About Us

Camp Chance — A Community Partnership for Kids


Camp Chance is a program created by the San Rafael Police Department in collaboration with the Marin County Sheriff’s Department and the Marin County Office of Education. The Camp is administered by the Youth Services Bureau, a unit within the San Rafael Police Department. The YSB works with juvenile first-time offenders, and provide in-school counseling and therapy services to families living and/or working in San Rafael.

Every summer, SRPD hosts a camp for at-risk/underserved youth (ages 11–13). Now in its 13th year, Camp Chance is a 5-day residential summer camp that offers a structured camping and counseling experience with a mix of challenging physical, mental and emotional activities. Over 500 middle school youth have benefited from this camping program since its inception in 1999. 

The weeklong camp is held at Walker Creek Ranch, a Marin County Office of Education camp and conference center located in West Marin. The Ranch provides adult leadership for all camp activities and we facilitate workshops on topics relevant to today’s youth, such as anger management and bullying. 

Marin County Sheriff deputies join with San Rafael police officers to participate with the kids in all the activities throughout the week. This informal and personal contact with peace officers has proven to be a big win-win for the kids, police and community. When children feel more connected with their community and build a good relationship with their police officers, they are less likely to be involved in destructive behavior and criminal activity.

In 2011, a total of seventy-two (72) children attended Camp Chance. Twelve of those campers were 14–15 year old teenagers who returned as Leaders-In-Training, our alumni program for kids who previously attended Camp Chance and have demonstrated the leadership characteristics to now be a role model for the younger campers, as well as assist the senior staff with facilitating the program.

Plans are already underway for Camp Chance 2012. Please consider a donation to Camp Chance today — the program is completely funded by local citizens and businesses — we rely on people like you who can give the campers a chance.

Our tax-exempt number is 94-6000424.