Donner Mine Camp

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Nevada City, CA
Donner Mine Camp

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Donner Mine Camp, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit campground and retreat facility serving recognized charitable, educational, youth, and community organizations.

Nestled in Nature provides the beauty, we operate the facility... you bring the programs & fun! Donner Mine Camp is a nonprofit, educational and charitable 501(c)3 corporation under the IRS guidelines. The camp provides a facility for other nonprofit charitable organizations and their members, who meet IRS 501 ( c ) (3) status, an opportunity for outdoor retreats and educational experiences, in a High Sierra setting.

10/20/2026

A productive Fall Work Day at Donner Mine Camp! 🌲

A big thank you to everyone who joined us Saturday to help get Donner Mine Camp ready for winter. Our volunteers tackled an impressive list of projects across the property.

The crew scrubbed and bagged mattresses, cleaned the deck picnic tables, took down the summer sun shade and tour signs, dragged brush, and worked on fire-fuel reduction around the Lodge and caretaker’s cabin.

We also installed a new water box, refreshed the front of the Main Lodge portico, brought both the bucket truck and old dump truck back to life, and even put the bucket truck to work repairing the Lodge chimney cap.

We were grateful to have several Board members and their families, Boy Scouts and parents, volunteers from The Mankind Project, and friends of Donner Mine Camp all lending a hand.

It was a great example of what volunteer stewardship at DMC looks like—people bringing different skills, rolling up their sleeves, and taking care of a place that means something to so many.

Thank you to everyone who gave their time and energy Saturday. We accomplished a lot, and Donner Mine Camp is better for it. 🌲

10/09/2026

Fall Work Weekend is almost here! 🌲

We’ll be gathering at Donner Mine Camp on Saturday, October 17 to help get the property ready for winter.

There’s work for every skill level, and you don’t need to commit to the entire weekend.
Whether you can spend the day with us, help for part of Saturday, or stay overnight, we’d be glad to have you.

If you’re planning to join us, please RSVP by Tuesday, October 13 so we can finalize meals, supplies, and overnight accommodations.

📧 [email protected]
📞 (530) 210-2900

Come lend a hand, enjoy some time at camp, and help us get Donner Mine Camp tucked in for another Sierra winter.

We hope to see you October 17!

09/30/2026

Donner Mine Camp has welcomed generations of campers, families, volunteers, and community organizations—but places like this don't take care of themselves.

Behind every camp season are people who give their time to maintain the property, preserve its history, make improvements, and prepare it for the groups that will arrive next.

That spirit of volunteer stewardship has always been part of Donner Mine Camp, and it's one of the reasons the camp continues to serve our community today.

As we approach the end of another season, we're especially grateful for everyone who has given their time, talent, and energy to DMC this year. 🌲

Are you interested in coming up and helping close down Camp for the winter? Let us know, and save the weekend of October 17.

09/25/2026

Join Us for Fall Work Weekend at Donner Mine Camp 🌲 - https://mailchi.mp/daf1f00451d2/donner-mine-camp-spring-work-weekend-april-27-8346798

09/21/2026

**Save the Date — Donner Mine Camp Work Weekend**

Mark your calendar for **Saturday, October 17!**

Donner Mine Camp's annual Work Weekend is an opportunity for friends, volunteers, and supporters of the camp to come together and help us tackle projects around the property as we prepare for the end of another season.

There's always plenty to do, and many hands make a big difference. Whether you've spent years at Donner Mine Camp or you're simply interested in helping preserve this special place for future generations, we'd love to have you join us.

We'll share more details as we get closer, but for now:

📅 **Saturday, October 17, 2026**
📍 **Donner Mine Camp**

Please save the date!

09/09/2026

Summer may be winding down, but the season at Donner Mine Camp isn't over yet.

September brings a different rhythm to the property as we continue welcoming groups to the camp and begin looking toward fall. The cooler mornings and changing season make this one of our favorite times of year in the Sierra foothills.

Whether it's a busy summer camp, a quiet retreat, or volunteers lending a hand around the property, we're grateful to everyone who helps keep Donner Mine Camp active and thriving.

🌲 There's still plenty happening at DMC before we close the gates for winter!

08/27/2026

🌲 Scenes from Camp

Sometimes the most memorable part of a visit to Donner Mine Camp isn't an activity on the schedule.

It's the quiet moments.

The morning light filtering through the trees. The sound of the Bear River flowing nearby. A conversation around a picnic table. Watching the stars appear after a full day outdoors.

For generations, people have come here to disconnect from the noise of everyday life and reconnect with nature, friends, and family.

Every visitor leaves with different memories—but that's part of what makes this place so special.

What's one memory that always comes to mind when you think of Donner Mine Camp?

08/11/2026

🌲 From the Caretaker

A few weeks ago, we introduced our new caretaker, Ian Baker, and many of you welcomed him with kind words. Thank you for making him feel at home.

We thought we'd share a little more about what brought Ian back to Donner Mine Camp.

When asked what drew him to this role, Ian shared:
"Like everyone who has spent time here, it leaves a lasting impression on you."

That connection to the camp—and the opportunity to help care for it—is what inspired him to return.

As Ian put it: "The chance to be a steward for these deeply important things was a strong draw."

Every trail maintained, every cabin prepared, and every improvement made helps ensure that future generations can create memories here just as so many have before.

If you see Ian during your next visit, be sure to say hello!

07/28/2026

🏛 Historic Spotlight: The Headframe

One of the most recognizable landmarks at Donner Mine Camp is the historic headframe—a reminder of the property's rich mining heritage and the people who lived and worked here long before camp began its current journey.

Today, historic structures help tell the story of California's Gold Country while providing a unique setting for the nonprofit organizations that gather here each year.

Preserving Donner Mine Camp means preserving both its history as the Zeibright Mine and its mission for future generations.

Do you have a favorite memory of camp or the mining structures? We'd love to hear your stories in the comments.

07/14/2026

Please join us in welcoming Ian Baker as the new caretaker of Donner Mine Camp.

Ian grew up in nearby Dutch Flat and has long-standing ties to the area, the Bear River watershed, and the history of our region. Some may remember him from time spent at camp as a teenager, where, as he puts it, "like everyone who has spent time here, it leaves a lasting impression on you."

After a career in agriculture and greenhouse management, Ian has returned to the foothills to help steward this special place. His interests range from bonsai and photography to local history, music, and restoration projects—making him a natural fit for a property as unique as Donner Mine Camp.

When asked to describe camp in three words, Ian chose:

"Magical. Rare. Influential."

We're excited to have Ian as part of the Donner Mine Camp family and look forward to the impact he'll have helping preserve this historic property for future generations.

Welcome, Ian!

Follow our page to learn more about the people, history, and mission of Donner Mine Camp.

Address

12707 Zeibright Road
Nevada City, CA
95959

Telephone

+15302102900

Website

http://www.donnerminecamp.org/

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