FAQ

AGE REQUIREMENTS

What is the age range for attendees? Campers age 6-14 may attend Summer Day Camp.

MEALS AND DIETARY NEEDS

Are meals included? Yes! Every day of camp includes a lunch and two snacks (morning and afternoon). Campers will feast on tasty delights from the on-site restaurant and bakery.  Some favorites include: chicken drumsticks, quesadillas, cheeseburgers, hot dogs, sandwiches, pizza, and apple crisp.  Click HERE to see the sample menu.
What if my child has a food allergy or other dietary need? First, we ask that you advise your booking agent when you make the reservation so that our staff is aware. Second, include details on your HEALTH & REGISTRATION FORMS and advise the Health Supervisor at check in.  Finally, we will make every effort to offer a second/alternative menu option whenever possible. You are more than welcome to provide supplemental food for your camper at your discretion.

CURRICULUM

What will campers learn? Summer Day Camp 2016 curriculum is based on five themes: Farm Livin’, Game Day, Gold Rush Adventure, Pirate Day, and Water Day.  Some activities and lessons include:  archery (offered for campers ages 8+), tomahawk throwing, outdoor games and treasure hunting, map-reading and orienteering, animal tending, berry picking,  gold panning, crafts, art, music, and drama.
  • Farm Livin‘:  We explore the 760 acre apple farm on a tractor-drawn hayride through the orchards, meet the farm animals, inspect the crops, take nature walks, and pick fresh berries (as they ripen) for a real field-to-table experience.
  • Game Day:  Campers enjoy outdoor games and lots of time to play.  Whether your campers prefer physical games, card games, or brain teasers, we emphasize respect and teamwork in all camp activities.  Camp favorites include: Capture the Flag, Keeper of the Flame, Ninja, Blob Tag, and Murder in the Village.
  • Gold Rush Adventure:  Campers tend to catch “Gold Fever” as they visit the Crossbow Mining Company… and try to strike it rich! Gold panning, mining, and entrepreneurship are just a few ways campers can earn currency to bid in the afternoon auction.
  • Pirate Day:  Ahoy mate!  Campers learn some fencing basics before challenging other salty scallywags in the Foam Sword Challenge!  We’ll build and sail our own little ships on the colonial pond, learn a sea shanty as we tug-o-war, and even go on a treasure hunt!
  • Water Day:  Campers cool off and have a blast!  We’ll play water games and finish out the week with a pizza party and contest awards ceremony, which parents are welcome to attend!

PAYMENT

How can I pay?  We accept Visa, MasterCard, and American Express credit cards.  We also accept cash, and a personal check is also acceptable for payments made at least two weeks prior to the first day of camp.

Do I have to pay in full?   A non-refundable $50 deposit is required at the time of booking for each camper who will attend. The remaining balance must be paid in full at least two weeks prior to the first day of camp.  If you pay the camp tuition in full during Early Registration, you’ll receive one of our classic apple pies on the first day of camp!

Do you have scholarships available?   Riley’s Farm Summer Day Camp offers up to 50% scholarships for campers in need of financial assistance. Our scholarship fund is limited and scholarships are awarded on a “first come-first served” basis. Please send an email explaining why your child would like to attend our camp.  All scholarship requests for 2018 must be received by May 1st.

 

RATIO  &  ENROLLMENT LIMITS

What is the ratio of campers to staff?   The ratio of campers to staff is 5 to 1.

How many campers do you accept per week?   We will accept up to 150 campers per week.

Will a week be cancelled due to low registration or enrollment? What is the minimum number of campers required?   We reserve the right to cancel due to low registration, though that circumstance is not likely. The minimum number of campers required is 20.

ATTIRE & ACCOUTREMENTS

What should my child wear? Guests should dress in cool clothing appropriate for outdoor summer adventure. Jeans/pants or shorts are fine.  Tennis shoes or sneakers are the best form of footwear, since campers will be hiking on dirt trails and playing outdoors. Overall, stick with cotton and leave at home that which you don’t want getting dirty.  If your camper wishes to dress up according to the day’s theme, we also encourage them to do so.

