Park Champions Work Day
2017-08-19 09:00 - 15:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
We’re taking a break from trail building this month, and trying to get the maintenance yard in order. We will be splitting logs, cutting up old split rail fencing, bundling wood for firewood to sell, dismantling or cutting up junk that has been left or deposited in the park and filling dumpsters. Chain saws, wood splitters, hammers, handsaws and small tools will be used.
Sign up at the California State Parks Foundation website. The usual CSPF regs apply: minimum age 16, and anyone under 18 years who attends a Park Champions event must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.

SOLD OUT-Village Talk - Hungry Owl Project
2017-08-19 19:00 - 20:00
Saturday, August 19th at 7 PM

SOLD OUT- WAITLIST ONLY
FOCC Members — Free Admission
General Public — $5 Admission
Have you ever heard the call of an owl in the night? Has the sight of an owl in majestic flight captured your imagination? Have you wanted know more about this mysterious nocturnal hunter?
Join us Saturday August 19th to meet a live ambassador owl from the Hungry Owl Project for a presentation about these fascinating creatures who rule the night. You will hear about the super powers that make owls such successful hunters. You will learn about the most common owls in Marin County – their characteristics, habitat, and familiar vocalizations. And, the presenters will answer your questions as you view an owl up close.
Our speakers: Suzanne Mirvis is the Education Coordinator for the Hungry Owl Project. Suzanne is retired from teaching at San Francisco State University. In addition to her work with the Hungry Owl Project, she is also a volunteer with WildCare. Suzanne’s recent and joyful accomplishment is a children’s book about owls called Hello from Sammi. Mary Blake is an ambassador to schools and organizations for the Hungry Owl Project, helping promote understanding and advocacy for owls. She joined them after retiring from a career as a programmer, designer and project manager.
The Hungry Owl Project is committed to helping preserve and protect owls from dangers. We look forward to sharing this wonderful information with you.
Space is limited and reservations are required.
To reserve, send email to:
chinacamp.programs@gmail.com
Leave your name and the number of seats you need.
We will reply to confirm your reservation

Heritage Day 2017
2017-08-26 11:00 - 16:00 | Trail-Etiquette-Quiz-v2-pdf-1
CHINA CAMP STATE PARK
FRIENDS OF CHINA CAMP
HERITAGE DAY
August 26, 2017, 11am-4pm

Once again Friends of China Camp is partnering with China Camp State Park, the Marin Chinese Cultural Association, and the Redwood Empire Chinese Cultural Association to celebrate our annual Heritage Day. Come out to China Camp to honor the people who left a legacy at the China Camp Village. There will be a Lion Dance Team, Chinese cultural dancers, singing, music, tai chi demonstrations, art, and the Grace Quan junk will make an appearance!
Bring the family! This event is suitable for all ages. Parking will be limited at the upper Village parking lot, additional shuttle parking will be available at the China Camp Ranger Station at 101 Peacock Gap Trail about a mile north of the village.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS:
11a.m. – 11:30 Visit Museum, View Artwork, Crafts
11:30 – noon Marin Chinese Cultural Assn. Lion Dancers
Noon – 12-15 Redwood Empire Chinese Assn. chorus
12:15 – 1p.m. Redwood Empire Cultural Dancers
Youth group & dancers
1p.m. – 1:30 Guest Speakers
1:30- 2p.m. Stephen Shen, musician & vocalist Tao Yan
2 – 2:30 Visit Museum, view artwork, crafts
2:30 – 3p.m. Arrival of The Grace Quan accompanied by traditional boats
3 – 3:30 Tai-chi with David Cheung – join in!
3:30 – 3:45pm Ribbon Dance with Louise and children participation
3:45- 4pm Raffle drawing for paintings

ONGOING ACTIVITIES:
THE GRACE QUAN (reproduction Chinese junk) & traditional boats
Exhibition and Sales by local artists – 20% of sales to Friends of China Camp, Inc.
Crafts – origami, animal tracks on clay, and Chinese lanterns
Marin Wildcare display
Marin History Museum
SF Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve display
San Rafael Fire Foundation display
China Camp Nature & Education display
Friends of China Camp, Inc. membership and day pass table
SF Maritime National Historic Park display
Sale of T-shirts, photo cards, horoscope necklace, and hats
All profits benefit trail restoration, campground improvements, Village upkeep, and other needs funded by Friends of China Camp.

