Camp Bloomfield

Wayfinder’s Camp Bloomfield has been sharing the joys of the great outdoors with our children and families since 1958. The program offers activities adapted for children of all ages and abilities and gives them a natural and safe environment to develop self-esteem and build independence. Camp Bloomfield is the only one of its kind for children with multiple disabilities and blindness in the State of California that is offered free of charge to participants.

The Camp Bloomfield 2022 program will take place at Pathfinder Ranch!

Nestled against the San Jacinto Mountains in Garner Valley, California, Pathfinder Ranch was founded in 1964 to provide an escape from the desert summer heat for the Palm Springs Boy’s Club (now the Palm Springs Boy’s and Girl’s Club). Pathfinder Ranch is easily accessible from surrounding cities such as Palm Springs, Temecula, and Hemet. Its location next to the San Bernardino National Forest also provides stunning vistas, incredible views of the night sky, and access to open, natural spaces. Pathfinder Ranch is accredited by the American Camping Association (ACA).

Camper doing ropes course up in the trees

Camp Staff
Camp Property

Wayfinder is thrilled to announce that Mark Lucas will join our team as Camp and Recreation Services Manager. Mark brings to Wayfinder his incredible knowledge, experience and passion for providing opportunities for people who are blind and visually impaired. As part of the United States Association of Blind Athletes for 28 years, Mark’s work spanned from local sports and recreation programs to international competitions for elite blind and visually impaired athletes. In 2013, Mark was awarded the VisionServe Alliance Distinguished Excellence in Leadership Award and is the first and only person to successfully guide a blind person to finish the Pikes Peak Marathon (2015). He earned a master’s degree from California State University Northridge in Therapeutic Recreation.

Camp Property
As you know, our beloved Camp Bloomfield campground in Malibu was destroyed in the Woolsey Fire in the fall of 2018. We are deeply committed to providing the Camp Bloomfield experience, regardless of where it is held. To that end, Camp Bloomfield was held at a rented campsite in 2019 in San Pedro and then online during the pandemic in 2020.

Assessing the damage at the Malibu site was complicated and the process revealed that it is not financially feasible to rebuild the campground. Despite this heartbreaking reality, we remain deeply committed to the Camp Bloomfield experience for future generations. We know that it was property that was destroyed—not the spirit of Camp Bloomfield, which lives in everyone who has experienced the triumphs, magical moments and friendships created there every summer for 60 years.

To carry forward the spirit of Camp Bloomfield, we are so glad to be welcoming back Mark Lucas who served as Director of Camp Bloomfield from 1985 to 1993. Mark brings with him the history of friendship and special memories made by our campers, and is committed to bringing the magic of Camp Bloomfield into all of our upcoming camp activities in 2021 and beyond!

Paloma closes her eyes and smiles while sitting at the campfire circle with her friends at Camp Bloomfield

Paloma was self-conscious about appearing blind and refused to use her white cane even if it meant she might trip, fall or injure herself seriously. She also needed a lot of help doing things for herself. So, her mother enrolled her in the teen session at Camp Bloomfield, where Paloma blossomed.

READ PALOMA'S STORY

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