Food & Farm Camp: Klamath

July 13-16, 2026

This week, DNATL CFC was honored to partner with the Boys & Girls Club and the Yurok Food Sovereignty Village to host an unforgettable Food & Farm camp in Klamath. Surrounded by the beauty of the Klamath River, nestled beside Minot Creek and the Yurok Food Sovereignty Village, campers spent the week exploring healthy foods, connecting with culture, and learning about the land that sustains us.

Throughout the week, youth participated in hands-on activities that introduced them to healthy food choices and traditional knowledge. Campers learned the art of water bath canning and food preservation, gaining practical skills they can take home and share with their families. They also explored the importance of composting during an engaging lesson led by Robert Ford, Tolowa Environmental Steward, who taught campers how healthy soil and composting support healthy food systems and a thriving environment.

One of the week's highlights was a visit from the Howland Hill Outdoor School. Campers gathered under the shade of the trees near the creek for a picnic while learning about the fascinating role bats play in our local ecosystem. The outdoor classroom provided the perfect setting to connect lessons about nature with the beautiful environment surrounding us.

The week also featured a special cultural meal prepared by Roger Buckskin of the Yurok Tribe Food Sovereignty Team, who demonstrated the traditional practice of cooking salmon on redwood planks. Alongside the salmon, campers shared enchiladas made from camp Director Angela Gray's grandmother's recipe—a meal that honored family traditions while celebrating the joy of gathering around food. Sharing traditional Yurok foods alongside a cherished family recipe created a beautiful opportunity for cultural exchange, reminding us that every family and every culture has stories that are passed from one generation to the next through food.

Hosting camp next to the Yurok Food Sovereignty Village made the experience even more meaningful. Campers were able to see firsthand where fresh food is grown and harvested to provide healthy produce, free of charge, to Yurok Elders and community members. Seeing the gardens in action helped connect the lessons of healthy eating, stewardship, and food sovereignty with the real work happening every day to strengthen the community.

This incredible week would not have been possible without the support and collaboration of so many dedicated partners. We extend our sincere thanks to the Boys & Girls Club, the Yurok Food Sovereignty Village, Roger Buckskin and the Yurok Tribe Food Sovereignty Team, the educators from Howland Hill Outdoor School, UC Cooperative Extension, Grace Belt, Robert Ford, our staff, volunteers, and the families who entrusted us with their children. Your knowledge, generosity, and commitment helped create a week filled with learning, laughter, culture, and connection.

As we reflected on the week, one thing was clear: food is more than nourishment. It is culture, history, family, and community. Whether learning to preserve the harvest through canning, discovering the value of composting, listening to stories beneath the trees, or sharing a meal prepared from traditional Yurok practices and a beloved family recipe, our campers experienced the many ways food connects us to one another, to our cultures, and to the land we are privileged to call home.