Homeschool Family Camp
Frequently Asked Questions
Very important: If you decide to join us, please email me at scottnkris@sbcglobal.net in addition to making your reservation. It is important that we can contact you with helpful information as the time nears. Also, if this FAQ does not answer your questions, please email me.
August 15 - 20, 2010
at Snow Mountain Ranch in Granby, Colorado (near Winter Park)
Our activities begin on Sunday evening and end on Friday morning. You may extend your stay at Snow Mountain before and/or after if you wish.
What is Snow Mountain Ranch like?
It is a 5,000 acre family resort owned by the YMCA. It is near the Continental Divide in a gorgeous valley surrounded by rocky peaks. It’s goal is to bring families closer together and closer to God. See photos at http://www.ymcarockies.org/.
What will the schedule be like?
There will be outdoor education classes (forest ecology, beaver ecology, forest edibles, orienteering…) offered in the mornings and afternoons. They take place outdoors and are very hands-on. Activities like square dancing, music concerts, a birds of prey show, and a “Mountain Man” presentation are planned for the evenings.
The classes will be just for homeschoolers, and the night activities will be offered to everyone staying at the resort. You do not have to attend all the classes/programs offered. Just choose the ones that sound right for your family.
There are also many activities on the ranch to do our your own like fishing, hiking, canoeing, and swimming. Remember to save time to relax as a family and to explore the surrounding Fraser Valley area or hike in Rocky Mountain National Park.
The first year our family tried to do too much. There were so many fun classes offered. This year we are going to try to just pick two activities a day.
Do we have to be there by Sunday?We will meet on Sunday night, and sign up for activities Monday morning. It will be important for you to try to make it to SMR by Sunday night before 6:00 PM to hear all the important information. If you aren’t there on Sunday night, your choices for classes will be limited because the classes fill up. It’s a big place, and if you miss that meeting it might be possible for us to not connect with you all week.
How many people come?The last four years we’ve had around twenty families. Some families come together with friends, but several come on their own. There will also be many other families at the resort who will not be with our group.
What are the costs?
Each family will be charged $40 for the whole family for the week of activities.
Food and lodging are extra.
Aspenbrook Lodge $74 (sleeps 6)
Pinewood Lodge $99 (sleeps 6) Room has mini-fridge
Type A campsite(water, electric, sewer) $35/night
Type B campsite(water & electric) $33/night
Type C campsite(electric) $31/night
Type D campsite(no-hookups) $25/night
Cafeteria meals can be added.
Is the meal plan optional?If you are camping or staying in a cabin, the meal plan is optional. If you are staying in the lodge, the "2 Meals a Day" plan is required.
What are the lodges like?They are like simple hotel rooms with a private bathroom and a phone. They do NOT have kitchen facilities or mini refrigerators. Indian Peaks, however, does have a mini fridge and microwave. The common rooms in all the other lodges have a microwave. They do NOT have televisions. Linens are provided and towels are changed out daily. They do NOT have air conditioning. (This has never been a problem for our family, but if you have little ones who will be napping in the middle of the afternoon, you could bring a fan.) Look on the website, http://www.ymcarockies.org/ to see the differing sleeping configurations for each lodge.
Are cabins available?
At the time of this email there are a few cabins available. Cabins range from about $165 to $400/night, depending on size. They come with a fully equipped kitchen. However, they fill up very quickly, so call now if you want a cabin.
If we stay in the lodge, can we bring our own food for lunches?Yes, but remember there are no fridges or microwaves in the lodge rooms. (Some of the lodges have microwave in the common areas.) There is an inexpensive restaurant at the facility, or you can eat at the cafeteria for individual meals rather than the full meal plan. There are also gas grills available throughout the ranch. In addition, there are many restaurants nearby. Better yet, make friends with some of us in the group who are camping and cook meals together at the campsite.
Can we cook over an open flame?Some years, because of drought conditions, no campfires are allowed, but you are always able to cook on a gas stove. If you are camping, call the week before to check on any fire bans. If there is a ban, make sure you pack a gas stove. Also, there is a large gas grill available at each campground. Last year, there was not a fire ban and campers were able to have campfires.
Is there a grocery store close to SMR?Yes, there is a very nice big City Market in Granby, about seven minutes from SMR with prices like what you would find in Denver. They are owned by Kroger, so bring your Kroger card. There is also another large store in Frazier, about five to seven minutes the other direction. http://citymarket.adinsertsonline.com/customer
Is there childcare?No. Bring along another family and split the duties! There is day camp for the little ones if you choose to pay for it, but it will not be especially geared for our group.
What do parents do during the classes?
