Although The Taylor Family Foundation (TTFF) raised an amazing $6M during the capital campaign, it wasn’t enough to cover the entire cost of the Camp Arroyo build-out. The foundation was short of funds needed to finish up the dining hall, which was necessary to complete before it could host those very first campers. Paul and Sandy Bonderson, supporters of the foundation right from the beginning, stepped in to help. They called Elaine Taylor to see how much she needed to finish construction and they gave TTFF a gift. The Bonderson Family is, and will always be recognized as TTFF’s Camp Angel.

In addition to the overwhelming generosity of the Bonderson’s, dozens of community and business leaders rallied behind TTFF, donating time and materials needed to help make camp the extraordinary place that it is today. 

For example Bill Gates from Top Grade Construction (now Goodfellow Bros. California), was instrumental in getting the grading completed, culverts installed, blacktop laid and walking trails created. There are so many others we want to acknowledge and thank for their part in the construction of camp. If you aren’t on the list, please email us at marketing@ttff.org and we will add you.

After the dining hall was complete, there was one more hiccup to overcome. At the 11th hour, the county would not approve the final permit needed to complete the camp project. After some convincing, a promise of Barry Taylor’s famous turkey stuffing, and a pledge to send a bus with 100 crying kids to his house, the fire inspector signed off on a conditional use permit, allowing TTFF to at long last open the doors to Camp Arroyo!