Join ANV’s Executive Board and Make More Smiles!

Help ANV Make More Smiles In East Oakland! ANV is looking for folks passionate about our mission to join our Executive Board!

We are looking specifically for folks with legal and accounting/ bookkeeping backgrounds, but we welcome ALL applicants! See the Board Member Job Description and find out more HERE: https://anvfarm.org/about/jointheboard/

What are Individual Board Member Responsibilities? Below is a short list compiled by BoardSource please take a look and see if you think ANV Board Membership is for you!

Individual board member responsibilities

Attend all board and committee meetings and functions, such as special events.

  • Be informed about the organization’s mission, services, policies, and programs.
  • Review agenda and supporting materials prior to board and committee meetings.
  • Serve on committees or task forces and offer to take on special assignments.
  • Make a personal financial contribution to the organization.
  • Inform others about the organization.
  • Suggest possible nominees to the board who can make significant contributions to the work of the board and the organization.
  • Keep up-to-date on developments in the organization’s field.
  • Follow conflict-of-interest and confidentiality policies.
  • Refrain from making special requests of the staff.
  • Assist the board in carrying out its fiduciary responsibilities, such as reviewing the organization’s annual financial statements.

Support ANV Two Ways Through Amazon Smile!

YOU Can Help ANV Make a Difference Through Shopping at Amazon Smile!

1) Shop at smile.amazon.com and make Acta Non Verba: Youth Urban Farm Project the Charity you Support! AmazonSmile Foundation will donate 0.5% of the price of eligible purchases to ANV so keep an eye out for items that say: “Eligible for AmazonSmile donation.”! For more information about Amazon Smile and FAQ’s follow this link.

2) Check Out our Wish List! Everything on this list will help ANV be able to deliver its dynamic programs to more youth! http://a.co/1Ilqg6v

Support ANV Through Amazon Smile!

Summer Camp 2017

5 Years of Camp ANV has taught us MANY lessons! The most important one? That kids RULE! 

Farming, Cooking, Drumming, Dance, Visual arts and Mixed Media… (Including our first Podcasts!) PLUS, swimming, and all KINDS of field trips! WHEW! 8 weeks of ADVENTURE, a LIFETIME of memories!

As our campers say: “Camp ANV, the BEST place to be!!”

Please do not use these photos without the express permission of Acta Non Verba: Youth Urban Farm Project.

Planet Bee Project 2017

We are so grateful to the Planet Bee Foundation for partnering with ANV the past 5 years! If you are lucky enough to receive ANV’s RAW Honey maybe in your CSA Subscription or as a Friend of the Farm gift, you can thank this wonderful organization! 

They work tirelessly to educate youth and adults about the importance of bees in our lives and our campers LOVE these hands on lessons!

Please do not use these photos without the express permission of Acta Non Verba: Youth Urban Farm Project.

Meet Visual Arts Specialist: Arturo Arechiga at Camp ANV!

Camp ANV will become Studio ANV when local artist Arturo Arechiga runs our Visual Arts Club this summer! Register your children Today!

Arturo Arechiga is graduate of the Academy of Art University, with a Bachelors in Animation and Visual effects.

Born and raised in East Oakland, Arturo never gave up on the possibility of being a visual artist, regardless of financial needs and environmental distractions.

Now he is a visual artist instructor in his home town hoping to inspire youth to appreciate their talents and to continue on to the next level of art.

Arturo is committed to being active in his community to push and expose those who are interested in art, young and old to explore all mediums of visual art.

Arturo also prefers to stay as traditional a possible when creating art, meaning the less amount of electronic technology involved in his creations the better.

Register your children today!

Meet Cooking Specialist: Chris Taylor at Camp ANV!

  Camp ANV will become Café ANV when Chef Chris Taylor returns to run our Cooking Club this summer! Register your child(ren) Now!

Chef Chris from Zella B. BooSer Catering is at Summer Camp ANV for the second year in a row!! 

Chef Christopher’s family has a long lineage of cooking soulful meals and he attributes his deep passion and inspiration of recipes to the many family holidays, cook outs and Sunday dinners;spending many summers and holidays with his Grandmother and Great Grandmother in the “Heart of Dixie”, Anniston, Alabama.

This year, Chef Chris is dedicated to ensuring your children learn not only how to cook simple but delicious recipes from our farm to their table, but also how nutrition plays a large part in how we feel throughout the day.

Your child will come home weekly and with a recipe the whole family will love and some of these tasty creations will be included in our Camp Yearbook!

Register your Children TODAY!

Meet Mixed Media Specialist: Gary (G-Biz) Bizer at Camp ANV!

Camp ANV will become Club ANV when G-Biz (Mr. Gary) is in the building! Register Your Children Today!

Teaching Photography, Videography, DJ-ing and Podcasting, 2017 marks Gary’s 2nd Year at Camp ANV!

Register your children today! 

Gary Bizer is an Oakland resident who is excited about working with Oakland youth and developing their media skills in DJing, photography, videography, and audio production. He is also an On-Air Personality with iHeart Radio here in the Bay Area. You can hear him on 106 KMEL’s “Sana G Morning Show” & also the historic community justice show “Street Soldiers”. Gary attended San Jose State University where he obtained a media degree in Radio, Television, Film and Theatre & a minor in Journalism. He began working with youth and non-profit organizations in the fall of 2009.

 
Gary started his career teaching audio production and video production in San Francisco’s Visitacion Valley district. Since, he has taught media technology on every level of K-12 academics. Gary created G Tone Media Productions in 2013 as a way to film & direct his own comedy scripts. Since then G Tone Media has branched out to media instruction for youth. They have trained youth within the San Francisco Unified School District in numerous facets of media. He is excited about beginning his work with our youth and looks forward to building fruitful and lasting relationships with our families here at ANV.

