Frequently Asked Questions About Raintree Ranch
WHEN DOES REGISTRATION FOR SUMMER CAMP BEGIN?
CAN WE VISIT CAMP PRIOR TO SIGNING UP?
HOW MANY ADULTS ARE THERE TO HOW MANY CHILDREN?
WHAT IF MY CHILD GETS SICK AT CAMP?
We have trained health care personnel on camp at all times. The Health Center provides a good space for short-term care, but we prefer not to house ill children for more than a day. We call parents when a child is ill and required to stay in the health center.
Experience has shown that many times rest and fluids is all they need to feel better. If however, an illness lasts more that a day, “there’s no place like home”. We will call you, ask for you to pick them up, and work toward re-scheduling the week.
IF I HAVE TWO CHILDREN ATTENDING CAMP, WILL THEY SEE EACH OTHER OR PARTICIPATE IN ACTIVITIES TOGETHER?
The answer to this question is “it depends”. We group our into cabin groups by age, and campers rotate to day-time activities with their cabin. Raintree is a small facility so all the girls cabins are located in 1 large bunk house, and the two boys cabins are right next to each other. Campers have opportunities to mingle with other cabins during evening activities, free time, and meals.
MY CHILD DOESN'T KNOW MUCH ENGLISH, DO THE COUNSELORS SPEAK SPANISH?
CAN CHILDREN BRING A CELL PHONE TO CAMP?
No, we do not permit cell phones at camp. YMCA Camp is a safe place to let your children have a bit of freedom and independence. We want them to make new friends and face challenges, not to spend precious camp time calling or texting their friends back home.
Parents can choose to e-mail messages for their campers via an optional online service. Experience has shown that a call to Mom & Dad can often make an adjustment problem worse, not better. Lastly, the technology of cameras on cell phones also creates the potential problem of taking pictures in sensitive areas. Camper bathrooms and changing areas are not appropriate places for cameras.
If your child needs to have cell phone with them because of travel or other reasons, simply have them submit it to camp staff upon arrival. We will return it to them when they leave.
WHAT ABOUT BULLIES AND TEASING?
WHAT HAPPENS IF MY CHILD MISSES HOME?
Missing home can be a challenge for some campers. We have several steps to work with it. In most cases we will simply encourage the camper to stay busy and think positively. Most times this works quite well. The camper starts to enjoy them self and make new friends.
In some cases it may take a bit more help. At those times our practice is to call parents and talk to them about what steps we’re taking and what might work best with their camper. We want to make overcoming homesickness a success story for your child and may ask your help in doing so.
WHO DO I INFORM ABOUT MY CHILD'S FOOD ALLERGIES?
WILL THERE BE A CAMP STORE?
WHAT HAPPENS IF MY CHILD DOES NOT LIKE THE FOOD?
We think our camp food is some of the best around. We encourage each camper to try what is being served but we don’t force them to eat. If campers don’t like what is being served, we provide options.
At each meal there is a well-stocked salad bar and fresh fruit. At breakfast, a buffet with hot and cold cereal is available along with the hot entrée. Our staff is trained to watch what campers are eating. If a child is not eating a healthy amount, they will report the matter to the health care staff.
WHAT IS A "HOLDOVER" AND WHAT DO THEY DO?
HOW MUCH TIME DO CAMPERS SPEND WITH HORSES?
The short answer – half of each day. Every camper has the opportunity to ride every day of camp.
With 40+ horses, we split the camp into “AM and PM” riders. From there, the riders separate into their smaller groups for “ground classes”, arena lessons and trail rides. Ground classes are non-riding classes that teach all about horse anatomy, health care, tack, and more. Arena lessons provide specific instruction in western riding skills within one of the three fenced instructional arenas. Once campers are proficient on controlling their horse, they are eligible to go on a 1-hour trail ride around our 230 acres of forests & trails.
Additionally, Monday through Thursday we have a 6:30am tack-up time. At tack-up campers come down to the barn early to help groom and saddle the horses for the day before breakfast. Many campers find this to be the best part of the day as they enjoy the extra time with horses. Some campers are required to attend tack-up once, twice or four times a week if they are going for a higher level Bolo. During arena lessons and ground classes, campers also learn and practice a riding pattern to be used on the Friday Horse Show.