Camp Mar-Y-Mac facts for kids
Camp Mar-Y-Mac was a popular summer camp for kids. It was located along Dinkey Creek in the Sierra Mountains. This area is east of Fresno, California. The camp welcomed campers from 1951 to 1981.
The Fresno YWCA started the camp. It was named after Marian McKee. She helped a lot to create the camp. Camp Mar-Y-Mac opened in July 1951. It began with four cabins. Local clubs in Fresno donated money for these cabins.
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What Was Camp Mar-Y-Mac Like?
Over the years, the camp grew bigger. It could host 80 campers during each summer session. There were six sessions every summer. Campers enjoyed many fun activities.
Fun Activities at Camp
Kids at Camp Mar-Y-Mac could try many things. These included:
- Swimming
- Horseback riding
- Archery
- Arts and crafts
- Folk dancing
- Sports
- Music and drama
Other activities offered were riflery and canoeing. Campers also learned about nature and stars. They could go on a day hike to Bald Mountain. Some even spent a night camping in a nearby meadow. Longer 3-day trips into the wilderness were also an option.
New Programs in the 1970s
In the 1970s, the camp added more programs.
- A "Macateer" session was for younger kids. This session was for both boys and girls.
- Older campers could go on a 9-day "Dinkey Lakes Back Pack" trip.
- The camp also started offering Labor Day weekend camping. This was for families to enjoy together.
Why Did Camp Mar-Y-Mac Close?
In 1982, the YWCA sold the camp buildings. This was because a dam was planned for Dinkey Creek. The Kings River Conservation District bought the buildings. They wanted to build a hydroelectric dam. This dam would create a large lake. The lake would cover over two miles of Dinkey Creek. It would also flood Camp Mar-Y-Mac. Other camps like the Girl Scout Camp and Camp Fresno would also be flooded.
The Dam Project Changes
Many groups worked to stop the dam. They wanted to protect the environment. Because of this, the dam project was delayed. In the end, the dam was not built. There was no one to buy the electricity it would make.
The Kings River Conservation District had planned to use the camp cabins. They wanted them for workers building the dam. But since the dam project stopped, the buildings were removed. The camp area was returned to its natural state.
What Remains Today?
Today, there is not much left of Camp Mar-Y-Mac. You can find a triangle of rocks. These rocks were once around the camp flagpole. There is also an outdoor chapel rock monument. These are the only signs that the camp was ever there.
