What began as an earnest attempt by the Apple Hill® Growers Association to convince visitors that the season didn’t close at the end of October has evolved into one of the most popular family races in Northern California. The growers organized every aspect of the race at first, but after over a decade of hard work, they realized the race had outgrown their capabilities and they found the support t
hey needed in Camino School. In the case of Camino School, it not only “takes a village” to organize the annual Apple Hill® Harvest Run, but also well over 100 family and community members, school staff and students. This dedicated group of volunteers has been in charge for 16 years and 2012 will be the 33rd anniversary of the race. The Camino School Parent Teacher Organization and Capital Road Race Management work throughout the year on planning and improving every aspect of the race although the busiest day, of course, is race day--November 4th this year. That’s when the army of volunteers does everything from handing out race packets to answering a myriad of questions from race participants. The race continues to be supported by the Apple Hill® Growers Association which provides the race site, all race prizes and donates time and services toward making the run a successful continuing event. The Apple Hill® Harvest Run has grown to the point where it is able to fund a number of programs at Camino Union School District through the Parent Teacher Organization (PTO). The race also allows the Apple Hill Growers® Association to award two significant annual scholarships to area high-school seniors. With a tight economy, schools no longer have funds to pay for the extras that enhance the learning experience. As one parent said, “Many school programs wouldn’t happen without funds from the race because we’re a small school district with declining enrollment. Our district only has funds for the basics. School is so much more than ABCs and 123s.”
The Parent Teacher Organization funds the entire transportation cost for all school educational field trips which comes to over $8,000 annually. A yearly garden program costs $10,000. Visual and Performing Arts such as the Poetry Contest and Talent Show are funded by race proceeds, as well as the Science Fair and the Spelling Bee. Over $2,000 goes to an annual week-long sixth-grade Science camp in Fort Bragg. The Apple Hill® Harvest Run not only impacts every student in the school, but the combined efforts of the Camino Union School District and the Apple Hill® Growers Association prove that Camino is a truly caring community.
