Moments in Time with Dave Van Cleve: How a Baseball Field at Cuyamaca Rancho State Park led to a 5th-grade Camp in Anza-Borrego
David Van Cleve has many ties to Anza-Borrego Desert State Park and Anza-Borrego Foundation. In the 1980s, he was an environmental scientist in the San Diego regional office, where he collaborated with park staff on many significant natural resource projects. In 1989, he was selected to serve as the superintendent of the state park. In 1994, his responsibilities were expanded to include management of six other state parks (Mt. San Jacinto, Cuyamaca Rancho, Palomar Mountain, Salton Sea, Picacho, and Indio Hills) in addition to Anza-Borrego. After retiring from state service, he worked for The Nature Conservancy as Ecoregional Director for the South Coast Ecoregion and added over 1,000 acres to the park. Each month, Dave will fill in some important issues in the history Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, which often dove-tail with the history of ABF. We are grateful for his wealth of knowledge of the Park and willingness to share with us!
You never know when and how unrelated topics will lead to amazing outcomes. One key is to recognize opportunities when they arise and act upon them quickly. It may take them a long time to come around again.
A good example is the acquisition of the Lucky 5 Ranch, which, for the first time, connected Anza-Borrego Desert State Park to its mountain “sister” park – Cuyamaca Rancho. The state had its eye on Lucky 5 for 50 years, but the owners were not ready or willing to sell, so we patiently waited. Ultimately, the ranch was inherited by a younger generation, who wanted to sell it to the Park. Anza-Borrego Foundation jumped at the opportunity.
A more obscure connection was a maintenance issue at Cuyamaca Rancho State Park that presented a possibility for innovative public service. Cuyamaca Outdoor School is on property owned by the state park. Outside of light maintenance, projects that could impact the Park needed to be cleared in advance. The Park has been described as “one huge archeological site,” so ground disturbance required consultation with the Park’s cultural specialists.
At the school, 6th graders from throughout San Diego would spend a week during the school year, accompanied by their teachers. The school had its own staff – knowledgeable and friendly teachers who loved imparting their knowledge of the outdoor world to these visitors. At the time, Greg Schuett was an excellent principal. The teachers would often make comments to outdoor staff at the end of the week: “My student has said almost nothing for months in the classroom. Now they get up here, outdoors, and they are the life of their class – leaders even. Now I know how to motivate them.”
Greg called me one day and told me the school wanted to change the drainage system at the baseball field. During and after rainstorms, the runoff would go right through the field. If they were allowed to slightly alter the topography, it would extend the field’s utility.
I thought for a moment and said, “Thanks for calling. I’ll come up to take a look. By the way, could you bring the County Superintendent for Outdoor Education to the meeting? There’s something else I’d like to get expert advice on.”
After the park archeologist and I reviewed the project plan for the baseball field, we all retreated to the park office. I told Greg and his boss, the superintendent, that I was thinking of starting an outdoor school program at Anza-Borrego for 6th graders. “Anza-Borrego is off schedule with much of the world – our great weather occurs when it is cold and snowy in the mountains.” They told me they were always happy to hear from partners who support outdoor education. Still, they said the snow and cold temperatures were part of the mountain experience. Cuyamaca Outdoor School was busy almost the entire school year. 6th graders were taken care of, vis-á-vis outdoor school opportunities. “But,” Greg added, “I think 5th graders would be an excellent addition to the outdoor school menu.”
I took the idea back to ABF, and we started to figure out how the implementation would work. Transportation, housing, meals, staffing, and the selection process all had to be built from scratch.
With the Park’s approval, an area of Borrego Palm Canyon was designated as the new “Camp Borrego.” Student housing was initially basic camping tents. They were replaced by Mongolian-inspired Gers, followed by American yurts – large sturdy tents with a solid floor.
For the first several years the camp was in use; the experience was provided free of charge to participating schools. Funding came from private donations and grants. In the first 10 years, ABF served 10 to 11 schools per year (300+ students). As the years went on, securing funding became increasingly difficult, and ABF had to reduce the number of schools it served each year.
Although most of the classwork can take place outside, the camp needs a physical presence for eating, sleeping, and classrooms. Plans for a small campus have been drawn up and approved by the Park. The plan is to serve 5th graders throughout San Diego and Imperial Counties – particularly in underserved communities.
Currently, Camp Borrego serves 5th graders in Borrego Springs, while ABF plans to expand the program.
What began as a simple conversation about a baseball field ultimately sparked a program that has introduced hundreds of children to the wonder of the desert. Camp Borrego is a reminder that conservation is not only about protecting land — it is about creating opportunities for people to connect with it in meaningful ways. By giving students the chance to sleep beneath dark skies, explore desert trails, and experience nature firsthand, ABF is helping inspire the next generation of stewards for Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. Sometimes the most impactful ideas begin in the most unexpected places, and all it takes is recognizing the opportunity and having the vision to follow it forward.
By becoming an ABF member, you help make programs like Camp Borrego possible while expanding education opportunities throughout Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. Your membership supports hands-on learning experiences that connect children and families to the desert, inspiring the next generation of explorers, scientists, and conservation stewards. Join today and help ensure more people have the opportunity to experience, understand, and protect this extraordinary landscape.