First things first... If you act quickly, you can bring your family to Bruin Woods, this summer. Yes, THIS summer! Keep reading or if you’re in a hurry, skip to the bottom of the page to find out how.

What's a Perfect Vacation?

• Every family member’s needs are considered and fulfilled
• The dollar-to-fun ratio has to balance
• Options for adventure and relaxation must abound
• You don’t want to be stressed out by the hassles of travel
• You want to breathe clean crisp air through which to see spectacular sunrises and sunsets
• You love to eat well, often anticipating lunch while still consuming breakfast
• The kids must have the time of their lives playing with their peers and if they wear themselves out under the watchful supervision of top-notch counselors and turn in early to sleep well at night, all the better
• You look forward to quality time as a couple and serene moments of me time
• You're open to the idea of making new friends even though you have no idea how special those bonds can become
• When the vacation is over, your heart should be filled with rich and lasting memories shared by the entire family

Bruin Woods, UCLA’s premier family camp offers all of these attributes and more, and three alumni with 46 years of combined Bruin Woods experience were delighted to share the excitement of “rounding the corner and coming home to Bruin Woods.”

Robert Frackelton ’92

Robert is a fourteen-year Bruin Woods veteran. He and his wife, Dr. Madonna Fernandez-Frackelton ’92, discovered the site when Madonna attended the Lake Arrowhead Conference Center for a work retreat in 1997. The couple originally fell in love as students living in Dykstra Hall and now they fell in love with the beauty of the area and immediately applied to be on the wait list and were accepted their first year, which they attended with then-eight-month-old David. All these years later David (13), Evan (12), and Samantha (8) all love Bruin Woods, calling it their “number-one favorite vacation” each summer.

Dr. Kirk Tamaddon ’92

This will be the fourth consecutive summer for Kirk and his family. He and his wife were originally skeptical about a camp they didn’t know much about, but decided to take a chance and apply. The gamble paid off, and Bruin Woods became the favorite summer destination for his three sons (9, 8, and 3). “People don’t know what to expect, but once they experience it, they’re sold,” he says.

Susan Crockett ’71

When her husband first suggested it, Susan was openly opposed to attending Bruin Woods. “Not camping, never camping!” She laughs. She was pleasantly surprised to find that “family camp” does not mean mosquito nets or cheesy group activities, and after 29 consecutive years of Bruin Woods, calls it the perfect family vacation where they are “apart together” and still can’t wait to go back.

In Their Own Words...
As Robert says, “I expected it to be like my summer camp experience except the parents came along. I thought it would be fun but dirty, campy but disorganized, great weather but awful talent shows. I was totally wrong. It is first class all the way; the food, the facilities and the extraordinary student counselors – it’s more like a nice cruise or a resort than a ‘camp’!”

A typical Bruin Woods day is exactly what the camper wants it to be, and can go from adventurous (a vigorous expert-led hike) to completely relaxing (lounging on the Zen Deck overlooking the lake). Student counselors lead kids in groups of new friends their age, giving parents the rare opportunity to relax knowing that their kids are having fun in a safe environment. Kirk recounts a simple story of a request for ice cream that came with a powerful outcome. His son asked for permission to go with friends to another part of the camp to get the treat. He expected his wife to say no; the world we live in is not safe, the time when youngsters could roam freely without supervision, a thing of the past. But, the environment is so safe, the level of trust so high that they were all pleasantly surprised when mom gave permission and the boy was free to set out with his pals; a small gift of independence that means so much to a growing boy and the parents that were able to bestow it on him. Robert’s kids love the zip line, climbing wall, and being on the lake, while Susan prefers the ropes course and volleyball. Kirk loves the pool and spending time with his wife. Adults indulge in karaoke, dances, a much-beloved adult survival game, and $45 for unlimited alcohol for the week.

Current director Steve Caloca is loved by all and is able to surprise even the regulars with the tricks he continues pulling out of his sleeve. Steve and his amazing staff work hard to ensure that every guest is safe and satisfied – as Kirk says, “Steve and the whole team make it a great experience for parents.” “Steve has taken this to another level – I hope he never leaves! He’s the best!” says Susan. Last summer Steve coordinated with the UCLA Football team for a special Week 8 surprise. The team was practicing in San Bernardino, the weather was brutally hot and the coaching staff wanted to give the team a bit of a reprieve and reward their hard work. Steve received an unexpected same day request from the coaching staff to make a visit and his team went into a flurry of activity preparing hundreds of extra meals to accommodate their guests. Word spread quickly throughout Bruin Woods that the team was on their way and excited alumni clad in blue and gold welcomed the bus of bewildered football players who, not knowing anything about Bruin Woods wondered where all the waving and cheering Bruin fans materialized from and why. Well fed and able to cool off in the lake the players appreciated the reception and spent the afternoon playing volleyball and basketball with Bruin Woods kids, much to the delight of their starry-eyed dads.

It’s certainly a great bonding time for Bruins, and serves as both a week of reunion for regulars and a week of making friends for newcomers. Susan notes that you “automatically have something in common with other campers,” and it’s this instant UCLA connection that brings her and her husband back every year. When her daughters were younger, their camp week revolved around the girls’ activities, but now Susan and her husband attend to reunite with the people that have become family. The fellow attendees of Robert’s week include a senator, a judge, attorneys, doctors, and entrepreneurs, but, as he says, “It doesn’t matter - on the hill, you’re just Bob or Frank or Sally. You’re just Bruins.” Robert has taken the next step persuading all of his former UCLA roommates, twelve of his fraternity brothers and a few water polo teammates to bring their families to Bruin Woods during their week for a spirited UCLA reunion.

For these three families, Bruin Woods is the best week of the year, something that brings them together and has led them to lifelong friendships that start on the hill and continue off it.

Susan sums it up perfectly: “There is nothing else that duplicates this experience. We have never considered not returning to Bruin Woods. It feels like coming home.”

Act Now
There are still a limited number of openings for this summer! Don't miss out on some summer fun! Call 909 337-2478 or email bwresort@ucla.edu today to speak to a Bruin Woods representative and book your vacation.