Camp Arroyo

Camp Arroyo Youth Camp and Environmental Education Center is a facility run through a collaborative effort between the Taylor Family Foundation and East Bay Regional Park District. Camp Arroyo was designed and built to incorporate the principles and techniques of sustainability in a beautiful and natural setting.

The Board was fortunate to get to work with the Taylor Family Foundation and the East Bay Regional Park District in this project. The Board provided $200,000 towards the cost of the 7,600 sq ft. dining hall. The dining hall was constructed with bales of rice straw, sustainably harvested lumber, and recycled steel. The ceiling has cellulose insulation (recycled newspapers), and the energy efficient windows in the roof may be opened or closed for climate control. Additional energy efficient materials and techniques incorporated into this building include; maximized natural daylighting; wood framed and dual paned windows; and high-efficiency water heaters and lighting. Another exciting feature of this building is the galvanized metal roof that allows for the collection of rainwater for non-potable use throughout the camp.

Camp Arroyo is truly an environmental education center. The remaining buildings on the property are also sustainably designed and constructed. Some of the sustainable features of the cabins are:

Wood from managed forests
Cement fiber board siding
Cellulose insulation
50 percent fly ash concrete
Wheat straw wall paneling
Daylighting
Passive heating
Natural ventilation
Shading devices on the exterior windows
Double paned, low-e glass windows
Solar hot water heating
Radiant space heating
Evaporative cooling
Recycled glass tile and countertops
Galvanized metal roofs

Additional environmental features include:

A 3500 sq ft. fully accessible swimming pool with an ozone treatment system to improve water quality and reduce chlorine use.
A bath house with walls constructed of stabilized "gunned" earth.

The youth camp also provides education on growing vegetables and herbs in their very own garden, which the children help take care of when they are there. The children who visit Camp Arroyo also enjoy art classes in the unique setting of a modern yurt.

Note: This contract is closed.

Last updated: January 15, 2008