This is the cliff that campers would jump off into the Eel River. There are vertical holds that you had to climb on out of the river in order to access the cliff; it was much harder than it looks. If you could not climb, then you were not given help. The beginning height was 15ft depending on the water level and the max was 45ft., really fun for the annual Polar Bear Swim.
*Location-210 miles North of San Francisco
on the Eel River and 21 miles East of
Shelter Cove
*Attended Summers from 1965-1975
-Camper
-Junior Leader
-Leader
-Assistant Director
-Special Projects and Assignments
*Ragger
-Blue (1968)
-Brown (1969)
-Red (1972)
-White (1995)
YMCA Camp Ravencliff's History
Archaeological studies have established that the hillside Camp Ravencliff now occupies has been inhabited by human beings for at least 4,000 years. At least two major groups of Native Americans used the site as a winter village to which they returned year after year.
The most recent Native group to inhabit the land were the Sinkyone people, who occupied Ravencliff until the 1860's. The Sinkyone called their village "To-che-be" (pronounced "Toe-chay-bay"). The name "Sinkyone" (pronounced "Sin-kee-oh-nee") comes from their name for the South Fork of the Eel River, "Sin-ke-kok." They named the cliffs on the opposite river bank "Bus-ke-nes" (pronounced "Boosh-ka-nesS"), meaning "talking cliffs," because of the remarkably loud and distinct echo, which many Ravencliff campers have experienced for themselves. Traces of the Sinkyone occupation can be seen around camp, most notably the round mortar holes in the sandstone outcroppings near the lodge, where acorns were ground into meal.
Settlers in the area supported their families by farming, ranching, and logging, and established many small towns along the river, including Redway and Garberville. In or around 1930, the YMCA in Eureka, the county seat, purchased four acres on the west bank of the Eel River near Redway and established Camp Ravencliff. In 1931, the Richmond YMCA began sending boys to camp at Ravencliff as well. Some of the camp buildings date from that era. The original cabins and shower house were located close to the river, and were washed away in the 1964 flood. During that flood, the raging waters tore the deck off the lodge and water inside the lodge was a foot deep.
In the 1960's, the Richmond YMCA acquired Ravencliff from the Eureka YMCA, and also purchased an additional 60 acres of surrounding meadow and woodland from local owners. With consolidation, ownership of Ravencliff has passed to the YMCA of the East Bay. The southern camp boundary is shared with Humboldt Redwoods State Park.
For over 75 years, thousands of children, teenagers and adults have been touched by "Ravencliff magic." An unusual number of Ravencliffers have returned summer after summer, first as campers, then counselors, and then as alumni contributing time and energy to upkeep and improvement of the camp. Local schools, youth groups and adult groups in Humboldt County have also come to Ravencliff for campouts and conferences.
YMCA Camp Ravencliff
