Resolution opposing privatization of Camp Mather operations and any further franchising out of services or concessions at Camp Mather.
WHEREAS, Camp Mather offers an affordable, unique Sierra experience for San Francisco’s families and children, including activities such as learning how to ride a bike, horseback riding, collecting tadpoles, swimming in a mountain lake, stargazing, hiking in a high sierra meadow or canyon, learning about the environment and the Hetch Hetchy watershed area, and discovering the peace of a starry night; and,
WHEREAS, Stewardship of the planet is learned from experiences in the Sierra; and,
WHEREAS, In the words of John Muir, “Thousands of tired, nerve-shaken, over-civilized people are beginning to find out that going to the mountains is going home; that wilderness is a necessity; and that mountain parks and reservations are useful not only as fountains of timber and irrigating rivers, but as fountains of life;” and,
WHEREAS, The San Francisco Recreation and Park Department has been a publicly-run agency managing Camp Mather superbly in an environmentally aware, low-impact and green manner; and,
WHEREAS, Camp Mather is the property of the City and County of San Francisco; and,
WHEREAS, It is important for residents to retain control over the City's property and have access to it for generations to come; and,
WHEREAS, The unique experience that is Camp Mather has been created and nurtured for 80 years by dedicated employees of the City and County of San Francisco; and,
WHEREAS, Many of the appurtenances and activity enhancements to Camp Mather activities are from charitable donations of former campers and the Friends of Camp Mather, which cooperatively works with the Recreation and Park Department to support the publicly-run camp; and,
WHEREAS, The services complementary to the core operations of Camp Mather are: The Barnes Family Stable, Strawberry Music Festival, The General Stores, Nature Educators, and Friends of Camp Mather Volunteer Leaders, all which have been provided by private individuals, families, volunteer camp doctors and nurses, and non-profit and for-profit business; and,
WHEREAS, These entities have enhanced the camp experience for tens of thousands of San Francisco families and should stay as part of the Camp Mather experience; and,
RESOLVED, That the Board opposes privatization of Camp Mather or of Camp Mather operations, and any further franchising and/or contracting out of current services or concessions at Camp Mather or for Camp Mather; and, be it,
FURTHER RESOLVED, That it is the policy of the Board of Supervisors of the City and County of San Francisco that the operation and management of Camp Mather remain the responsibility of the Recreation and Park Department, assisted by other employees of the City and County of San Francisco as needed; and, be it
FUTHER RESOLVED, That it is the policy of the Board of Supervisors of the City and County of San Francisco that the core operations and provision of recreational activities, food service, routine upkeep and maintenance, staffing, facility and program management at all levels at Camp Mather be performed by City employees in order to keep Camp Mather accessible to San Francisco families and individuals; and, be it
FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Board opposes working with private sector property developers on any plans for Camp Mather in the future.
Thanks to camper support - calls and emails to representatives - and to the sponsorship of Supervisors Jake McGoldrick and Ross Mirkarimi, and the outspoken support of Supervisor Bevan Dufty, the Camp Mather Anti-Privatization Resolution passed by The Board of Supervisors at 2:30pm, January 30th, 2007.
Supervisor Dufty also made the point that it is up to us, who care about Camp Mather, to make sure that the city funds the upkeep of Camp Mather. He sid that more San Franciscans showed up to support Anti-Privatization for Camp Mather than showed up for all other Rec and Park programs or facilities last year. The message is clear, it is our camp, it is our obligation to make sure that it continues into the future for all of us, and our kids.
FYI - The Supervisors who voted against, and reasons, if known:
* Elsbernd - would like to contract out labor for carpentry, painting, groundskeeping
* Jew - would like for individuals to be able to provide volunteer labor for camp upkeep, and thought that the resolution ran 
contrary to volunteerism due to city contracts with the R+P crews who prepare CM for the summer, and shut it down for the winter.
* Alioto-Pier - her aide did not know her stand when we stopped by yesterday.
IT IS A BANNER DAY FOR MATHER -
