiGirolamo, Camp Director and grand-daughter of the founder. “We intend to be as ready as possible to begin again, once the current COVID-19 lockdown is lifted.”
Camp Krem was established as a 501(c)3 non-profit to provide recreation and adventure to children and adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities. In the last six decades, it has served an estimated 37,000 children and adults for an estimated 200,000 days and nights of confidence building outdoor activities. Its programs also provided much needed respite to families from the demanding task of caregiving. And Camp Krem has provided transformative experiences to an estimated 11,000 young people who have been counselors, administrators, and volunteers.
Piggie Smalls Rescued
As the wildfire advanced on Camp Krem, the team raced to evacuate, taking only essentials and leaving countless other items of value. The only member of the team who wasn’t hustling was Piggie Smalls, a 300 pound New Zealand Kunekune (pronounced “cooney cooney”) pig, who resisted efforts to evacuate.
Fortunately, Rebekah Crill, bookkeeper at Camp Krem and well known among the animal shelter community, came to the rescue. Together with daughter Becky, her friend, and a horse trailer, these three women coaxed, cajoled, and charmed Piggie out of his pen, through the orchard, up the hill, and into the horse trailer. DiGirolamo said, “Piggie was evacuated to the Santa Cruz Fairgrounds and is now a happy and hungry resident with Snorty’s Pig Rescue, a long-term foster facility, and is waiting for Camp Krem to rebuild.”
Home of the Annual Do-It-Ourselves Festival
Camp Krem has been home to the Do-It-Ourselves Festival in Boulder Creek since 2011; this would have been year eight if not for COVID-19. DIO Fest was a reliably sold-out weekend music experience that brought world-class up-and-coming talent to the mountains for three days in late April. The connection between Camp Krem and the DIO Fest goes back to when DIO Fest co-founder Jon Labeaud and his wife, Andrea, worked as camp counselors. And in part because of that relationship, DiGirolamo says, the team that puts on DIO Fest has given back to the Camping Unlimited community by donating a portion of festival proceeds to the camp’s musicology program.
Co-founder, Stevee Stubblefield says, “The true takeaway from this whole event is that this ethos of community empowerment, allowing people to have a shared experience for a greater cause, is a model that can be applied all over the world.”
Camp Krem President Alex Krem is sure the DIO Fest will return as soon as the property can be rebuilt. “Music binds us all. You sit next to a stranger and listen to a good song, and you stand up at the end good friends.”
“The news of the fire has been difficult. So many people have poured their heart and soul into making Camp Krem the wonderful place it was. We and our many campers and families are heartbroken,” DiGirolamo said. “However, we will rebuild, and know we can rely on help from many friends and supporters. We intend to resume our many programs as soon as it is safe to do so. Camp Krem was not just the buildings that sat atop our beautiful mountain. It is our philosophies, our friendships, and our community.”
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Photo by Sean McLean
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