About Us

People have lived on the west banks of the Eel River for at least 4,000 years. Traces of the Sinkyone people, who lived there until in the 1860s, can still be seen around Camp Ravencliff today.

The YMCA in Eureka started using the site as a camp in the 1930s. While some of the original buildings were swept away in the Eel River flood of 1964, others are still in use today. When the Richmond YMCA bought Camp Ravencliff in the 1960s, it added 60 acres of surrounding meadow and woodland. The resulting camp offers rustic comfort and a wide array of outdoor activities. Campers come home from Ravencliff with increased self-esteem and a new-found independence, with memories and friendships to last a lifetime.

Camp Ravencliff serves people of diverse backgrounds from a broad spectrum of communities in Northern California. The majority of our participants come from both the East Bay area and Sonoma County, in partnership with the Sonoma County Family YMCA.  In addition, we serve a significant number of campers from the immediate Humboldt County area.

Some of our most important community partners include: Ravencliff alumni, the
Sonoma County YMCA and the Greek Orthodox Church of Oakland.

Goals and Plans

• Continue to expand the number of weeks of camp to 5 or 6 weeks for youth and up to 2 weeks for teens
• Reinstitute Outdoor Environmental Education programs for local schools
• Increase group rentals of the camp

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Who We Serve

In 2007, we served:  

• Youth ages 7-13    47%
• Youth ages 13-15   53%

LEADERSHIP

“Having been a member since age 5, the YMCA has had a significant impact in shaping me into the person I am today. It is an incredible privilege to have the opportunity to provide that same experience for others.”
Bria Cartwright, Executive Director

Bria Cartwright started her career with the YMCA in 1989 as an office manager with the West Contra Costa YMCA. Over the next 10 years, she worked as program director, aquatics director, membership services director and associate executive director at three East Bay branches, before becoming executive director at the Hilltop Family YMCA. Since 2006, Bria has been the executive director of both Camp Arroyo and Camp Ravencliff. She has a B.A. in English Literature from UC Santa Cruz and a YMCA Senior Director Certification.

Seasonal staff includes:

• Two assistant directors
• 12 - 13 cabin leaders
• Support staff, including cooks and a medic

All program staff members:

• Are 18 or older
• Are high school graduates, with prior experience working with children
• Have CPR/First Aid certificates
• Have been screened and fingerprinted
• Participate in a week-long training before camp opens

Many are former Ravencliff campers who have completed our Campers In Leadership Training (CILT) program.

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