Letter to Parents

Dear Parents,
Thank you for taking the time and concern to find out a little more about our program.  We realize web sites weren’t around in the 1850’s but it sure does a lot to alleviate some anxiety, as that is why we decide to develop it.
As a mother of two grown children, I very much understand the trust that is being extended when you allow your child to participate, and I can assure you the measures that are taken to make sure your child has a safe and meaningful experience.
Some of the most common questions and concerns are addressed below:
1.  Location – Where in the Sam Hill are you anyway?  You can click on the location button under 'About Us' for a map.  We are 6 miles behind the north side of Camp Far West Lake in the Spencerville Wildlife area.  A still untouched area perfect for experiencing the pioneer lifestyle because it still looks the same.  For detailed driving directions please click on the Directions button.
2.  Food – We serve three large and delicious, home cooked meals a day, plus Nutritional snacks in between meals, so food sent from home, is most often found in the garbage and wasted.  Going hungry has never been a complaint!
If your child, or you as an attending parent, has a special dietary need, we can most often accommodate so long as we have some advance notification.  Please call or e-mail me so we can discuss the menu and your needs.  (530) 3...  or email me.
3.  Regarding what and how to pack – Most folks over-pack not realizing that they will be hauling their own luggage up to the cabins, so pack lightly.  We haul it for your child the two miles from the parking area.  For detailed packing directions, please click on the Packing button under “For Parents”. 
4.  Weather – What happens if it rains?  We run this program Monday through Friday from February to June so as you can imagine, sometimes it rains.  The pioneers kept moving and so do we!   We have large covered areas to keep you dry.  The only unprotected area is the hike in.  Again a small rain poncho is perfect. 
We have been providing this program to over 7000 school age children since 1994.  Many teachers return to us each year (we have a re-booking rate of over 90%) so we know the program is tremendously worthwhile.
All of this to say that we are confident that your child will have a wonderful and memorable, learning experience that will hopefully give them some appreciation for what is easier in our modern day life, but also keep alive some of our old time ways that are worth saving.
If you have any further questions or concerns.  I would be glad to talk with you about them.  Please feel free to call my cell number  (530) 305-1759 .  Remember please that during camp season, I am not answering calls, but at the ranch with all the yougins’.  I do check messages several times per day.
I hope you’ll enjoy the wonderful stories and crafts your child will return home with.

Most Sincerely,Rosemary Hawthorne