Fred Stanchfield
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Dan Beatie
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Ted Weber
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Bill Hill
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Elaine Wersky
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It all began in the late 80s... Fred Stanchfield worked for Donner Mine Camp with his wife, Lin Stanchfield. Fred had always loved music and thought Donner Mine Camp would be a great location for a youth summer music camp. Fred decided to bring his idea to Donner Mine Camp's owner, Dan Beatie. Dan thought a music camp was great and asked if Fred knew anyone who could get the music camp going. Fred said he knew a guy... Ted Weber.
Ted Weber, a retired music teacher for San Juan School District, had previous music camp experience. Fred told Ted of his idea for a summer music camp at Donner Mine. Ted loved the idea and brought in Bill Hill. Bill Hill, a retired high school music teacher, was working as the Music Director for Sierra College. Bill and Ted decided to give the music camp a go. That is when Donner Mine Music Camp was born.
Donner Mine Music Camp first opened its gates to where music, magic, and memories are made in the summer of 1990. Donner Mine Music Camp was originally under the Sierra College Foundation. While under the Sierra College Foundation, Marjorie Sanchez was appointed by Sierra College to help oversee the funds and assist with the camp. After several years, Donner Mine Music Camp left the Sierra College Foundation and incorporated into its own non-profit. Marj continued on with the camp.
The first camp season at Donner Mine Music Camp comprised two camps split similarly to how they are now. Camp I had about 90 campers, and Camp II had about 80 campers. One of the Camp I percussionist campers was 10-year-old Samuel Kennedy. The boys' dorm was in the Lodge, and the girls were in the Change Room. Counseling groups were not gender specific as they are now. From 1990 to 2009, campers enjoyed a trip to Lake Spaulding on Wednesdays (new state camp regulations changed, preventing us from using the lake now). Instead of the Counselor Solos and Counselor Ensembles we now feature, Professional Music Groups were brought in to showcase the opportunities music provides into adulthood.
In the charter year of camp, Elaine Wersky’s husband, Don, was invited to be one of two band directors, and Elaine joined along, filling the role of head counselor. Elaine also served as Activity Director early on and has conducted the band, but the role she settled into for most of the first 20 years is that of Choir Director. Sam Kennedy continued on with his camper career until becoming a Junior Counselor in 1995. He then became a Counselor in 1996. In 1997, he became Activities Coordinator (he left for two years on his mission to Mexico). Sam returned to DMMC in 2000 as a Counselor and again became the Activities Coordinator in 2002.
In 2010, Bill and Ted retired from Donner Mine Music Camp. They left the camp in the hands of Sam Kennedy as Camp Director and Elaine Wersky as Director of Music. Marj continued on as the Camp Coordinator until retiring in 2013. Marj's successor, Trista Kennedy (Sam's wife), took over as Camp Coordinator in August 2013.
In 2019, at our 30th Anniversary, our Director of Music, Elaine Wersky, retired from Donner Mine Music Camp after 30 years on Staff and ten years as Director of Music. Donner Mine Camp and Donner Mine Music Camp honored Elaine's work and legacy by naming the Choir room in her honor. Elaine left behind many positive changes and a lasting musical memory in the hearts of all who have attended DMMC for years.
Our new Director of Music, Jeremiah Jacks, began his time at Donner Mine Music Camp in 2013. He has held numerous staff positions over the years and has been conducting the choir, small ensembles, jazz band, and our Concert Band. Jeremiah brings a wealth of musical knowledge, great ideas, and talent to the Donner Mine Music Camp Administration. We are excited to have him on board!
2024 marks the 35th year Donner Mine Music Camp has been in operation. In the past 35 years, DMMC has served over 7,000 young musicians. Donner Mine Music Camp is rooted in long-standing traditions but prides itself in evolving with the ever-changing times. Music is the camp's focus, but fun activities have been introduced to make Donner Mine Music Camp a well-rounded experience for all.
Ted Weber, a retired music teacher for San Juan School District, had previous music camp experience. Fred told Ted of his idea for a summer music camp at Donner Mine. Ted loved the idea and brought in Bill Hill. Bill Hill, a retired high school music teacher, was working as the Music Director for Sierra College. Bill and Ted decided to give the music camp a go. That is when Donner Mine Music Camp was born.
