Manager of church-run Camp Colby assesses fire losses, and saves

The last time J. Mark McConnell saw Camp Colby was Saturday afternoon, when flames were racing down from nearby Strawberry Peak and fast approaching the camp where he has lived with his family for the last 24 years.

Sheriff’s officials told McConnell, the site manager, and two other staff members at the United Methodist Church-run camp that they had one hour to get out. His wife and children had gone ahead. He hurriedly grabbed his cat and two dogs and left, but the cat slipped away from him and disappeared into the smoke.

On Thursday, his hopes sank as he traveled the precarious roadways up toward the camp in the depths of the Angeles National Forest, dodging low-hanging power lines and avoiding rocks that had tumbled down the steep terrain in the fire. 

Where a lush canopy of green oak trees had once formed a tunnel above the roadway, only skeletons of trees stood, looking like charred black matchsticks. He stared in disbelief at piles of ash that marked where his neighbors’ homes once stood.

“They’re burned out over there, and over there as well,” he said, pointing at the debris. “My friend’s place was over there; it’s gone.”

Then as he neared the camp, in the distance, he spotted three intact cabins. “They were the most friggin’ exposed and they’re standing!” McConnell said, the excitement apparent in his voice. “I’m very encouraged from what I’m seeing.”

At the entrance to the camp, pieces of the sign that once read “Colby Camp” were strewn across the ground, some of the letters charred and others missing.

But the 373-acre camp, where McConnell’s three children were born and reared, seemed to remain the only patch of greenery in the landscape of devastation. Many of the 25 wooden cabins tucked in amid huge mature oaks and cottonwoods appeared to have survived the flames.

Gone were three mobile homes — where the camp staff had lived — one cabin containing 12 beds, one meeting cabin and one restroom.

But his family’s home stood nearly untouched, and a $30,000 wood chipper he had just purchased also had been spared.

“They must have been up here, they must’ve been up here!” McConnell excitedly said of firefighters as he dashed in and out of the buildings, looking for his cat and assessing the damage.

He ran around stamping out smoldering patches with his boots, and shoveling dirt onto them. McConnell said he will be “walking with a spring in his step,” though his cat is still missing.

—Ann M. Simmons at Camp Colby

Comments

[eric]

I went to that camp when I was a child. It makes me smile to hear its still standing. Just more proof that God can take you through the fire without you getting burned. Thank you to all the courageous Firemen. You are doing Gods work day end and day out!

[Wendy Stackhouse]

We have been eagerly awaiting news of our camp, Camp Colby and are so happy to hear that it has survived! Burbank First United Methodist will be sending a team up to help clean up and get ready for flood season as soon as they are redy for us!

[uncle_vito]

I was a camper at Camp Colby in the mid 60's. Even though it was a church camp, we sure had fun. Played spin the bottle and stayed up all night. Our counselors were in the bushes making out.

Insane. Bring back the 60's. They were great! No drugs, no guns, just sneaking booze and 'necking'.

Vito

[Clara Gonzalez]

We are grateful to all the firefighters involved in this mission to save Camp Colby, many thanks as well to all firefighters that have so disciplined labored during these recent fires in California. To all, thank you and may God bless you!. Camp Colby has been a perfect example of what we as the community- in this case; as the United Methodist Church, can accomplish together to better this world. In particular, I hear many encouraging comments from many children and youth who have enjoyed programs hosted at Colby Ranch, great stories from local high schools kids, who have enjoyed nature and a great setting for their programs in such a beautiful sustainable place. We are so thankful that Camp Colby is here to stay!

[Ric Loya]

This is such wonderful news. Hundreds if not thousands of people who have gone to Camp Colby in the past have to be GREATLY relieved. Thanks to a great camp staff and forest service. I'll send $50 to cover kitty food for the old cat if found or for a new cat and I'm a dog fan! Ric - former cook at Camp Colby.

[Lily]

Thank you, thank you, thank you for the update!
I've worked at several summer camps, but Colby is my home camp. I've been coming up as a camp kid or camper since I was six months old.

