TAHOE CITY, Calif. (Aug 24, 2021) – Thanks to a $10,000 match by an anonymous donor in addition to other contributions, the Tahoe Fund has exceeded its $25,000 fundraising goal to support Camp Wamp field trips. The funds will cover the costs to transport campers and their camp counselors from Camp Wamp, a sleepaway camp for children with disabilities, to the Tahoe East Shore Trail and Sand Harbor State Park in 2022. 

“We are so grateful to those who contributed to this effort and recognize the life-changing value that programs like Camp Wamp can provide to kids with physical disabilities,” said Amy Berry, Tahoe Fund CEO. “With this program, the kids will now be able to experience the magic of the east shore of Lake Tahoe.”

Camp Wamp founder Stephen Wampler, whose ascent of El Capitan continues to inspire people around the world, had his own life changed by a camp experience. He wants to ensure that others with physical disabilities have the same opportunity. Kids at Camp Wamp experience the joys and camaraderie of camp life and push each one to discover how capable they really are. Steve’s story is all about “what you CAN do!”

Camp Wamp offers six one-week sessions every summer in July and August for kids ages 10 to 18 with physical disabilities. Since 2002, the camp has hosted over 1,250 kids, and is focused on teaching campers about self-reliance and their own ambition. They sleep outdoors on the 129-acre property on cots under the stars, they hike, fish on 9-acre Deer Lake, climb a rock wall, participate in arts, crafts, and have competitions.

“On behalf of our entire Camp Wamp team, we are so appreciative of the support for our program,” said Stephen Wampler, Camp Wamp founder. “The opportunity the Tahoe Fund is helping us create on the Tahoe East Shore Trail and at Sand Harbor for the kids who come to camp is something they will never forget.”

Tahoe Fund Makes First Tahoe Trails Endowment Grant for Regional Trail Work

The Tahoe Fund awarded the first grant from the new Tahoe Trails Endowment to support a four person trail crew from the Tahoe Area Mountain Bike Association (TAMBA) this fall. The $11,700 grant will fund the efforts of the crew for three to four weeks, including transportation, tools, and personal protective equipment. Established as a way to address the long-term needs of Tahoe’s growing trail network, the Tahoe Fund hopes to grow the Tahoe Trails Endowment to $3 million to fund annual trail maintenance throughout the region.

“With higher trail usage now than ever before, it is critical to have a long-term plan in place to care for Tahoe’s trail network,” said Amy Berry, Tahoe Fund CEO. “Although there’s still a way to go before we reach the fundraising goal for the endowment, we’re excited to offer the first grant to start putting this plan into action.”

This fall, TAMBA’s official trail crew will leverage the grant money to work on existing trails throughout the Tahoe Basin, addressing maintenance needs as they arise. Their focus will be on erosion control, fixing storm drainage, clearing brush and trees, and improving signage.

“This funding is critical to providing our crew the flexibility to address unforeseen maintenance issues as they arise during the field season, as much of the existing funding for this crew for this year was already earmarked for specific projects,” said Patrick Parsel, TAMBA trails director. “One of our goals will be to prep trails for the winter months.”

While the endowment is being built, the Tahoe Fund is also working with trail partners including the Tahoe Rim Trail Association, TAMBA, US Forest Service and Nevada State Parks to develop a Regional Trails Plan that will establish a long-term priority ranking for trail work.

The endowment was launched with a generous $100,000 donation from Chris and Viktoria McNamara. Learn more and contribute to the Tahoe Trails Endowment here.

Homewood Marina partners with the Tahoe Fund and Superior Boat Repair & Sales to expand zero emission watersports on Lake Tahoe with eFoil charging

HOMEWOOD, Calif. (Aug. 2, 2021) – Environmental stewardship is at the heart of Homewood Resort Marina’s operations, with the Marina and its management company JMA Ventures, LLC continuing their commitment to leading the transition to zero emission watersports at Lake Tahoe. In partnership with the Tahoe Fund and Superior Boat Repair & Sales, the Homewood Marina announced today that it has installed the first eFoil charging network at Lake Tahoe. The charging stations are now available for public use.

“Expanding our footprint in electric watersports is a priority of our company because it aligns with our commitment to finding innovative ways to help protect Lake Tahoe for current and future generations,” said Kevin Mitchell, Homewood Resort general manager. “The popularity of eFoiling on Lake Tahoe continues to grow, and we’re thrilled to offer the ability to quickly recharge them at the Marina. In fact, eFoil users can make an experience of it and enjoy a great lunch at West Shore Cafe while they wait for their foil to charge.”

Free to use for eFoil owners, the chargers will be able to fully recharge an eFoil in one to three hours. The chargers build on the Homewood Marina’s electric watersports charging infrastructure, with the Marina recently becoming the first on Lake Tahoe to install Electric Boat (EB) charging stations.

“We’re thrilled to support Homewood Marina’s efforts to continue to expand its electric watersports charging capabilities,” said Amy Berry, Tahoe Fund CEO. “Innovative, forward-thinking initiatives like this aid in the effort to preserve Lake Tahoe’s famed water clarity while continuing to give people fun ways to experience the lake.”

Superior Boat Repair & Sales, located at the Homewood Marina has Lift eFoil boards available for sale. The original electric hydrofoil surfboard and the world’s smallest personal watercraft, Lift eFoil boards make it possible to fly over water with no wind or waves.

“We are excited to add to our electric watersports charging program,” said David Topol, Homewood Marina director. “This program began with on-water electric boat charging for the Nautique GS22E and we are happy to add to it with the Lift eFoil charging stations. The growth and interest of the technology over the last few years has been significant and we look forward to seeing offerings expand in Lake Tahoe.”