Full Moon Hike
2017-09-06 19:00 - 20:00
Join us for an exclusive summer night hike at China Camp State Park. We will go on a moderate, hour long hike and watch the radiant full moon cast glittering light over the bay. ‘

Date: Wednesday, Sept. 6th 2017
Time: 7pm -8:15 pm
Admission: Members- Free
Non-members-$5
RSVP to scoll@friendsofchinacamp.org or (415)456-0766 to sign up. You will be notified of the meeting location once you RSVP. Please bring appropriate hiking gear, water, a flashlight, and warm clothes. We will meet at 7pm sharp.

Slow and Say Hello!
2017-09-16 16:00 - 19:00
Coming to a trail near you! The Trail Partners (Marin Conservation League, MCBC and Marin Horse Council) have been setting up Slow and Say Hello outposts at popular trailheads around the county. The purpose of the Slow and Say Hello campaign is to remind the many visitors who recreate on Marin’s open space, watershed and park lands of the importance of trail safety, courtesy toward other visitors, and respect for the plants and wildlife that inhabit them. “Slow and Say Hello” simply asks that we communicate with each other on the trail with a simple “Hi”, wave or ring of the bell — to acknowledge our shared responsibility.
On September 16th, 2017 the Trail Partners will engage park visitors on China Camp’s trails with a trail quiz that includes questions about park rules and behavior that promotes safety and resource protection.

Village Talk - Norcal Bats
2017-09-16 19:00 - 20:00
Saturday, September 16, 7PM – 8PM
Reserve Now for a Talk at the Village Museum
FOCC Members — Free Admission
General Public — $5 Admission
Who are masters of echolocation and the only mammals that can legitimately fly? BATS!
On Saturday September 16th, Friends of China Camp is pleased to welcome special guest appearances of LIVE California native bats to our monthly Village Talk! Our presenter Corky Quirk of NorCal Bats will reveal the hidden lives and features of these specialized nocturnal creatures. Discover the diversity of native bat species in your local neighborhood, and how these delicate aerial beings communicate and navigate under the cover of darkness. You will also learn fascinating details about their physiology, diet and life cycle.
Are all bats in cahoots with Dracula? Do they want to “suck your blood”? This presentation will dispel these and other harmful beliefs that can and have lead to the unnecessary destruction of colonies and roosts. These shy creatures are actually of great importance to humans and ecological systems. Did you know that these voracious nocturnal insect consumers save the global agriculture industry billions of dollars in pest management costs every year?
NorCal bats is a Sacramento based non-profit dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation and release of bats throughout Northern California. They also provide outreach and education in defense of these remarkable creatures.
Corky Quirk has been the founder and executive director of NorCal bats for over 12 years. She has a degree in natural resources from Humboldt State University and she currently resides in Yolo County.
Space is limited and reservations are required.
To reserve, send email to:
chinacamp.programs@gmail.com
Include your name and the number of seats you need.
We will reply to confirm your reservation.

Champion Workday: Repair Shoreline!
2017-09-23 09:00 - 15:00
Join us for a Champion trail maintenance event on Saturday, September 23rd from 9AM to 3PM. We are seeking strong, energetic volunteers. This is the most ambitious maintenance event we have done to date. It will be strenuous. We will be toting rock and gravel, assembling Gabion baskets, shoring up a bridge, excavating the footing for the Gabions, putting in drainage and a variety of other tasks associated with building the Gabion basket stone wall.
This volunteer event will kick off the repair. The California Conservation Corps (CCC) will follow on to continue and complete the lion’s share of the work. We expect them to start their work a few days after our workday. However, they are also on-call to assist with the wildfires. If they are called, this will delay the repair. This has been a difficult season for fires. We will hope for the best.
To participate, please register on the California State Parks Foundation website. They will contact you with information about where to meet, what to wear, what to bring, etc. Registration is essential to our planning for tools, supplies, equipment and, of course, food.
Bring your ‘Can do’ attitudes, a team spirit and a sense of humor, the essentials for a grand success!

Shoreline Hike!
2017-09-23 09:30 - 11:00
FALL AND SUMMER HIKING PROGRAM
Want to get out in the fresh air and get exercise? Join our guided hiking program on selected Saturdays in summer and fall at China Camp State Park. Hikes range from easy to moderate, ranging from 1.5 to 2 miles.

