The Special Collections and Research Center in the Henry Madden Library has received its newest addition from Chuck Radke, Fresno State's dissertation/thesis consultant of 15 years. His book, Sierra Summers: The History of Gold Arrow Camp, is an insightful account of the beloved camp’s 85-year history.

Chuck wanted to make this book for campers and alumni of the past, present and future. It was written in hopes that others will come to appreciate and cherish Gold Arrow as generations before have.

Gold Arrow, a summer camp located in Huntington Lake, is just an hour and 30 minutes northeast of Fresno. Designed for kids between the ages of six and 14, the camp provides summer activities such as wakeboarding, horseback riding, and rock climbing, to name a few.

Chuck’s connection to Gold Arrow first began in 1990 when Steve Monke, the current owner of Gold Arrow, offered him a job as a camp counselor.

“I was getting ready to graduate from college and wanted to do something fun before I got a ‘real job.’ What I came to realize was that working at camp is as real as it gets,” explained Chuck.

Years later, Chuck and his wife would spend summers working at Gold Arrow while their children were campers.

The inspiration for the book came when Chuck was approached by Steve and Audrey Monke to write about the camp’s unique history and the original founder of Gold Arrow, Manny Vezie.

In the four years that it took to complete Sierra Summers, Chuck used various resources for his research. He gathered accounts from people who were there to witness the camp’s humble beginnings and collected photographs, publications, and newspaper articles of Gold Arrow through the years. Additionally, Chuck worked closely with the Special Collections Research Center in selecting the perfect photo from its archives.

“In my mind, Gold Arrow Camp is a kind of national treasure," Chuck said. "The many stories that have come from the place and the people who have been there to work or visit are truly astounding.”

Sierra Summers: The History of Gold Arrow Camp can be viewed at the Special Collections Research Center in the Henry Madden Library and is also available for purchase on Amazon.