Friday, August 8, 2025
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Sunday, August 10, 2025

China Camp State Park

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Note that children 14 and over are welcome on V-O-Cal projects. Volunteers under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Children under 14 may attend VoCal with a non-volunteering adult supervisor, but neither would volunteer that day per the terms of our waiver.

Project Background and Description

This project combines trail work with the chance to explore the rich cultural and natural history of China Camp State Park, a scenic gem along the shores of San Pablo Bay. Once home to a thriving Chinese shrimp-fishing village in the 1880s, China Camp housed nearly 500 Cantonese immigrants. Today, the site is preserved and maintained entirely by volunteers, thanks to the efforts of Friends of China Camp (FOCC), who saved it from closure. In addition to its cultural significance, China Camp is rich in natural beauty, with inter-tidal salt marshes, meadows, and oak woodlands. It’s home to a variety of wildlife including deer, foxes, coyotes, and birds – as well as endangered species like the California clapper rail and the salt marsh harvest mouse.
          
Over the weekend, we’ll work on improving sections of the Bayview and Echo Trails – removing duff and brush, cutting back the upslope, widening the trail, berm removal, reshaping drainage features, and more. We’ll also be treated to a special interpretive program at the open air museum to the history of the site. Note that for this project, all volunteers under age 18 - not 16 - must be accompanied by an adult, per China Camp policy.
More info about:
China Camp State Park
More about what it is like to volunteer on a project:
Volunteer

Project Pictures

Help recruit more volunteers! Download the project flyer here

Project Flyer

Covid Policy

Because we do not want any of our projects to become a super-spreader event, V-O-Cal policy is that each of us should respect our fellow volunteers by not attending a project if you have contracted Covid and have not yet tested negative.  In addition, if you have been exposed to Covid in the week before a V-O-Cal project, you should test to make sure you are unable to expose others.  Thank you for keeping our V-O-Cal community and families safe.

Camp

Camping is provided in beautiful laurel and oak shaded group and individual sites, and there are on-site parking and access to flush toilets and coin operated showers. Unfortunately, dogs are not permitted in the parts of China Camp where we'll be. Do not take your dog (unless your dog is an official service animal, individually trained to perform tasks for persons who have qualifying disabilities under ADA) to this project. Service dogs must wear an identifying vest and be on a maximum 6-foot leash at ALL times and physically under your control.

Driving Directions

Map Link

Carpool/Parking Information

Level of Effort

Project Fact Sheet

Fact Sheet
If a parking pass is required at the project site, it will be included with the fact sheet.

Project Schedule

(tentative schedule)

Friday
5:00pm - Check in and camping open. DINNER IS NOT PROVIDED.

Saturday
7:30am - Check in, light breakfast and lunch-packing begin ~ Please arrive by 7:45 AM
8:30 am – Morning greeting, announcements, stretching, safety talk and crew assignments
12:30pm - Break for lunch on trail
3:30 pm – Stop work and return to camp
4:00 pm – Drinks, appetizers and socializing. Showers available.
6:00 pm – Dinner and more socializing 

Sunday
7:30am - Breakfast, lunch prep and registration ~ Please arrive by 7:45 AM. Hot breakfast is served.
8:30 am – Morning greeting, announcements, stretching, safety talk and crew assignments. Project beings.
11:30am - Break for lunch on trail.
1:30pm - Return to camp, load tools and gear on truck

Things to Do Before or After the Project

What to Bring and Wear

For your safety and protection from hazards, please be prepared with the following items:
  • Sturdy shoes or boots with good tread. Ankle support will be important where we are building new trails. Sandals and open-toed shoes will not be permitted
  • Water bottles or a water bladder that can hold at least 2 liters of water. (You will not be allowed on the trail without water.)
  • Day pack to carry your water and lunch.
  • Work gloves. (If you don’t have your own gloves, V-O-Cal will provide them. Please return them at the end of the project.)
  • V-O-Cal provides all necessary tools, as well as training on tool use and safety.
  • Sunglasses, hat and sunscreen.
  • Insect repellent and allergy medicine (if you normally need these things when working outdoors).
  • Reusable plate/bowl, eating utensils, and mug/cup.
  • A change of clothes for each work day and for lounging at camp to minimize the spread of poison oak.
  • Please come prepared for a variety of weather conditions (think layers!). Unless there is a serious storm predicted, we will work drizzle or shine.
If you are camping, you will also need the following items: 
  • A tent (if you have the option to bring a smaller tent, please do!)
  • A sleeping bag, sleeping pad and pillow.
  • A flashlight or headlamp.
  • A camp chair (if you don't want to sit on the ground).
  • Other camping gear that makes you comfortable

Meals

V-O-Cal provides all meals for volunteers from breakfast Saturday through lunch Sunday. Vegetarian options are available for all meals. (Please note that dinner is not provided on Friday.)
  • To minimize waste we ask that you bring your own reusable plates, coffee mug, cups and utensils. Hot water and soap are provided.
  • A continental breakfast is served Saturday morning.
  • Lunch is prepared before hitting the trail. You break for lunch on the trail around 12:30pm.
  • Please arrive at camp by 7:40am to register, eat breakfast and prepare your lunch.
  • Appetizers and beverages will be available after the work day on Saturday, usually around 4pm. Dinner will follow, usually around 5:30pm.
  • Hot breakfast is served Sunday morning.

Hazards

SUN EXPOSURE | HYDRATION | HYPOTHERMIA Most of the work areas are fully shaded. However, please plan for sun protection, including sun hats, sun block and light long sleeve shirts. Please bring water bottles or a water bladder large enough to hold at least 2 liters of water. Drink plenty of water throughout the work day. If you feel tired or weak, let your crew leader know and take a break.

POISON OAK There is a risk of exposure to poison oak at the work site. Have your crew leader point some out to you if you don’t know what it looks like. Clean with Tecnu (which we provide) after the work day and be cautious when handling your dirty clothes.

MOSQUITOES | TICKS Mosquitoes are active this time of year so bug spray and long-sleeved, lightweight shirts are recommended. Ticks are always a hazard; light colored clothing makes them easier to spot when you check during and after the project.

SNAKES Snakes are present on the property. Use caution when walking the trails and when picking items up off the ground.

SHARP TOOLS Please listen to your crew leader’s tool safety talk and observe proper tool use throughout the day.

Volunteer Project Team

  • V-O-Cal Executive Director Cathy Moyer
  • Project Lead Lauren Blanchard

Agency Partners

California State Parks

Project Sponsors

Season Sponsor

Special Thanks to Bay Area Barns and Trails for their generous grant supporting the 2025 V-O-Cal Project Season. BABT assists landowners and land managers with preservation and maintenance of publicly accessible Bay Area barns, stables, pastures, staging areas, horse camps, and trails.

Help recruit more volunteers! Download the project flyer here

Project Flyer

Other Upcoming Projects

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