R.M. Pyles Boys Camp would not be able to deliver its mission without the support of so many generous individuals and companies in Southern California. One such organization that has been ever-present with its support of Pyles is Chevron.
Chevron San Joaquin Valley Business Unit will be returning as a Platinum Sponsor of our 2021 Kern County BBQ, to be held on September 18th. This $20,000 gift not only helps boys who need camp right now, but also encourages other organizations to support the event leading to an even greater impact. Adam Bell, Executive Director of R.M. Pyles Boys Camp said, “The last year has been a challenge for Pyles, Chevron, and the entire world. Chevron’s support of the boys in our program has been unwavering, even through the challenges of the pandemic. Thank you to Chevron for believing in our program and in our boys.”
““Chevron’s partnership with the R.M. Pyles Boys Camp spans generations and remains strong. It is a pleasure to support a program inspiring leadership development in our youth, and encouraging young men to make positive choices that will make a lasting impact in their lives and positively influence their communities.””
The Pyles Kern County BBQ has been taking place for over 60 years and serves as the largest fundraiser for Pyles.
The partnership between Chevron and Pyles Camp goes back 70 years. Since 1951, the Board of Directors of R.M. Pyles Boys Camp has consistently included a member from Chevron, or its predecessor, Standard Oil. In just the last 20 years, Chevron has contributed almost $400,000 to support the boys of Pyles.
About Chevron San Joaquin Valley Business Unit
For more than a century, Chevron has played a major role in helping meet California’s energy needs. Chevron’s San Joaquin Valley Business Unit (SJVBU) is headquartered in Bakersfield and has operations in Kern, Fresno and Monterey Counties. Chevron is proud to deliver the affordable, reliable and ever-cleaner energy that improves lives and enables human progress.
Pyles Campers, 2019
About R.M. Pyles Boys Camp
The multi-year wilderness camp experience, located in the Sequoia National Forest, is a leadership program that teaches at-risk youth the values of hard work, education, respect for the environment, themselves, and each other, and making good life choices (such as staying in school, avoiding gangs and drugs). Boys participate in the program at no cost. The camp is funded entirely by charitable donations.
Since the camp’s inception in 1949, R.M. Pyles Boys Camp has served more than 28,000 California boys. Each camper has heart-wrenching stories of their struggles, such as living in neighborhoods with gang violence, attending low performing schools, and being exposed to substance abuse and domestic violence. Former campers have gone on to achieve numerous successes including becoming the first college graduate in their families, serving in the U.S. Armed Forces, and returning to work at the camp as counselors.
Juan “Dolphin” Jimenez
Former camper, Juan Jimenez, recently said “The foundations of camp helped me to achieve my life goals and education, reaching heights I never dreamed possible.”