Paivika (Pi-vee-ka) is the word for “dawn” in the language of the Cahuilla Native Americans who formerly inhabited the area where the camp is located.

AbilityFirst’s Camp Paivika in the San Bernardino National Forest offers year-round camp programs for children, teens and adults with physical and developmental disabilities, such as autism, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome and epilepsy. More recently, the camp has also begun hosting retreats for mothers of children with special needs. One of the first fully-accessible camps in the United States, Camp Paivika has been welcoming campers since 1947. (View our slideshow)

Set in the mountains amid majestic tall pines in a beautiful National Forest, the camp can accommodate 72 campers each session. The 12-acre facility includes five dormitories, staff quarters, craft center, nature study center, amphitheater and fire ring, swimming pool, horse stables and a main lodge with a large recreation room and dining hall.

This year marks Camp Paivika’s 60th Anniversary. During this special year AbilityFirst has expanded Camp Paivika by building a new cabin and has updated its health center to serve more campers. The new cabin (#5) increases Camp Paivika’s attendance from 52 to 72 campers per session. This year, Camp Paivika will host a total of 516 campers, an increase of 100 campers from last year. In recognition of the ongoing contributions of the Longo Family to AbilityFirst, the Mary Patricia Longo Living Room will be located in the new cabin. Mary Patricia has attended Camp Paivika for more than 35 years. 

To handle the increase in campers, the Marilyn Graves Health Center, named for the former President of the Southern California Crippled Children’s Society (now AbilityFirst), has been dedicated. The facility includes new equipment and spaces, allowing Camp Paivika to meet the diverse medical needs of its campers.

Camp Paivika has named its main lodge the Joan Mier Lodge. A former AbilityFirst Board Member, volunteer and donor herself, Joan Mier was also the wife of Harry A. Mier, whom the organization’s Inglewood center in named for. The Joan Mier Lodge includes a recreation room, dining hall and is a place for campers to gather and enjoy many types of activities.

click here for map (supplied by Mapquest.com)
click here for directions (supplied by Mapquest.com)