Can my child bring a cell phone or any electronic device?   No. Our farm camp experience is based on respect and appreciation of nature, farming, and American history.  We give campers the opportunity to experience country life without technological interruption.

What should my child bring?

  • A change of clothing and extra shoes/socks tend to come in handy, as does a good sun hat. Water will be provided to campers throughout the day, but water bottles are highly recommended. Campers need not bring food, unless they want extra snacks.
  • Please provide medication and detailed instructions if you would like the staff to administer any prescription or over-the-counter meds during the day. Kindly advise the office when you register if your camper has any allergies.
  • The Barn General Store will be open during the week, so campers may bring money to purchase mementos  old fashioned bottled sodas, beef jerky, and other goodies.
  • On Fridays, we recommend that all campers dress normally and bring the following for Water Day:  a towel, bathing suit or swimming trunks, water shoes (if desired) or flip-flops, and a set of dry clothes for the afternoon.

GOOD COMPANY

My child is coming with a friend. Will they be in the same group?   For the bulk of the time, yes! While we do divide our campers into four “Compass Rose” groups for quick roll-taking, and buddy pairs for trips to the restroom, the vast majority of their time is not subject to either condition. Further, we do use the four base groups as a source of any station-based division for activities or teams, however, these are very subject to change on a given day and through the week. In short, your child will have lots and lots of time to spend with their friends, regardless of buddy or group pairings.

SAFETY AND QUALIFICATIONS

What type of qualifications and experience does your staff have? Our staff is comprised of career educators, historians, athletes, and artists with extensive experience and thorough training.  All staff have passed the background check and are trusted members of the Riley’s Farm cast.  Counselors maintain current First Aid and Adult/Infant/Child CPR training and certification through the American Red Cross, as well as Food Handler’s Certification through the County of San Bernardino.  We also have two certified Health Supervisors on staff year-round.  
Do you have emergency response plans? Yes, we have an extensive employee manual and training program to help us deal with all possible situations, including medical, fire, earthquakes, uninvited guests and wildlife.
What are your disciplinary procedures/expectations of campers? We begin each week with a brief meeting with our campers, wherein we advise them of all of our policies and expectations. We communicate that they are in place to ensure everyone’s safety and fun. Campers are advised that a first offense will result in a verbal reminder of what the rule is, and how it was broken. Second timers will receive a short break from the group, in a safe, supervised location, to give them a moment to consider what has transpired and how they may change their behavior. A third offense will result in a phone call to a parent/relative. Repeated behavioral issues beyond a phone call will result in a child being sent home for a day or more.  Since our focus is the safety and fun for all, we do everything we can to prevent issues before they arise.

LOCATION

How do I get there?  From Los Angeles & Points West:  Take the I-10 or the I-60 toward Palm Springs. Exit on Beaumont Avenue. Turn Left and proceed approximately nine miles (Beaumont Avenue will become Oak Glen Road).  After you see the apple-shaped sign that reads “Welcome to Oak Glen” look for the large, red-lettered “Riley’s Farm” sign on the right hand side of the road.   From Palm Springs and Points East: Take the I-10 west towards Los Angeles. Exit on Beaumont Avenue. Turn right and proceed approximately nine miles (Beaumont Avenue will become Oak Glen Road).  After you see the apple-shaped sign that reads “Welcome to Oak Glen” look for the large, red-lettered “Riley’s Farm” sign on the right hand side of the road.
Once I’m there, where do I go for check in? Enter the farm at the large, red-lettered “Riley’s Farm” sign.   This year – due to popular demand – our campers  will be taking over the historic 1880s Packing Shed theater and making it our new home base!  The Packing Shed provides an exclusive banquet hall for our campers while allowing ample room for making crafts… and we’re now able to perform songs and skits on the main stage during our Friday Farewell Pizza Party!
Please sign your camper in and out each day at the General Store in the Packing Shed.  Only persons on the approved list (on registration form) will be allowed to pick up your camper, and we will check identification before releasing the camper.