Activities
Is the focus of the camp education?
Yes, but not in the traditional sense. You can’t see what we see without wondering
how and why it occurred. We spend the entire session learning about and exploring
the wonders around us.
Are Ipods and other portable music devices allowed?
Yes. They may only be used while traveling or if a camper needs them to sleep. No
external speakers are allowed. The cabins have a radio and CD player along with TV
and a DVD player.
Will all the kids be doing the same thing at the same time?
No. Your child will select activities according to their interest and ability. Some
groups may take longer and more strenuous hikes and others may explore museums.
It all depends on your child.
Do you spend any time in cities or theme parks?
No. This camp is about nature and history. We spend our time outdoors
exploring Natural Wonders in remote locations. We visit National Parks,
Monuments, State Parks and the surrounding areas which include other sites and
activities.
What are the evening activities like?
Our evening activities range from swimming, game night, movie night, ranger and
park-led events, rodeo, local cultural events, moonlight and starlight walks, etc.
What if my child has a birthday during camp?
We welcome the excuse to throw a party. We celebrate birthdays at camp with cake
and ice cream. Let us know of any special requests we can try and accommodate.
Will my child be required to keep a journal?
Yes. Each child will be required to keep a daily journal of their activities. Our Head
Guide Steve even brings along journals he wrote over the years to help the campers
understand why it’s important to record their adventures for future reference and
reflection.
Accommodations
What are the cabins like?
The RollingCabins are like traditional camp cabins but much nicer with many of the
same creature comforts of home – bunk beds, bathrooms, kitchens, living room space,
stereo, TV and DVD player, table & chairs.
RollingCabin pictures
What are the sleeping accommodations like?
The campers sleep in RollingCabin RV’s. There are separate cabins for boys and
girls. The cabins sleep 6 campers in bunks and 1 guide.
Will my child have to pack and unpack every time the camp moves?
No that’s the beauty of the RollingCabins. Just like a traditional summer camp your
child will unpack the day they arrive at camp and pack the last night of camp to come home.
Daily Schedule
How much time will my child spend traveling?
The campers and Guides travel in comfortably equipped SUVs. The camp moves
every couple of days. During a session we will travel approximately 900 miles.
That works out to 450 miles a week or about 1 hour a day. When we move we
also explore on the way, a three hour drive may take all day with all there is to
explore along the way.
Will there be any down time where my child can relax?
Yes. The camp daily schedule allows for free time in the late afternoon before and
after dinner. When traveling the campers can watch a movie, read, write in their
journal, take in the breathtaking scenery or they can take the ever popular nap.
How early do the campers get up?
Wake up time is generally 7:15 AM. It changes if we want to catch a sunrise or stay
up late for a moonlit walk. We all eat breakfast together and then go back to our
cabins to get ready and depart for our daily exploration.
Health / Medical
Does my child have to be physically fit?
No. All they need is the desire to explore and the ability to walk a few miles.
What happens if my child gets sick?
Our staff is CPR and First Aid Trained. We have a 24 hour on-call Doctor at our service.
And there are medical clinics at our disposal for treatment near each Park and campground.
Are the bugs bad?
No, in most places we travel to there is little or no humidity so a fairly low population
of bugs. It is best to be prepared for anything so we ask each camper to bring bug
repellent and after-bite just in case.
Food
What is the food like?
We eat traditional camp food which is prepared by our camp chef in the Rolling Cook
House and is served family style. For breakfast we may have pancakes, omelets,
cereal, bacon or sausage. Lunch we eat on the go and usually consists of sandwiches,
fruit and assorted snacks for added energy. Dinners range from tacos and burgers to
Chinese and steak. We can also accommodate vegetarian campers.
Supervision
Who are the guides?
The guides are professional educators / teachers who are accustomed to working with
kids on a daily basis. We provide a unique opportunity allowing the campers to learn
and explore side by side with our Guides.
What type of supervision can I expect?
The camper to staff ratio is four campers to one staff member. All of our staff are
experienced educational professionals who are accustomed to working with kids on a
daily basis. They are all CPR and First Aid trained. Every Cabin has sleeping
quarters for a Guide and a Guide sleeps in every cabin.
Contact
How can my child communicate with home?
Your child will be required to write at least one letter/postcard home per week.
Since the camp moves every few days receiving traditional mail is problematic. We
encourage parents to send an email to their child once a week. The Camp Directors
will print the email and deliver it at the next meal. The guides and director all have
cell phones that the camper can use in case of emergency. All incoming calls go
through the camp directors.
Are cell phones allowed?
No cell phones are allowed at camp. The Camp Owners/Directors travel with the
camp and communicate with all parents on a regular basis via email, camp blog and
phone.
Can my child call home?
Yes but not in the first week. This is a major cause of homesickness. The Camp
Directors communicate with families via email, camp blog and phone. Realize time
spent on the phone is time spent away from exploration and other camp activities.
Miscellaneous
Spending Money
Please realize shopping and souvenirs are not the focus of our camp. There will be limited opportunity to spend money. Most National Park Visitor Centers have a book store that sells souvenirs (T-shirts run $15 and up).
How crowded are the parks?
Happily for us the parks are not crowded. We generally run into people in the parking
lots, visitor centers, museums and places where you might expect to run into people.
We generally have the parks to ourselves for exploration.
Laundry
Laundry will be done on a weekly basis. The camp has prearranged for this service on
the road. Name tags or some other form of permanent marking labeled must be on
each item of the campers clothing and personal belongings (towels, toiletries, camera,
flashlight, etc.).
If my child is not flying out of JFK what arrangements can be made for a chaperone
to Denver?
If a camper flies to Denver from another location the camper must be accompanied by
an airline designated chaperone or meet and greet arrangement. These arrangements
need to be prearranged with the Camp Director.
What kind of camera should my child bring?
A digital camera is best with lots of memory sticks and extra batteries or a battery
charger. By the time you figure out the cost of disposable cameras and developing
you could buy an inexpensive digital and memory cards. If that is not possible then 1
disposable camera per week of the trip is what is suggested. If the camper uses or
loses their disposable camera more are available for purchase in the camp store.
See the story about a lost digital camera on the
We also provide each Camper with a Camp Yearbook at the end of the Summer. It's a compilation of the campers and our photos and video clips.
Can my child download pictures from their digital camera?
Yes if it’s a reasonable amount and their memory cards are compatible with our
reader.
What if it rains?
It generally doesn’t rain but just in case the campers should bring a rain jacket or
poncho and a pair of water proof hiking/walking shoes.
Are gameboys and other hand held electronic games allowed?
No. They do not fit into the philosophy of the camp, get out, explore and build new
friendships with other campers and from experience there is just too much to do and
see that the campers never miss them.