Camp ANV Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s):

Is there an income requirement/maximum? Nope! Camp ANV accepts kids from any and all income levels! If cost is an issue, please email campanv@anvfarm.org about a Campership.

How do I register my child for camp? You can sign up for Camp ANV online, using our registration links. Payment by credit card is required. Visa, Mastercard, Discover are accepted. Again, we never turn a child away for lack of funds, so if cost is an issue please reach out to campanv@anvfarm.org for a Campership. 

I have questions about registration. Who do I contact? Please call us at (510) 838-CAMP(2267) or email our Camp Director, Sydney Dvorak at campanv@anvfarm.org.

What ages are eligible to attend? All of our camps are available for kindergarten through eighth-grade campers. Our youngest participants must be currently enrolled in a kindergarten class or transitional kindergarten program. If you register a camper who is ineligible to participate, your registration will be canceled.

Are the campers separated by age? Yes! However, because the age of our campers changes dramatically each season, we divide the youth into even groups to be able to move them easily through the camp clubs.

How will my child be assigned a group? Camp ANV divides our campers into groups depending on their age.

Can a child attend for just one week? Yes! But, your child must attend 18 days (in total) of camp in order to qualify for our partnership with US Bank and open a 529 Educational Savings Account.

My child requires assistance. May I accompany my child to camp? Classes are designed for children to participate independently; however, parents are allowed to stay with their children. If your child has diagnosed special needs and is unable to participate without an aide, please contact us to discuss accommodations. You can reach our Camp Director, Sydney Dvorak via email at campanv@anvfarm.org or call (925) 785-5131.

My child wants to attend camp with a friend. Will they be in the same group? Each camper may request friends to attend camp with them during the registration process. Friends must register for the same session dates and the same program, and both children must request each other. We will do our best to place friends in the same group, but please know we will encourage participants to make new friends and to ensure campers who come without a special friend feel included.

May I transfer my child from one camp session to another? If you contact us more than 8 business days before your child’s camp session begins—and space is available in the desired session—there is no fee or penalty for transferring from one session to another. We are unable to make transfers within eight days of a camp session. Call (510) 838-CAMP(2267) or email our Camp Director, Sydney Dvorak at campanv@anvfarm.org to request a transfer.

Note: If you register for a new session online before you cancel your original registration, the standard cancellation fees apply.

How do I register my child for extended care? You can sign up and pay for before and/or after care when you register for Camp ANV. Each service is $25/week/child. If you wish to enroll in both, it will cost $50/week/child.

How many children can you accommodate? Our Fall, Winter HoliDay, and Spring Break Camps can accommodate a maximum of 50 campers before, during and after camp. Regrettably, if all spaces are booked, we cannot accommodate additions, however we can add your child to a waitlist in case of cancellations. During our Summer Camps, we can accommodate a maximum of 200 campers.

What is the process for drop-off and pick-up? We typically use a drive-through drop off procedure in the mornings. You can drop your child off anytime between 7:30 am – 9:00 am. Upon arrival, your child will be checked in through our online system; they will be given a name tag, and the parent/guardian will receive a security badge. A Camp Counselor will escort them to their group! At pick up, please bring your security badge with you. A camp staff member will be stationed at the front of the campus, ready to scan your security badge and check your child out.

Are any portion of camp fees refundable? Cancel 10 business days or more before the first day of your child’s camp session, and receive a refund equal to 90% of the total balance. Cancel 7 to 10 business days before the first day of your child’s camp session, and receive a refund equal to 50% of the total balance. A cancellation made less than 7 business days before the first day of your child’s camp session, is not eligible for a refund. If you take advantage of our two-payment plan, the percentages above apply to your total camp fees, not the deposit paid.

Are refunds available for absences? No refunds are issued due to camper absences, including absences due to illness.

May I transfer my child’s registration to another party? Registrations are non transferable.

What is your camper:staff ratio? We have at least 1 staff person for every 8 campers.

Is the camp staff trained in First Aid and CPR? Yes! Everyone from our Counselors and Specialists to our Junior Counselors (JC’s) and any consistent volunteers!

How do you select your instructors? We’ve carefully selected the most qualified and well-respected instructors and counselors! Every staff member is personable, patient and fun! For added peace of mind, all of our staff are required to pass a thorough background check.

When does the overnight camping trip happen? Typically we go camping the last weekend of the summer camp season!

Are parents allowed to visit camp? ABSOLUTELY!! We welcome family visits, helpers and chaperones at any time, on any day! 

Is camp canceled when weather is bad? No, camps are conducted rain or shine unless notified otherwise.

How can I learn more about camp details, including what my child should bring? Please download our Family Handbook.

What is the Showcase program and how can I be included? Camp ANV’s Showcases are a fun, casual way to meet and play with other campers and families. All Showcases are free for our campers and families.

Does Camp ANV have an immunization policy? Yes! Read our policy here.

Download our Camp ANV Family Handbook

Find out more about our camps and other programs at WWW.ANVFARM.ORG

KQED Feature – Educating & Uplifting East Oakland Kids


By: Shelby Pope

It started with a lemon tree. Kelly Carlisle didn’t grow up gardening. She didn’t have a windowsill herb garden. She knew about farming, of course, but in her mind there was a disconnect: food just sort of showed up at the grocery store. She worked a corporate job, wearing fancy clothes and heels to work. But she had gotten laid off during the recession, and one day a few years ago, she ended up at a Bay Area nursery with her daughter. They bought a lemon tree, and as it slowly started to flourish, so did Carlisle’s interest in gardening.

Read The Full Article Here!