Friends of Camp Celo

12/28/2025

Read our annual letter, "Blossom's Baby Shower/Still Rising", about Camp Celo's joyful and restorative summer of 2025, and how the community came together to repair and reopen Camp after Hurricane Helene:
http://friendsofcampcelo.org/still-rising/

09/26/2025

Thanks again to everyone who shared their care and support for Camp Celo following Hurricane Helene. Here is a short documentary on their recovery, a year later:

On September 27th, 2024, Hurricane Helene tore through Camp Celo, a Quaker camp in western North Carolina, washing away bridges and power lines. Neighbors qu...

10/05/2024

More photos, and a Camp Celo update:

Sadie talked to Drew today. He says people have really showed up over the last couple days and they are now inundated with supplies. All the Yancey county supply distribution centers are also at capacity. They are advising folks to pause any supply runs at the moment.

Camp is currently providing freezer space for the community and running the generator all day to keep things cold. The Camp well is operational again and it's a central spot for people to fill up water jugs. In the evenings, community members come over to take hot showers. Camp has also become a supply center for community resources.

Drew, Carly, and the larger Celo community are all very grateful for the outpouring of support.

Drew was also overwhelmed by the generosity of the extended Camp community's donations.

Thank you all for getting the word out and making it happen!

10/03/2024

Our vast, extended community of Camp Celo lovers, connected from afar, is generating a wonderful response at a time of need.

A group of Camp Celo leaders and volunteers got together with me yesterday and created the "Camp Celo's Helene Recovery" GoFundMe fundraising campaign for camp.

Folks immediately started spreading the word.

People are contributing needed funds and offering to help with supplies and other assistance. We all see the support and care in the comments here, and it boosts our spirits.

Camp Celo, the Celo Community, and the South Toe Valley will need assistance now and for the foreseeable future to weather this storm and recover.

You can help by donating needed funds to:

"Camp Celo's Helene Recovery" GoFundMe campaign;
Friends of Camp Celo, Inc.;
South Toe Volunteer Fire Department;
Celo Health Center/Mountain Community Health Partnership;

Please see links to donate in the comments below.

Thank you so much, everyone!

-Clark Rinard

10/01/2024

Photos of Helene at Camp Celo

Helene dropped 29 inches of rain in 48 hours on the South Toe Valley. The destruction means people are without roads, gas, power, water, cell signals, internet, and various needed supplies.

We are grateful for word that everyone in Camp Celo and the Celo Community is safe and accounted for. We hear that folks in the community are resilient, cooperating, cleaning up, restoring some road access, and doing the best they can.

There is major destruction of homes and businesses in the areas surrounding Camp Celo. The river swept away Toe River Crafts, the Food Co-op, and the cottage at Celo Inn. The Inn itself stands but took on water up to the ceiling of the first floor. Large areas of Camp Celo were under water, while thankfully the main buildings remain.

Drew at Camp Celo reports that their immediate needs are met for now (food, water, supplies), but they are low on fuel (diesel and regular) for generators to power freezers, chainsaws, ATVs, etc.

I'm sure they will be reading these updates eventually, as well as your comments - feel free to share your supportive thoughts here, or you can send email to [email protected]. We will pass along any messages to Camp when they are able to receive them.

You can also help by donating needed funds to:

"Camp Celo's Helene Recovery" GoFundMe campaign;
South Toe Volunteer Fire Department;
Celo Health Center/Mountain Community Health Partnership; and
Friends of Camp Celo, Inc.

Please see links to donate in the comments below.

Thank you for all your support and care.

-Clark Rinard

09/30/2024

Camp Celo Update:

Thanks everyone for your care and concern, and messages of support.

Yesterday a few of us joined a Zoom call to share news and discuss how to help Celo. Afterwards Sadie Perrin relayed to Drew at Camp Celo that we are thinking of them and working to do what we can from afar.

Drew will pass on our message of support to the folks there. He says that their immediate needs are well met, that local heavy equipment operators have constructed a temporary bridge at Seven Mile Ridge Rd and Hannah Branch Rd, and the first National Guard truck made it to Celo today. Celo Health Center is providing public wifi access during the day.

Donations are welcome at:

Celo Health Center/Mountain Community Health Partnership, and

Friends of Camp Celo, Inc.

Links posted in the comments below.

Thanks again for all your messages of support and care!

-Clark Rinard

12/27/2023

Read our annual letter, "A Long Tradition:"

http://friendsofcampcelo.org/archives/687

For over 65 years, Camp Celo has welcomed children of all backgrounds to life-changing summer experiences, immersed in nature, community, and the Quaker values of tolerance, non-violence, and cooperation. Learn about the roots of this long tradition and join us in helping tomorrow's children discover the joys of Camp Celo:

http://friendsofcampcelo.org/archives/687

12/27/2022

It's cold and wintry out right now... but we hope this will warm your heart! http://friendsofcampcelo.org/archives/648

05/25/2019

Drew, Carly and the whole group that created this past weekend to celebrate the retirement of Gib, Annie and Barb did such an excellent job. Another very special celebration at Camp Celo. The magic that is Camp Celo still is alive and well and now safely in the hands of Drew and Carly. I was living in the moment and not taking pictures but here is a short video of the morning-after when everyone is singing at the breakfast table.

https://www.facebook.com/christina.t.hubbard/videos/2543884832290276/

05/08/2017

One more week to register for the 2017 Gathering and there are just a few slots left. And please remember to pay by May 15, either through PayPal or by check. Thanks!