Next Hike
When: Saturday September 23rd
Time: 9:30am sharp
Where: Upper Village Parking lot
Difficulty: Easy

Please bring appropriate hiking gear, water, snacks, sunscreen and a hat.
Please RSVP to scoll@friendsofchinacamp.org or (415)456-0766

Amici's East Coast Pizza Fundraiser Night
2017-09-26
Mark Your Calendars!
Dine & Donate at Amici’s East Coast Pizzaria!
Tuesday, September 26th
Amici’s East Coast Pizzaria
1242 Fourth Street
San Rafael, CA 94901
415-455-9777
Imagine a perfect crispy crust cooked in a traditional italian brick oven, warm cheese, tangy sauce, with all the best toppings… Margherita, Siciliano, Calabria… mmm… sounds good huh? No need to imagine, come out to Amici’s on Tuesday September 26th, and indulge in a treat you can feel good about! Mention Friends of China Camp and Amici’s will donate 25% of proceeds to our cause. Valid for Dine-in or carry out, delivery not included.

Full Moon Hike
2017-10-05 18:00 - 20:30
Join us for an exclusive fall night hike at China Camp State Park. We will go on a moderate, 2 and a half hour long hike and watch the radiant full moon cast glittering light over the bay. ‘

Date: Wednesday, Oct 5th 2017
Time: 6pm -8:30 pm
Admission:
Members- Free
Non-members-$5
RSVP to chinacamp.programs@gmail.com or (415)456-0766 to sign up. You will be notified of the meeting location once you RSVP. Please bring appropriate hiking gear, water, a flashlight, and warm clothes. We will meet at 6pm sharp.

Park Champion Trail Work Day
2017-10-06 09:00 - 15:00
Friday, Oct 6, 2017
9:00am to 3:00pm
Volunteers needed: 23

The repair of Shoreline Trail has begun. We had two full volunteer work days and now have the California Conservation Corps (CCC) working 10 hour days to support the effort. This will be followed by several more volunteer work days, including two California State Parks Foundation (CSPF) Champion work days, Friday, October 6th from 9 am to 3 pm and Saturday, October 7th from 9 am to 3 pm.
Work may be moderately strenuous due to large equipment. Teens ages 16+ welcome w/ a legal guardian. Limited free camping Fri & Sat available to volunteers only. Please register through the California State Parks Foundation volunteer website. Find China Camp’s event on their calendar, click on it and sign up from there. Once your register you will be notified of the meeting location.

Park Champion Trail Workday
2017-10-07 09:00 - 15:00
Saturday, Oct 7, 2017
9:00am to 3:00pm
Volunteers needed: 21

The repair of Shoreline Trail has begun. We had two full volunteer work days and now have the California Conservation Corps (CCC) working 10 hour days to support the effort. This will be followed by several more volunteer work days, including two California State Parks Foundation (CSPF) Champion work days, Friday, October 6th from 9 am to 3 pm and Saturday, October 7th from 9 am to 3 pm.
Work may be moderately strenuous due to large equipment. Teens ages 16+ welcome w/ a legal guardian. Limited free camping Fri & Sat available to volunteers only. Please register through the California State Parks Foundation volunteer website. Find China Camp’s event on their calendar, click on it and sign up from there. Once your register you will be notified of the meeting location.

Bay Day At Village Beach
2017-10-07 10:00 - 14:00 | Trail-Etiquette-Quiz-v2-pdf-1
Celebrate the 2nd Annual Bay Day by exploring the edge of the bay! Scientists from San Francisco Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve and Romberg Tiburon Center will be at the China Camp Beach to help you explore, discover, and ask questions about life along the edge of the bay. Enjoy hands-on science activities and a cultural history tour, too!
Brought to you by: Friends of China Camp, SF State’s Romberg Tiburon Center, and San Francisco Bay NERR
When: 10 am to 2pm on October 7th
Where: China Camp Beach and Village, China Camp State Park
Cost: $5 Parking Fee
Go to the NERR website to sign up!

Chipotle Fundraiser Night
2017-10-20 16:00 - 21:00
Grab a burrito and support your local park! Make dinner a selfless act by joining us for a fundraiser to support Friends of China Camp.
Come to the Chipotle at 345 3rd Street in San Rafael on Friday Oct 20th between 4pm and 9pm. Tell the cashier you are supporting the cause to make sure 50% of the proceeds will be donated to Friends of China Camp. Bring your friends and family and we’ll see you there!

