Family Camp: a new family adventure

Published in the Family Post Summer 2006

With the crowds, stresses, and waiting in lines that can sometimes damper family vacations, imagine spending a week with activities already planned, meals prepared, childcare provided and once you arrive no need to get the kids strapped in car seats or seat belts! If you want a new summer adventure and a place your family can form meaningful bonds come and enjoy a family camp, a place where laughter, fun, and excitement are waiting to happen. Family camps are known to be one of the most economical and relaxing vacations. Family camps will be a favorite vacation destination for all members of the family, worth revisiting year after year, where even mom and dad are free of responsibilities and can be playful children all over again.

Family camps are usually situated in areas rich with natural beauty and filled with many activities. Spend time enjoying horseback riding, go-karts, crafts, train rides, high ropes course, archery, swimming, basketball, gardening, or just reading a book. The list goes on is varied from camp to camp. My personal favorite time at camp is the campfire,  where opportunities abound for enjoying the summer evening’s splendor, and spending it singing silly songs and listening to stories.

Living in Nevada County is a fantastic opportunity to be centrally located near various family camps offering their own unique experiences. It is almost like having a family camp in your own backyard, waiting to offer a week that will be remembered as the family’s best vacation yet.

SHADY CREEK FAMILY CAMP

One camp in Nevada County is Shady Creek Family Camp and Conference Center. Shady Creek is the first family camp built in California in 20 years. It is a full-time family camp, meaning their summer sessions are all dedicated for families. They are situated only a short drive from Nevada City. They offer all-inclusive packages with a variety of eclectic lodging options, including one-of-a- kind adobe dome cabins. Their unique programs encourage families to be together for activities, spending time together for bonding. Shady Creek also encourages using family camp as an opportunity to plan family reunions, where all the stress of accommodations, cooking, and activities have been taken care of. This enchanting location is filled with spark and excitement and the tranquility only the outdoors can provide. Spend your time enjoying arts, crafts, archery, basketball, or go for a quiet walk by the creek and spend time with a good book. Enjoy their theme nights, ropes course, water skiing and even some pampering with a massage and parents night out! Contact Shady Creek Family Camp at 800-826-7310 www.shadycreekcamp.com

LEONI MEADOWS

Leoni Meadows, situated about 1 hour from Placerville, is a faith-based camp that offers camps for children but also offers a family camp session. Where else can you enjoy horseback riding, BMX bikes, go karts, ropes challenge course, evening campfires, experience a rodeo (Leoni style!), or go water skiing? They also offer ceramics, crafts, and many more activities. Their nature center offers a unique hands on science education museum experience complete with a telescope to view the summer night sky. Leoni Meadows offers different lodging and meal options which allows various pricing to make this your most affordable vacation. You can sleep in their hotel-style lodge rooms, cabins with private baths and kitchenettes, or camp sites for tents and RV’s. You can cook your own food or enjoy deliciously prepared meals including home made, mouth- watering cinnamon rolls, whole wheat bread and other freshly baked goodies. Enjoy a train ride amongst the trees and learn some of the history of their 960 acre facility. They have “kid only” activities each day so the little ones can have fun while you get a well deserved break. You can schedule your vacation with them by calling Leoni Meadows at 530-626-3610 or visit their website: www.leonimeadows.org

EMANDAL-A-FARM ON A RIVER

If you want to venture further away from Nevada County, Emandal-A Farm on a River awaits you just a short drive out of Willits. They are located on 1,000 acres at the base of Mount Sanhedrin and the banks of the Eel River. Emandal is unique in that they have no planned activities. They believe we live in such a structured culture that they want to offer families the opportunity of getting away to create their own family adventure. Their location offers ample opportunity for swimming in the Eel River, hiking their many trails, biking on country roads, and fishing in their lake. This is also an operating farm and you can lend a hand in farm chores such as berry picking, egg gathering, cow milking, tending the organic garden, harvesting vegetables for the kitchen, making snacks, or a variety of other daily tasks. They offer all-inclusive plans. All of their food is made from scratch and they use organic food as much as possible and hand-home roast their coffee too. Campers form a great community bond, which many times is life long. Emandal can be reached at 707-459-5439 or visit their website: www.emandal.com

 So if you are ready to get away from amusement parks or want to just be a kid again, check out a Family camp and get ready for an unforgettable time. If you want a list of other summer camps visit: www.acacamps.org.

Lizary Jones, Freelance Travel Writer, eagerly anticipates family camp. Mom to 2 boys Jeremiah, age 7, and Eli, age 3, who also want to go.