Donner Mine Music Camp first opened its gates to where music, magic, and memories are made in the summer of 1990. Donner Mine Music Camp was originally under the Sierra College Foundation. While under the Sierra College Foundation, Marjorie Sanchez was appointed by Sierra College to help oversee the funds and assist with the camp. After several years, Donner Mine Music Camp left the Sierra College Foundation and incorporated into its own non-profit. Marj continued on with the camp.
The first camp season at Donner Mine Music Camp comprised two camps split similarly to how they are now. Camp I had about 90 campers, and Camp II had about 80 campers. One of the Camp I percussionist campers was 10-year-old Samuel Kennedy. The boys' dorm was in the Lodge, and the girls were in the Change Room. Counseling groups were not gender specific as they are now. From 1990 to 2009, campers enjoyed a trip to Lake Spaulding on Wednesdays (new state camp regulations changed, preventing us from using the lake now). Instead of the Counselor Solos and Counselor Ensembles we now feature, Professional Music Groups were brought in to showcase the opportunities music provides into adulthood.
In the charter year of camp, Elaine Wersky’s husband, Don, was invited to be one of two band directors, and Elaine joined along, filling the role of head counselor. Elaine also served as Activity Director early on and has conducted the band, but the role she settled into for most of the first 20 years is that of Choir Director. Sam Kennedy continued on with his camper career until becoming a Junior Counselor in 1995. He then became a Counselor in 1996. In 1997, he became Activities Coordinator (he left for two years on his mission to Mexico). Sam returned to DMMC in 2000 as a Counselor and again became the Activities Coordinator in 2002.
In 2010, Bill and Ted retired from Donner Mine Music Camp. They left the camp in the hands of Sam Kennedy as Camp Director and Elaine Wersky as Director of Music. Marj continued on as the Camp Coordinator until retiring in 2013. Marj's successor, Trista Kennedy (Sam's wife), took over as Camp Coordinator in August 2013.
In 2019, at our 30th Anniversary, our Director of Music, Elaine Wersky, retired from Donner Mine Music Camp after 30 years on Staff and ten years as Director of Music. Donner Mine Camp and Donner Mine Music Camp honored Elaine's work and legacy by naming the Choir room in her honor. Elaine left behind many positive changes and a lasting musical memory in the hearts of all who have attended DMMC for years.
Our new Director of Music, Jeremiah Jacks, began his time at Donner Mine Music Camp in 2013. He has held numerous staff positions over the years and has been conducting the choir, small ensembles, jazz band, and our Concert Band. Jeremiah brings a wealth of musical knowledge, great ideas, and talent to the Donner Mine Music Camp Administration. We are excited to have him on board!
2024 marks the 35th year Donner Mine Music Camp has been in operation. In the past 35 years, DMMC has served over 7,000 young musicians. Donner Mine Music Camp is rooted in long-standing traditions but prides itself in evolving with the ever-changing times. Music is the camp's focus, but fun activities have been introduced to make Donner Mine Music Camp a well-rounded experience for all.
Donner Mine Music Camp in 1990
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The logo then and now
1990-2012
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2013-Present
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A little about Donner Mine Camp...
Zeibright Mine was first founded in September of 1900 and its first location was called 'A' Quartz Mining Claim.
Fred Zeither and his wife Louisa originally owned the mine, which had 3,000 acres of mineral rights.
On December 24th, 1903 William F. Englebright and Fred Searls purchased the mine which
at the time consisted of a tunnel driven north above the level of the mill.
The tunnel was over 1,000 feet in length with 400 feet of backs (smaller tunnels running above the main level).
In 1915 the Zeibright Mining Co. filed the Zeibright Extension Claim. The name Zeibright was a combination of the name of the original owner of the property as well as the new owner, Zeitler and Englebright. The Zeibright employed
130 men in a 24-hour operation; 90 of the men lived at the mining property in 1936.
For more information about the mine and Donner Mine Camp, visit www.donnerminecamp.org
Fred Zeither and his wife Louisa originally owned the mine, which had 3,000 acres of mineral rights.
On December 24th, 1903 William F. Englebright and Fred Searls purchased the mine which
at the time consisted of a tunnel driven north above the level of the mill.
The tunnel was over 1,000 feet in length with 400 feet of backs (smaller tunnels running above the main level).
In 1915 the Zeibright Mining Co. filed the Zeibright Extension Claim. The name Zeibright was a combination of the name of the original owner of the property as well as the new owner, Zeitler and Englebright. The Zeibright employed
130 men in a 24-hour operation; 90 of the men lived at the mining property in 1936.
For more information about the mine and Donner Mine Camp, visit www.donnerminecamp.org