Montecito Shopping Center
345 3rd Street, San Rafael, CA 94901
Friday, October 20th, 2017
4:00pm-9:00pm

Community Meeting
2017-10-21 10:30 - 12:30 | Trail-Etiquette-Quiz-v2-pdf-1
In the past year, with new employees, additional volunteers, and additional partners in the business community, Friends of China Camp is moving forward to make needed improvements and ensure a thriving park for the future.
Join our community of supporters on October 21 to share ideas about keeping the park open and thriving. We welcome everyone interested in the future of the park to come and share ideas, coffee, and snacks. The $5 parking fee is waived for this event.

CANCELLED: Village Talk- Climate Change and Our Wetlands
2017-10-21 18:00 - 19:00
This Village Talk has been cancelled.

Kayak by the Wetlands
2017-10-27 09:00 - 12:00
Friends of China Camp is offering a rare opportunity to explore our treasured wetlands with Sarah Ferner, the Education Coordinator of the National Estuarine Research Reserve (NERR). She will provide us with a glimpse into the ecology of our local salt marsh estuary and enlighten us with the latest research conducted at NERR all from a kayak.
During this kayaking adventure, we will explore the fascinating intricacies of the largest intact wetland in the San Francisco Bay while you glide along the serene estuary.
The tour will be guided by Sean Morley, who has generously donated his time and expertise to lead the event. Sean is a world renown kayaker and advanced open water instructor. Click here to see his quite impressive profile and accomplishments.
101 Surf Sports, San Rafael’s local water sport outfit, has also benevolently donated the use of the kayaks for the event. Check out their website and their store!
When: Friday, October 27th
Time: 9:30 am – noon
Cost: $100-$125 sliding scale
100% of the profits of this fundraiser go to China Camp, the park that protects and preserves this natural treasure! Lunch is included. When you register please include any dietary restrictions you may have.
You can register at chinacamp.programs@gmail.com or call (415) 488-5161. Space is limited so register early!

Saturday Hiking Program
2017-11-04 09:30 - 12:00, 2017-11-11 09:30 - 12:00, 2017-11-18 09:30 - 12:00, 2017-11-25 09:30 - 12:00
Want to get out in the fresh air and get exercise? Join our guided hiking program on selected Saturdays in summer and fall at China Camp State Park. Hikes range from easy to moderate, ranging from 1.5 to 2 miles.

Next Hike
When: Every Saturday in November
Time: 9:30am sharp
Where: Upper Village Parking lot
Difficulty: Easy

Please bring appropriate hiking gear, water, snacks, sunscreen and a hat.

Park Champions Work Morning
2017-11-11 09:00 - 12:30
Unlike many of our previous heavy construction work days, this will be simple trail grooming. We will be using weed whippers, rakes and McCloeds to remove overgrowth and organics on the trail. To register, go to the California State Parks Foundation website. Your registration helps us plan for tools and supplies. After registering CSPF will contact you with information about where to meet, what to bring, what to wear, etc.

Gentle Walk In the Woods
2017-11-12 09:30 - 12:00
Sunday November 12, 2017
9:30am -Noon
Meeting place: Back Ranch Meadows Campground Kiosk
Join naturalist Susan Edwards to wander through China Camp State Park and wonder at the plants and creatures that make it home. We’ll start at the campground Kiosk and make our way through the oak woodlands to the pickleweed marsh. This will be a slow, joyful walk to see, smell, taste, hear and feel as much as we can. Susan is a seasoned naturalist who loves to share her knowledge of the intricate secrets of natural world along the trails of China Camp. She equally delights in discovering and learning new things with you, the participants!

Let’s join together to,

“To see a World in a Grain of Sand
And a Heaven in a Wild Flower,
Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand
And Eternity in an hour.”
― William Blake, Auguries of Innocence

Please bring appropriate hiking gear, water, and sunscreen.
To reserve your space please RSVP at chinacamp.programs@gmail.com or call (415) 488-5161.

