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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
The recent fires in Southern California came close to several of the summer camp facilities. Residents of Running Springs and Arrowbear Lake had to evacuate their homes. Some structures were damaged or destroyed by these fires, but thankfully, Arrowbear and the other two summer camp music facilities nearby did survive. The firefighters did an amazing job of controlling these fires at great risk to their own lives. Arrowbear is having work weekends on November 15 - 17 to clean up some of the fire damage around the camp. Check the camp Facebook page for details if you can help.
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Recently, I subbed for the music teachers at Wilson High School and Marshall Middle School in Long Beach. It was encouraging to see the quality and energy of the students. Marshall had two beginning bands, and Wilson had two string classes on the days that I was there. Both schools have taken advantage of our private lesson scholarship program. We are using the funds generated from the Long Beach Gives event to fund the private lessons. I hope we can continue this program, but it depends on how much is donated to this fund. Last year we sponsored lessons for 26 students which cost us $12,000. We view this program as an investment in music education. Let us know if you’d like to contribute to this program.
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We are planning our annual Sounds of the Seasons event where former alumni of Arrowbear, Long Beach City College, and anyone else who wishes to can participate. This event is a fundraiser for our scholarship program. This event will take place at the Los Cerritos Mall on December 24 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. The program is mostly Christmas carols and a few other selections. The information will be posted on our Facebook page 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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In two years, we will be hosting our 85th Reunion fundraiser at Arrowbear in the summer of 2026. If you have any suggestions, please send them to us. It takes us at least twelve months of planning to put on this event. The most important task for all of you is to contact your Arrowbear friends, counselors, and staff members to encourage them to attend.
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I really appreciate your generous donations. You have helped so many young musicians who would not have had this opportunity. On behalf of the Board of Directors, I want to wish you a happy and safe holiday season.
Cliff Kusaba
President
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 remains closed in mid-October.
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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.
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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.
Along Highway 330
Keller Peak Watch Tower
Keller Peak Watch Tower destroyed by fire.
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 2024 will take place on
Tuesday December 3, 2024.
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Please help us fund scholarships to send
young musicians to a summer music camp.
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Donations are processed through Fundraisers
on our Facebook group page and our Instagram page.
December 3, 2024
HOW CAN I DONATE?
There are multiple ways you can support providing scholarships for summer music camps. We accept donations by check 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.
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