A parent should attend the classes with his/her child who is twelve or under. If you come with friends, one parent can attend with a group of children.
Do we have to pay the $10/day membership fee if we are not YMCA members?No, that is included in the lodging/campsite price– another great price break they are giving us.
What does the $40 a week/family activities fee include?All outdoor ed classes, guided hikes, one canoeing session, swimming, roller skating,square dancing, special speakers, one climbing wall session/family, campfires, outdoor worship, miniature golf, tennis, archery
Do we have to pay extra for fishing and canoeing?Canoeing is included in the $40/family per week activity fee. You will need to buy a fishing license and pay to rent fishing equipment if you want to fish. Of course, you can bring your own equipment.
What extra costs will there be?
There are some extra things you can choose. There is an extra cost for horseback riding (www.Sombrero.com), whitewater rafting, mountain bike rental, craft shop supplies, fishing license, and fishing equipment if you choose to do those things. Also, there is an extra cost for high ropes ($15 per person ages 12 and up) and zip line. ($9 per person ages 10 and up)
Some related tips:Bring your own mountain bikes and helmets if you wish to save money.
The horse-back riding is pretty slow, which is perfect for families with little ones. If you want more adventure, you might ask about some of the options near Snow Mountain Ranch.
The whitewater rafting is pretty slow in August– just right for kids ages 5- 10 or so. If you want more of a rush, make sure you ask around for other options.
Does Snow Mountain Ranch have internet access?Yes, there are wireless hot spots in many places throughout the property.
What is the weather like?
Come prepared for 40 degree temperatures (or a little lower) in the night and early morning. (Campers, bring more blankets than you think you need.) Expect highs in the 80s in the afternoons. There are often afternoon showers in the mountains. Also, because of a problem with the pine beetle, they have had to chop down most of the trees in the campground. Bring an awning to provide shade during the day if you are camping.
How much is entry to the Rocky Mountain National Park?
Their website says "$20 - seven days per vehicle.” http://www.nps.gov/romo/ They offer some wonderful guided hikes for free, but you need to plan to leave Snow Mountain Ranch bright and early for these since many of them begin first thing in the morning.
How long of a drive is Snow Mountain Ranch from Dallas?With small children it is about 17 - 18 hours. It’s 16 hours for people who don’t have to stop as much.
Where are places to stop along the way?I am compiling a list of interesting stops along the way and in Colorado. Please email when you decide to come, and I can forward you that list.
If you plan to camp in other places in Colorado on your way up, make your reservations early. Apparently Colorado families are big campers, and we had a very hard time finding a place to stay since we waited until the last couple of weeks to make reservations.
There are two great rest stops in the Panhandle with wireless kiosks and playgrounds.http://www.txdot.state.tx.us/mnt/sra/srahome.htm?sranbr=107&dir=N (after Wichita Falls)http://www.txdot.state.tx.us/mnt/sra/srahome.htm?sranbr=112&dir=Nhttp://www.txdot.state.tx.us/trv/trvtics.htm?pg=aotic(at Amarillo, no playground, but great stop)
Just across the Colorado state line is a welcome center in Trinidad where you can get lots of brochures about places to see in Colorado. http://www.state.co.us/oed/cto/wctrinid.htm There is a very fun (and free!) playground at the Focus on the Family Welcome Center in Colorado Springs. Check the hours. http://www.family.org/welcome/#
Can we invite other homeschoolers who are not from the Dallas Fort Worth area?
Please do! In fact, we bring some friends from Denver who don’t homeschool.
How do others feel about Snow Mountain Ranch?Nickelodeon Junior Family Travel Award: Best Family DestinationFamily Fun Magazine: Best Deal for FamiliesOutside Magazine: Best Winter Family DestinationNew York Times Travel: featured in a story about family travelNewsweek: noted for their expertise in family reunionsBetter Homes and Garden: great place for family reunionsUS Today: again, a great place for family reunionsAs you can see, Snow Mountain Ranch is all about uniting families!
What is the deadline for registering?August 3, 2008
I suggest making your reservation as soon as possible. There is a large wedding scheduled for the week we will be there, so there are not as many rooms as usual. They have set aside 30 rooms for our group, plus the campsites.
What kind of deposit is required?
35%
Is there a refund?If you cancel 30 days prior to the camp you will receive a 75% refund of your deposit.
How do I reserve a spot?Call (970) 887-2152 ext. 4110 Very important: Make sure you tell them that you are a part of the "special DFW Homeschooling Week." Make sure you tell them that you do not want the meal plan if you are camping or are in a cabin. Feel free to contact Snow Mountain Ranch @ 800-777-9622 if you have questions.
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