Pathogens in our Park: Sudden Oak Death
2017-11-18 17:00 - 18:00
Have you observed an abnormal amount of dead or dying oaks with yellowed or browning leaves within your local woodland? If so, you are probably observing trees that have been infected with Sudden Oak Death (SOD). Plant pathogens are a natural part of terrestrial ecosystems, they play a vital role in shaping populations and are a major force of evolutionary change. Yet over the last two decades, SOD has imparted devastating consequences for oak, tanoak and other tree populations. Since the mid-1990’s, what is now known to be Phytophthora ramorum has killed millions of trees across California and Oregon and it continues to spread faster than researchers can individually document. However, there is an organized movement to use the power of local citizen volunteers to collect essential field data on an accessible online platform.
Professor Wolfgang Schweigkofler, Ph.D joins us to shine a light on this mysterious disease and, most importantly, what you can do to help stop it!
Wolfgang Schweigkofler, Ph.D. is an assistant Research Professor at Dominican University in San Rafael. He holds a Ph.D. in Microbiology from the University of Natural Resources and Applied Life Sciences, Vienna, Austria.

Date: Saturday Nov 18th, 2017
Location: Lower Village Museum
Time: 5pm -6pm
Admission: Members- Free
Non-members-$5
Please RSVP to reserve your space at chinacamp.programs@gmail.com or (415)488-5161

Board / Working Group Meeting
2017-11-20 17:00 - 19:00
Board/working group meetings are open to the public. Space is limited, so if you would like to attend, please contact friendsofchinacamp@gmail.com for details.

Saturday Hiking Program
2017-12-02 09:30 - 23:30, 2017-12-09 09:30 - 11:30, 2017-12-16 09:30 - 11:30
Want to get out in the fresh air and get exercise? Join seasoned naturalist Harold Hirsch as he leads a series of nature walks on selected Saturdays in December at China Camp State Park. Hikes range from easy to moderate, ranging from 1.5 to 2 miles. Please bring appropriate hiking gear and dress warmly.
When: Every Saturday in December
Time: 9:30am sharp
Where: Upper Village Parking lot, China Camp State Park
Difficulty: Easy

Space is limited and reservations are required.
To reserve, send email to:
chinacamp.programs@gmail.com or call (415) 488-5161
Include your name and the number of attendees.
We will reply to confirm your reservation.
Cancellation announcements will be posted on the FOCC website homepage.

Full Moon Hike
2017-12-03 16:15 - 18:30
Join us for an exclusive winter night hike at China Camp State Park. We will go on a moderate, 2 hour long hike and watch the radiant full moon cast glittering light over the bay.

Date: Sunday December 3rd, 2017
Time: 4:15pm -6:30 pm

Admission: Members- Free
Non-members-$5
RSVP to chinacamp.programs@gmail.com or (415)488-5161 to sign up. Please not how many adults and how many children will attend. You will be notified of the meeting location once you RSVP. If rain is predicted, you will be notified if the hike is cancelled. Please bring warm clothing, appropriate hiking gear, water, and a flashlight. We will meet at 4:15pm sharp.

Monthly Village Talk: King Tides with NERR
2017-12-16 16:00 - 17:00 | Trail-Etiquette-Quiz-v2-pdf-1
Saturday, December 16th, 2017
Location: China Camp Village Museum
Time: 4pm -5pm
Come to China Camp State Park to learn what extreme high tides, commonly called King Tides, can tell us about sea level rise. As part of NOAA’s National Estuarine Research Reserve System, China Camp’s tidal marshes play a key role in helping scientists understand how marshes respond to sea level rise and how we can protect them. In this evening talk, we will hear about what scientists have learned so far and how they are learning more through research right here at China Camp.
This talk is presented by Sarah Ferner, Education Coordinator for the San Francisco Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve. Sarah loves to learn and teach about marshes and estuaries, and has a knack for translating complex science into everyday fun. This talk is an expansion of the popular King Tide Walks Sarah leads each year at China Camp and Rush Ranch (in Solano County). If you’ve left a walk wanting more, this is your chance to go deeper into the science!
FOCC Members — Free Admission
General Public — $5 Admission
Hot beverages and snacks will be provided. Please dress warmly!
Space is limited and reservations are required.
To reserve, send email to:
chinacamp.programs@gmail.com or call (415) 488-5161
Include your name and the number of seats you need.
We will reply to confirm your reservation.
Cancellation announcements will be posted on the FOCC website homepage.