[Memories]

Wow! Camp Colby in 1970. What an incredible memory this has always been for me, and my lifelong best friend, Lori. It was the best experience ever. We can still remember our counselor steeped in Patchouli? oil, ever so fragrant, singing songs about Viet Nam, on her well strummed guitar. The nightly gatherings around the mini-ampitheatre. We still have a black and white photo of us taken there. The incredibly delicious mess-hall meals (nothing compares today). Being scared out of our bejeebies, having to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night, after all of the scary stories. The nature hikes, and our overnight camping trip, when Lori's sleeping bag was consumed with ants, and she reluctantly (and me reluctant too), had to crawl into my bag to share between us for the night. I hope Camp Colby survives forever. It was an experience no kid has ever forgotten. Hold on Camp Colby. Your legacy must endure.

[Memories]

Wow! Camp Colby in 1970. What an incredible memory this has always been for me, and my lifelong best friend, Lori. It was the best experience ever. We can still remember our counselor steeped in Patchouli? oil, ever so fragrant, singing songs about Viet Nam, on her well strummed guitar. The gatherings around the mini-ampitheatre. I still have a black and white photo of us taken there. The incredibly delicious mess-hall meals (nothing compares today for our kids/grandkids). Being scared out of our bejeebies, having to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night, even with our counselor along, after all of the scary stories. The nature hikes, and our overnight camping trip. Hold on Camp Colby. Your legacy must endure. You create memories that last forever. I can still see vividly, your nature trails, the beautiful surroundings, the stars, your buildings, and what was my first separation ever from my parents.

[Chris Cameron]

My nephew was a firefighter on your fire. As a camp director who nervously runs a camp in the forests of Cambria, CA, I am so happy that Camp Colby has survived!

[Deborah Brown]

So glad to hear Camp Colby made it !!! That church camp changed my life!!! I learned love and self worth!!! God was looking out for that camp!!! God Bless!!!

[Kathleen]

What I hear now: The firefighters weren't able to make it to the camp. The fact that the camp is still standing is a testament to Mark's hard work over the years and the grace of God.

And for anybody who cares, the cat is fine. :-)

[Jessica Shamam]

oh my gosh, when i was told that camp colby was indanger of fire, I wanted to cry. Camp Colby was and always be my home no matter what. And when I was told that the fire was gone at the area, I was so excited! But I've been told that 10% got burned, I was heart broken. Then I knew that it's not going to look the same when people from my church (hopefully including me) go there to help rebild the camp. I will never forget this moment in my life time, even though I have bad memory.

[Gary prichard]

Praise the Lord! I was a youth minister in the 70's in So.Ca and had some fabulous work camps at Colby. Our bus got stuck on one of the turns going into Colby. It was almost dark and we were still three miles from camp. What happen is the group went from separate cliques and little spiritual focus to heavy devotion and trust. Two people ran back to the highway to call the camp, some formed a prayer group, and suddenly everyone was involved in the problem at hand.

Most of the group was frightened we were going to stay there all night. Soon, a four wheeled vehicle showed up from camp and we were rescued. The experience was like a mysterious blessing I shall never forget.

Oh, the blessing of Camp Colby!

[michael talbot]

Please don't forget about these firefighter's in the Winter time when the fires are over and certain newspapers write about firefighter and police pensions. These men sometime get frustrated when the public doesn't hear/know the whole truth about their pensions. Most firefighters pay between 10 to 13% of their salaries to the pension system. When the retirement system makes over 7-8% the profit over this amount is returned/refunded to the cities and counties. These excess profits are used to fuffill the employers obligation for employee retirements.

[Kathleen Johnson]

Praise the Lord.

[Brian Napoli]

I dont believe mark was reffering to the firefighters when he said they had to have been up here. I belive he was speaking of angels. I know thats what i believe happened

[Anne]

Colby is very special to me. I think it has staying power!

[Sheldon]

I went to Camp Colby in the early 70's and remember the scary stories around the mini-amphitheater too. Remember the one about Nelly Colby, "give me back my golden arm". What a wonderful time, and yes, the mess hall food and atmosphere were great. I can still see in my mind the light coming thru its windows and the plastic plates. I also enjoyed races in the pool, crafts in the room underneath the mess hall and making sand candles outside. I attended the camp for several years and brought with me more cousins and neighborhood friends each time. I'm so glad to hear that the camp was saved!