ABOUT CAMP.

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There is no experience for a young person that compares to overnight camp. The transformation that occurs from start to finish, stepping out of your comfort zone, overcoming fears of meeting and connecting with new people, seeing what you’re capable of on a variety of levels and the feeling of independence, simply can’t be matched. 


But the experience of overnight camp is unfortunately a very exclusive one, reserved for those with economic means. The mission behind CAMP MADE4ME is to change that - to level the playing field, offering life-altering experiences to kids, families and communities who otherwise would never have them. 


Established with over 4 decades of experience creating and running nonprofit camps for young people from the most underfunded communities of Boston and New York City, CAMP MADE4ME was built to give the gift of camp to Bay Area youth.


Kicking off its inaugural summer in June 2024, CAMP MADE4ME is a volunteer driven, collaborative effort between the philanthropic arm of STATE Bags along with Marin City-based PlayMarin & East Oakland Youth Development Center - two non profit organizations going above and beyond for the kids, families and communities they serve every single day. 

One of the many goals of CAMP MADE4ME is to keep the camp connection alive throughout the school year by coming together for Thanksgiving feasts, sporting events, day hikes and more while awarding scholarship funds to outstanding campers upon high school graduation. 



The Four Pillars of CAMP MADE4ME

JOY

Fresh air, sunshine, laughter, and connection. The intention of camp is to bring JOY to every camper, counselor, staff member and visitor that arrives on site. Camp will always be filled with silliness and we strive to begin and end every day smiling.

INTEGRITY

Being a member of camp means showing up with respect for yourself, the environment and those around you. Doing the right thing, and holding others accountable to make good choices expands beyonds the boundaries of camp.

ACCEPTANCE

Putting your true self out there is scary, but it’s a risk that has many rewards. Showing up as our full selves at camp and respecting others as they are demonstrates the acceptance we expect from ourselves and others at camp.

FRIENDSHIP

The power of human connection is something that fuels every part of CAMP M4M. Friendship between campers, counselors and daily visitors demonstrates that every one of our campers are surrounded by love and support.

PARTNERS

  • STATE BAGS

    STATE Bags is a Brooklyn-born accessories brand known for its inclusively cool and beautifully designed products that uses the power of business to give back to America's most underfunded communities. For every bag purchased, STATE supports American kids, families and communities in need... in the ways they need it most.

    Since STATE was created, they have allocated a chunk of their yearly sales to fuel impactful and thoughtful giving efforts, often working with schools and nonprofit organizations in the country’s most underfunded neighborhoods. Their mission commits to going well beyond simply donated bags as seen through driving their founder’s nonprofit camp programs, signature bag drop rallies, #WhatDoWeTellTheKids platform, Travel Academies and various initiatives that all begin by listening first, then acting!

  • PLAY MARIN

    Play Marin began in 2012 with Paul Austin coaching one basketball team of nine players. Today, Play Marin reaches over 300 kids annually through dozens of sports, summer camps, and many other enriching activities.

    Their work addresses two fundamental challenges Marin City youth face: adequate access to extracurricular and athletic opportunities in Marin City and a lack of racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic diversity in the broader Marin community.

    Through the opportunities provided by Play Marin, students learn valuable skills, build friendships, develop grit, and improve their prospects for a successful future.

  • EAST OAKLAND YOUTH DEVELOPMENT CENTER

    The East Oakland Youth Development Center opened its doors in 1978 with Robert Shetterly’s vision: “To do well, you must first do good,” and he made a personal commitment to partner with the community to change the conditions of injustice for marginalized youth.

    EOYDC’s mission is to nurture the holistic development of youth from kindergarten into adulthood so that they can live a life of prosperity, integrity, and purpose.

    Their ultimate goal is to ensure young people are prepared to have meaningful, well-paid careers that leverage their talents and passions.

    EOYDC builds the capacities of youth and young adults by leveraging connections to relatable, nurturing, and invested peers and adults. Within these connections, they create a supportive, healing, and culturally sustaining environment while emphasizing five elements of success: character, readiness, access, social emotional learning and social justice.