I support the granting of a term use permit agreement between the USFS and the Friends of Camp Silverado (FOCS) to save Camp Silverado as a high Sierra Wilderness Educational Facility

 

We, the undersigned, wholeheartedly support the Friends of Camp Silverado (FOCS, 501c3 non-profit organization), in their mission to secure a Use Permit with the Amador District Ranger of the Eldorado National Forest. By granting this Use Permit, the USFS enables FOCS to protect, repair, and promote the facilities of Camp Silverado as a needed wilderness educational facility, while also bringing significant recreational exposure to the Silver Lake area. This petition aims to demonstrate the overwhelming community support for preserving Camp Silverado along with its potential to benefit youth engagement, empower women, support veterans, enhance search and rescue training, and align with the current campaigns and visions of the Eldorado National Forest set forth by the United States Forest Service (USFS).

1. Youth Engagement:

Camp Silverado provides a unique opportunity for bringing young individuals back into connection with nature, develop essential camping skills, and foster a love for the outdoors. By offering semi-primitive camping experience, modern facilities, educational, and recreational opportunities Camp Silverado will inspire youth to explore, learn, and grow. We urge the United States Forest Service (USFS) to grant a Use Permit to FOCS, allowing them to actively market the camp's facilities to youth organizations, schools, and community groups.

2. Empowering Women:

Camp Silverado can be a safe haven and empowering space for women's groups, providing tailored programs that encourage participation in wilderness activities, build self-confidence, and foster personal growth. By advocating for Camp Silverado as a resource for women's empowerment, FOCS aims to create a supportive network that transcends outdoor adventures. We call upon the USFS to recognize the potential of Camp Silverado towards the empowerment of women and to grant FOCS the Use Permit needed to promote and facilitate these programs.

 

 

3. Supporting Veterans:

Our nation's veterans deserve our unwavering support. Camp Silverado can play a crucial role in veterans' rehabilitation and reintegration, offering specialized programs, therapeutic support, and a sense of camaraderie. By advocating for Camp Silverado's facilities as a resource for veterans, FOCS aims to aid in their physical and mental well-being, helping them heal and thrive. We appeal to the USFS to grant the Use Permit, enabling FOCS to actively reach out to veteran organizations and provide this much-needed support.

 

 

4. SAR Unit Training:

Effective search and rescue operations are vital for public safety, especially in wilderness areas. Camp Silverado's facilities have served as an ideal training ground for SAR units, offering realistic scenarios, essential resources, and a conducive environment for skill development. By endorsing the granting of a Use Permit, we support FOCS in their collaboration with SAR units to enhance capabilities and ensure efficient emergency response. We implore the USFS to recognize the value of Camp Silverado for SAR unit training and provide the necessary Use Permit to facilitate this essential work.

 

By signing this petition, we affirm our support to preserving Camp Silverado as a wilderness educational facility, which will not only benefit youth engagement, empower women, support veterans, and enhance search and rescue training but also align with the USFS's current campaigns and visions for the Eldorado National Forest. We urge the United States Forest Service (USFS) to grant the Use Permit to the Friends of Camp Silverado (FOCS), enabling them to fulfill their mission of marketing, advocating for, repairing, and promoting the camp's facilities. Together, we can create opportunities for personal development, empowerment, rehabilitation, improved rescue operations, and fulfill the vision for the Eldorado National Forest while showcasing the recreational potential of the Silver Lake area. Your support will make a tangible difference in the lives of countless individuals and communities surrounding this high Sierra jewel.

Thank you for your attention and consideration. Let's work together to Save Camp Silverado, bring recreational exposure to the Silver Lake area, and provide deserving groups with transformative experiences that will leave a lasting impact, all while supporting the USFS's campaigns and visions for the Eldorado National Forest. Please share with friends and family that may be supportive of our cause: https://chng.it/BmhqdGpsRR​     www.campsilverado.org