New for Summer 2025
Get ready for an unforgettable 2025 at the Lair! We’ve got exciting additions, from bringing back Dream Bars to dreamier nights with brand-new mattresses for a better night’s sleep.
We’re making sure your time with us is better than ever and can’t wait to welcome you back! Read on to learn more.
Get a Better Night's Sleep
New Mattresses!
Sleeping accommodations just got more comfortable as 900 new mattresses with reinforced bed boards will be added throughout our three camps. Plus, hundreds of older bed frames will be replaced with new ones.
Interior of a small Lair tent with two twin beds
Improved Wi-Fi, a later check out, and more!
Strong swings and strong signals—Reach home when you need to. We’re updating our wireless system to allow for more consistent access to Wi-Fi in select areas of camp including our camp stores, lodges, and Vista Lodge.
Stay a little longer, take a little more time for good-byes—We are pushing back our Saturday check-out time to 10:00 AM, with Saturday breakfast from 8:00-9:00 AM.
Sweet dreams are made of these—Back by popular demand, our decadent Dream Bars will make your Lair stay even sweeter!
Savor the night—Prime Rib returns this summer to The Vista Lounge!
More program and dining improvements are in the works—stay tuned!
Photo by Suz McFadden
Club Lair: Sports, Wine, and Recreation Retreat
Club Lair is the perfect pairing—a blend of our former Sports & Recreation Week with the rich flavors of our Food & Wine Experience. Cheers to the best of both worlds!
New in 2025, Club Lair offers the perfect combination of adventure and relaxation for active adults in our stunning corner of the Sierra. Enjoy professional instruction in tennis, pickleball, and golf, along with hiking, photography workshops, mixers, dancing, pottery, evening entertainment, and wine tastings. Whether you’re seeking engaging activities, athletics, or peaceful downtime, Club Lair provides the ideal balance of structured fun and personal freedom with a breathtaking backdrop.
Photo by Kevin Kitsuda
Brighter Lights and Bigger Sounds—All Thanks to our Lair Community!
Thanks to generous auction donations, our three camps will now shine brighter and sound better with new lighting and sound systems!
Photo by Kevin Kitsuda
Oski Week 10
We’re bringing a new 6-night session to Camp Oski! A Week 10 Oski session means more families, more fun, more memories! Who’s ready?
Camp experience for the corporate world: How a summer at the Lair builds success stories
Lair veteran staffer Jessie Fisher's Daily Cal article spotlights the highly desirable soft skills staffers hone through their hard work at the Lair. Working at the Lair opens doors and helps prepare college students for a range of careers both in and out of the corporate world.
TAAP Scholars take on the Lair
Last summer, an incoming cohort of The Achievement Award Program (TAAP) Scholars and Alumni Scholars Program staff traveled to Pinecrest for a weekend at the Lair of the Golden Bear. The result—a weekend of bonding, hikes to the lake, sunshine, and of course, s’mores.
Private Events and Group Rentals
The Lair of the Golden Bear provides a beautifully forested and private venue for your special event in the Sierra Nevada mountains. Our forested setting and welcoming atmosphere allow guests to celebrate, recharge, play, and focus on what’s important. Fall wedding packages include full access to two indoor and outdoor event spaces, fifteen cozy heated cabins, sports courts, complete meal service, and no corkage fee! We are currently booking special events for fall 2025.
Lair Updates
Top 5 Reasons to Visit the Lair in the Non-Summer Months
Fall, winter, or spring, Cal alums and friends can stay at the Lair of the Golden Bear at any time of the year to explore nearby nature and enjoy the Lair’s different offerings.
Middle School Students Experience the Lair through Oski Science Camp
The Lair hosted hundreds of middle schoolers at Oski Science Camp over the course of several months, resulting in learning, spreading Cal love, and creating long-lasting memories.
Chancellor Lyons Talks Lair of the Golden Bear
Chancellor Lyons, who’s known for carrying his guitar around camp, shared his personal stories, reflected on how the Lair fuels Cal spirit, and offered some words of wisdom for the staffers and campers to come.



