The Overnight Experience at Paradise Farm Camps Paradise Farm Camps - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

The Overnight Experience

at Paradise Farm Camps

Paradise Farm Camps was established as the Children’s Country Week Association in 1875. The

• riginal mission of the organization was to allow children from Philadelphia the opportunity to spend
• ne week out of the city, and to experience the fresh air and hard work that farm life provides.

In 1913 Over 600 acres of contiguous land was consolidated in what is now Paradise Farm Camps. At this time the farming aspect was largely phased out and camp became more recreation based. Since that time Paradise Farm Camps has grown to meet the needs of children throughout the Delaware Valley Region. This includes incorporating a summer day camp, a program for mothers and their children, and the Outdoor School for Environmental Education and Teambuilding.

Paradise Farm Camps History

Children’s Country Week Association is a youth development

• rganization dedicated to serving the Delaware Valley region

since 1875. We operate Paradise Farm Camps and are the proud stewards of 600 acres of scenic natural resources within the heart

• f Chester County. Using our unique surroundings, we

encourage children to open their eyes to the wonders of the

• utdoors and the possibilities of their own potential.

Schedule

Day 1

Groups A, B, C Groups D, E, F 8:15 Arrival and Orientation 9:20 Teambuilding Waterfront Rotation 12:15 Lunch 1:45 Learning Activity Rotations 4:30 Option Time 5:30 Dinner 6:30 Teacher Led Activity 8:00 Campfire 10:00 Lights Out

Day 2

8:00 Breakfast 9:00 Waterfront Rotation Teambuilding 12:15 Lunch 1:30 Pack Up & Clean Out 2:15 Large Group Game 2:50 Wrap Up 3:00 Departure

Students should arrive between 8:15 and 8:45 on the first day. After arrival, students will take their bags to their cabins and meet at the Gym for a quick camp orientation. The students will then split into their learning teams to move through their activity rotations. We will share all meals together in our Weitzel dining hall. After the afternoon activity rotation and dinner, students will enjoy some free time followed by a campfire, complete with songs, skits, and s’mores. Students will return to their cabins at 9:30 and lights out time is up to the teacher’s discretion. The following day will begin with breakfast at 8:00and another activity rotation for the students. The day will end with a large group wrap up activity and all students should be picked up at 3:00.

Activities

All activities at Paradise Farm Camps are supervised by our trained staff. Environmental lessons conform to the Pennsylvania standards for Environment and Ecology. Students will learn in small cooperative groups of 10 – 20 students. All lessons are outdoors and hands on.

Teambuilding

During the teambuilding block students will move from large group desensitizers to small group initiative and teambuilding activities and finally to our low ropes challenge activities. Students will learn the fundamental tenets of teamwork, including cooperation, communication, and trust. They will use these skills to successfully maneuver through several team challenges. Instructors will use a cycle of Introduce – Activate – Debrief – Reintroduce to make sure every student comes away with a better understanding of the concept of teamwork.

Waterfront Rotation

During this time students will rotate through three waterfront activities, a biological stream study, a physical stream study, and canoeing, During the bio stream study, students will be in the water looking for the macro aquatic animals that live in the stream. While the physical stream study will focus on the physical and chemical components of the stream itself.

Afternoon Rotation

Students will use the afternoon rotation to explore three different ecosystems on the camp property, including the pond, the wetlands, and the forest. In each area students will engage in hands on activities that will help them to understand the importance and beauty of the land.

Option Time

• Students will have time to

choose their own rec activities on the afternoon

• f the first day.
• Activity choices may vary

from trip to trip, but often include:

• Fishing
• Rock Climbing
• Sports – soccer, basketball, tennis

baseball, kickball, or football.

• Birding & Nature Hikes
• Art
• Gaga
• Camp fishing rods are very

limited, some students may want to bring their

• wn rods.

All of the EE staff are professionals in the fields of education, ecology and environmental science, or outdoor adventure recreation. All staff are experts in using their natural surroundings to foster discovery moments for young students. PFC Staff will lead all learning activities, teambuilding activities, option time, meals, and campfire. All staff members have completed required police and ChildLine background checks.

Facilities

Each cabin sleeps 6 students and 1 adult. The cabins are furnished with bunk style beds and storage shelves for personal belongings. All cabins have electricity. There is a centralized bathroom in each camp with running hot and cold water. Each cabin has shutters over the windows to keep out the elements and keep in some heat, but all students should be prepared for cooler nights with a sleeping bag and pajamas.

What To Bring To Camp

— Radios & MP3 players/iPods — Cell Phone — Candy, gum, & snacks — Jewelry — Pocket Knives — Money — Anything valuable that could get lost or damaged. — Anything that is not allowed in school.

What To Leave At Home

Meals at Camp

All meals are nutritionally balanced and menus are examined by a licensed nutritionist. The Head Cook is “ServeSafe” Certified No fried foods are served at PFC. All meals are served family style to help reinforce our teambuilding

• bjectives and good manners.

A salad bar or breakfast bar are available at every meal. Some special diets and food allergies can be accommodated. Please be sure to inform your child’s teacher of any special concerns before the trip. Severe and extraordinary food needs may require special attention from parents. Day 1 Lunch Pizza, Tater-tots, Salad Bar, Juice, Cookies Dinner Tacos, Rice & Beans, Vegetable, Salad Bar, Juice, Ice Cream Day 2 Breakfast Pancakes, Bacon, Breakfast Bar Lunch Chicken Fingers, French Fries, Salad Bar, Juice, Brownies

Safety at Camp

— All staff members carry two way radios on them at all times to ensure a quick response to all situations. — Local police, fire, and ambulance are all familiar with the PFC facilities and location. — Paradise Farm Camps is linked to a first alert weather alert system. — Senior staff at PFC are trained in First Aid and CPR. — Senior staff live on sight and are on call to ensure safety during night time “off” hours. — All water activities are supervised by a certified lifeguard. — Paradise Farm Camps is an ACA accredited camp and follows all safety guidelines they require.

Pick Up & Drop OFF

• All parents who are dropping off at

camp are asked to be there no earlier than 8:15 and no later than 8:45

• Please enter from the gates at

Ravine Rd

• Follow arrows to drop off spot at

the gym

• Continue to follow the arrows out

at the 1250 Valley Creek Rd. exit.

• We are asking all parents to stay

with their vehicles during both drop off and pick up, so we can load and unload campers as quickly as possible.

• Pick up will work in the same

directions, campers must be picked up at 3:00.

Ente ter H r Here Drop o

• ff/

f/Pic Pick U Up

Exit H xit Here

Chaperones

At this time, all teams are still in need of chaperones, especially males!! Chaperones must have their clearances into the district prior to their trip. If you are not the same gender as your child but still want to chaperone, teams will work with you to be with your child during the day and a cabin of the same gender over-night. While chaperones who can stay for the entire two days are ideal, teams will gladly take chaperones that are only available for part of the time. Please contact your child’s teacher as soon as possible if you are able and willing to chaperone.

Questions