Camp Arroyo Youth Camp and Environmental Education Center is a facility run through a collaborative effort between the Taylor Family Foundation and East Bay Regional Park District. Camp Arroyo was designed and built to incorporate the principles and techniques of sustainability in a beautiful and natural setting.
The Board was fortunate to get to work with the Taylor Family Foundation and the East Bay Regional Park District in this project. The Board provided $200,000 towards the cost of the 7,600 sq. ft. dining hall. The dining hall was constructed with bales of rice straw, sustainably harvested lumber, and recycled steel. The ceiling has cellulose insulation (recycled newspapers), and the energy efficient windows in the roof may be opened or closed for climate control. Additional energy efficient materials and techniques incorporated into this building include; maximized natural daylighting; wood framed and dual paned windows; and high-efficiency water heaters and lighting. Another exciting feature of this building is the galvanized metal roof that allows for the collection of rainwater for non-potable use throughout the camp.
Camp Arroyo is truly an environmental education center. The remaining buildings on the property are also sustainably designed and constructed. Some of the sustainable features of the cabins are:
- Wood from managed forests
- Cement fiber board siding
- Cellulose insulation
- 50 percent fly ash concrete
- Wheat straw wall paneling
- Daylighting
- Passive heating
- Natural ventilation
- Shading devices on the exterior windows
- Double paned, low-e glass windows
- Solar hot water heating
- Radiant space heating
- Evaporative cooling
- Recycled glass tile and countertops
- Galvanized metal roofs
Additional environmental features include:
- A 3500 sq. ft. fully accessible swimming pool with an ozone treatment system to improve water quality and reduce chlorine use.
- A bath house with walls constructed of stabilized “gunned” earth.
The youth camp also provides education on growing vegetables and herbs in their very own garden, which the children help take care of when they are there. The children who visit Camp Arroyo also enjoy art classes in the unique setting of a modern yurt.
Note: This contract is closed.
For more information contact: Office of Public Affairs, opa@calrecycle.ca.gov