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Community Corner

Fundraiser To Spread Word Of New Youth Camp

A tour of camp, music and youth activities are all a part of fundraising efforts

A special fundraiser this Saturday focuses on building summer camp on an island in Suisun Slough. The camp, part of a nonprofit by Gary Stone, has been a plan in progress since he bought the 5.4-acre land for it two years ago.

“I just love that it’s going real positive,” Stone said. “It was from a dream to reality for me.”

Stone, who also owns a plumbing contractor business in Suisun City called Restoration Concepts, has also worked as a counselor for the Vacaville Unified School District and Whiskeytown, an environmental youth camp where he worked with at risk youth.

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“It took me six months to get all of the debris out of the location, clean the mud, get everything environmentally right, get rid of all the old vessels, things that were sunken and all that kind of stuff,” he said. “So it really turned out to be a neat program, overall.”

Recently Stone moved out of his home in Vacaville and into a barge docked at the island. The camp, Stone plans to name “Stone Cold Youth Camp,” will offer camping, kayaking, canoeing, sailing, fishing, gardening and more.

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“We’ll grow tomatoes…everything we can do to keep the island green,” he said.

The camp is already creating a buzz. Stone said he has spoken with the Matt Garcia Foundation, the probation department of Solano County, Mission Solano and churches in the area that are interested in either joining in his efforts or enrolling youth. Though the concept is still in the planning stages, Stone is already considering running it year round and having a day camp available.

“(Mission Solano) talked about giving me some manpower to do things, help with the project or help with the waterways and clean up," Stone said.

The fundraiser at Harbor Plaza will include a ride to the island on a 85-foot yacht donated to the nonprofit for the fundraiser, a tour of the island, lunch by Kinder’s Meat and Deli, music and youth activities such as a bounce house, face painting and raffle tickets for prizes. Sunset Bay Kayaks will also be leading kayak tours.

 “It’s going to be a good time and people are going to realize that we’re doing something,” Stone said. "It’s not about the money it’s about recognition of it."

Tickets for this fundraiser are $35 for adults or 2 for $60. Children 12- 18 is $8, Children 12 and under are free.

For more information on this fundraiser, call Stone at (707) 301-2100.

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