MISSION STATEMENT
As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, our mission is to provide scholarships to young people from elementary school age through college age so that they may participate in the educational experience of attending a summer music camp in the specific areas of instrumental and/or vocal music. Our mission includes the intention to promote the study and enjoyment of music and the arts, to encourage discipline and aesthetics in education, to provide opportunities for young people to share their art at a high level of excellence, and to meet with and explore ideas with other young people of various backgrounds, but similar interests. Secondarily, our mission is to promote the musical arts in performance and to give local communities an opportunity to view today’s youth in a positive and constructive light.
President's Message
This summer you helped to send 78 campers to a summer music camp totaling $122,403 in scholarships. During the summer, Laura and I traveled to Arrowbear nearly every session to meet our scholarship awardees and take photos. They had a great time at camp. Several of them came up to speak with us and thanked us, on your behalf, for their scholarship. We heard some very fine music ensembles all summer. It was impressive to hear the growth the young people have made over the last few years.
Next summer we will host the 85th Reunion at Arrowbear Music Camp. The event is scheduled for Labor Day weekend on Sunday, September 6, 2026. This event is a fundraiser for our scholarship fund. Our Board will begin planning for the event in November. If you are interested in being on our planning committee, please contact us. We meet via Zoom and at our house in Long Beach. We are also in need of volunteers for the event that day. We usually need volunteers to help with setting up the events, meals, registration, parking, and cleaning up after the event.
We plan to host ”Sounds of the Season” again on December 24. You are invited to play with us. The group is mostly string players, but wind players are always welcome. Music for string payers is provided. The event will take place at the Los Cerritos Mall next to Nordstrom. We play from 10:00 a.m. to Noon. Please check our Facebook and Instagram pages for updates in early December. Even if you do not play an instrument, please come and enjoy the program and visit with us.
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If you like Sees Candy, the Associates have created an online fundraiser where you can purchase delicious candy for the upcoming holiday season. The candy is shipped directly to you. Our organization will receive a percentage of every sale to support scholarships. The last day to order is December 5. See the article below for more details.
I cannot thank you enough for your generous support. Your support really makes a difference. Many of the awardees would not be able to afford the cost of a sleep away camping experience. Some schools now are offering a summer school music session which is much easier for the parents; however, there is nothing that compares to the growth a young musician gets from attending a summer music camp.
We hope to see you at our 85th Reunion next summer. Have a safe and enjoyable holiday season.
Cliff Kusaba
President
Sees Candy Fundraiser
Here’s your chance to purchase delicious Sees Candy for the upcoming holiday season while helping us raise funds for scholarships to summer music camps. Order through our online store now through December 5. Your candy purchases will ship to you directly beginning November 10. Orders totaling $75 or more qualify for free shipping. We receive a percentage of every sale.
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Enjoy your favorite chocolates by the pound or in smaller assortments along with truffles, peanut brittle, lollypops, molasses chips, peppermints, toffee, and chocolate bars. Candy boxes are decorated for Christmas, Hanukkah, and in generic red, silver, or gold.
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Sees Candy makes a great hostess gift, a gift for work colleagues, and a delicious gift for your loved ones of all ages.
Become a Subscriber
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Go Green and become a subscriber. Instead of receiving a paper edition of our newsletters, you’ll receive an electronic version. The numerous photos are in full color and all the links are live. You’ll help us save money on printing and postage that can help send more young musicians to a summer music camp. It’s easy. Just click on the button and register.
Giving Tuesday
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Giving Tuesday is a global generosity movement that emphasizes opportunities to give back to communities and worthy causes. It was created in 2012 as a simple idea: a day that encourages people to do good. It has grown into a global movement that inspires millions of people to give, collaborate, and celebrate generosity.
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Giving Tuesday 2025 will be
Tuesday, December 2, 2025.
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Last year donors helped us raise $976.04 for scholarships.
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Donations are processed through
Fundraisers on our Facebook group page
and on our Instagram page.
December 2, 2025
HOW CAN I DONATE?
There are multiple ways you can support providing scholarships for summer music camps. We accept donations by check, with Zelle, and by credit card through PayPal. For some of you, writing a check, addressing an envelope, and locating a stamp is too time consuming or just flat-out “old school.” There are lots of other ways you can help us help young musicians. Check out these additional options.
The Line Fire Endangers Arrowbear
Running Springs and Arrowbear Lake are just above the red outline of the fire.
Southern California faced the power and destruction of three different wild fires in September and October of 2024. The Line Fire broke out on September 5 just north of the city of Highland. The fire climbed up the hills, closed Highway 330, and forced the evacuation of several communities including Running Springs and Arrowbear Lake. Highway 330 remained closed until December.
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The topography of the area made it difficult for firefighters to fight the fire. Dennis and Larke had to evacuate from Camp for their own safety. The evacuation order remained in place for more than a week while firefighters worked to keep the fire away from homes and buildings. Only one home was destroyed in the town of Running Springs and Camp was spared. The Keller Peak Lookout Station was consumed by the fire. Four other structures were damaged.​
Dennis and Larke returned to Camp on September 15. The fire department was there in Camp when they arrived. The area was covered in ash, but none of the structures were damaged.
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By October 14, the Line Fire was 97% contained and had burned 43,978 acres. Flare ups continued to occur due to warmer temperatures. Six firefighters were injured; thankfully, there are no fatalities to date. Arson is suspected to be the cause of the fire.
Keller Peak Watch Tower
Keller Peak Watch Tower destroyed by fire.
Snow and More Snow
California mountain communities experienced record breaking back-to-back snow storms in late February and early March 2023. The governor declared a state of emergency in 13 counties affected by the storms. Yosemite National Park was closed for several weeks as it dealt with 15 feet of snow. In the San Bernardino Mountains, snowfall blocked the roads, trapped residents in their homes, and stranded people who work down the hill from reaching their mountain homes for days. Schools in the Running Springs and Lake Arrowhead areas closed for nearly 3 weeks due to the unprecedented amount of snowfall that sometimes towered as high as second-story windows. Disaster response and relief efforts were hampered by the amount of snow. Neighbors relied on each other until roads were finally cleared.
Residents and businesses experienced roof collapses, cars completely buried, and trying to tunnel out of their front doors to reach the street. Even after the main roads were passable, neighborhood streets remained unplowed. Where do you put that much snow? Arrowbear Music Camp was spared any damage, but the snow level on the ground was mind-boggling.
Camp Sign
Camp Porch
Dining Hall
