Named after camp alumni Edward Saunders, the Saunders Pool is the center for aquatic activities at Camp Arbolado. Polar bear swims, camp carnival aquatic games, and open swimming are examples of the activities held here. Saunders Pool was originally built over a 3-year period as a labor of love by hand in the early 1930s and replaced in 2005 with a drop in Mrytha pool. This was the first Myrtha Pool installation for a California YMCA as well as the first Myrtha Pool for a YMCA Mountain Camp in the United States. The original pool had a 8 foot deep end and diving boards. The 2005 replacement is 3 feet deep at each end, drops to 5 feet deep in the center, and has a handicap accessible entry ramp for wheelchairs, etc.. The pool is heated. Saunders Pool operates during the summer season and is drained during the spring, winter, and fall season to protect the pipes from freezing water.

At one end of the pool, there is a building with separate male and female showers and restrooms, as well as a room for pool maintenance and water quality testing supplies. The pool perimeter is fenced and gated to prevent access when no lifeguards are on duty.

Below are pictures of the original Saunders Pool during construction and operation.

---

Below are pictures of the Saunders Pool as it appears today.

---