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MISSION STATEMENT
As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, our mission is to provide scholarships to young people from elementary school age through college age so that they may participate in the educational experience of attending a summer music camp in the specific areas of instrumental and/or vocal music. Our mission includes the intention to promote the study and enjoyment of music and the arts, to encourage discipline and aesthetics in education, to provide opportunities for young people to share their art at a high level of excellence, and to meet with and explore ideas with other young people of various backgrounds, but similar interests. Secondarily, our mission is to promote the musical arts in performance and to give local communities an opportunity to view today’s youth in a positive and constructive light.
President's Message
Our 85th Reunion was a unique experience for all of those who attended. It rained from morning to evening. However, the events of the day went on even though we had to make some adjustments to our original plans. The surprising thing was that everyone seemed to enjoy the rain. Over one hundred alumni plus their families joyfully endured the wet weather. Most of the activities were held in the Dining Hall and the Orchestra Bowl. I enjoyed seeing friends from camp sessions I attended many years ago. Dennis mentioned that we had the most diverse gathering of former campers ever. There were campers from the 1950s up to current campers.
The day ended with a concert that started in the Dining Hall with the Choir and then moved to the Orchestra Bowl where the Brass Choir and Orchestra performed in the rain. I want to thank all the volunteers and our Board of Directors for all the work that was needed to put on this event. I especially want to thank the Dockstader family for their help in planning this fundraising event. This place we call Arrrowbear unites us all in a special way and brings back the memories that will remain forever in our hearts.
Arrowbear ran a full summer of instrumental sessions including an Elementary, Pre-Intermediate, Intermediate, Jazz, Advanced, and a Choral session. They did not fill all of the sessions and need your help to advertise Arrowbear for next summer. Laura and I visited most of the sessions and took photos of the scholarship winners and spoke to the entire camp about the scholarship program. We encouraged them all to speak to their peers about coming to Arrowbear and applying for a scholarship if they need help to attend.
I hope to see many alumni at our annual event, “Sounds of the Season,” on December 24, at the Los Cerritos Mall. All string players are welcome to join us to play carols for the shoppers. Music is provided. Just bring a stand. We play from 10:00 a.m. to Noon. Even if you no longer play, please come and enjoy the program and visit with us.
By the time you get this newsletter, the holiday season will be upon us. I hope that your plans are fun and full of joyful celebrations.
Cliff Kusaba
President
See's Candy Holiday Fundraiser
Here's your chance to purchase delicious See's Candy for the upcoming holiday season while helping us raise funds for scholarships. Order through our online store now through December 4. Your candy purchases will ship to you directly beginning November 10. Order totaling $75 or more qualify for free shipping. We receive a percentage of every sale.
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Enjoy your favorite chocolates by the pound or in smaller assortments along with truffles, peanut brittle, lollypops, molasses chips, peppermints, toffee, and chocolate bars. Candy boxes are decorated for Christmas, Hanukkah, and in generic red, silver, or gold.
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See's Candy makes a great hostess gift, a gift for work colleagues, and a delicious gift for your loved ones of all ages.
Use the link below or the QR code to reach our online store. Be sure to place your order by December 4.
Become a Subscriber
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Go Green and become a subscriber. Instead of receiving a paper edition of our newsletters, you’ll receive an electronic version. The numerous photos are in full color and all the links are live. You’ll help us save money on printing and postage that can help send more young musicians to a summer music camp. It’s easy. Just click on the button and register.
Giving Tuesday
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Giving Tuesday is a global generosity movement that emphasizes opportunities to give back to communities and worthy causes. It was created in 2012 as a simple idea: a day that encourages people to do good. It has grown into a global movement that inspires millions of people to give, collaborate, and celebrate generosity.
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Giving Tuesday 2026 will be on
Tuesday, December 1, 2026.
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Donors helped us raise $2,598 for scholarships in 2025.
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Donations are processed through
Fundraisers on our Facebook group page
and on our Instagram page.
December 1, 2026
HOW CAN I DONATE?
There are multiple ways you can support providing scholarships for summer music camps. We accept donations by check, with Zelle, and by credit card through PayPal. For some of you, writing a check, addressing an envelope, and locating a stamp is too time consuming or just flat-out “old school.” There are lots of other ways you can help us help young musicians. Check out these additional options.
The Line Fire Endangers Arrowbear
Running Springs and Arrowbear Lake are just above the red outline of the fire.
Southern California faced the power and destruction of three different wild fires in September and October of 2024. The Line Fire broke out on September 5 just north of the city of Highland. The fire climbed up the hills, closed Highway 330, and forced the evacuation of several communities including Running Springs and Arrowbear Lake. Highway 330 remained closed until December.
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The topography of the area made it difficult for firefighters to fight the fire. Dennis and Larke had to evacuate from Camp for their own safety. The evacuation order remained in place for more than a week while firefighters worked to keep the fire away from homes and buildings. Only one home was destroyed in the town of Running Springs and Camp was spared. The Keller Peak Lookout Station was consumed by the fire. Four other structures were damaged.​
Dennis and Larke returned to Camp on September 15. The fire department was there in Camp when they arrived. The area was covered in ash, but none of the structures were damaged.
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By October 14, the Line Fire was 97% contained and had burned 43,978 acres. Flare ups continued to occur due to warmer temperatures. Six firefighters were injured; thankfully, there are no fatalities to date. Arson is suspected to be the cause of the fire.
Keller Peak Watch Tower
Keller Peak Watch Tower destroyed by fire.
Snow and More Snow
California mountain communities experienced record breaking back-to-back snow storms in late February and early March 2023. The governor declared a state of emergency in 13 counties affected by the storms. Yosemite National Park was closed for several weeks as it dealt with 15 feet of snow. In the San Bernardino Mountains, snowfall blocked the roads, trapped residents in their homes, and stranded people who work down the hill from reaching their mountain homes for days. Schools in the Running Springs and Lake Arrowhead areas closed for nearly 3 weeks due to the unprecedented amount of snowfall that sometimes towered as high as second-story windows. Disaster response and relief efforts were hampered by the amount of snow. Neighbors relied on each other until roads were finally cleared.
Residents and businesses experienced roof collapses, cars completely buried, and trying to tunnel out of their front doors to reach the street. Even after the main roads were passable, neighborhood streets remained unplowed. Where do you put that much snow? Arrowbear Music Camp was spared any damage, but the snow level on the ground was mind-boggling.
Camp Sign
Camp Porch
Dining Hall
