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Board approves extension of prior parks agreement for youth survival camps amid insurance concerns
Summary
The Del Norte County Board agreed to continue a previously used agreement allowing a youth “survival” camp operator to use county campsites, while risk management and parks staff urged tightened insurance and clearer, designated use areas. The motion passed with a 3–1 vote.
The Del Norte County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday agreed to continue a previously used agreement that allows a local youth program operator, Ron Cole, to run daytime “survival” camps on county campground property while staff finalize insurance and scope details.
Cole told the board he has used the site for about 25 years, typically reserving three campsites for brief, daytime programming serving 12–18 youth with six counselors, a cook and a camp director. He said the program emphasizes quiet, meditative activities and outdoor skills and that participants are transported to the site by county vans.
County risk manager Whitney Pinkham told supervisors the program functions as a business because Cole collects participant fees and therefore requires stronger controls than a normal campsite reservation. Pinkham recommended explicit scopes of activity, pre-use inspections (including tree stability checks for rope work), and insurance minimums sufficient to avoid exposing the county to uncovered catastrophic liability.
Alan, the county—building maintenance and parks representative, said the county historically relied on verbal arrangements and has seen recurring operational issues, including parking congestion and some refund requests by campers who objected to event activities. He said day-use/picnic areas and the large picnic zone provide options with more parking and less impact on overnight campers.
Board members split over how prescriptive the county should be. One supervisor moved to continue the agreement structure used previously but require updated insurance and administrative oversight; another sought adoption of a county memorandum of understanding that would designate specific day-use areas and inspection procedures. The board voted to continue with the prior agreement approach with insurance modifications and authorized the county administrative officer to sign under board direction. The motion passed 3–1, with Chair Borges casting the dissenting vote.
The county directed staff to ensure the agreement includes clearer insurance requirements and that building maintenance and parks develop an inspection and designation process before future camps.
