A Fun-draiser to help Keep WES Traditions Alive
Back to Camp Fundraiser Event
In October 2025 we came together for a night full of fun, nostalgia, and community spirit at our Back to Camp fundraiser, celebrating outdoor education and raising support to help Whiskeytown Environmental School grow back stronger.
2026 Event Date TBD
Thank You to Our 2025 Sponsors
Visionary Donors
Event Sponsors
In-Kind Sponsors
Our Story
MAKE AN IMPACT ON 4,500 CHILDREN EVERY YEAR FOR THE NEXT 50 YEARS!
For over half a century, Whiskeytown Environmental School (WES) has been a beacon of wonder and learning, opening the magic of nature to more than 151,000 children. Nestled within the Whiskeytown National Recreation Area, this historic camp, formerly known as N.E.E.D. Camp, is much more than a place, it's a life-changing experience that sparks curiosity, builds confidence, and ignites a passion for our natural world. Back to Camp is not merely a unique indoor-outdoor public event; it’s a movement. It’s a public rallying cry to restore and transform the school campus that so many local kids rely on for their only taste of a camp experience. Imagine a vibrant campus where children dip their nets in the Nature Study Pond, explore miles of inspiring trails with naturalists, and splash in creeks that echo with laughter and discovery. This is the spark that lights the fire of lifelong environmental awe and stewardship. The Carr Fire in 2018 took more than just a piece of our landscape—it deprived over 21,000 children of that transformative experience. Now, we have the chance to rebuild, reimagine, and reignite the spirit of WES as a modern science education center with overnight accommodations and dynamic programs.
Beyond serving K-6 students, when WES is not in session, the campus will offer programs, servicelearning, and leadership opportunities for college students, high schoolers, and adults. By sponsoring the Back to Camp event, you’re not just donating; you’re investing in a legacy of hope and renewal. Your support will accelerate the rebuilding of WES as a vital community resource, turning past tragedy into tomorrow’s triumph. With every dollar, you help ensure that every child in Shasta County can step into nature’s classroom and carry the lessons of curiosity and conservation throughout their lives. Be a part of this extraordinary opportunity. Stand with us as we rebuild, inspire, and empower the next generation of land stewards. Together, we can transform lives, nurture dreams, and create a future where nature’s magic is within every child’s reach. Will you be the catalyst for change? Sponsor the Back to Camp event and help us shape a legacy that will inspire for the next 50 years and beyond!
By Melinda Kashuba,
PhD Whiskeytown Environmental School Community Board President
