(406) 260-8620 brett@ravenwoodolc.org

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Where is Ravenwood located?

Through a partnership with FH Stoltze Land & Lumber Co, Ravenwood operates school programs, homeschool programs, and seasonal day camps on working timberland Teaching Forest between Whitefish and Columbia Falls.  Directions to the site will be sent to participating families after registration is completed.  Summer overnight camps also partially base on the FH Stoltze land.  

We have established relationships with other landowners all over the Flathead Valley at sites that host many smaller Ravenwood programs (especially for school groups). If you have some land that you think would make a great Ravenwood site, email our director to find out how to host Ravenwood programs!

 

How do I register for a Ravenwood program?

Ravenwood uses the CampBrain system to manage registrations. Click here to see what programs are currently open for registration.  Payments and forms can also be sent to Ravenwood at PO Box 1314 Whitefish, MT 59937 at your request.

 

Are scholarships or discounts available?

Ravenwood offers scholarships based on your family’s size and income level. See our Pricing page for more details.

How much is the deposit?

All individual-signup programs have a 10% deposit to secure a spot.

When is the final payment due?

The balance in full is automatically charged via your chosen payment method a minimum of two weeks before the start of the program.

What is Ravenwood’s cancellation policy?

Ravenwood uses a scaled refund policy depending on when you notify us of your need to cancel your participation.

If Ravenwood is notified of a cancellation four weeks (28 days) or more before the start day of a program, you may request a refund of all but the 10% deposit.  In this situation the entire deposit is eligible to be transferred as credit for future programs only for the child who was originally registered and only through the end of the calendar year following the original registration.  In order to be eligible for a deposit credit transfer, Ravenwood must be notified in writing of this intent at the time of cancellation.

If Ravenwood is notified of a cancellation between four and two weeks (27 to 14 days) prior to the start of a program, you may request a 50% refund, less the deposit.

If Ravenwood is notified of a cancellation less than two weeks (13 days or less) in advance of the program start day, then no refund will be issued.

However, regardless of the timing of your cancellation, if a waitlisted camper is confirmed as available to fill your cancelled camper’s spot you may request a full refund less the nonrefundable 10% deposit (used to pay for our staff’s time and online services needed to manage these registrations and cancellations).

 

What will my family, child, grandchild, or I experience at Ravenwood?  What will the day be like?

With the mentoring of trusted adults, Ravenwood kids experience nature in ways that strengthen connections to their community, themselves, and the natural world.

Each day is built around a set of core routines that help us become more aware of our relationships in nature and build a sense of community among our group.  We’ll start with a morning circle where we set our intentions for the day and get oriented.  Games and exploration follow, lunch, then some outdoor skill work, and finally a closing circle with songs, stories, and snacks.  We also leave lots of room in our day to let the land inspire our learning and fun. From exploring a nearby stream bank or wetland to playing games, singing songs, building shelters, learning survival skills, and telling stories around the fire, Ravenwood participants come home tired, happy, and filled with the inspiration only a good day (or week) in the woods can provide!

We see ourselves more as mentors than teachers, and ask a lot more questions than give out answers. This approach gently stretches a participant’s awareness of their world through their senses and, over time, brings them a rich and natural connection to their place, their community (all of it, not just the people!) and ultimately to their own unique set of gifts and talents. For more information on our mentoring approach and how you can support your family’s learning journey, consider purchasing “Coyotes Guide to Connecting with Nature.”

 

What is the mentor to student ratio?

Ravenwood Camps have a mentor to student ratio of 1:8 We often improve this ratio, however, as we have a number of trained volunteers who help out when they can.

 

What do participants need to bring and wear to Ravenwood?

Within a week of each program start time an Orientation Packet will be e-mailed to you which will include more information about the program, a list of what to bring, directions to the site, and more! 

A water bottle, lunch, snacks, and nature journal (can be any type—blank pages with no lines is best) are all important items. 

We strongly recommend your child wear long pants and closed-toe shoes for each session even on warm days.  Many of the games we play can result in scratches and scrapes and summer bugs are easier to handle with less skin exposed as well. We’ll be carrying a first aid kit for minor bumps, scrapes, 

We will set up shelters for inclement weather, but a lot of the time we’ll be outside so please make sure your child has layered clothing and gear for any type of seasonal weather in their pack EACH day. Trumbull Canyon Camp is at a higher elevation than the valley. While the weather may be comfortable at home, it may be storming or freezing up the canyon!

 

When it’s been cold and rainy, participants should dress as if they were going to stand in a cold shower for six hours! 

 

In rainy weather, and especially the day after a rainstorm when the brush is still wet, proper clothing includes:

 

  • Waterproof boots or shoes
  • Rain pants or other waterproof pants that can be removed when not needed
  • Lighter pants worn under rain pants
  • Waterproof shell or slicker jacket
  • Insulating top
  • Lighter top such as a tee shirt
  • Waterproof hat or hood

 

 In winter weather, proper clothing includes:

 

  • Warm goves,
  • Warm hat, 
  • Warm wool socks, 
  • Warm base layer on top and bottom, 
  • Waterproof jacket, 
  • Waterproof well-insulated snow boots or multiple layers of wool socks plus good boots, 
  • Waterproof insulated pants. 
  • Extra snacks and thermoses of hot drinks help small campers keep their energy up on cold days. 
  • When snow is deep, we also encourage campers to bring their own snowshoes if available. If you don’t have your own, we have enough to share!
  • Pack extra pairs of gloves and socks in case the first pair get wet. We will stash them at camp while we go play!

 

In hot, sunny weather proper clothing includes:

 

  • Sun hat
  • Sun screen
  • Removable insulating layer
  • Extra water bottles

 

Can I drop my child/grandchild off late for a Ravenwood program or pick them up early?

We ask that only in the case of the extreme do you drop off a child late or pick him/her up early. In general, early pickups are easier for us to accommodate than late arrivals and lunchtime is the best time to schedule this. We often let curiosity and inspiration direct where on the land we explore, making it a disruption to come back to the center of camp to meet a parent. The Lead Mentor of each age group will share their cell phone number with you on the first day of camp and via our email system. Please contact the Lead Mentor of your camper’s group to arrange an early pick-up or late drop-off.

 

Are meals provided?

All children involved in Day Camps need to bring their own sack lunch, a healthy snack and a water bottle, all housed in a backpack. 

 

How would I contact my child during a Ravenwood program?

If you need to get a message to your child, text both of the staff members assigned to your child’s camp. Lead Mentor phone numbers will be provided during day one orientation and via email.

 

What is the “closing ceremony” at the end of each Ravenwood program?

Ravenwood strongly encourages friends and family to attend a scheduled closing ceremony at the end of a program (not all programs will schedule this event). This very meaningful and celebratory program allows children to share about their Ravenwood experience and bring family and friends into the community they’ve created in the woods! The ceremony often includes songs, games, stories, and sharing of skills learned at Ravenwood. It can be very disappointing for children if no one from their family/friend circle comes to the closing ceremony, so please make every effort to support them for this special event.